Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a city of almost 100,000 people (2021) in Montérégie, Southwestern Quebec. Agrotourism is one of the region's biggest draws, boasting orchards and cider-houses, vineyards and wineries, and maple sugar shacks (sucreries).

Understand

It is about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Montreal on the shores of the Richelieu River and about 30 km from the Canada-US border. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu ranks eleventh among cities in the province. Regional capital of Haut-Richelieu in Montérégie, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu enjoys a strategic location and offers its citizens an exceptional quality of life.

The city is in an area rich with fertile soil. St-Jean is a manufacturing centre for textiles, food and wood products. It hosts an Area Support Unit (ASU) of the Canadian Forces, which functions as a primary recruit and officer training establishment.

History

The city has been an important transportation hub. The first railway line in British North America connected it with La Prairie in 1836.

The French built Fort Saint-Jean in the 17th century. Known to early English settlers as St. Johns, it provided an important communication link during the French and Indian Wars. During the American Revolutionary War control of the town changed hands several times as British and American forces moved through the area.

Local information

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Town council website

Get in

By car

The city is split in two by Autoroute de la Vallée-des-Forts (Autoroute 35) which goes north-south.

By bus

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Route 96. Service from Montreal. (updated Apr 2024)

By plane

45.29645-73.28281 Saint-Jean Municipal Airport (YJN ^IATA), 22, chemin de l'Aéroport (southwest of downtown), ☏ +1 450-359-2010, . Municipal airport for general aviation at 41 m (altitude). (updated Feb 2022)

It is close to Montreal's Pierre-Elliot Trudeau International Airport (YUL^IATA).

Get around

The Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu public transit system provides commuter and local bus services.

If you have a smartphone, you can enjoy walking around the city with free audio tours, published on izi.travel platform.

See

Museums and heritage buildings

45.29877-73.252211 Fort Saint-Jean Museum (Musée du Fort Saint-Jean), 15 rue Jacques-Cartier nord (on Vieux-Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, on the west bank of the Richelieu River), ☏ +1 450-358-6500. Mid May-early Sep: W-Su 10:00-17:00; rest of year only by appointment. This National Historic Site of Canada is located on the site of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean. This site constitutes the passage of Indigenous warriors, French, English, American troops and several Canadian units. This National Historic Site of Canada traces the history of its various occupants. This museum notably exhibits thematic maps, models, uniforms, weapons, artefacts and archival documents. $4 adults, $3 seniors 65+, $2 children 6-12, $10 families, free for children under 6. (updated Dec 2018)
45.3055-73.253972 Musee du Haut-Richelieu, 182 Rue Jacques-Cartier N (on Old-Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), ☏ +1 450-347-0649. Sep-Jun: Tu-Sa 11:00-17:00, Su 13:00-17:00; Jul Aug: Su-F 11:00-17:00, Sa 09:00-17:00. A museum of regional history and of ancient and contemporary Quebec ceramics. The ceramics component occupies a place of importance in the history of the region since, starting in 1840, ceramics was one of the dominant sectors of the Haut-Richelieu economy. From 1840 to 1940, the region of Saint-Jean and Iberville was identified as the Canadian pottery capital. Under 6 years free, children from 6-17 years old $4, students $5, adults $10, seniors (65 years old and over) $9, family (2 adults and 2 children) $22. (updated Dec 2018)
45.1231-73.265783 Fort Lennox National Historic Site, 1, 61e avenue, Île-aux-Noix (22 km S of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on Route 223), ☏ +1 450-291-5700. Closed for restoration until 2021. Built between 1819 and 1829, the fort was designed to protect the colony from possible American invasion. Guided tours are given of the grounds and buildings, which include an ordnance magazine and artillery magazine, a guardhouse, officers' quarters, barracks and casemates. During summer weekends, living history demonstrations focus on fort life in the mid-19th century. Admission to the site includes the ferry ride to the island. The parking lot and visitor reception area are located on the west shore of the river. Boaters can visit the island directly and pay a separate fee to enter the fort. (updated Jul 2020)

Do

Outdoor activities

45.44815-73.83611 The Chambly Canal, Avenue Bourgogne, Chambly (south shore of the Chambly Basin), ☏ +1 450-658-4381. The Chambly Canal is a 19-km waterway along the west bank of the Richelieu River. This canal connects Lake Champlain (USA) to the Chambly Basin. Its construction began in 1831; it was opened in 1843. It is a National Historic Site of Canada. The free height is 8.84 m. The canal has one lock near the downtown core of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. In the winter, the city builds a skating rink on the canal near the lock. In the summer, the embankment on the east side of the canal has a 20-km (12-mi) cycling path. (updated Feb 2022)
45.28129-73.256952 Club de Golf St-Jean Ltée, 320, rue Jacques-Cartier Sud, ☏ +1 450-346-6814. Golf club in operation for a hundred years. This club hosts tournaments and group meetings in its modern facilities with a capacity of up to 250 people: corporate meetings (office parties, congresses), presentations, weddings, family meetings. (updated Feb 2022)
45.3731-73.299083 Club de Golf Les Légendes, 115, chemin Saint-André, ☏ +1 450-349-2915. It was built in 1976 and has an 18-hole course with a par of 72. The building complex includes a chalet housing the boutique, the terrace and the administrative offices. (updated Feb 2022)
45.24423-73.303764 Club de Golf de la Vallée Des Forts Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 1145, chemin du Petit-Bernier, ☏ +1 450-346-6090. This golf club offers 18 holes, par 72, with 6,641 yards of play. Capacity to host tournaments with more than 180 golfers, with three different reception rooms for various group meetings: events, corporate meetings, weddings. (updated Feb 2022)
45.29352-73.23395 Pumptrack (BMX Iberville), 345, avenue Lareau (Iberville Sector). BMX track. (updated Feb 2022)

Events

45.30087-73.278686 International de Montgolfières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), 5, chemin de l’Aéroport, ☏ +1 450 346-6000. The International Hot Air Balloon is one of the eight biggest festivals in Quebec. It is the largest gathering of hot air balloons in Canada. Each year, the nine-day festivities attract more than 250,000 festival-goers. The program includes two balloon flights per day (morning and evening, depending on weather conditions) and various shows by Quebec, Canadian and international artists. All activities are offered on the 20 hectares (49 acres) site. The program offers in particular the Magic Nights, the festive and lively culinary offer and rides. (updated Feb 2022)

Indoor swimming pools

45.33502-73.276927 Indoor swimming pools, 955, rue Choquette, ☏ +1 450-357-2111. Four indoor swimming pools are available:Piscine Complexe sportif Claude Raymond, 955, rue Choquette;Piscine École Marie-Rivier, 511, rue Pierre-Caisse;Piscine Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu - 30 boulevard du Séminaire Nord;Piscine du centre sportif du Fort Saint-Jean - 15, rue Jacques-Cartier Nord. (updated Feb 2022)

Arena

45.29401-73.232748 Aréna Marcel-Larocque, 370, avenue Lareau (Iberville sector), ☏ +1 450-347-6700. Indoor skating rink. (updated Feb 2022)

Parks and outdoor centres

45.28933-73.252039 Centre-de-plein-air-Ronald-Bauregard (Outdoor-Centre-Ronald-Beauregard), 93, rue Towner (along the Richelieu River, south of the main village), ☏ +1 450-357-2111. This centre offers activities in all seasons. Main services/activities in summer: hammocks and lounge chairs, slackline, kayak, paddle board, canoe, water games, volleyball, picnic area. In winter: icy path adorned with garlands of lights and a luminous arch, with a fire pit area for warming up. Rental of boats, water taxis, equipment (Frisbee, spikeball and volleyball net), skates, snowshoes and snow scooters. (updated Feb 2022)
45.28127-73.2569610 Club de golf Saint-Jean (en hiver), 320, rue Jacques-Cartier Sud, ☏ +1 450-357-2111. Winter sports enthusiasts can practise walking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for free on This site. (updated Feb 2022)

Buy

Specialized foods

45.25053-73.307081 Au Petit Verger (At the Little Orchard), 1049, chemin du Petit-Bernier, ☏ +1 514-967-0308. Kiosk open on weekends and holidays, starting on Labour Day. Orchard offering U-pick apples and pears. The apple varieties offered are: Honney Crisp, Royal Gala, McIntosh, Paulared, Lobo, Spartan, Belmac, Redcort, Cortland, Delicious red, Empire, and Flamanse Beauty pears. Fruit and by-products kiosk: fresh juice, pies, muffins, apple caramel, apple jelly. (updated Dec 2018)
45.25861-73.255972 Fraisière Hébert (Strawberry Hebert), 870, rue Jacques-Cartier Sud, ☏ +1 450-347-6290. Establishment serving fruit and fruit-based desserts. (updated Dec 2018)
45.35537-73.224423 Fromagerie Au Gre Des Champs, 400, rang Saint-Edouard, ☏ +1 450-346-8732. Tu-F 10:30-17:30, Sa Su 10:00-17:00. Their own organic cheeses, other farmhouse or artisan cheeses from Quebec, and veal, beef and pork from their farm. A showcase allows you to see some of their cheese refining, while another opens on the manufacturing workshop. (updated Dec 2018)
45.28011-73.230164 Kiosque de la Ferme Reid (Reid Farm Kiosk), 2125, chemin des Patriotes Est, ☏ +1 450-346-6867. Family business. Vegetable store. Farm specializing in sweet corn and pumpkin. (updated Dec 2018)
45.27484-73.229635 Les Fermes d'Isabelle (Isabelle's Farms), 2234, route 133 (Iberville sector), ☏ +1 450-542-9026. Producer of chickens fed 100% with feed produced from grains grown on the farm. (updated Dec 2018)

Others stores

45.0267-73.243896 Bellerive Marine inc, 875, rue Bellerive. Recreational boat repair service. (updated Feb 2022)
45.30287-73.243997 Boutique d'antiquité l'empreinte du temps (Antique shop the imprint of time), 845 Bellerive, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Iberville). For lovers of Quebec history and heritage. Antique shop in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu exhibits pieces mostly in Quebec pine or popular art from the seigneurial regime of New France until the last century (vintage). (updated Feb 2022)
45.26514-73.229998 La Brocante du coin, 2371, route 133 (secteur Iberville), ☏ +1 450-272-5952. Store that buys and sells antiques. (updated Feb 2022)

Shopping centres

45.30556-73.230889 Carrefour Laplante, 420, 2e avenue (Iberville sector), ☏ +1 450-346-1420. Sector shopping centre. (updated Dec 2018)
45.32971-73.2808210 Carrefour Richelieu, 600 Rue Pierre-Caisse, ☏ +1 450-348-6169. M-F 10:00-21:00, Sa 09:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-17:00. A regional shopping mall with 115 stores. (updated Dec 2018)
45.30654-73.2509511 Galerie du Vieux St-Jean, 208, rue Richelieu (near the Gouin bridge in Vieux-Saint-Jean), ☏ +1 450-741-3939. W Sa Su 11:00-16:00, Th F 11:00-20:00. A gallery that sells the work of national and international painters and sculptors. (updated Dec 2018)

Eat

Several restaurants or dining rooms in the Montérégie have transformed the mode of meals at the tables into take-out or delivery service. In general, restaurateurs have demonstrated great resilience by updating their website, integrating interactive and automated applications for remote orders, as well as the display of the menu, opening hours, their mode of operation (e.g. by reservation, drive-through service), required health measures (e.g., vaccination record, mask, distancing), other services (e.g., caterer, shops, accommodation, access for disabled, wi-fi, take-out, delivery), contact details and often the history of the restaurant or site.

45.30726-73.251191 Bastos, 242 Rue Richelieu, ☏ +1 450-346-7890. Su-Tu 11:00-21:00, W Th 11:00-22:00, F Sa 11:00-23:00. Portuguese grilled chicken, seafood, poutine. Mains $11-28. (updated Dec 2018)
45.25659-73.290762 Ferme & Cuisine Bika, 900, chemin du Grand-Bernier, ☏ +1 450-346-7890, info@bika.farm. Agritourism concept with locally grown market garden produce. Farm and kitchen offering a rustic table and culinary workshop around the kitchen island, in an ancestral house dating from 1858. By reservation. (updated Feb 2022)
45.31105-73.252383 Manneken-Pis, 320 Rue Champlain, ☏ +1 450-348-3254. M-Th 08:00-22:00, F Sa 08:00-23:00, Su 08:00-16:00. Belgian café-bistro and shop. A varied menu of fully-prepared specialties on-site — waffles, crêpes, grilled sandwiches, soups, salads, Belgian gratins and gourmet cakes. (updated Dec 2018)
45.307779-73.251014 La Plank, 268 Rue Richelieu, ☏ +1 579-362-3332. Tu-Th 11:30 - 22:00, F Sa 11:30 - 23:00, Su 11:30 - 21:00. Pub style food — poutine galore. (updated Dec 2018)
45.25945-73.229335 Restaurant chez Makaaf, 2454, chemin des Patriotes Est (east sector of the Richelieu River), ☏ +1 450-741-3754. Italian foods. (updated Feb 2022)

Drink

45.30509-73.250451 Lagabiere, 135 Rue Richelieu, ☏ +1 450-376-6343. Su-W 11:30-00:00, Th-Sa 11:30-01:30. Craft brewery offering up to 20 beers, brewed and served on site. A varied menu of local products served in the summer on their deck with a view of the Richelieu River. (updated Dec 2018)

Sleep

You can look for a place to stay at the Government of Québec's official tourist site.^{[dead link]}

45.32522-73.267091 Quality Hotel Centre de Congres, 725, boul. Séminaire Nord (near Highway 35 exit), toll-free: +1-800-667-3815. 113 rooms and 11 multifunctional boardrooms. From $112.
45.27682-73.256342 Motel Montgolfière JP, 425, rue Jacques-Cartier Sud, ☏ +1-450-347-9010, motelmontgolfierejp@live.com. 2-star hotel.

Cope

Libraries

45.30539-73.2565211 Bibliothèque Adélard-Berger (Adélard-Berger Library), 180, rue Laurier, ☏ +1 450-357-2111. (updated Feb 2022)
45.35954-73.3006412 Bibliothèque Saint-Luc (Saint-Luc Library), 347, boulevard Saint-Luc, ☏ +1 450-357-2111. (updated Feb 2022)
45.31737-73.3451813 Bibliothèque L'Acadie (L'Acadie Library), 484, chemin du Grand-Pré, ☏ +1 450-357-2111. (updated Feb 2022)

Communication

In terms of watercourse safety, the Quebec government's Public Security displays the results of flood water monitoring, particularly for the Richelieu River: HERE

Go next

45.45-73.31 Carignan — There are many recreational activities there: hiking (via the green trail that joins Saint-Hubert), cycling, nautical activities (on the Acadie or Richelieu rivers), its municipal parks, etc.
45.45-73.28332 Chambly —Chambly is a major recreational tourism destination, thanks to its historical heritage, the Chambly Basin, the Chambly Canal, its enchanting site along the west bank of the Richelieu River, and its leisure facilities (bike paths, parks, landing stages, etc.).
45.4667-73.26673 Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu — The rustic and the modern blend well here. It is renowned for nautical activities and its vacation resort on the east bank of the Richelieu River.
45.33571-73.159384 Mont-Saint-Grégoire —Municipality overlooked by the magnificent mountain of Mont Saint-Grégoire which includes hiking trails to reach the summit where the panorama on the plain of the Saint-Laurent is bucolic. The northwest side of the mountain is the sugar bush capital of Quebec and Canada. The dining rooms of the seven largest maple groves offer various other attractions around maple products: catering service, maple products shop, horse-drawn carriage rides, mountain, playgrounds for children, and mini farm. Mont-Saint-Grégoire also has five orchards and agrotourism.
45.2833-73.41675 Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur — This locality on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River is at the heart of the St. Lawrence plain. Agriculture being its first economic activity. The locality has two commercial zones: the zone of exit 21 of Highway 15, and the zone of the village served by local shops.
45.1833-73.41676 Saint-Cyprien-de-Napierville — Picturesque municipality of the plain of Saint-Laurent; agriculture is the main economic activity. This locality has several offers of recreational and tourist activities: camping area, an acceleration track, and a winter fun carnival in January.
45.2167-73.28337 Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu — offering various recreational and tourist activities: sports complex and various leisure activities. Located on the west bank of the Richelieu River, boaters benefit from marinas and various services for boating. The resort is developed there.
45.2333-73.11678 Saint-Alexandre — Locality whose main economic activity is agriculture. This locality offers various recreational and tourist activities: library, recreation pavilion, green spaces and sports fields
45.2333-73.11679 Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois — Municipality on the east bank of the Richelieu River. The main economic activities are centred on boating (marinas, beach, boating services) and agriculture. The municipality offers a leisure infrastructure and a variety of leisure activities.

Routes through Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

Montreal via ← Chambly/Carignan ←	N S	→ Merges with
END ← La Prairie ←	W E	→ Cowansville → Lac-Brome
Mont-Saint-Hilaire ← Richelieu ←	N S	→ → becomes → St. Albans → Burlington
Beloeil ← Chambly ←	N S	→ → becomes → Rouses Point/Champlain → Watertown

This city travel guide to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.