On the banks of the Rivière des Prairies, where the waters churn and rush, lies Sault-au-Récollet. This Montreal neighborhood whispers tales of early encounters, both peaceful and tragic. Sault-au-Récollet’s history is woven into the very fabric of Montreal, a testament to its enduring presence. Sault-au-Récollet witnessed the first Catholic mass on the Island of Montreal in 1615. This pivotal moment, attended by Samuel de Champlain himself, marked the beginning of a new era. The Church of the Visitation at Sault-au-Récollet stands as the oldest church on the island, its stones echoing with centuries of prayers. Built between 1749 and 1752, it has witnessed the neighborhood transform from a small settlement to the vibrant community it is today. The rapids, or “sault,” gave the area its distinct name after a tragic event. In 1625, the Recollet missionary Nicolas Viel and his companion Ahuntsic drowned in the churning waters. This tragedy forever linked the Recollets to the rapids. Sault-au-Récollet also holds the memory of Fort Lorette. Established in 1696, it served as a mission for Indigenous peoples, a place of both refuge and complex interactions. The fort’s location, chosen for its strategic defensibility, speaks to the tensions of the time. The Sulpician missionaries guided the Algonquin people to Fort Lorette, seeking to share their faith and way of life. Sault-au-Récollet continued to grow, becoming a streetcar suburb and experiencing a housing boom in the mid-20th century. Its annexation by Montreal in 1918 solidified its place within the city’s tapestry. Sault-au-Récollet, a place where history comes alive, invites you to explore its streets. Discover the stories etched in its stones and carried by the river’s currents.
Parc Dickie-Moore
Who needs a time machine when you’ve got Parc Dickie-Moore? This little slice of Parc-Extension holds a century of Montreal