Lieu Historique National du Canal-de-Lachine
Lieu Historique National du Canal-de-Lachine
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
No longer used as a means of transportation, this canal now serves as a recreation area with hiking and biking trails.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Ville-Marie
How to get there
- Place-d'Armes • 9 min walk
- Square-Victoria-OACI • 10 min walk
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4.5
638 reviews
Excellent
349
Very good
234
Average
45
Poor
8
Terrible
2
TheLeongOhana
United States7,505 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We combined our visit to the canal after wandering through Atwater Market. It was an easy five minute walk away.
The views by Atwater were not as nice as the photos posted by other reviewers but it was a starting point. You could see the original canal, biking and walking paths, bridges and so on from this viewpoint.
Next time we will need more time to explore further.
The views by Atwater were not as nice as the photos posted by other reviewers but it was a starting point. You could see the original canal, biking and walking paths, bridges and so on from this viewpoint.
Next time we will need more time to explore further.
Written 4 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller & Foodie
Montreal, Canada4,353 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
The Lachine Canal runs 14.5 km from the Old Port until Lake St. Louis in the west. The city has made it nicer and more accessible for bikers. The bike path runs from the Old Port all the way until the west which makes it a pleasant place to be on a sunny day. The city of Montreal has also built nice condos in the area that are close to the downtown area with nice views of the water. This is a very nice area to have a picnic or just stroll by foot to admire the famous canal. The city is working very hard to make it a nicer area every year with a lot of construction to make it a more pleasant area to come too.
Written 1 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
45DegreesNorth
Montreal, Canada1,852 contributions
Sept 2011
As a cyclist, the pleasure of a dedicated bike path is one that I cherish - it is wonderful to see a city on a bike, but not if one has to worry about competing with the traffic. But this is a path that is rarely interrupted by road, and takes you along lovely green parts of the city, parts that you might not normally see if you stuck to your tour guide. With the Bixi rental bike system available, a visitor can rent a bike in the Old Port and head west on the dedicated bike path that follows the Lachine Canal, a waterway that leads approximately 13 km to where it empties into the St. Lawrence River near a beautiful park called Parc Rene-Levesque, which offers views of a marina, old churches and lighthouses in Lachine, and a view across the river, on a bike path that loops around the park. (In this park you will find interesting outdoor sculptures, an arboretum, a shuttle boat, lots of space to picnic, fly a kite or throw a football, and practicalities such as washrooms, always welcome on a long bike ride!) There is a terrific spot to stop at the end of the park which has bike stands and park benches, which serves as a natural stopping point to admire the view.
Between the Old Port and Parc Rene Levesque, highlights are the Atwater Market, a vibrant fresh market scene and a great place to stop for a coffee, and the St. Ambroise pub - St. Ambroise is a local beer and one can enjoy it on their open terrace (it has always looked inviting on a hot day but I have not mixed alcohol and cycling yet!). Also, along the way in the summer, one can watch the locks open and close, letting recreational boaters get on their way. It is a lazy pastime to watch while you are getting a rest. There are water fountains and washrooms along the way - the path is very well supported. The path is open year round, but a connecting section of the path along a brief space of road in the Old Montreal becomes street parking between November and April - it reopens in April, is 'posted' off to become dedicated bike path again.
Patience can be required when the summer is full on and there are lots of people sharing the path - roller bladers, families with small children who are a still a bit wobbly on their bikes, triathletes eager to get around everyone - you will also see police patrols on bike to keep things safe, and I have occasionally seen them on horseback (riding off the path). I find that the busiest parts of the path are between Atwater market and the Old Port. Once you get west of Atwater market, the crowds tend to peter out.
There are lots of connections to other bike paths - linking to paths around the island, out to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve rack track, to the South Shore by bridge or boat shuttle.
I have enjoyed this path throughout the year, and I highly recommend it.
Between the Old Port and Parc Rene Levesque, highlights are the Atwater Market, a vibrant fresh market scene and a great place to stop for a coffee, and the St. Ambroise pub - St. Ambroise is a local beer and one can enjoy it on their open terrace (it has always looked inviting on a hot day but I have not mixed alcohol and cycling yet!). Also, along the way in the summer, one can watch the locks open and close, letting recreational boaters get on their way. It is a lazy pastime to watch while you are getting a rest. There are water fountains and washrooms along the way - the path is very well supported. The path is open year round, but a connecting section of the path along a brief space of road in the Old Montreal becomes street parking between November and April - it reopens in April, is 'posted' off to become dedicated bike path again.
Patience can be required when the summer is full on and there are lots of people sharing the path - roller bladers, families with small children who are a still a bit wobbly on their bikes, triathletes eager to get around everyone - you will also see police patrols on bike to keep things safe, and I have occasionally seen them on horseback (riding off the path). I find that the busiest parts of the path are between Atwater market and the Old Port. Once you get west of Atwater market, the crowds tend to peter out.
There are lots of connections to other bike paths - linking to paths around the island, out to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve rack track, to the South Shore by bridge or boat shuttle.
I have enjoyed this path throughout the year, and I highly recommend it.
Written 24 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IUXO
Atlanta, GA12 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
I read that this was a very scenic trail. The entire loop takes around 3-4 hours to bike. For the entire first half of the loop you get to ride along the canal thru graffiti covered industrial buildings, paralleling roads with trucks and construction. Once to get to the half way point, there is a park where you can find water, a bathroom and maybe some junk food. After that things pick up a bit as you return along the river, riding thru several parks. When this section ends, you are routed thru a residential neighborhood. If you’re picturing tree lined streets, don’t. Picture a ghetto. If you survive that, you’re back to the canal and the abandoned warehouses. If that sounds like a nice way to spend half a day of you’re vacation, go for it.
Written 3 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Herbert S
Montreal, Canada6 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
As a Montrealer, I've used the paths adjacent to the canal for cross-country skiing, cycling and jogging. It's an essentially flat narrow stretch of
park extending 21 km. from Old Montreal to the Rene Levesque Park at the confluence of the Lachine canal and St. Lawrence river. The park itself has ample space for picnicking and viewing the freighters traversing the river and has an outdoor sculpture installation.
Historically the canal played a role in the early industrialization of the city and several structures from that era remain on the south side of the canal. The north side displays historical information and photographic plaques mounted just off the path itself. There are at least 2 indoor exhibits of historical nature.
Water fountains and restroom facilities are available as are small eateries, taverns [just outside the path] and ice cream parlors.
Kayaks and bicycles can be rented and bike repair stands are available.
Car parking areas with access to the canal are found at Old Montreal, at the Atwater market in Griffontown just below Notre Dame and Guy sts. and at various points heading further west toward the park.
The Atwater market, an attraction itself, is an open and enclosed area with a very diverse offering of gustatory delights including local veggies and fruits.
For those interested in outdoor sport activity, strolling and the role of the canal centuries ago in the development of the city, I would strongly recommend a visit to the Lachine canal.
park extending 21 km. from Old Montreal to the Rene Levesque Park at the confluence of the Lachine canal and St. Lawrence river. The park itself has ample space for picnicking and viewing the freighters traversing the river and has an outdoor sculpture installation.
Historically the canal played a role in the early industrialization of the city and several structures from that era remain on the south side of the canal. The north side displays historical information and photographic plaques mounted just off the path itself. There are at least 2 indoor exhibits of historical nature.
Water fountains and restroom facilities are available as are small eateries, taverns [just outside the path] and ice cream parlors.
Kayaks and bicycles can be rented and bike repair stands are available.
Car parking areas with access to the canal are found at Old Montreal, at the Atwater market in Griffontown just below Notre Dame and Guy sts. and at various points heading further west toward the park.
The Atwater market, an attraction itself, is an open and enclosed area with a very diverse offering of gustatory delights including local veggies and fruits.
For those interested in outdoor sport activity, strolling and the role of the canal centuries ago in the development of the city, I would strongly recommend a visit to the Lachine canal.
Written 16 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bdima
Boston, MA13 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The good part is that the bike path is fantastically well designed, you hardly ever need to cross any streets let alone ride through traffic. This fact is well used by roadies, in fact we've been passed by a three-rider paceline in matching kit, which I've never seen on any bike path. There are very few kids and dog-walkers (more on that below), so if you want to stretch your legs, go right ahead.
Sadly it's not much cop sightseeing-wise. You pass right next to several construction sights, highways, and factories (those that have large pipes, funnels, and trucks outside, not the converted atmospheric exposed-brick ones) complete with the smells and the sounds. This is the industrial heart of a living city but it's neither scenic, serene, etc. Some parts of the path are less leafy than others so use sunscreen! It does get better right at the end, at Rene Levesque Park.
We took the longer way back, along the river bank/La Salle blvd. That route has water views (including white water), actual people, outdoor swimming pools, etc. If you're heading to Old City, keep in mind that short sections (e.g. Wellington St) are on non-separated streets and also there are no signs so some map-reading proficiency is needed.
Sadly it's not much cop sightseeing-wise. You pass right next to several construction sights, highways, and factories (those that have large pipes, funnels, and trucks outside, not the converted atmospheric exposed-brick ones) complete with the smells and the sounds. This is the industrial heart of a living city but it's neither scenic, serene, etc. Some parts of the path are less leafy than others so use sunscreen! It does get better right at the end, at Rene Levesque Park.
We took the longer way back, along the river bank/La Salle blvd. That route has water views (including white water), actual people, outdoor swimming pools, etc. If you're heading to Old City, keep in mind that short sections (e.g. Wellington St) are on non-separated streets and also there are no signs so some map-reading proficiency is needed.
Written 17 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy C
Hopkinton, MA277 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
I see that some of the reviews are negative; don't listen to them. No, this is not a ride through the countryside. But it varies from cityscapes to beautiful tree-lined sections. It has interesting history and a good surface for riding. And it ends at beautiful Rene Levesque Park. We rode the entire Lachine Canal, and then looped back along the bike path along the St Lawrence River next to LaSalle Blvd, including a stop at Parc des Rapides. We highly recommend this ride (it's 20-plus miles, but mostly flat). The Lachine Canal bike path is also a great way to get into the Old Port section of Montreal without having to ride on streets.
Written 14 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa627
Baltimore139 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Get on a bike and take a cruise outside the hustle and bustle. Beautiful trail along the canal. Easy ride no matter your age.
Written 27 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grace-Aguiar
Montreal, Canada562 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Lovely park for an afternoon gateway, not far from downtown Montreal, connect with the West Island, this park offers beautiful landscapes and perfect places for those who like the quiet and tranquility to read.
Written 24 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luapdrareve
Melbourne, Australia200 contributions
The hotel concierge recommended we walk down to the canal area and hire a bike. He said the area was a top highlight in the city. We were very disappointed. We had to walk through some fairly low housing areas to get to the canal, appeared quite safe, but certainly not a pleasant walk. The canal area itself has cleverly taken old factories and converted them into city living. The trees and park areas are nice but it still feels too industrial and the graffiti everywhere adds to the drab feel. From a picturesque viewpoint I'd score a 2-3. The markets nearby looked good.
Written 19 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much time would you spend here? If I did the ride from beginning to end and back again, with a stop at the Atwater Mache to pick up picnic fixings, how many hours would this be? A nice long afternoon? Thank you
Written 7 July 2018
Generally people rent for 1-2 hours. The canal has locks and H2O is located between #3 and #4 which is 3 km. If you want to pic nic go for 2-3 hours
Written 8 July 2018
Where is there a good spot to park your car along the canal to get your day going? Thx in advance
Written 17 July 2016
Ya that is probably your best bet. But if you want to be a bit closer to Old Montreal, you can park in Pointe St.Charles on the south side of canal, on any side street it's free also - and then walk east along canal to the old port.
Written 18 July 2016
The bycicle path is closed to pedestrians and bikes from ville emard for 2-3 kms what do you do to pass it ? This will be for 2-3 years. St Patrick Street is under construction and you can't risk biking in the street, what do you suggest?
Written 2 May 2016
Use the north side of the canal. This means St Ambrose st in that area.
Written 19 July 2016
Where can I park my car in lachine so I can bike all the way downtown?
Written 11 July 2015
Unfortunately the bike path is closed in the ville emard area and will stay under construction for 2-4 years so you should start your bike tour in point St. Charles to old Montreal
Written 4 May 2016
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