20 years...going on 200!

The back-to-school event at the Lachine Canal!

This year, Lachine Canal National Historic Site is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its reopening to recreational boating. To celebrate this special anniversary, Parks Canada is announcing the programming for “20 Years . . . going on 200!”, the colourful and festive 2022 reopening event that will be held both on and along the canal. On September 3, the public is invited to participate in a variety of free outdoor activities. Everyone can also enjoy the delectable presence of street food and many other surprises on the menu. A must for the fall!

A flavourful and historic day, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

As the iconic Five Roses flour sign gleams in the sky above the Lachine Canal, this special evening will begin at 4 p.m. with a festive culinary gathering at Hangar 1825, where everyone can experience the delicious flavours offered by the food trucks. What better time to come and have a picnic along the canal with your family or friends!

A few steps away, a group will be invited to follow our guide on the water to explore the waterway by rabascaw (canoe). In the early evening, Parks Canada and its partners will offer an array of activities, including guided walking tours (reservations required), slacklining and more! Prefer to rest your feet? Let yourself be transported by the Petit Navire, which is offering the opportunity to sail the canal waters for free. Hurry—space is limited!

Cinema on Wheels

At 8:30 p.m., the evening will continue with a screening of short films by Wapikoni Mobile. The entire Parks Canada team is very proud to host in Montréal the closing screening of the 2022 edition of Cinema on Wheels, which has been travelling in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces since early summer to present over 50 screenings. The programming has been carefully developed by Indigenous commissioners, allowing the public to experience the richness and diversity of the works in the Wapikoni collection. Admission is free. Bring your chairs!

Guided tours - on foot

For approximately 90 minutes, discover the banks of the Lachine Canal with a Parks Canada guide who will tell you about the evolution of the site over the years.

Two departures:

• At 4 p.m. (in French)
• At 6 p.m. (in English)

The tour will begin at the Hangar 1825 (Place des Ouvriers) and end at Peel Basin. You must plan to return to the starting point on your own. Free, reservations required; space is limited!

Guided tours on the water

On this special day, Le Petit Navire invites you to explore nearly 200 years of history on a zero-emission boat tour. Lasting 45 minutes, 4 departures are available:

• At 4:30 p.m. - departure from Lock No. 2
• At 5:15 p.m. - departure from the Atwater Market wharf
• 6 p.m. – departure from Lock #2
• 6:45 p.m. - departure from the Atwater Market Wharf

Bilingual guided tours. Free event, reservations required; space is limited!

Historical Rendezvous in Rabaska

Come back in time on the Lachine Canal aboard a large rabaska canoe that can accommodate a dozen paddlers! A Parks Canada certified instructor will teach you the basics of navigation aboard this boat before setting off to discover the calm waters of the Lachine Canal. Two 90-minute departures are available:

• 4 p.m.: departure from H2O Adventures 
• At 6 p.m.: departure from the wharf located upstream from the Saint-Gabriel lock

Bilingual guided tours. Participants must be at least 6 years old. Reservations required; space is limited!

How to get to the Hangar 1825

The Hangar 1825 is located on the north side of the Lachine Canal, at the Place-des-Ouvriers. By car, bike or public transit, the site is in the hearth of Montreal and easily accessible.

Choose active transportation! The trail along the Lachine Canal will take you directly to your destination. Racks to lock your bike will be available. Otherwise, parking is available in the surrounding streets.

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Thank you to our partners for making this event possible: 

• Wapikoni mobile
• Le Petit Navire
• Québec Street Food Association (website in French only)
• H2O Adventures