Laval, located near Montreal, is a rather recreational tourist destination oriented for family. An adventure of a day or a weekend for Montrealers seeking activities.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The island was inhabited for centuries by Native Americans. In 1636, the island, covered with forests was granted to the Jesuits who gave him the name of Jesus Island. In 1680, Bishop de Laval gives the island to the Seminary of Quebec who will own the place up to the end of the feudal system in 1854. In 1965, Quebec merges the 14 municipalities of the island and become neighborhoods in a single city, now more than four hundred thousand inhabitants.
Sainte-Dorothée
This historic neighborhood gathers around its public square, which hosts several popular events, interesting buildings including the church erected in 1873.
Sainte-Rose
Along the Rivière des Mille-Îles, the Vieux Sainte-Rose has retained the atmosphere of the old villages. In summer, the area comes alive around its restaurants and its craft shops and antiques.
Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
Founded in 1740, this area of Laval is embellished with sidewalk cafés and restaurants along its main street.
TO VISIT
The Armand-Frappier Museum (531 boulevard des Prairies in Laval-des-Rapides). Even microbes have their museum! This is the only one in Quebec dedicated to bio-sciences. The interactive exhibition MIcroZoo takes a thematic approach of the zoo to introduce the world of micro-organisms.
The Centre de la Nature (901, avenue du Parc in Saint-Vincent-de-Paul) is a huge oasis of greenery spread over 50 hectares. It houses a permanent exhibition of tropical plants. We practice various sports such as canoeing, kayaking and petanque.
