Major city · Canada
Chambly
Go for one day from Montréal: Fort Chambly plus the canal lock walk, 30 km and about 40 min by car. Sleep here only if you want a quiet river base.Go for one day from Montréal: Fort Chambly plus the canal lock walk, 19 mi and about 40 min by car. Sleep here only if you want a quiet river base.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the canal, fort and boat traffic; late Jan–Feb for canal ice skating
- avoid Nov–Mar for sightseeing (fort closed, canal drained or frozen, few services)
- Airports
- YUL · YMX
- 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.
Chambly is a small Richelieu River town built around two Parks Canada sites: the 1709–1711 stone Fort Chambly and the 1843 Chambly Canal with its hand-operated locks. The historic core along avenue Bourgogne and rue Martel is walkable in an afternoon, the basin is busy with pleasure boats in summer, and the canal path is skated in winter. It works as a half-day or full-day stop on a La Vallée-du-Richelieu loop, not as a multi-night destination on its own.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chambly, 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
- SafetyChambly is a low-crime small town; the real risks are river and canal water, winter ice, and Route 112 traffic.
- 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 40 km; drive via Autoroute 10 E then 30 S, roughly 40–50 min outside rush hour).YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 25 mi; drive via Autoroute 10 E then 30 S, roughly 40–50 min outside rush hour).
- Getting aroundThe historic core is walkable: fort, canal, marina and rue Martel sit within about 1.5 km.The historic core is walkable: fort, canal, marina and rue Martel sit within about 0.9 mi.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseC$20–35 (≈ US$15–30)
- Street or quick mealPoutine or sandwich lunchC$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
- BeerDraught beer in a microbreweryC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
- Museum or sight ticketFort Chambly adult entryC$6 (≈ US$5) (check)
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$90 (≈ US$70)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$130 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$190 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$70 (≈ US$55) · Mid C$120 (≈ US$90) · High C$200 (≈ US$150)
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 40 km; drive via Autoroute 10 E then 30 S, roughly 40–50 min outside rush hour) · YMX Montréal–Mirabel (About 70 km north; no scheduled passenger flights, cargo only)YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 25 mi; drive via Autoroute 10 E then 30 S, roughly 40–50 min outside rush hour) · YMX Montréal–Mirabel (About 43 mi north; no scheduled passenger flights, cargo only)
Weather and climate
Chambly: 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
14 rd
Feb
−3°C27°F
−13°C9°F
12 rd
Mar
3°C37°F
−7°C19°F
12 rd
Apr
12°C54°F
1°C34°F
12 rd
May
20°C68°F
8°C46°F
13 rd
Jun
25°C77°F
13°C55°F
13 rd
Jul
27°C81°F
16°C61°F
13 rd
Aug
26°C79°F
15°C59°F
13 rd
Sep
21°C70°F
10°C50°F
12 rd
Oct
13°C55°F
4°C39°F
13 rd
Nov
6°C43°F
−1°C30°F
14 rd
Dec
−2°C28°F
−10°C14°F
15 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
The historic core is walkable: fort, canal, marina and rue Martel sit within about 1.5 km. For anything else you need a car or the local exo bus network (CIT Chambly-Richelieu-Carignan). The canal towpath is the main bike and walking route north–south.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive Route 112 west, about 15 kmDrive Route 112 west, about 9.3 mi
The mountain looms over the Chambly basin; short hikes and orchards.
Beloeil
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive Route 112 west past Mont-Saint-Hilaire, about 20 kmDrive Route 112 west past Mont-Saint-Hilaire, about 12 mi
Riverside old town; pair with Mont-Saint-Hilaire in one afternoon.
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive Route 223 south along the river, about 30 kmDrive Route 223 south along the river, about 19 mi
Patriote history and river road; best by car.
Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive Route 223 south, about 20 kmDrive Route 223 south, about 12 mi
Small village; only worth it if you are already driving the river road.
Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive Route 223 south, about 35 kmDrive Route 223 south, about 22 mi
Quiet heritage village; combine with Saint-Denis rather than going alone.
Saint-Basile-le-Grand
skipDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive Route 112 west then north, about 12 kmDrive Route 112 west then north, about 7.5 mi
Residential suburb with parks; nothing you cannot get closer to Chambly.
Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive Route 223 north along the river, about 15 kmDrive Route 223 north along the river, about 9.3 mi
Riverfront houses and a small church; a drive-through, not a stop.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Avenue Bourgogne / Chambly Basin
Waterfront strip with restaurants, marina and the canal mouth; the only area worth paying a premium for.
Rue Martel / old village
Quiet streets around St-Joseph church, 5–10 min walk to the basin and fort.
Boulevard de Périgny (Route 112)
Highway-side motels and the shopping centre; car-dependent, cheapest beds.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$70–110 (≈ US$55–80) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$110–180 (≈ US$80–140) excl. bed
- High
- C$180 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × C$130 | C$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$120 | C$240 |
| Fort Chambly adult entry2 × C$6 · check | C$12 |
| Exo bus Montréal → Chambly, both ways2 × C$22 · check | C$44 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$48 |
| Trip total≈ C$262 per person per day, bed included | C$524≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car, fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Poutine or sandwich lunch | C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15) |
| Restaurant main course | C$20–35 (≈ US$15–30) |
| Draught beer in a microbrewery | C$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Fort Chambly adult entry | C$6 (≈ US$5) (check) |
| Canoe or kayak rental, per hour | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) (check) |
| Taxi Chambly → Montréal | C$70–100 (≈ US$55–75) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fort Chambly is seasonal: mid-May to mid-October only, with shorter weekday hours in spring and fall. Check the Parks Canada page before you drive out.
- The canal locks operate on a summer schedule and boats queue; the towpath can be closed near lock work.
- Most of Chambly is French-speaking; English is common in tourist services but not everywhere.
- Route 112 traffic through town is heavy at rush hour; the Autoroute 10/30 junction backs up on Friday evenings.
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.
ChamblyChambly
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Chambly; US consulate general and most embassies are in Montréal or Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Exo bus Montréal → Chambly: about C$11 (≈ US$8) with a transfer, 1–1.5 h (check)
- Drive Montréal → Chambly: about 30 km, 40 min via Autoroute 10 E and 30 S (check)about 19 mi, 40 min via Autoroute 10 E and 30 S (check)
- Fort Chambly adult entry: about C$6 (≈ US$5) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Un café, s'il vous plaît — I would like a coffee, please (un ka-FAY seel voo PLEH)
- Où est le fort ? — Where is the fort? (oo eh luh FOR)
- Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay VOO ahn-GLEH)
Fort Chambly and the canal are Parks Canada sites; hours change by season.
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 Chambly. 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: Jun–Sep for the canal, fort and boat traffic; late Jan–Feb for canal ice skating · avoid Nov–Mar for sightseeing (fort closed, canal drained or frozen, few services) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YUL: drive times by hour, taxi and rideshare bands, last exo bus from Montréal.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: fort and canal, basin and marina, rue Martel and church, boulevard de Périgny.
- Place pages with verified seasonal hours (Fort Chambly, Chambly Canal locks, Pôle culturel) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter fixture: canal skating status and ice-safety rules, so the page can go green in January.