Lachine Canal National Historic Site

What's New

Maintenance Work at Charlevoix and des Seigneurs Bridges

Works identified in the bridges’ regular maintenance schedule are presently in progress at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site. They will take place from December 12th to March 2012.

Works include repairing the guardrails, cleaning and repainting the deck, replacing sidewalks as well as improving each bridge’s structure.

Users will be provided with a temporary detour via the site’s other paths and footbridges. Parks Canada is requesting the public’s cooperation and support by being tolerant and cautious and by respecting the temporary signage.

Des Seigneurs Bridge

• Cross the canal by using footbridges located above the lock and weir;
• Go along the canal by following the road signs; be careful when crossing des Seigneurs St.

Charlevoix Bridge

• Cross the canal by using the Atwater footbridge (200 m West);
• Go along the canal by following the road signs; be careful when crossing Charlevoix St.

All these works require temporary detours on the multi-purpose path. Site users are asked to follow on-site signage and to avoid entering identified worksites.

Information: 514-283-6054

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Practice Winter Activities Safely

A Reminder from Parks Canada and the South-West Borough

Montreal, December 22, 2011 - The South-West Borough and Parks Canada are joining together to remind the public to enjoy their winter activities safely in the areas set aside for that purpose. We ask for everyone’s support and collaboration in observing the rule against walking on the canal ice that forms at Lachine Canal National Historic Site.

From November 15 to April 15, the urban park remains open, even though the cycling path along the canal will not be maintained or patrolled.

The risk of an incident is high if you venture out onto the canal’s unstable and unmonitored ice. Currents, water depth, the presence of structures, and variations in the thickness of the ice, which is fragile in certain places, are enough reasons to stay on shore.

There are numerous outdoor skating rinks open to the public in the South-West Borough and throughout Montreal Island. To find out where you can enjoy winter activities, check out the “À surveiller” section on the homepage of the borough website, the “Activities and Recreation” section of the the city’s website, or the Quays of the Old Port website.

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Piknic Electronik @ Lachine Canal

More Than 2,700 People Joined in the Fun

MONTRÉAL (Québec), le 16 août 2011 -
Good humour and generously sunny skies welcomed more than 2,700 picnickers at the second edition of Piknic Electronik @ Lachine Canal. The half kilometre of chequered tablecloth delighted young urbanites and families who gathered to enjoy a meal on the grass and electronic music.

THE ONE TASH & SWEET DADDY LUV kicked off the event with an energy that spread dance fever among picnickers from the get-go. DJ KATE SIMKO delivered a live performance at event organizers’ request that closed out the evening with dancing. At dusk, the site was converted into a “Ciné-Parks” with a screening of the movie C.R.A.Z.Y.

The partnership between Parks Canada and Piknic Électronik gave people a unique opportunity to take a break in an incredible green space—a perfect venue for enjoying the canal and part of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site’s industrial heritage.

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Bushels of Wheat!

Guided visit of the Old Port’s locks and Silo No. 5

MONTRÉAL, Quebec, July 28, 2011 -
As part of Archeology Month, the Lachine Canal National Historic Site, the Canada Lands Company and the Old Port of Montréal Corporation are offering the general public guided tours of the locks in the Old Port of Montréal and of Grain Silo No. 5.

Parks Canada guides will be on hand to help the public discover keys to understanding the archeological landscape, marked by structures linked to shipping and food processing of grain in particular. On the menu: wharfs and locks, a grain Silo and a marine tower, sheds and mills. The visit highlights the importance of the canal in grain transportation and concludes with a visit to Grain Silo No. 5, the first structure able to store a million bushels of grain in Montréal.

Register today! Please, visit the Events section for the details.

The Canada Lands Company is an arms-length, self-financing Crown Corporation. The Corporation purchases properties at fair market value, then holds and manages or improves and resells them in order to produce the best possible benefit for local communities. It is the proud owner of Pointe-du-Moulin and its Grain Silo No. 5.

The Old Port of Montréal Corporation is responsible for the development of the historic, maritime and harbour character of the site as well as offering a diversified program all year round . Quays of the Old Port feature more than three centuries of history and offer two free ongoing activities: a self-guided historic tour called Action Stations! Life at the Port of Montréal, 1939-1945. For details, visit www.quaysoftheoldport.com.

Lachine Canal National Historic Site is part of Parks Canada’s system of national parks and national historic sites, which provide quality services and exceptional heritage experiences for visitors. In 2011, Parks Canada celebrates its centennial as the oldest national parks network in the world. To mark this occasion, Parks Canada invites Canadians to come celebrate at its protected areas across the country.

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Enhancing Visitor’s Experience

MONTREAL, Quebec, April 13, 2011 – Parks Canada is pleased to announce that
we have begun work to enhance the visitor experience at Lachine Canal National
Historic Site.

Read the bulletin

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Multipurpose Path’s Maintenance

The Lachine Canal multipurpose path is maintained from April 15^th to November 15^th each year. The Parks Canada team has been working actively since mid-March to ready the path for the 2011 season.

The Lachine Canal National Historic Site’s multipurpose path was ranked third among the world’s top urban cycling trips by the American magazine TIME.

Read the article

Did you know?

The Lachine Canal multipurpose path was inaugurated in 1978. Part of its route follows the former towpath built when the canal opened in 1825. This path was used by horses that towed or pulled dismasted sailing vessels between Lachine and the Old Port.

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Wanted: Your Memories!

In Search of Your Memories of the Lachine Canal

Take part in the "My Lachine Canal project".

You have worked at the Lachine Canal or in its industries?
You spent time there between 1929 and 2002?

Share your:

• Memories
• Photographs
• Videos
• Documents

Revive the memory of the canal by sharing your story. Your stories could be shared or included in various heritage presentations featuring the Lachine Canal National Historic Site.

More information