Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments below, anytime between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time).
Ruelle Verte/Green Laneway, Villeray District, Montréal
Some places call them back alleys or alleyways; around here we call them laneways. Whatever you call them, they are a necessary eyesore that’s found in most urban residential areas in bigger cities across North America.
I few years back I put together this winter post taking a tour of one of Montréal’s many Green Laneways that explained the city-sponsored initiative to beautify these old utility access lanes and at the same time getting neighbours working together to spruce up their ‘hoods.
Because of the serious door potential of laneways, last week I finally decided to do a leisurely walk-through of another one to see what I could find.
This one is found behind de Gaspé Ave. in the north-central district of Villeray.
Garage doors are a common find of course.
As are back yard gates, and fence and shed doors.

A triple play! A door, as seen through a gate, with a back balcony door up in the top right corner: woohoo!
If you’re driving through, please proceed slowly and keep an eye out for playing kids.
These seemed to give access to the rear of a small apartment block near the end of the street. The chipped and faded brick add extra texture to the shot. Me likey… a lot 🙂
And saving the best for last:
Another homemade free library – Yay!
Now back to de Gaspé Ave. If anyone knows the significance of this otherwise unremarkable street, both in the history of Montréal and for professional sports in North America, let me know. You’ll get extra points, bragging rights, and maybe even a batch of Norm’s cookies if you ever make it to Montréal.
The answer will be the subject of next week’s post.
As always I thank you for stopping in 🙂
Want to join in on the fun and share your own Thursday Doors post with other door lovers? Then please add the link to your Thursday Doors post in the comments section below.
Don’t forget that if you share your blog posts on social media, use the #ThursdayDoors hashtag to help others find you, and please do take a few minutes to visit some of the Thursday Door posts shared by others.
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The garage door it’s the hose just looks like someone painted on a circle. Thankyou for sharing your photos.
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Thank you. So sorry for the late reply 🙂
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Great round-up! I really have found some interesting (beautiful to me) doors in alleys here. When I was a kid, the alleys were for playing, and oh, how we did play 🙂
My own community has few alleys left, but we do still have them here and there. Kids still play in them, too.
I really like the chipped brick framed couple and wooden gates with vines (I see Virginia creeper in a couple of yours) – that’s a lot like what I find in downtown Indy.
I’ll be interested to read next week’s post!
https://wp.me/p388Ea-fqe
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Thanks Joey. Yeah I spent half my childhood summers hanging out and playing in these laneways. Games like baseball, road hockey, football in too-tight quarters really. I can say that perhaps a few windows MAY have possibly been broken over the years…none by yours truly of course 😉
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Of course! Hehe!
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A very cool find, Norm! I’ll bet that walk through that laneway took you a long time and I think you’ll have to amend that caution sign for kids playing in the area to add watchout for inattentive photographers photographing doors! 😉
My contribution post (wow, second in two weeks) is at this link: https://wp.me/pa1bZG-2H
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Thank you! Yes photographers have a tendency to get carried away and not pay attention, just like kids 🙂
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That’s a wonderful way to connect and know about lovely doors across the world 😉 they all tell a story. Here’s mine from Rome — https://ishitasood.com/the-doors-of-rome/
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Thank you Ishita and welcome 😀
Yes, doors and the stories they tell have been a great way to connect. You’ll find that we have a great community of door lovers here from all over the world.
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It’s always amazing what you can stumble upon when you take the “laneway” less traveled. 😉 I love the shade of blue that both those garage door owners chose. The gate with the spiral staircase behind looks like it could hold an enchanted garden! 🙂
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Thanks Amy 🙂
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All great, but I LOVE the small free library. 🙂 We are hoping to add one to one a Master Gardener project.
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A Little Free Library AND a gardening project…that sounds cool!!!
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Hmm, I learned something … “laneways.” I love the fence and shed doors and certainly the library! =)
Here’s my post – https://wordpress.com/posts/brendasrandomthoughts.wordpress.comhttps://brendasrandomthoughts.wordpress.com/2019/06/28/thursday-doors-gyeongbokgung-palace-ii/
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Hmm…link not working or is it me? I’ll come looking for the correct link when I have a few minutes later.
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Thanks, Norm! =)
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I like the backyard gates.
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Me too, thanks 🙂
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You’re welcome, Norm.
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Here’s my entry: https://onemillionphotographs.com/2019/06/27/7053-thursday-doors-at-the-portland-japanese-garden/
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Thank you 🙂
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What an interesting choice to walk through “alleyways”! And you got some great finds there. Lots of character in those old beat-up doors! The last one and the blue ones are my faves. “Alleys,” as we call them in L.A., are abundant here and I often find myself walking or driving through them. Must pay more attention to them… As for the quiz, I’m going to guess it’s got something to do with Hockey…! But I realize that even if that’s right, my vague answer won’t qualify me for the cookies. 😥
Anyway, here’s my entry for this week:
https://angelafurtadophotography.com/2019/06/27/thursday-doors-june-27-2019/
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Thanks Angela. Based on your great images alone, if you ever make it up this way I’ll be happy to whip up a batch of cookies with your name on it.
Believe it or not, no the clue is not hockey related – baseball actually.
Hmmm stay tuned and find out next 😉
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Oh, my! Cookies with my name on them! Now more than ever I have to visit Montréal!!! 😍
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I love going down alleyways and seeing the non-public sides of homes and businesses. When I first looked at your second blue garage door, I thought you had circled something for us to look at with a red “pen.” Then, I realized it was a hose. Duh. Nice picture of contrasting colors.
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Thanks. It’s ok, when I first uploaded the pics and looked at that garage door shot, the red hose threw me off too 😀
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I too love those hand prints on the signs and am proud of myself for being able to translate. Since there was an ice hockey game going on the night we landed and drove to downtown Montreal, I’m going to guess Gaspe Street has something to do with that sport (of which I’m ignorant but it was the first thing that popped into my head.
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Thanks Jan, but no: the de Gaspé Ave. clue is actually baseball related.
Stay tuned for next week 😉
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Always like the ‘laneways’ for interesting views. Never know what treasures you’ll find.
My link: https://katytrailcreations.com/2019/06/27/lawrencekansas-may-28-2019-thursday-doors/
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You got that right, thanks 🙂
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Sorry – forgot again! https://thejeshstudio.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/symmery-places/
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These lane ways with the wooden fences – love these – makes me think of what they have in the Netherlands – not only do they have these laneways for businesses, but also have narrow paved alleys behind residential houses. These are kinda cute, and you can see while walking how everyone has arranged their backyard (or once in a while, not, lol).
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Thank you 🙂
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Oh, I did something on a lane also this week. Love the wooden ones when they are worn. Nice post . Here is my link for today.
Pat
https://thoughtsandentanglements.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/thursday-door-5/
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Thanks Pat. Yes it seems great minds do think alike 😉
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Was thinking the same thing:)
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Isn’t the diversity of doors amazing? I’ve tried twice to link mine. Here’s a third try: https://judydykstrabrown.com/2019/06/27/looking-out-at-the-cat-looking-in-thursday-doors-june-27-2019/
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Thanks Judy. Yes a found quite an interesting mix this week 🙂
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I like that last photo in your collection, here’s my contribution: https://gwhphotos.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/thursday-doors-june-27-2019/
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Thank you!
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I’ve made it to Toronto and always wanted to visit Montreal. Great laneway photos, it’s always fun to get off the beaten path, here is my entry: http://the59club.blog/2019/06/27/horsing-around/
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Thanks Alice. Compared to Toronto, Montreal has done a lot more to preserve its history and older architecture. I’m sure you’d love it, but summer or fall is the best time to come 😉
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Yay for the free library, triple play and a palette of wonderful door finds. I love all that wood and what they did with it. And that splash of blue. And the one before last is a classic.
Here is a new country for my Thursday Doors, thanks to my incoming uncle. Last year he went to Malta:
https://manjameximoving.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/thursday-doors-27-6-19-malta/
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Thanks Manja. I’m looking forward to exploring some more of these laneways while the weather is cooperating.
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Sorry, I forgot to add my link to this week’s post in my first comment. https://jeanreinhardt.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/thursday-doors-antrim/
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Laneways can be so interesting and it’s great to find those that are kept neat and litter free. Although I do like the variety of back gates and fences, the last is definitely the best, Norm.
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Thank you Jean. I really should make a point of exploring more of these 🙂
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I like the door with the vine. Here is mine for this week. https://travel-with-tech.blog/2019/06/27/more-doors-in-and-around-carcassonne/
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Thank you!
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Norm, I *did* not know you made cookies. Great and very interesting post. Setting the bar high for the rest of us.
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Thanks Sheree 🙂
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My door post this week is at
https://mylifelivedfull.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/doors-of-paris/
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Ah, the little library door! I love it, Norm! Thank you as always for hosting “Thursday Doors”. This week I have a rather interesting door that I came across in downtown Chicago: https://wp.me/p4doQv-21E
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Those little libraries make me smile every time I see one 🙂
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Me too!! It really shows a sense of community. Now if only the squirrels would return their books on time……🤔
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I love all the variations and diverse presentations of Thursday doors https://dymoonblog.com/2019/06/27/thursday-doors-22/
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Thanks for joining. BTW, your WP spam filter is still eating my comments you your posts. Cheers 🙂
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Cookies? Did someone say cookies?
You’ve just proven that a walk down a laneway can be just as interesting as the street itself. My favourite photos are of the signs with the hand prints. They are obviously not city-sanctioned signs and the community has taken matters into their own hands (pun not intended) 🙂
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You know you’re welcome to a batch of my cookies anytime, just let me know when you’re coming 😉
Yes the hand print signs are adorable. The city leaves it up to the residents committee as to how they want to decorate things so in a way those signs are city-sanctioned, which is pretty cool 🙂
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I would love to make a return trip to Montreal again this summer. I had hoped to ride in the Magog area … but I think I’ve filled my quota of travel for a while 😏
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Calling these places ruelle verte is a nice way to get people to clean them up. I like that blue door with the roll of orange wire (pipe?) next to it.
My contribution this week is a door which refuses to give up the ghost: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/the-acropolis-of-priene/
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Yes, the whole concept to turn a laneway into a green one is that a minimum number of residents have to sign on that they agree to it and are willing to help decorate and maintain it. It really does bring people together.
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A brilliant piece of town planning actually
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Squeeeee! A little free library in French! I can’t vote on a door–I’m too distracted by the eye-poppery of the blue garage door plus the vivid red garden hose AND the lime-green flower pot. My doors today are also tucked away here and there. http://marianallen.com/2019/06/st-johns-church-road-thursdaydoors/
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The lime-green flower pot was one of my faves too 🙂
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Quite a collection! Gives me some ideas…
We have several of these homemade libraries, the most recent one is the one next to the public pool. It is a wonderful idea, I hate to throw away books.
Here are my doors for this week: https://geriatrixfotogallerie.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/green-doors-5/
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Thanks. Yes those free libraries always make me smile 🙂
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Nice set of doors, especially the blue ones. I can’t contribute a guess for the sports quiz so I’ll miss out on the cookies 😪.
Here’s my contribution with family history https://port4u.net/2019/06/27/conception-door/
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Thanks Sherry. Oddly there’s a link to NYC on the quiz 😉
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Here’s mine: https://chava61.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/thursday-doors-june-27-2019/
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Thank you!
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I’m guessing these are all fairly important doors, Norm. They certainly has seen their share of use. I thought the intriguing thing was going to be that brick wall alongside the blue door (that looks like it bending), but your quest and cookie offer – that’s interesting. I’ll have to wait until next week. I hope you have a great weekend.
My doors are from New York this week – https://nofacilities.com/2019/06/27/lower-manhattan-doors-thursdaydoors/
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Thanks Dan. Yes some of those garage doors were so sloped and warped I can’t believe they’re still functional.
Yes it will be a great long weekend here: Canada Day on Monday.
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A great post, and I love those urban, gritty hard-working doors, often neglected and overlooked, but not by Mr Norm Frampton!
This week my doors come from Dorchester: https://scooj.org/2019/06/27/thursday-doors-27-june-2019/
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Thanks for the kind words 🙂
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