Chambly – A Beautiful Canal Town on the Richelieu River
I first came to Chambly in my university years, the first one to be precise, for a friends birthday. Although I was familiar with Montreal, every French Canadian from Eastern Ontario is, I had not yet spent any time on the south shore. Impressed with the little town and its lovely fort, good beer and charming people, I spent the next years exploring more of the province. Yet Chambly still has a special place in my heart!
Table of Contents
Geography
The city is now an off-island suburb of Montreal, located to the south of Quebec’s metropolis, but has a long and proud history. It was sits on an important junction on the Richelieu River, a body of water that connects via its canal down to Lake Champlain in the United States, and up to the St. Lawrence at Sorel, thus making it an important strategic stronghold. At the base of the canal is a large lake. This strech of the Richelieu is marked by boulder filled rapids, hence the need for a canal.
I have included a quick map of the region for your reference, with Chambly and its basin highlighted in red .
History
French Colonial Period
This location was charted by the famed explorer Samuel de Champlain as far back as 1609. Soon after the French would build a settlement here. As a testament to the importance of the site a fort was built here in 1665, originally of wood but later upgraded to stone. It was the largest in the French system on the Richelieu (the called the Iroquois and later Chambly River) meant to protect Montreal from southern theats whether they be first nations or from the British administered Thirteen Colonies (Proto-America).
Like the rest of Quebec, the French settlement was ceded to the English after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759.
English Colonial Period
The relative calm of the English occupation was soon shattered by the Revolutionary War, when the town was occupied by the northern thrust of the American army from Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in 1775. The years under the British system saw the seignorial system of land ownership abolished.
The mid 19th century saw the industrialization of the town led by the construction of the Chambly Canal in 1843.
Dominion of Canada and Present
In 1867 Canada became a Dominion. In this period until the First World War, the Canal provided a wealth to the town derived from its trade. After the was this source of income dried up and commercial vehicles soon were replaced buy recreational vehicles.
Today, tourism features prominently in the towns economy.
Things to do in Chambly?
Historically, Chambly has been majority French with a small English population concentrated near the fort in their own mini settlement. This would have been officers and their families commissioned to this location. As such Chambly has a good mix of French and English history.
Unibroue
This iconic Quebec micro (now unfortunately sold) should give you cause for a pause! Located near the canal, but sold virtually everywhere, its iconic blonde features the old fort in its marketing. Known for their high alcohol Belgians, they should be on every beer lovers stop off list.
Old Chambly
The main street is located on the north side of the canal, along the waterfront. Here you will find the always popular Le Vieux Bourgogne pub and the Délires et Délices – Microbrasserie. This is a great area to pick up an ice cream in the summer or just a cold beer. The street really comes alive at night when the degenerate sons of Montreal’s rich try to parade their fancy rides down the street!
The iconic church in this district is the stone built St. Joseph of Chambly Church.
Canal and Waterfront
These famous locks bypass a tricky rapid filled section of the Richelieu river that had stumped first nations people for generations, connecting the river to the lake without the impasse of those rapids.
Along its lenght you will find will find the Guides Touristiques De Chambly (Tourism office) house in an old house.
As ell as several structures including an old lock-masters residence.
There is a pathway along the lake where you will be able to view Mont-Saint-Bruno in the distance.
Fort Chambly
Built at the meeting of the Richelieu with the lake, stands an impressive fortification.
Named after the french King but soon renamed for its first commanding officer, Jacques de Chambly, whom whom was granted this land as a seigniory in 1672.
The buildings is now run by Parks Canada as a museum and features a beautiful interior. In the summer interpretive events take place at the fort.
St. Stephen’s with St. James Anglican Church, Officers Quarters and its Cemetary
Located across the street from the fort is the old English quarter of the city. The heart of the community is a small stone Anglican church that you can visit, along with its cemetery.
You will also find the old officer quarters, again built on stone.
There are a lot of interesting buildings in this section including an old masonry structure that almost resembles a seminary that is now a culinary school.
Conclusion
For such a small town, Chambly sure has a lot of charm. It is best enjoyed during the summer months when it fills with boaters and those who want to show their money. And why not, this is the place to do so!
