Major city · Canada
Saint-Boniface
Skip as a base: a village of 4,511 with one church, a golf course and a beach. Use it as a half-day stop if you are already driving Route 153 or sleeping cheap near Shawinigan.
Saint-Boniface is a parish municipality in the Maskinongé region of Mauricie, about 20 minutes north of Shawinigan on Highway 55 and Route 153. It has no hotel strip and no old town: what it has is a church, a municipal beach on Lake Héroux, a golf course, a sugar shack and a handful of chalets and campgrounds. Most travellers pass through on the way to Mauricie National Park or Shawinigan; a few stop for a night of quiet and a maple meal in season.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the beach and lake; Mar–Apr for sugar-shack season
- avoid Nov–Apr for outdoor sightseeing (cold, snow, many seasonal businesses shut)
- Airports
- YUL · YQB
- 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 Saint-Boniface911 ▾
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 Saint-Boniface, 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 rural driving, winter ice and long distances between services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 Info-Santé (health advice, 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.
- AirportYUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 157 km (98 mi) by road via Highway 40 and Highway 55; roughly 1 h 40 min by car).YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 98 mi (157 km) by road via Highway 40 and Highway 55; roughly 1 h 40 min by car).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch (Camping Saint-Boniface), a night, per personC$30 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedChalet or gîte room for two, a night, per roomC$170 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedChalet or gîte room for two, a night, per roomC$280 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$70 (≈ US$55) · Mid C$140 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
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 157 km (98 mi) by road via Highway 40 and Highway 55; roughly 1 h 40 min by car) · YQB Québec City Jean Lesage (About 159 km (99 mi) by road via Highway 40 west and Highway 55 north; roughly 1 h 40 min by car)YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 98 mi (157 km) by road via Highway 40 and Highway 55; roughly 1 h 40 min by car) · YQB Québec City Jean Lesage (About 99 mi (159 km) by road via Highway 40 west and Highway 55 north; roughly 1 h 40 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Mar
Care
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
Care
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Mixed: Mar–Apr. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Oct (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Boniface: 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
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
12 rd
Feb
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
10 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
11 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
13 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
13 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 effectively required. The village sits on Highway 55 and Route 153, and sights are spread over several km of rural roads. There is no town bus. Fuel at chemin Bellevue and boul. Trudel Est, and an electric charging point on rue Langevin. Bicycles and snowmobiles use the same rural roads in season.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shawinigan
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Highway 55 south, about 20 min by car
Closest real town: shops, restaurants and services Saint-Boniface lacks.
La Mauricie National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Route 153 north to Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, then park roads
The main reason to be in this region; go early in summer for parking.
Trois-Rivières
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Highway 55 south to Highway 40 east
Old town, riverfront and the Forges du Saint-Maurice historic site.
Saint-Élie-de-Caxton
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Route 153 north and local roads
Village with a strong food and festival reputation; pair with the park.
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.
Boulevard Trudel Est (north-east edge)
Cluster of gîtes, chalets and Camping Saint-Boniface; car needed for everything.
Rue Principale and village core
Church, grocery, butcher, pizzeria and casse-croûte within a few minutes on foot; very few beds.
Chemin du lac
Farm stays, greenhouses and Domaine du sucrier toward Lake Héroux; quiet, no services.
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$70–110 (≈ US$55–80) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$120–190 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
- High
- C$200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chalet or gîte room for two1 × 1 night × C$170 | C$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$140 | C$280 |
| Fuel, Montréal return, about 320 km1 × C$45 · check | C$45 |
| Sugar-shack meal, per person2 × C$35 · check | C$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$15 | C$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$60 |
| Trip total≈ C$328 per person per day, bed included | C$655≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Casse-croûte meal (poutine, burger, fries) | C$10–18 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Pizzeria main | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Sugar-shack meal in seasoncheck | C$30–45 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Golf green fee, Le Domainecheck | C$40–70 (≈ US$30–55) |
| Camping pitch, per nightcheck | C$30–60 (≈ US$25–45) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No taxi rank or ride-hail coverage to rely on; arrange your own transport.
- Many businesses are seasonal or have short hours: call ahead before driving out.
- Winter roads ice up and rural stretches are unlit; drive to conditions.
- Cell coverage is fine in the village but patchy on back roads toward the lake.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Saint-BonifaceSaint-Boniface
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (health advice)811
Embassy
No consulate here; the US consulate general is in Montréal, and most embassies are in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Montréal → Saint-Boniface by car: about 157 km (98 mi), 1 h 40 min (check)about 98 mi (157 km), 1 h 40 min (check)
- Québec City → Saint-Boniface by car: about 159 km (99 mi), 1 h 40 min (check)about 99 mi (159 km), 1 h 40 min (check)
- Fuel, village station: prices posted in litres; expect a rural premium (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (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 est la plage ? — Where is the beach? (oo ay la PLAZH)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
French is the everyday language; 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 Saint-Boniface. 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 beach and lake; Mar–Apr for sugar-shack season · avoid Nov–Apr for outdoor sightseeing (cold, snow, many seasonal businesses shut) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares