Looking for ways to keep the family busy this summer? Sometimes, all it takes is crossing a bridge to enjoy a complete change of scenery. On Montreal’s South Shore, Roussillon RS offers countless affordable family-friendly activities. From nature and culture to recreation and outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone in this corner of Montérégie. It’s a destination that lives up to its promise: Roussillon RS is “the largest backyard in the city.”
Text provided by La Presse – Photos provided by MRC Roussillon and Tourisme Montérégie
Discover Unexpected Heritage
A great outing for curious minds, the ArchéoMusée Roussillon RS invites young explorers to travel back more than 5,000 years through human history. Kids can take part in a simulated archaeological dig and discover fascinating treasures dating back to prehistoric times.
Nearby, visit Exporail, le Musée ferroviaire canadien. Whether through its miniature trains or its full-size locomotives, one of North America’s largest railway museums offers an engaging experience for the whole family.
Du côté de Châteauguay, la Maison LePailleur ouvre une fenêtre sur le savoir-faire d’autrefois. Visitez cette maison bicentenaire pour avoir un aperçu à la fois de sa construction et de la vie quotidienne de ses occupants au fil des époques. In Châteauguay, Maison LePailleur provides a glimpse into life and craftsmanship from another era. Tour this 200-year-old home to learn about both its construction and the daily lives of its occupants throughout the centuries.
Reconnect with Nature
Located just 20 minutes from Montreal, Île Saint-Bernard is a natural oasis worth discovering. Visitors come here to walk, enjoy a family picnic, take a rabaska canoe excursion, or stop for a treat at Café de l’Île. The heritage site is also home to one of Québec’s last remaining windmills.
Covering most of the island, the Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville supports an incredibly rich biodiversity. Birds, beavers, bullfrogs, eastern cottontails, turtles—how many fascinating creatures will young explorers spot along the trails?
Enjoy the St. Lawrence River
Roussillon stretches along the St. Lawrence River from east to west. For both residents and visitors, this privileged access to riverside landscapes offers a refreshing escape just minutes from the metropolis. A stroll along the Promenade fluviale du Grand Montréal is enough to appreciate its beauty.
On a warm summer day, RécréoParc in Sainte-Catherine is one of the region’s most refreshing destinations. The site features three distinct areas: a beach and swimming zone fed by the river’s rapids, a section dedicated to water sports, and a campground. The latter is an excellent option for spending a night under the stars without venturing too far from home.
Escape by Bike
Cycling enthusiasts have a new destination to discover: Pré ferré – The Roussillon RS Cycling Route. This 18-kilometre paved, accessible trail crosses the region, taking riders through farmland and villages. Along the way, three rest areas highlight the area’s agricultural heritage.
Looking for a different landscape? Continue onto La Riveraine bike path, which follows the St. Lawrence River from Saint-Constant to Varennes, or extend the adventure on Montérégie’s extensive cycling network.
Good to know: Thanks to its proximity to Montreal, Roussillon is perfectly suited to spontaneous summer outings.
Savour Local Flavours
Visits to local producers and gourmet stops add flavour to any getaway in the region. Beginning in early summer, the family-run business Mes Fruits St-Constant offers haskap berry picking, a delicacy that continues to grow in popularity. In Mercier, visitors can also pick blueberries at Bleuetière Ste-Marguerite. In the fall, pumpkin harvesting takes over, delighting both children and adults.
When it comes to local food products, Fromagerie Ruban Bleu is a regional staple. Goat cheeses can be purchased at the cheese shop and gourmet market in Châteauguay or at the company’s café in Mercier. Another favourite among food lovers, Domaine Labranche brings together many of the region’s culinary pleasures: a sugar bush and sugar shack, an orchard, and a vineyard. In every season, there is something delicious to enjoy.
Partnership between Tourisme Montérégie, the Roussillon Regional County Municipality (RCM), and La Presse (2026).
