Châteauguay, QC
Located in the Roussillon Regional County Municipality, Châteauguay is a suburb of Montreal that sits off the island along the edge of Lac St-Louis. Châteauguay played an important role in the colonisation of North America, defending Americans from entering Montreal. In 1855 it became a village, while in 1975 it was a full-blown city. Today, Chateauguay is a thriving city with some beautiful neighbourhoods, industrial areas and a vibrant downtown area.
The Châteauguay River cuts through the centre of the city, dividing it east and west. Neighbourhoods on the east side of the river tend to be a little bit more expensive than on the west. Downtown Châteauguay sits on the west side, which is filled with historic architecture. Some Châteauguay residents will say the same of the de Lang neighbourhood, which lies just across river. Boulevard D’Anjou - which runs between de Lang and de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, is where most of the city’s shops, restaurants and bars can be found.
Châteauguay is a family-friendly city that attracts people that work in Montreal. Buses link the city to Montreal’s Angrignon bus terminal, with a reserved lane on Highway 138 specifically for these buses. Other than this route, there is no other public transportation in Châteauguay. A plus to this is that it is an extremely walkable and bicycle-friendly city, having some lovely paths along the river. One of these goes through the historic area where there are some magnificent homes to admire.
French is the dominant language in Châteauguay, although there is a high population of English speakers living in the city. As a result, there are numerous Francophone and Anglophone schools throughout the city; meaning education in Châteauguay is very good. There are also some great recreational areas nearby, like the Ilse St-Bernard nature reserve, where residents can take the kids to see birds, deer and beavers, as well as just enjoy the nature. Any Châteauguay local will also mention the city’s culture, with the Vanier Cultural Centre being home to a theatre, an art gallery and a cinema, as well as offering cultural courses and workshops. Not to mention it recreational activities, like riverboat trips, nautical adventures, ice skating, swimming and enjoying a day at one of Châteauguay’s many parks.