To the southeast of Montréal stretches a vast, bucolic and hilly territory that’s home to many vineyards, orchards and maple groves. Bordered by the St. Lawrence and bisected by the Richelieu, the Montérégie is an invitation to indulge in relaxation and gourmet discoveries.
History is everywhere in the Montérégie. The Chambly Canal is a popular place for a stroll. Many of its locks are still operated by hand, to the delight of pleasure boaters! Neighbouring Fort Chambly, another national historic site, attests to the 18th- and 19th-century skirmishes between France, England and the United States.
Built at the foot of the Richelieu River rapids in 1709, Fort Chambly is an impressive stone fort that protected the route towards Montréal against British attacks. But in September 1760, the British took over the fort and established a vast military complex, which remained active until the middle of the following century. Authentic witness of the French presence in America, Fort Chambly was restaured by Parks Canada in 1983. Now, in these walls, we find exhibits that remind us of the different armed conflicts of the 17th and 18th centuries, the activities of the French garrison who lived there, as well as the human and physical development of the Seigneurie de Chambly. The architectural relics are still visible and will allow you to follow the evolution of this impressive, defensive work. Immerse yourself into the daily lives of a French soldier and inhabitants, with the help of numerous objects found during archaeological excavations.
Sources: Tourisme Québec, Parks Canada