Dreaming of exploring the stories of the past? Memories await you at Parks Canada places from coast to coast to coast!
Whether you’re looking for adventure, fun science activities for the whole family, a chance to explore history, or a break from the everyday, Parks Canada has 450 000 km² of protected areas with countless unique experiences to suit your needs.
Starting on May 17, the Greater Montreal Area national historic sites will officially open for the 2019 visitor season. Sites where you will discover stories, historical figures, voyageurs, trappers and smugglers, as well as a beautiful waterway await you! Check them out while strolling, cycling, boating or rollerblading — there is something for everyone, from youngest to wisest.
The Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site ‒ Old Montreal
This summer, contemporary art will be featured in the living room of Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s home, the only Victorian-style interior you can visit in Montreal. Interdisciplinary artist Jocelyn Robert will be presenting a work of audio art as part of Period Rooms, a project carried out in partnership with VOX ‒ Centre de l’image contemporaine. Inspired by the “O Canada! mon pays! mes amours!” musical score, a song composed by Cartier himself, Jocelyn Robert wanted to spark a reflection on the memory of an illustrious figure and on what is left of it over time.
This artwork is part of a circuit of eight artistic interventions taking place at the Château Dufresne, the Château Ramezay, the Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal and the Molinari Foundation. Admission is $3.90 per adult and free for youth aged 17 and under.
The Lachine Canal National Historic Site
The oTENTik Experience
This summer, experience an original getaway in oTENTik accommodations on the shores of the Lachine Canal! Relax at the foot of Silo No. 5 and enjoy a unique panoramic view of the city. Explore the Lachine Canal on foot or on bike and take advantage of the many activities offered in the Old Port of Montreal. The oTENTik accommodations site offers you an unparalleled immersion in an exceptional urban and heritage setting for $120 per night. This summer, experience Montreal in a whole new way!
Learn-to Camp!
Once again this summer, Parks Canada is offering a Learn-to Camp program in an urban environment. The intent of the program is to initiate people, who have little to no camping experience, in order to pique their interest in exploring our national parks and nature. Located on a small island of greenery on the shores of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site, a few steps from the Old Port, the program offers overnight initiation stays with outdoor cooking workshops, games and activity circuits that will entertain all generations. Of course, the traditional campfire and marshmallows are on the program! Four overnight stays are scheduled: June 15, July 6, August 3 and August
17. All information, reservation terms and conditions, fees and detailed programming are available on the Lachine Canal website.
Nautical Activities
The boat ride service on the waters of the Lachine Canal offered by Le Petit Navire provides an opportunity to explore the Port of Montreal waterway right up to the gourmet stop at the Atwater Market. And if you wish to see the city from another angle, H2O Adventures offers a wide range of safe watercraft from electric boats to kayaks, not to mention paddleboats.
The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site
The perfect spot to relive the fur trade era! Learn about the exploits and adventures of the trappers, voyageurs and Indigenous peoples who travelled by canoe from Lachine to Fort William. Admission is $3.90 per adult and free for youth aged 17 and under.
The Fort Chambly National Historic Site ‒ Montérégie
At the foot of the Richelieu Rapids, Fort Chambly lies on a picturesque site. This magnificent and strategic stone fortification comes alive with exciting activities to take part in all summer long as a family, in a group or alone: costumed interpretive activities, musket and artillery firing, architecture of the area, and a heritage vegetable garden. Visit the exhibition “Smuggling” which highlights the secrets of the illegal trade between the settlers and the Indigenous Nations. Admission: $5.65 per adult and free for youth aged 17 and under. Full programming is available on the website of the Fort Chambly National Historic Site.
The Fort Lennox National Historic Site is closed for the 2019 season owing to a major conservation project. Extensive restoration work is underway to conserve the Barrack, the Officers’ Quarters, the Guardhouse and two Magazines. These investments, which give a future to our past, are designed to allow Canadians to continue enjoying our rich history and heritage, and to preserve this unique site for future generations.
Parks Canada places belong to all Canadians. That is why the Government of Canada is pleased to continue to offer free admission to all Parks Canada’s places for youth aged 17 and under. By encouraging young people to discover nature and connect with history, we can help to inspire the next generation of stewards for these protected places.
In celebration of diversity, Parks Canada continues to offer free admission to new Canadian citizens for one year through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Canoo mobile app. Visiting Parks Canada’s national heritage places is a great way for Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn more about our environment and heritage.
Parks Canada staff of the Greater Montreal Area national historic sites are excited to welcome new and returning guests to experience everything that these sites have to offer.
Quote
“Warm weather is finally here. It’s the perfect time to head back outside and reconnect with the places we love. Parks Canada has so many wonderful places where Canadians and visitors to Canada can explore our wilderness and learn about our culture and history. The Government of Canada is pleased to offer free admission to all Parks Canada’s places for young people, 17 and under. So let’s get outdoors, visit our national parks, historic sites, or marine conservation areas, taking advantage of discovering the places in Canada we love best.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
Quick Facts
- The Lachine Canal National Historic Site is open from May 17 to October 14, 2019
- The Fort Chambly National Historic Site is open from May 18 to October 14, 2019
- The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site is open from June 22 to September 2, 2019
- The Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site is open from June 22 to December 29, 2019
- The Fort Lennox National Historic Site is closed in 2019
Enter Parks Canada’s Discover Canada contest for a chance to win an amazing trip to Canada’s North- Yukon! In collaboration with our proud partners: MEC, CIBC Air Canada, and Air North.
Associated Link
– 30 –
Contacts
For the historic canals:
Audrey Godin-Champagne
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Quebec Waterways, Parks Canada
450-447-4888
audrey.godinchampagne@canada.ca
For the other national historic sites:
Marie-Monique Jean-Baptiste
Public Relations and Communications Officer
La Mauricie and Western Quebec, Parks Canada
438-777-6118
marie-monique.jean-baptiste@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812 pc.medias-media.pc@canada.ca
