Major city · Canada
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Base in Beloeil or along Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier for one night, hike the Gault reserve in the morning, then move on: the town itself is half a day.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- May–Oct; late Sep–mid Oct for apple picking
- avoid Nov–Apr (trails icy, orchards closed), muddy March
- Airport
- YUL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Mont-Saint-Hilaire is a small Richelieu Valley town 35 km east of Montreal, known for the Gault Nature Reserve on Mont Saint-Hilaire, three small museums and an apple-and-cider belt along Chemin de la Montagne. Most visitors come for the hike and the orchards, not for the town centre, and one night is enough.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mont-Saint-Hilaire, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyA low-crime small town; the real risks are ticks and uneven ground on the mountain trails, icy winter paths…
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 45–55 min by car via Autoroute 20; no direct rail link to the town.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the train station sits 4–5 km from the Gault trailhead and buses are thin. exo runs the Mont-Saint-Hilaire commuter…A car is the practical choice: the train station sits 2.5–3.1 mi from the Gault trailhead and buses are thin. exo runs the Mont-Saint-Hilaire commuter…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and pastry at a bakery caféC$5–10 (≈ US$4–8)
- Street or quick mealBreakfast plate at a dinerSource listing for one diner; others vary.C$5–17 (≈ US$4–13)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry, Musée des beaux-artscheckC$6 (≈ US$5) adult, C$16 (≈ US$12) family
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$170 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$300 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 45–55 min by car via Autoroute 20; no direct rail link to the town.)
Weather and climate
Mont-Saint-Hilaire: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C23°F
−14°C7°F
12 rd
Feb
−3°C27°F
−13°C9°F
10 rd
Mar
3°C37°F
−7°C19°F
11 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
1°C34°F
11 rd
May
19°C66°F
8°C46°F
12 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
13°C55°F
12 rd
Jul
26°C79°F
16°C61°F
12 rd
Aug
25°C77°F
15°C59°F
12 rd
Sep
20°C68°F
10°C50°F
11 rd
Oct
13°C55°F
4°C39°F
12 rd
Nov
6°C43°F
−1°C30°F
13 rd
Dec
−2°C28°F
−10°C14°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the train station sits 4–5 km from the Gault trailhead and buses are thin. exo runs the Mont-Saint-Hilaire commuter line from Montreal's Gare Centrale (about $8 each way, check current fare and timetable) and exo buses serve the valley towns. Local buses are run by the Vallée du Richelieu sector.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Beloeil
goDoor to door: 10–15 min
Car over the Richelieu bridge, or exo train one stop
Pair it with the Mont-Saint-Hilaire hike for a full day.
Chambly
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via Autoroute 20 and Route 112
Fort Chambly and the canal make a half-day.
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Car along Route 133
Heritage village on the river.
Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car along Route 133
Small; combine with Saint-Denis rather than a trip of its own.
Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Car along Route 133
Quiet riverside stop; best with a car and a full day.
Saint-Basile-le-Grand
skipDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via Route 116
Residential; nothing you cannot see closer.
Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car along Route 223
Riverside drive, few sights.
Door to door: 45–60 min
Car via Autoroute 20, or exo train from the Mont-Saint-Hilaire station to Gare Centrale
Trains are commuter-oriented: check the timetable before relying on them.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier strip
Highway-side motels and the main commercial road; free parking, 5–10 min drive to the trailhead.
Beloeil (across the river)
More restaurants and a walkable old core; 10 min by car over the bridge.
Chemin des Patriotes / riverfront
A few inns and the Manoir Rouville-Campbell area; quiet, river views.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × C$170 | C$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Gault Nature Reserve day entry, adult2 × C$9 · check | C$19 |
| exo commuter train, Montreal to Mont-Saint-Hilaire, one way2 × C$8 · check | C$16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$58 |
| Trip total≈ C$317 per person per day, bed included | C$633≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and pastry at a bakery café | C$5–10 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Breakfast plate at a dinerSource listing for one diner; others vary. | C$5–17 (≈ US$4–13) |
| Poutine or a casse-croûte meal | C$10–18 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Museum entry, Musée des beaux-artscheck | C$6 (≈ US$5) adult, C$16 (≈ US$12) family |
| Gault Nature Reserve day entry, adultcheck | C$9.25 (≈ US$7) |
| Bottle of local cider | C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Gault reserve gates close in the afternoon (8:00–16:00 in the source listing): start the hike by early afternoon or you will be turned back.The Gault reserve gates close in the afternoon (8:00 AM–4:00 PM in the source listing): start the hike by early afternoon or you will be turned back.
- Trails close in winter conditions and after heavy rain; check the reserve site before driving out.
- The station-to-trailhead gap is 4–5 km with no reliable bus: plan a taxi or drive.The station-to-trailhead gap is 2.5–3.1 mi with no reliable bus: plan a taxi or drive.
- Orchards and cider houses are seasonal and many are reservation-only for visits.
- Autoroute 20 traffic out of Montreal is heavy on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Mont-Saint-HilaireMont-Saint-Hilaire
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in town; the US consulate general and most embassies are in Montreal, embassies in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- exo train, Montreal Gare Centrale → Mont-Saint-Hilaire: about C$8 (≈ US$6) one way (check)
- Taxi, station → Gault trailhead: short 4–5 km hop; ask the fare before you get in (check)short 2.5–3.1 mi hop; ask the fare before you get in (check)
- Gault Nature Reserve day entry: C$9.25 (≈ US$7) adult; extra for cross-country ski (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est le départ du sentier ? — Where is the trailhead? (oo ay luh day-PAR du sen-TYAY)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me (ex-koo-zay MWA)
French is the everyday language; a bonjour before a question goes a long way.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mont-Saint-Hilaire. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct; late Sep–mid Oct for apple picking · avoid Nov–Apr (trails icy, orchards closed), muddy March · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YUL: drive time, taxi and rideshare bands, last exo train, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: the Gault trailhead, the Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier strip, the museum block, the orchards on Chemin de la Montagne.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Gault reserve, Musée des beaux-arts, La Maison amérindienne, Domaine Ozias Leduc) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures for orchard U-pick and cider-house visits so gates A–D can go green.