Major city · Canada
Varennes
Skip as a base: Varennes is a 30-min drive from Montréal with one riverside village, a quay and a summer river shuttle. Half a day, or a stop on the Route 132 run.
Varennes is a small Montérégie town on the south shore of the St. Lawrence, 29 km east of Montréal along Route 132. Its draw is the river: a 10-km shoreline, a cluster of about twenty islands facing the town, a summer passenger-and-bike shuttle across to Pointe-aux-Trembles and Repentigny, and Vieux-Varennes, the old village between the water and the highway. Everything else is suburban: arenas, pools, sugar shacks and horse farms. Plan half a day, or one night if you want the river at sunrise.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the river shuttle, quay and cycling; late Sep–Oct for vineyard and sugar-shack country
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, ice, most river activity closed); mid-winter unless you want the skating rink and sliding hill
- Airports
- YUL · YMX
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Varennes911 ▾
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 Varennes, 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
- SafetyVarennes is a low-crime suburban town and safe to walk in daylight.
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 40 min by car via Highway 20 and Route 132; no direct transit link to Varennes).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical answer: sights are spread over 15 km (9.3 mi) of Route 132 and rang roads, and buses are thin.A car is the practical answer: sights are spread over 9.3 mi (15 km) of Route 132 and rang roads, and buses are thin.
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 mealBreakfast diner plateC$14–22 (≈ US$11–16)
- BeerDraught beer in a barC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
- 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 (up to 6), a night, per roomC$220 (≈ US$160)
- 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$70 (≈ US$55) · Mid C$130 (≈ US$95) · High C$230 (≈ US$170)
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 40 min by car via Highway 20 and Route 132; no direct transit link to Varennes) · 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
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°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
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Varennes: 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
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
14 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
11 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°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
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°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 practical answer: sights are spread over 15 km of Route 132 and rang roads, and buses are thin. Route 132 and Autoroute 30 are the two spines. In summer a passenger-and-bike river shuttle links Varennes with Pointe-aux-Trembles (Montréal) and Repentigny — check the season's timetable before you plan around it. Cycling works on the flat riverside roads.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45–60 min
Drive Route 132 west then the Jacques-Cartier bridge, about 29 km (18 mi)Drive Route 132 west then the Jacques-Cartier bridge, about 18 mi (29 km)
The obvious pairing: sleep in Montréal, come out to Varennes for the river.
Verchères
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Route 132 east along the river, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Route 132 east along the river, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
Old riverside village with restored New France-era buildings; combine with Varennes in one afternoon.
Sainte-Julie
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Autoroute 30 west, then local roads
Pedestrian heritage circuit in the old village; good rainy-day substitute.
Saint-Amable
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min
Route 229 south, about 12 km (7.5 mi)Route 229 south, about 7.5 mi (12 km)
Cycling, hiking and sugar shacks; mostly seasonal and car-dependent.
Contrecoeur
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Autoroute 30 east then Route 132, about 30 km (19 mi)Autoroute 30 east then Route 132, about 19 mi (30 km)
River town with a ferry crossing and industrial heritage.
Calixa-Lavallée
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min
Route 229 north, about 10 km (6.2 mi)Route 229 north, about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Small rural municipality; only worth it if you are already on the sugar-shack road.
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.
Vieux-Varennes (Sainte-Anne and Saint-Charles streets)
The old village between the river and Route 132; walk to the quay, church and restaurants. Very few beds.
Route Marie-Victorin / Route 132 strip
Motels and gîtes along the highway; you need a car for everything.
Montréal or Longueuil
Stay in the city and drive out for half a day; the honest choice for most trips.
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$110–190 (≈ US$80–140) excl. bed
- High
- C$190 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Gîte or B&B room1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$130 | C$260 |
| Car, one day (compact, with fuel)1 × C$85 · check | C$85 |
| River shuttle crossing, one way2 × C$8 · check | C$16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$56 |
| Trip total≈ C$309 per person per day, bed included | C$617≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Breakfast diner plate | C$14–22 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Poutine or fast-food combo | C$12–18 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Restaurant main course | C$20–35 (≈ US$15–30) |
| Draught beer in a bar | C$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) |
| 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
- Most river activity, the quay services and the shuttle run only in the warm months; check dates before travelling for them.
- Route 132 and Autoroute 30 carry fast traffic; cross only at marked points.
- Restaurants are few and close early on weeknights; check hours before driving out.
- Sugar shacks operate mainly in late winter and spring — outside that window they are closed.
- Winter ice on the St. Lawrence is not safe to walk on.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
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VarennesVarennes
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (24 h health line)811
Embassy
No embassies in Varennes; the US consulate-general and most others are in Montréal.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi YUL → Varennes: C$70–95 (≈ US$55–70), about 40 min (check)
- River shuttle Varennes → Pointe-aux-Trembles: about C$8 (≈ US$6) one way, seasonal (check)
- Driving Montréal → Varennes: 29 km (18 mi) via Route 132 and the Jacques-Cartier bridge, about 30 min18 mi (29 km) via Route 132 and the Jacques-Cartier bridge, about 30 min
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 quai ? — Where is the quay? (oo ay luh kay)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par kart)
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me (ex-koo-zay MWA)
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 Varennes. 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 shuttle, quay and cycling; late Sep–Oct for vineyard and sugar-shack country · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, ice, most river activity closed); mid-winter unless you want the skating rink and sliding hill · 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
- 6 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: taxi and rideshare bands to Varennes, last-bus fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Vieux-Varennes and the quay, Parc de la Commune and the Frayère, the Route Marie-Victorin strip, the Cordon vineyards and sugar shacks.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Sainte-Anne church, old quay, Parc de la Commune, Frayère St-Charles) and eat pages with last orders.
- River-shuttle season fixture so the summer crossing can go green or red.