Once known as Sainte-Rose-Est, Auteuil has a story to tell. It sits in Laval, Quebec. Auteuil’s tale begins long before its official naming.
The area that makes up Auteuil was once part of the Parish of Sainte-Rose-de-Lima. This parish was established in 1740. It covered much of the northwest of Île Jésus. The first church stood on the eastern edge of old Auteuil. It was near the Mille Îles River. This church met a fiery end. Controversy sparked over its relocation. The rebuilt church found a new home in 1788. It was 6.7 km southwest of the original site.
Auteuil experienced a few separations in its history. In 1858, Sainte-Rose detached itself. In 1914, the eastern and western parts of Sainte-Rose split. This led to the creation of Sainte-Rose-de-Lima East. It was also known as Saint-Rose-Est.
Until 1953, Auteuil remained a rural municipality. The beaches along the Mille Îles River became popular. They attracted visitors from Île Jésus and Montreal. The Provincial Transport bus company organized tours. Tourists traveled from Jean-Talon Terminus to Idéale Beach. Mont-Royal and Jacques-Cartier beaches were nearby.
In 1953, fewer than 1,000 people lived here. They resided along the Mille Îles River. Between 1953 and 1960, the population boomed. During the summer, 4,000 families called Sainte-Rose-Est home. The normal population was only 2,000 families.
In 1961, Sainte-Rose-Est officially became Auteuil. In the same year, the parish of Sainte-Béatrice was founded. Auteuil was an independent city until 1965. Then, municipal mergers changed everything.
Today, Auteuil is the eastern extension of residential areas. It lies west of Sainte-Rose and east of Saint-François. Duvernay is to the southeast. Vimont is to the south. Much of Auteuil’s land is still used for agriculture.
Auteuil is home to several schools. These include École secondaire Odyssée-des-Jeunes and École secondaire Horizon Jeunesse. The old École Ulric-Debien now serves as an annex of École Alfred-Pellan. Terry Fox Elementary School is an English-language school in Auteuil.
Getting around Auteuil is easy. The Société de transport de Laval serves the area. Several bus routes terminate in Auteuil. These routes include 17, 31, 39, 41, and 43. Other routes pass through Auteuil. Route 27 goes to Vimont. Route 73 goes to Chomedey. Route 74 goes to St. François.
Boulevard des Laurentides is Auteuil’s main road. It runs north-south. South of Boulevard Sainte-Rose Est, it is mainly commercial. To the north, it is residential. Boulevard Sainte-Rose-Est and Avenue des Perron form the main east-west axis. Avenue des Perron runs through Auteuil’s agricultural area. Here, local producers have set up shop. Boulevard des Mille-Îles follows the Mille-Îles River.
Auteuil has transformed over the years. From a parish to a municipality, it became part of Laval. It evolved from farmland to a residential area. Auteuil retains its unique charm. Its history is etched into its streets and buildings. Auteuil invites exploration and discovery.