Bois-des-Filion

Gazing upon Bois-des-Filion, one might initially see just another charming suburb north of Montreal. But beneath the surface lies a captivating narrative woven from maple forests, a misspelled name, and a touch of royal history. Bois-des-Filion owes its name to an unlikely source: Antoine Feuillon, a local carpenter. Antoine, unfortunately, couldn’t read or write, and so his surname was misspelled as “Filion” in official records. This seemingly small error became a permanent mark on the town’s identity. Antoine’s father, Michel Feuillon, adds a dash of royal intrigue to the story. He was a captain of the Musketeers of the Guard under France’s “Sun King,” Louis XIV, before immigrating to New France. The “Bois” in Bois-des-Filion, meaning “woods” in French, refers to the beautiful maple forests that surround the town. Imagine early settlers forging a path through these very woods, crossing a small river to reach the heart of the nascent community. Bois-des-Filion’s history is punctuated by key moments. In 1684, the first Filion arrived in Canada, setting the stage for the town’s future. The parish arrived in 1913, thanks to Abbot De Bray. A pivotal moment occurred in 1945, when a group of citizens banded together, initiating the process of officially establishing Bois-des-Filion as a city. Their efforts culminated in 1949, with Joseph Germain becoming the first mayor. A decade later, in 1955, the second largest cross in the province was erected on Notre-Dame hill, commemorating the town’s first ten years. Today, Bois-des-Filion thrives with a population of over 10,000, a testament to its enduring appeal. Though the maple forests that once drew throngs of tourists now play a smaller role in the local economy, Bois-des-Filion retains its charm. The town stands as a unique blend of royal lineage, a carpenter’s misspelled name, and the enduring spirit of a community built amidst the maples.