Major city · Canada
Contrecoeur
One day, not a base: riverside windmill, 24 km (15 mi) of shoreline and Des Grèves trails. Sleep in Sorel-Tracy or Verchères unless you have a car.One day, not a base: riverside windmill, 15 mi (24 km) of shoreline and Des Grèves trails. Sleep in Sorel-Tracy or Verchères unless you have a car.
Contrecoeur is a small St. Lawrence river town of about 6,250 people on the south shore, 57 km northeast of Montréal, in the Marguerite-D'Youville region. It is a car-first stop: a 1742 windmill, three riverside villages, an 18-island wildlife reserve offshore and the Contrecoeur sector of Des Grèves Regional Park. Half a day to a full day covers it; most travellers pass through between Montréal and Sorel-Tracy.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the river, trails and Thursday farmers' market; Feb for cross-country ski and snowshoe trails
- avoid Nov–Apr for river activities; the ice bridge and ferry crossings are seasonal
- 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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Contrecoeur911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Contrecoeur, 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
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are driving the rang roads at night, deer and farm machinery on route 132, and cold water on the St.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 Info-Santé (nurse line, 24 h)
- 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.
- AirportcheckYUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 60–70 km (37–43 mi) by car via Autoroute 30; no direct rail link to Contrecoeur (check)).YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 37–43 mi (60–70 km) by car via Autoroute 30; no direct rail link to Contrecoeur (check)).
- Getting aroundA car is the realistic way to move: sights sit along route 132 / route Marie-Victorin and the rang roads, with no town bus for visitors.
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)
- Beerdraught in a bar / six-pack at a storeC$8–10 (≈ US$6–8)C$14–18 (≈ US$11–14)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheckC$15–22 (≈ US$11–16)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–35 (≈ US$11–30)
- Budget bedRiverside chalet (whole unit), a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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 60–70 km (37–43 mi) by car via Autoroute 30; no direct rail link to Contrecoeur (check)) · YMX Montréal Mirabel (Cargo and general aviation; not a practical arrival point)YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 37–43 mi (60–70 km) by car via Autoroute 30; no direct rail link to Contrecoeur (check)) · YMX Montréal Mirabel (Cargo and general aviation; not a practical arrival point)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Care
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Mixed: Feb. Avoid: Mar–Apr, Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Contrecoeur: 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°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
14 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
11 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
13 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the realistic way to move: sights sit along route 132 / route Marie-Victorin and the rang roads, with no town bus for visitors. From Montréal, take the Jacques-Cartier bridge, then route 132 east through Varennes and continue on route 132 / route Marie-Victorin into Contrecoeur (about 57 km, 45–60 min); Autoroute 30 runs south of the river and is the faster alternative for Sorel-Tracy and Québec-bound traffic. From Québec City, Autoroute 20 west, route 122 north, then route 132 west (about 236 km, 2 h 45 min). A signed cycle route with 17 heritage points of interest follows the river; the BaladoDiscovery audio guide works offline once preloaded.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sorel-Tracy
goDoor to door: 25–35 min
Car northeast on route 132, about 25 km (16 mi)Car northeast on route 132, about 16 mi (25 km)
Best nearby choice for a hotel bed and a full restaurant list.
Verchères
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Car southwest on route 132, about 20 km (12 mi)Car southwest on route 132, about 12 mi (20 km)
Restored New France core and riverside walk; pairs well with the return leg to Montréal.
Montréal
goDoor to door: 45–60 min
Car via route 132 and Autoroute 30, about 57 km (35 mi)Car via route 132 and Autoroute 30, about 35 mi (57 km)
Doable as a day trip in reverse: Contrecoeur from a Montréal base.
Îles-de-Contrecoeur National Wildlife Reserve
cautionDoor to door: Depends on your own craft
Boat or kayak from the Contrecoeur wharf area
Protected nesting habitat; no scheduled visitor ferry — check access rules first.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Contrecoeur village (route Marie-Victorin / route 132)
Gîtes and chalets along the river; walkable to the church, wharf and restaurants. Few rooms, book ahead in summer.
Saint-Laurent-du-Fleuve
Second riverside village further northeast along route Marie-Victorin; quieter, mostly private rentals and chalets.
Sorel-Tracy
About 20–25 min by car northeast; the practical base for hotels, restaurants and the Des Grèves chalet Jean-Paul Dubois sector.
Verchères
About 20 min southwest on route 132; small inns and a restored New France core, useful if you are coming from Montréal.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
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
| Gîte or B&B room1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Car rental, one day, compact1 × C$70 · check | C$70 |
| Fuel, Montréal round trip (about 115 km)1 × C$15 · check | C$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$61 |
| Trip total≈ C$333 per person per day, bed included | C$666≈ US$500 |
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) |
| Casual restaurant main | C$16–26 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Buffet lunchcheck | C$18–28 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Ice cream at a dairy bar | C$4–8 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Beer, draught in a bar / six-pack at a store | C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$14–18 (≈ US$11–14) |
| 5 km taxicheck | C$15–22 (≈ US$11–16) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$15–35 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No visitor bus network: without a car you are limited to the village core and taxis.
- Restaurant kitchens in a town this size close early; check hours before a late arrival.
- Des Grèves trails and the wildlife reserve are seasonal — ice, flooding and nesting closures apply.
- The Îles-de-Contrecoeur reserve protects nesting waterfowl: land only where permitted and keep distance.
- Winter driving on rang roads is icy; the river ice road and ferries are not a year-round crossing.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (nurse line, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ContrecoeurContrecoeur
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (24 h nurse line)811
Embassy
No embassies in Contrecoeur: the US consulate general and most other missions are in Montréal; national embassies are in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Montréal → Contrecoeur by car: about 57 km (35 mi), 45–60 min, fuel about C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) (check)about 35 mi (57 km), 45–60 min, fuel about C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) (check)
- Taxi within the village: C$10–18 (≈ US$8–14) (check)
- Sorel-Tracy → Contrecoeur by car: about 25 km (16 mi), 25–35 min (check)about 16 mi (25 km), 25–35 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
- Je ne parle pas français — I don't speak French (zhuh nuh PARL pah fran-SAY)
French is the everyday language here; a bonjour before a question goes a long way.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Contrecoeur. 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 river, trails and Thursday farmers' market; Feb for cross-country ski and snowshoe trails · avoid Nov–Apr for river activities; the ice bridge and ferry crossings are seasonal · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 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: last-mile drive time to Contrecoeur, taxi and rideshare fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: village core and church, wharf and water park, route 132 food strip, Des Grèves trailheads.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Chaput mill, Sainte-Trinité church, Des Grèves, wildlife reserve) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures for the Thursday farmers' market, cross-country ski trails and river-ice closures.