200 years of memories at the Lachine Canal
Lachine Canal National Historic Site
A true economic and industrial catalyst in Montréal, the Lachine Canal is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Over the decades, its commercial use has been replaced by recreational boating, yet this National Historic Site remains a favorite destination for visitors and neighboring communities. The year 2025 marks the canal’s 200th anniversary.
A Look at the Canal’s Historical Milestones
Text version of the timeline
1825: Construction began in 1821, and the canal was completed in 1825.
1847-1945: Southwest Montréal saw the most diverse concentration of industrial establishments in Canada, thanks in part to its hydraulic potential.
1929: The canal is designated a National Historic Site.
1960: The canal was replaced by the St. Lawrence Seaway and fell into disuse. Portions of the canal were even filled in.
1970: The canal was closed to navigation.
1978: Parks Canada was entrusted with the management of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site.
1997: Major restoration work began to revitalize the site while preserving its unique heritage.
2002: The canal reopened to recreational boating.
2002-2025: The canal's landscape evolved rapidly, and its surrounding neighborhoods developed significantly.
2025: The Lachine Canal celebrates 200 years of memories!
Lachine Canal 200th anniversary programming
Since its opening in 1825, the Lachine Canal has been at the heart of a rich history shaped by the diversity and dynamism of its riverside communities.
To celebrate this living legacy, Parks Canada has turned to local partners committed to enhance this heritage site to invite them to take part in the 200th anniversary celebrations and support inspiring projects to be carried out between May and December 2025.
By joining in the 200th anniversary celebrations, the organizations involved are helping to raise the profile of an emblematic historic site, mobilize the community around a meaningful project and be part of a collective initiative to protect, enliven and enhance the Lachine Canal. Thank you all for bringing this magnificent historic site to life!
New activities will be regularly added to this special program, so keep an eye out!
To stay up to date with the festivities and summer activities at the canal:
- Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming activities in the calendar of events;
- subscribe to In the Loop, Quebec Waterways newsletter;
- follow our posts on our Facebook page.
Artistic and enhancement projects
Call for projects: Highlight the LaSalle-Coke crane!
As part of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal, Parks Canada and PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest are launching a call for projects to highlight the LaSalle-Coke crane, an industrial relic built between 1914 and 1916 and located on the banks of the canal.
This initiative aims to honor the area’s working-class history and integrate the crane into a contemporary artistic narrative.
Proposals must be submitted by May 30, 2025, for a planned implementation in winter 2026.
Visit the Reviving the LaSalle-Coke Crane page for full details.
Urban art project
A unique public art project by a local artist showcasing the waterway's surroundings and commemorating its history, the people who worked on it and its visitors.
Completion scheduled for autumn 2025.
More details to come!
May activities
May 31: Presentation of the documentary For It Shall Rule (Étienne Morneau, 2023)
The feature-length documentary “For It Shall Rule” traces the evolution of built heritage in the Lachine Canal area since the Industrial Revolution. The approach is multidisciplinary. Drawing in turn on economics, history and philosophy, the film seeks to reveal modernity's relationship with space and speed.
Presented May 30, 2025 as soon as night falls at Hangar 1825 on the Lachine Canal in French with English subtitles, and from June 20 at Arsenal art contemporain.
For more details, visit For It Shall Rule - Etienne Morneau page on the website of the Arsenal Contemporary art and the Vitheque website.
May 31 and June 1: Échos du Canal: 200 Years of History, Four Seasons of Creation.
Theatre, dance, music, and circus come together in a series of immersive performances that bring the Lachine Canal’s past to life while sparking reflection on its future. From May to December 2025, experience a unique artistic journey through a living heritage site.
Held Together: a powerful solo piece presented May 31 and June 1, 2025 on the banks of the canal, west of the Charlevoix Bridge.
For full details, visit the event website www.tableaudhote.ca
View this event in the events calendar
June activities
In June: ProjetMILL
ProjetMILL invites you to explore Montreal's industrial heritage in a whole new way!
Thanks to a series of ephemeral, immersive installations along the Lachine Canal, history, art and culture come to life in the very heart of the landscape. A mobile, interactive experience, accessible to all, to discover the past... in motion!
Dates to be confirmed!
To find out more, visit ProjetMill's Facebook page.
July activities
July 12, 19 and 26: SDC Pointe-Saint-Charles is sure to impress!
Historical Tour: In the Footsteps of Pointe-Saint-Charles’ Industrial Memory
Dive into the fascinating history of Pointe-Saint-Charles with an immersive guided tour offered by Maison Saint-Gabriel. Led by passionate guides, participants will explore iconic sites that shaped the working-class and industrial identity of the neighborhood.
Tour Highlights
- Saint-Gabriel Lock and the former Redpath and Northern Electric factories
- The Nordelec building, Joe Beef Park, and Centre Street
- The old fire station, workers’ churches, and the Hogan Bathhouse
- Notable examples of working-class and commercial architecture
- And of course, Maison Saint-Gabriel, a witness to the neighborhood’s nourishing role
This tour is enriched with archival photographs, old maps, and historical anecdotes, offering a vivid retrospective of the area’s industrial heritage.
Summer Bonus
In July and August, enjoy a free dessert at one of our partner businesses at the end of the tour!
Practical Information
- Dates: Every Saturday from July 12 to August 16, then from October 4 to 25
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
- Distance: 2.42 km (no seating available)
- Starting Point: Saint-Gabriel Lock (Lock No. 3)
To find out more, visit the SDC Pointe-Saint-Charles website (French only).
July 19: Lock & Paddle event
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal, we invite you to take part in our free “Lock and Paddle” event.
By canoe or kayak, come paddling and experience a lockage at Saint-Gabriel Lock (no. 3).
The event runs from 1 p.m. to 5:15 p.m..
For a detailed schedule, the various launch points and all the information you need to take part in the event, visit the Lock & Paddle page.
July 19: Échos du canal: Là où ça résonne
Là où ça résonne is the second chapter of Échos du canal, a year-long artistic journey marking the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal.
Presented as part of Lock & Paddle event, this floating musical performance invites you to listen as the water carries the sound. As dozens of colourful boats drift down the canal, musicians aboard their own vessels create a living soundscape, a resonant landscape shaped by echoes of the past and voices of the present.
For full details, visit the event website www.tableaudhote.ca
In July: ProjetMILL
ProjetMILL invites you to explore Montreal's industrial heritage in a whole new way!
Thanks to a series of ephemeral, immersive installations along the Lachine Canal, history, art and culture come to life in the very heart of the landscape. A mobile, interactive experience, accessible to all, to discover the past... in motion!
Dates to be confirmed!
To find out more, visit ProjetMill's Facebook page.
July 5 and 19 : Guided Tour and Interpretation of the Lachine Canal
For six Saturdays this summer, explore the secrets of Lock No. 5 and the Père-Marquette Promenade with guided tours, an interactive heritage interpretation kiosk, and a booklet filled with historical tidbits, vintage photos, and exploration games.
A fun and fascinating way to (re)discover this iconic site with family or friends.
Free activity offered by the Musée de Lachine on July 5 and 19, September 13, 14 and 27 and October 18, 2025.
Guided tour schedule
July 5, 19, September 27 and October 18: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
September 13 and 14: 1 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Registration required: museedelachine@montreal.ca.
Check out these events in the events calendar.
For more information, visit the Ville de Montréal website (French only).
August activities
August 2, 9 and 16: SDC Pointe-Saint-Charles is sure to impress!
Historical Tour: In the Footsteps of Pointe-Saint-Charles’ Industrial Memory
Dive into the fascinating history of Pointe-Saint-Charles with an immersive guided tour offered by Maison Saint-Gabriel. Led by passionate guides, participants will explore iconic sites that shaped the working-class and industrial identity of the neighborhood.
Tour Highlights
- Saint-Gabriel Lock and the former Redpath and Northern Electric factories
- The Nordelec building, Joe Beef Park, and Centre Street
- The old fire station, workers’ churches, and the Hogan Bathhouse
- Notable examples of working-class and commercial architecture
- And of course, Maison Saint-Gabriel, a witness to the neighborhood’s nourishing role
This tour is enriched with archival photographs, old maps, and historical anecdotes, offering a vivid retrospective of the area’s industrial heritage.
Summer Bonus
In July and August, enjoy a free dessert at one of our partner businesses at the end of the tour!
Practical Information
- Dates: Every Saturday from July 12 to August 16, then from October 4 to 25
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
- Distance: 2.42 km (no seating available)
- Starting Point: Saint-Gabriel Lock (Lock No. 3)
To find out more, visit the SDC Pointe-Saint-Charles website (French only).
August 1 to 8: ProjetMILL
ProjetMILL invites you to explore Montreal's industrial heritage in a whole new way!
Thanks to a series of ephemeral, immersive installations along the Lachine Canal, history, art and culture come to life in the very heart of the landscape. A mobile, interactive experience, accessible to all, to discover the past... in motion!
To find out more, visit ProjetMill's Facebook page or the Mill Project website.
August 24 : A fireside chat by Parks Canada
From Memory to Heritage
A fireside chat by Parks Canada in collaboration with Archéo-Québec as part of Archeology Month 2025 (website in French only).
On August 24, starting at 3 p.m., three experts from Parks Canada offer a 360-degree view of this iconic site of our industrial, social, and cultural history.
Drawing on a rich collection of images illustrating the evolution of the Lachine Canal over the past 200 years, this dynamic discussion will immerse you in the many layers of the past that make up the unique and changing identity of this place. History buffs and canal enthusiasts are invited to navigate between buried memories and tangible traces, well-known stories and forgotten tales.
Join us to share your memories, chat with our experts, and celebrate two centuries of living heritage in the heart of Montreal!
Hangar 1825, Lachine Canal National Historic Site
Presentation in French; discussions in both French and English. No reservation required. Limited places.
August 24 : Unique historical immersion on the water!
Step aboard a rabaska canoe for a guided adventure and discover the fascinating history of the canal from a whole new perspective. Accompanied by a certified guide, you’ll paddle to the rhythm of the stories that shaped this iconic site.
Practical Information
- Maximum number of participants per tour: 10
- Activity open to all ages 5 and up
- Minimum age to paddle: 10
- Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Free activity! No prior experience required
- Departure from the upstream dock of Saint-Gabriel Lock (Lock No. 3)
Schedule
- In French: 12:30 p.m
- In English: 1:30 p.m
- Duration: 45 minutes
Reservation required (free activity): initiationcamping-learntocamp@pc.gc.ca.
September activities
September 13 and 14: Lachine fête son canal!
The Ville de Montréal is joining the festivities on September 13 and 14 in the Arrondissement Lachine. Along with organizations and partners, the borough invites you to take part in a wide range of heritage, cultural, and recreational activities.
A fun and free way to (re)discover this iconic site with family or friends.
On the program:
September 13:
- Sailing with the École de voile de Lachine (September 13 and 14)
- Open house and mini regatta
- Boat parade (September 13 and 14)
- Family paddleboarding (September 13 and 14)
- Team games (September 13 and 14)
- Il était une fois...le canal (September 13 and 14)
- Interpretive booth by the Musée de Lachine (September 13 and 14)
- Live painting
- Folk dances and workshops
September 14:
- Guitar concert
- Musical performance
For more information about the activities and their location, visit the Ville de Montréal website (French only).
In September: SOLD OUT - Guided Tour and Interpretation of the Lachine Canal
FULLY BOOKED - For six Saturdays this summer, explore the secrets of Lock No. 5 and the Père-Marquette Promenade with guided tours, an interactive heritage interpretation kiosk, and a booklet filled with historical tidbits, vintage photos, and exploration games.
A fun and fascinating way to (re)discover this iconic site with family or friends.
Free activity offered by the Musée de Lachine on September 13, 14 and 27 and October 18, 2025.
Guided tour schedule
September 13 and 14: 1 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
September 27 and October 18: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration required: museedelachine@montreal.ca.
For more information, visit the Ville de Montréal website (French only).
September 19 to November 2: The Canal in Fragments
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal, the Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay is collaborating with artist Laurence Dauphinais to present two exhibitions based on the public photographic archives of the McCord Stewart Museum.
Free admission!
For more information, visit the Ville de Montréal website (French only).
September 28: Of Work and Joy – 200 Years Along the Lachine Canal
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the waterway, Parks Canada is partnering with the Journées de la culture 2025 to present a special program at Hangar 1825, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Special Program
Discover History
- - SOLD OUT - Guided rabaska canoe tours with Parks Canada
- Departure times: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
- (20 spots per tour, for ages 10 and up, free, no experience required, boarding at the upstream dock of the Saint-Gabriel Lock)
- “Landscape in Motion”: illustrated discussion with historian Alain Gelly and Matthieu Paradis, Cultural Resource Management Advisor, Parks Canada
- Photo exhibition and discussions with theSaint-Henri Historical Society (in French)
Dream the Canal
- Artistic mediation with Corridor Culturel
- From 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy the Site
- Mini-exhibition of industrial artifacts and live music performance with ProjetMill
A not-to-be-missed opportunity to experience culture along the canal!
October activities
September 19 to November 2: The Canal in Fragments
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal, the Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay is collaborating with artist Laurence Dauphinais to present two exhibitions based on the public photographic archives of the McCord Stewart Museum.
Free admission!
For more information, visit the Ville de Montréal website (in French).
October 4, 11, 18 and 25: SOLD OUT - SDC Pointe-Saint-Charles is sure to impress!
Historical Tour: In the Footsteps of Pointe-Saint-Charles’ Industrial Memory
Dive into the fascinating history of Pointe-Saint-Charles with an immersive guided tour offered by Maison Saint-Gabriel. Led by passionate guides, participants will explore iconic sites that shaped the working-class and industrial identity of the neighborhood.
Tour Highlights
- Saint-Gabriel Lock and the former Redpath and Northern Electric factories
- The Nordelec building, Joe Beef Park, and Centre Street
- The old fire station, workers’ churches, and the Hogan Bathhouse
- Notable examples of working-class and commercial architecture
- And of course, Maison Saint-Gabriel, a witness to the neighborhood’s nourishing role
This tour is enriched with archival photographs, old maps, and historical anecdotes, offering a vivid retrospective of the area’s industrial heritage.
Practical Information
- Dates: Every Saturday from July 12 to August 16, then from October 4 to 25
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
- Distance: 2.42 km (no seating available)
- Starting Point: Saint-Gabriel Lock (Lock No. 3)
To find out more, visit the Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum and Historic Site or the SDC Pointe-Saint-Charles website (French only).
October 18: SOLD OUT - Step into the history of the Lachine Canal!
FULLY BOOKED - For six Saturdays this summer, explore the secrets of Lock No. 5 and the Père-Marquette Promenade with guided tours, an interactive heritage interpretation kiosk, and a booklet filled with historical tidbits, vintage photos, and exploration games.
A fun and fascinating way to (re)discover this iconic site with family or friends.
Free activity offered by the Musée de Lachine on October 18, 2025.
Guided tour schedule
October 18: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration required: museedelachine@montreal.ca.
For more information, visit the Ville de Montréal website (French only).
October 31 and November 1: SOLD OUT - The Griffintown Prophecy — a free outdoor Halloween game in Montréal!
Immerse yourself in an adventure to mark the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal: The Griffintown Prophecy, designed by A/Maze Escape Game in partnership with SDC Quartiers du Canal and Parks Canada.
The experience begins at the Avril supermarket in Griffintown and ends at Brasserie Memento.
Admission is free, but reservations are required. The game is available in French and English.
What to expect
As a team, you will have to trace Montreal's industrial past, invoke the spirits of old factories, and decipher riddles scattered throughout the steel, stone, and smoke in order to calm or banish a mysterious creature born of canal legends.
Schedule
- October 31: the activity is offered from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- November 1: the activity is offered from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Practical information
- Estimated duration: 45 to 60 minutes
- Route: approximately 1.8 km (about a 25-minute walk), and the same distance back.
- What you need: a fully charged cell phone with data, warm and comfortable clothing.
- In case of rain: the game is still available on both days, but the experience with the actors may be limited.
- Accessibility for animals: dogs are welcome, especially on the terrace of the Brasserie Memento where the tour ends.
Information and reservations required: https://www.amazemontreal.com/jeu-halloween-montreal-2025
November activities
November 15: Marée de mots
As part of Echoes of the Canal — a year-long series of artistic events by Tableau D’Hôte Theatre celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal — Café Ma Bicyclette will host Marée de mots, a bilingual evening of slam poetry on November 15 at 7pm.
Several poets will share works inspired by the canal: its history, its flow, and its many voices. The evening will conclude with an open mic segment, where audience members are invited to take the stage and add their own voices to the echoes of the canal.
To sign up for the open mic portion, email mathieu@tableaudhote.ca
To learn more about the fascinating history of the Lachine Canal, visit our History and Culture section.
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