Sault-au-Récollet
MontréalIntroduction
Sault-au-Récollet is a small, semi-suburban and scenic neighbourhood in Montreal's Athuntsic borough. The neighbourhood begins at Papineau Avenue to the West, runs along Port Royal Road to its south, and then up along St-Michel Boulevard until it hits the waterfront. Along the North, the neighbourhood ends at the river separating the islands of Montreal and Laval, but includes the Visitation Island nature park.
Lifestyle
Sault-au-Récollet is a nice place to live. There’s some scenic spots and great parks, as well as some good food, good coffee and lots of nearby shopping in adjacent neighbourhoods. The area itself might be small and feel exclusive at times, since it’s a bit out of the way from the busier parts of the city, but there’s a definite charm to the neighbourhood which keeps people here.
The Vibe
Sault-au-Récollet has a laid back and meditative vibe; this isn't a place where you go to party, but to take in the sights and enjoy nature with your family or close friends. The parks feels peaceful, the roads are quiet, and you'll spot plenty of cyclists and people out for walks when it’s nice.
Meet the Neighbours
This is one of the parts of the city where the middle-aged and elderly might outnumber the younger folks. A lot of families move out here to settle and buy homes for the long run. As such, many of the residents of this area are long-term inhabitants who want to enjoy the feeling of suburbia but still be close to downtown.
In the Area
Running along the riverfront, Sault-au-Récollet has some of the most scenic parts of the city. Along Gouin Boulevard you'll come across old colonial-era brick and stone houses tucked away behind hedges or hidden under tree canopies, especially around the museum and historical society buildings. Keep an eye out for some old ruins.
13 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Papineau Avenue acts as the main artery for getting into the city, or over the bridge into Laval. It can get a little busy, but traffic generally flows well and there are some good buses that run along it. The neighbourhood is also just outside the metro zone, but getting to a station is just one quick bus ride away.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
The neighbourhood itself is quite scenic, but it can feel a bit out of place, especially since there are some industrial zones nearby as well as some of the older parts of town that used to be rough a generation ago, like St-Leonard. It's also a great place to live if you work in Laval or somewhere in Montreal North.
Dollars & Sense
Along Fleury you'll be able to find restaurants, drugstores and groceries. Though there aren't too many choices for amenities overall, most of the shopping is reasonably-priced. If you have transportation you can drive down to Marché Central in central Ahuntsic where you will find plenty of outlets and big retailers.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Le Pressoir du Sault
A hip little coffee shop, bike stop, bakery and second-hand book store that sits along Gouin Boulevard right next to the park. It's a great place to drop by for a quick break.
more infoZagrum
A laid-back breakfast-bistro at the corner of Fleury and Papineau. They specialize in hearty egg plates, but they also serve quick lunch and brunch options. The place closes at 3:00 p.m. so get there early!
more infoLa Toca
A local pizzeria, grill, coffee shop and bar combo. It’s one of the few truly good Italian eateries that also offers Quebec comfort food in the neighbourhood. Stop by for their 4-7 p.m. specials.
more infoVisitation Island Nature Park
This is one of the nicest parks in the city. It runs along the waterfront and includes an island that reaches out into the river. It's incredibly scenic no matter where you are.
more infoParc des Hirondelles
A semi-wood, and fully green park that stretches around the highest hill in the neighbourhood. At the top you can get a view of the area, and even see some of the edges of downtown.
more infoLes Frites Lesage
An old Quebec-style French fry pit that also serves fish and chips. It serves signature French Canadian style fries, isn't too pricey and is located right next to the park entrance. It's a good place to grab a bite after your walk.
more info