Varennes

Varennes is a picturesque and modern town, in the regional county municipality (MRC) of Marguerite-D'Youville, in Montérégie, in Quebec, Canada. Varennes is an agricultural, industrial, residential and recreational tourism destination. Its built heritage has a picturesque and modern charm depending on the area. The main attractions of this city are, in particular: its 10-km shoreline on the St. Lawrence River, generating numerous nautical activities and resorts; its twenty islands on the St. Lawrence River, the most important of which are Île Sainte-Thérèse (length: 4.9 km (3.0 mi)) and Grande Île (length: 3.2 km (2.0 mi)); its summer river shuttle (for passengers and bicycles) between Varennes, Pointe-aux-Trembles (Montreal) and Repentigny; its Bois de Verchères (east side, near the limit of Saint-Amable); its Vieux-Varennes, endowed with a picturesque built heritage; its sports and leisure facilities, offering various recreational tourism services; its sugar factories, generally established on the sugar road, near the limit of Saint-Amable (east of Highway 30). == Understand == Vieux-Varennes is located between the shore of the St. Lawrence River and the route of Route 132; the rest of the city has a generally more modern built heritage. Boating and nautical activities are very popular on the St. Lawrence River, around the islands facing Varennes. === Geography === The largest island, Île Sainte-Thérèse, faces the village of Varennes. This island has about 75 dwellings (mainly for vacation purposes) and a peripheral road. The centre of the island is mainly used for agriculture. Pleasure boating is very popular in this archipelago. 1 Frayère St-Charles, Varennes. The rehabilitation of the Saint-Charles spawning ground (at the confluence of the Pays-Brûlé stream) was carried out in the fall of 2007, in particular for the restoration of the migratory pass, the continuous water supply in the fish ponds, and the restoration of the initial state of the ponds in terms of depth and amount of vegetation. This spawning ground is a breeding habitat for several species of fish. A road bypasses this breeding pond, which is 346 m long. This spawning ground has an educational vocation for visitors. (updated May 2022) === History === Varennes was colonized under the seigneurial regime of New France. The seigneury of Varennes was located opposite the eastern end of the island of Montréal, between the seigneuries of Boucherville and Verchères. In 2022, Varennes celebrates its 350th anniversary of foundation. == Get in == === By car === From Montréal (29 km, time: 29 min). Take the Jacques-Cartier bridge (east); take route 132 (eastbound) to the village of Varennes. From Quebec (248 km, time: 2 hr 32 min). Take Highway 20 (westbound); take highway 30 (direction nod); take Montée Picardie (westbound); take route 132 (westbound) to the village of Varennes. == Get around == == See == === Worship centres === 1 Church of Sainte-Anne-de-Varennes (Église de Sainte-Anne-de-Varennes), 300, rue de la Fabrique (in Old Sainte-Julie), ☏ +1 450-652-2441 ext 0, secretariat@paroissevarennes.ca. This Catholic parish was founded in 1692, and then grouped together five seigniories: Cap de Varennes, Île Sainte-Thérèse, Grandmaison, Cap-de-la-Trinité and Cap Saint-Michel. The current church was built in 1884. (updated May 2022) === Events === Festivities for the 350th anniversary of Varennes (Festivités du 350e anniversaire de Varennes). Exhibitions and activities for the 350th anniversary continue until the end of 2022. (updated May 2022) 2 Saint-Paul College Performing Arts Pavilion - Evenko (Pavillon des arts de la scène du Collège Saint-Paul - Evenko), 9, rue Saint-Charles, ☏ +1 514-755-7569. Consult the website for the schedule of events. (updated May 2022) == Do == === Equestrian centres === 2 Écurie Maurice Houle, 2931, rang de Picardie. Stable. (updated May 2022) 3 Équitation CG, 3808, chemin de la Côte-Bissonnette, ☏ +1 514-941-9214. Equestrian centre with a racecourse. (updated May 2022) 4 Centre Équestre Belle Rivière, 1463, rang de la Belle Rivière, ☏ +1 450-922-2714. Equestrian centre offering riding lessons. (updated May 2022) 5 Les Écuries Bréard, 3528 chemin de la Butte aux Renards, ☏ +1 450-652-3720. Racetrack. (updated May 2022) === Municipal recreation === 6 Parc de la Commune (between the edge of the St. Lawrence River (Poulier de Varennes) and Sainte-Anne Street), ☏ +1 450-652-9888. Municipal park with a large parking lot and access to the Quai du Parc de la Commune where a boat launch has been set up. This park is connected to the Frayère St-Charles. (updated May 2022) 7 Old quay of Varennes (Vieux quai de Varennes), 210, rue Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 514-941-9214. Nautical access from the old quay of Varennes. Pleasure craft landing stage. Magnificent view of the river and Île Sainte-Thérèse. (updated May 2022) == Buy == === Grocery stores === 1 IGA Extra Varennes, 1777, route 132, ☏ +1 450-929-0405. General grocery store. (updated May 2022) 2 Super C, 59, rue de l'Aqueduc, ☏ +1 450-929-0159. General grocery store. (updated May 2022) 3 Épicerie CanperQC, 2069, route Marie-Victorin, ☏ +1 450-929-9999. General grocery store. (updated May 2022) 4 Provigo, 2020, boulevard René-Gaultier, ☏ +1 450-642-9809. General grocery store. (updated May 2022) === Specialized food stores === 5 Boucherie Brunelle, 126, rue Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 450-652-2634. Butcher's shop. (updated May 2022) 6 Cabane à sucre Famille Fortier, 3974, chemin du Cordon, #43410, ☏ +1 450-. Sugar factory set up in the Bois de Varennes, at the far east of the municipal territory. (updated May 2022) 7 Cabane à sucre Famille Fortier, 3974, chemin du Cordon, #43410, ☏ +1 450-. Sugar factory set up in the Bois de Varennes, at the far east of the municipal territory. (updated May 2022) 8 Le Château de la Grange, 4310, chemin du Cordon, ☏ +1 450-929-3462. Vineyard with shop. Catering and room rental. (updated May 2022) 9 Vignoble Domaine du Fleuve, 1164, route Marie-Victorin, ☏ +1 514-796-5056. Vineyard with shop. (updated May 2022) == Eat == Several restaurants or dining rooms in the Montérégie have transformed the mode of meals at the tables into take-out or delivery service. In general, restaurateurs have demonstrated great resilience by updating their website, integrating interactive and automated applications for remote orders, as well as the display of the menu, opening hours, their mode of operation (e.g. by reservation, drive-thru service), required health measures, other services (e.g., caterer, shops, accommodation, access for disabled, wi-fi, take-out, delivery), contact details and often the history of the restaurant or site. It is recommended that customers inquire with each establishment by consulting their respective websites. 1 Benny & Co., 540, boulevard Lionel-Boulet, ☏ +1 450-985-4442. Chicken restaurant. (updated May 2022) 2 HUGO cuisine du marché, 2208, route Marie-Victorin, local 102, ☏ +1 450-985-1336. (updated May 2022) 3 Restaurant La Belle Province, 1721, route 132, ☏ +1 450-260-1000. Quick service restaurant. (updated May 2022) 4 Restaurant Le P'tit Réveil - La P'tite Soirée, 311, boulevard de la Marine, ☏ +1 450-985-1269. Family restaurant. (updated May 2022) 5 Restaurant Le Taouk, 50, rue de la Gabelle, ☏ +1 450-985-0999. Lebanese cuisine. (updated May 2022) 6 Restaurant M Patate, 1607, route Marie-Victorin, ☏ +1 450-652-5528. Fast food. (updated May 2022) 7 Restaurant Petit Québec Varennes, 344, boulevard de la marine, ☏ +1 450-985-5559. Quick service restaurant. (updated May 2022) === Dairy bars === 8 Le Glacé, 2562, route Marie-Victorin, local 107, ☏ +1 450-. Healthy restaurant. (updated May 2022) 9 Monsieur Cornet, 1671, route Marie-Victorin, ☏ +1 450-985-1244. (updated May 2022) === Breakfast restaurants === 10 L'Oeufrier Varennes, 1627, route 132, ☏ +1 450-985-1062. Breakfast restaurant. (updated May 2022) 11 Cibo Déjeuner, 316, boulevard de la Marine, ☏ +1 450-929-4499. Breakfast restaurant. (updated May 2022) === Pizzerias === 12 Varennes Pizzeria, 2182, route Marie-Victorin, ☏ +1 450-652-2991. Pizzeria. (updated May 2022)} 13 Pizza Welat, 2562, route Marie-Victorin, local 107, ☏ +1 450-929-4929. Pizzeria. (updated May 2022) === Asian cuisine === 14 Azie restaurant, 2444, boulevard René-Gaultier, ☏ +1 450-929-3222. Restaurant offering Asian dishes. (updated May 2022) 15 Maki Maki Sushi, 2071, route Marie-Victorin, ☏ +1 450-985-4985. Sushi and maki restaurant. Japanese cuisine. (updated May 2022) 16 Restaurant Baguettes Chinoises, 2140, boulevard René-Gaultier, ☏ +1 450-929-2888. Asian cuisine. (updated May 2022) 17 Sushi, 1777, route 132, ☏ +1 514-336-8885. Restaurant specializing in sushi. (updated May 2022) 18 Thai Express - Varennes, Pétro-Canada, 536 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, ☏ +1 450-985-1220. Thai restaurant. (updated May 2022) == Drink == 1 Bar Buck Peanut, 2452, route Marie-Victorin, ☏ +1 450-929-4419. Sports bar. (updated May 2022) == Sleep == === Gîtes, chalets === 1 L'Oiseau Bleu, 2518, Chemin du Calvaire (Along the St. Lawrence River), ☏ +1 514-436-0710. A residence in the heart of nature. Capacity for up to six people. Two bedrooms upstairs. (updated Apr 2022) == Connect == == Cope == 8 Jacques-Lemoyne-de-Sainte-Marie Library (Bibliothèque Jacques-Lemoyne-de-Sainte-Marie), 2221, boulevard René-Gaultier, ☏ +1 450-652-3949 ext 5050, biblio@ville.varennes.qc.ca. Public library. (updated May 2022) 9 Aquatic complex (Complexe aquatique), 111, rue de la Rivière, ☏ +1 450-929-2783, c.aqua@ville.varennes.qc.ca. Aquatic complex offering various activities and training in swimming, as well as free swimming. (updated May 2022) 10 Outdoor swimming pool at Parc Pré-Vert (Piscine extérieure au Parc Pré-Vert), boulevard René-Gaultier, ☏ +1 450-929-2783, c.aqua@ville.varennes.qc.ca. (updated May 2022) 11 Sliding slope in Parc Saint-Charles (Pente à glisser), 107, 131, rue Jules-Phaneuf. (updated May 2022) 12 Polydôme Varennes, 2003, rue Jacques-Lemoyne. Outdoor skating rink with a roof. (updated May 2022) == Go next == 1 Boucherville Islands National Park This National Park is a protected area open all year round. This park includes the Île Sainte-Marguerite Discovery and Visitors Centre, and the Grosbois Visitors Centre. Users can rent equipment for recreational tourism activities in all seasons, go camping and organize group activities. In this park, the deer population is part of the scenery. 2 Verchères Old Verchères boasts a picturesque and well-restored built heritage, inspired by the times of New France. Visitors can discover two sculptures on ash trees, an ordinary mill, the islands of Verchères, the Saint-François-Xavier church, the verchere boat and the memorial to the pioneer families of Verchères. 3 Saint-Amable Recreational tourism activities are varied, including cycling, hiking, camping, sugar shacks, municipal parks, etc. 4 Sainte-Julie Sainte-Julie is a city of great cultural, sporting and leisure activities. Sainte-Julie offers a pedestrian heritage circuit to discover the Old Village under the historical aspect with 26 information panels; a mobile, self-guided version is available on the city's website. 5 Boucherville Boucherville also has 41 municipal parks, two public sports and recreation complexes, a golf club, two yacht clubs, a rowing club, the Maison des Jeunes and a Center D'Art café. 6 Montréal Montreal is the economic, commercial and financial heart of Quebec. It is a large, diverse city, with many festivals, museums, and lively neighbourhoods that attract visitors.