Îles-de-Boucherville National Park

Boucherville Islands National Park occupies a remarkable geographical position: located right in the heart of the St. Lawrence River just kilometers from downtown Montreal, this protected territory of 8.14 km² offers a nature escape without requiring a long journey from the metropolis. The archipelago presents exceptional archaeological potential, having historically welcomed Indigenous populations who used the islands as seasonal camping sites, while underwater excavations in the surrounding channels have revealed the wreck of the Lady-Sherbrooke, a steamship built in 1817 and abandoned in 1826, as well as possible evidence of a significant steamboat graveyard. More surprisingly still, Grosbois Island hosted King Edward Park between 1910 and 1922, one of Quebec's first summer amusement parks, equipped at the time with roller coasters, horse and automobile racing tracks, a grand amphitheater, and even an airfield—a largely forgotten chapter of Quebec's recreational tourism history of which only archaeological traces remain today. The current park, managed by SEPAQ, now focuses entirely on nature with its network of 21 kilometers of multi-use trails, two marked water trails for kayaking and canoeing through channels and marshes, and a population of white-tailed deer free from natural predators, all accessible directly from Montreal, Longueuil, or Boucherville thanks to a seasonal river shuttle service.