Boucherville: Old Town, Art and Island Trails

History in the town centre, art and trails through an island landscape on the St. Lawrence River offer different ways to plan a stay in Boucherville. Marked circular hiking trails are also available in winter. Which of these experiences matters most to you can help you decide what to look for in your accommodation in Boucherville.

Historic town centre and guided tours

Vieux-Boucherville is a cited heritage site and is considered the historic and tourist heart of the city. Narrow streets and numerous historic houses define the area. Anyone wishing to learn more about the neighbourhood and Place de l’Église can request a tailor-made guided tour from the Société d’histoire des Îles-Percées. The tours go through Vieux-Boucherville and to Place de l’Église.

Maison Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine is the only surviving testimony to Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine’s time in Boucherville. Église Sainte-Famille adds a layered architectural history to the historic picture: it was built in 1801 to plans by parish priest Pierre Conefroy and classified as a historic monument in 1964. After a fire in 1843, it was substantially rebuilt by Louis-Thomas-Berlinguet. Restoration work took place in 1969 and again between 2006 and 2016. These dates distinguish the original construction, the rebuilding and later work.

Trails on foot, by bike and on the water

Boucherville has almost 45 km of multi-use trails. This offers another way to spend time outdoors. In Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville, the cycling network covers 21 km. If you are planning a bike outing, you can use this distance as a separate point of reference for planning your day.

The park also has a marked 8 km water trail through channels and an exceptional marshland. You can rent kayaks and canoes on site or bring your own boats. This lets you choose an activity based on whether you prefer to be on the water or on a trail on foot or by bike.

The island park in winter

Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville consists of five small islands in the St. Lawrence River. In winter, marked circular hiking trails are available on Île Sainte-Marguerite (7 km) and Île de la Commune (5 km). Both trails are accessible by sled. The distances refer to different circular routes on each island and can help you choose a suitable route when planning your day.

Seasonal ferry service and cultural offerings

During the summer season, Navark operates a river ferry from Boucherville to Île Grosbois in Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville. You can board on foot or with a bicycle. This seasonal connection is a separate consideration when planning your stay; it should not be confused with the winter trails.

Café centre d’art also adds a cultural dimension: it is a venue for visual arts, performing arts and media arts, as well as a place for exchange between artists and audiences. Maison dite Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine offers three tours for adults, teenagers and young children. When planning, you can choose between historical topics, art and the different trail options without confusing the various offerings.

For the wider travel overview: Lajemmerais.