Did you know that it’s been scientifically proven that proximity to water is a powerful anxiolytic? Just looking at the water (in this case, the river) for a few minutes a day can make us calmer, happier and, more broadly, mellow the vibe.
Maybe that’s why we’re so chill in Montreal (that and the SQDC), but sometimes a stroll through the Old Port or along the banks of the Lachine Canal isn’t enough to satisfy our desire for water. We need to dip our toes in a lake.
In Quebec, there are over 500,000 lakes – and 12% of the territory is covered by freshwater. That’s almost too much, so we made a list of 7 lakes within a three-hour drive of the city for our next road-trip…
1 Lac des Deux Montagnes
It’s right next to Montreal, and with Vaudreuil on one shore and Oka National Park on the other, it’s a semi-urban, nature-filled atmosphere that’s sure to please.
How far is it from Montreal? About 1h10min drive from downtown.
2.lake Memphrémagog
This gigantic lake on the border of Quebec and Vermont is the heart of the region’s water sports. Skating and ice fishing in winter, boating and sailing in summer, and everything else you can do in the water. We have a soft spot for the little marina in Georgeville, and we love strolling along the waterfront in Magog.
How far is it from Montreal? About 1h50min drive from downtown (you can also get there by bus, stopping in Magog).
3.lake Saint-Louis
At the end of the Lachine Canal, Lac Saint-Louis is a little country for sailing and water sports enthusiasts. In summer, it’s like your childhood village, with the added bonus of being close to downtown…
How far is it from Montreal? About a 30-minute drive from downtown, or 1 hour by public transport (metro/bus).
4.lake Tremblant
Tremblant is most often thought of as a ski and winter sports resort, but Lac de Tremblant is as sublime as its mountains under the winter powder. It’s a national park, and nature is incredibly well preserved – you can walk the trails around the lake to get your feet wet…
How far is it from Montreal? about 2.5 hours by car from downtown, 2.5 hours by bus with Galand.
5.large lake Saint-François
The largest lake in Quebec, it’s a fishing destination for all anglers.
It’s the meeting point for many of the Eastern Townships’ inhabitants, and as soon as summer arrives, it’s easy to spend a hyper-nostalgic afternoon with soft ice cream, feet in the grey sand of the lake’s beach, and a stint on Lambton’s scorching asphalt to finish the day.
How far is it from Montreal? About 2 hours 50 minutes by car from downtown.
6.lake Saint-Pierre
Classified as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Lac Saint-Pierre is a must-see destination for birdwatchers.
You can’t swim here, but you can see the thousands of birds that live here, and walk between the marshes and reeds that grow along its shores.
How far is it from Montreal? About 2 hours 50 minutes by car from downtown.
7.lake Massawippi
This is the most cinematic lake in the Eastern Townships region, and its shores are home to several picture-postcard villages (including Ayer’s Cliff and its famous farmer’s market, and Quebec’s most picture-perfect village, North Hatley) and hiking trails overlooking wilderness mini-criques.
How far is it from Montreal? About 1 hour 35 minutes by car from downtown.
Enjoy the ride, the soft ice cream and the dip!