Lachine
MontréalIntroduction
With its picturesque waterfront, local market and quiet streets, Lachine offers small-town living without being too far from downtown. On the cusp of the suburban West Island of Montreal, Lachine is bordered to the south by Lac St-Louis, to the west by 55th Avenue and Highway 520, to the east by the Lachine Canal, and to the north by Highway 13 and the train tracks.
Lifestyle
The lifestyle in Lachine revolves around the waterfront. In the summer, families and couples can be seen biking, rollerblading, walking and picnicking along the lakeshore. Lunch or ice cream at one of the St. Joseph Boulevard–establishments is a popular activity. In the winter, the waterfront is a destination for cross-country skiers. The Lachine museum, with indoor and outdoor activities, offers visitors a take on the history of the area and art.
The Vibe
To live in Lachine is to enjoy the waterfront on Lac St-Louis. It provides more than twenty kilometres of multi-use park space perfect for walking, biking, picnicking and more. Lachine is neither true suburban West Island, nor is it urban Montreal. It’s an ideal place for families and those seeking peace and quiet.
Meet the Neighbours
Lachine is a mixed-age borough, but its many schools, parks and pools – and its affordable real estate – definitely cater to families, especially younger ones. It also has several retirement residences, meaning it’s also home to an older generation. This diversity, old, young and every age in between, makes for Lachine’s welcoming atmosphere.
In the Area
In addition to the waterfront with its bike path, Lachine has more than two dozen parks, several pools, primary and secondary schools, a hospital and many grocery stores including health-food store Rachelle-Béry. For local shopping, the Lachine Market is open year-round. Lachine is a borough with all its own amenities, but it is also close to the extended resources offered by the West Island.
14 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Lachine is conveniently located close to Dorval’s Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. For trips closer to home, the Highway 20 takes commuters further into the West Island or, in the opposite direction, downtown. There is the train station, convenient for those who live in the western part of the borough. Lachine also has a nice network of bikes paths throughout the town, not only along the waterfront.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Lachine is a peaceful borough, which is to say that some might find it a bit sleepy. There are restaurants, especially by the water, a small mall, some bars, but it’s not exactly bustling. The up side is that it is quiet, picturesque at the right times of year and close to both downtown and the West Island.
Dollars & Sense
There are some beautiful homes on the waterfront and some fancy boats in the marina, but on the whole, Lachine, while pretty, is not an overly expensive part of Montreal. There are no real fine-dining options or high-end boutiques. For big spending, residents leave the borough.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Lachine Market
This year-round market is the oldest market in Montreal. In addition to seasonal produce and local products, it has a café and cheese shop Fromagerie Atwater.
more infoRestaurant El Meson
This Mexican restaurant, complete with a backyard terrace and menu items like guacamole, tacos and margaritas, is popular with both locals and visitors enjoying the waterfront for the day.
more infoDairy Queen
Possibly the busiest place in Lachine in the warmer summer months, this Dairy Queen is conveniently located on the waterfront near the Batobus, the ferry that takes passengers to and from Parc René-Lévesque.
more infoPasta Andrea
This canal-side Italian restaurant is a popular spot for lunch when the plant and flower-filled terrace is in full sun. A casual eating-out option for a date, family meal or business meeting.
more infoMommy's Fish & Chips
A Lachine staple open since the 1970s, and one of only a handful of places to get fish and chips on the island of Montreal, Mommy’s is a no-fuss, fast-food stop with nautical-themed decor to match its menu.
more infoBicyclettes Rossi
Whether you’re a commuter cyclist, a casual rider or a cyclo-cross enthusiast, Rossi, another long-standing Lachine establishment, is the place to buy or rent a bike. They also deal in skis.
more info