Varennes, Quebec | Exploring Canada

Varennes is a city in the province of Quebec, Canada. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, approximately 25 kilometers northeast of downtown Montreal. As part of the Marguerite-D’Youville Regional County Municipality, it is considered an off-island suburb of Montreal. With a population of approximately 21,000 residents, Varennes is a significant residential and industrial community in the region. The city’s location provides it with both a riverfront setting and access to the agricultural lands to its south.

The character of Varennes is defined by a blend of its deep historical roots as one of Quebec’s oldest parishes and its modern identity as a residential suburb with a major industrial port. The historic core of the city, located near the river, contains its basilica and older homes, reflecting its long history. This exists alongside modern residential developments and a large industrial-port zone along the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The city is also known as the birthplace of Saint Marguerite d’Youville, a key figure in Quebec’s religious history.

A Short History of Varennes

The history of Varennes is that of a classic French-Canadian parish that evolved into a modern suburban city. Its story begins in the 17th century as a seigneury under the French colonial system. For centuries, its identity was tied to the Saint Lawrence River, agriculture, and the Catholic Church. The 20th century brought significant change with industrialization and its integration into the greater Montreal metropolitan area. This journey has shaped the city’s modern landscape, which preserves elements of its long past.

Foundation of the Seigneury

The history of Varennes began under the Seigneurial system of New France. The Seigneury of Varennes was granted in 1672 by the Intendant Jean Talon to René Gaultier de Varennes, an officer in the Carignan-Salières Regiment. The seigneury was established on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River. The first colonists began to arrive and settle the land, establishing farms and a small community. This laid the foundation for the parish that would develop over the following decades.

A Parish and a Saint’s Home

The community grew around the parish of Sainte-Anne-de-Varennes, which was officially founded in 1692. The construction of a church was central to the development of the village. The city is also the birthplace of a key figure in Canadian religious history, Saint Marguerite d’Youville, who was born here in 1701. She was the foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, commonly known as the Grey Nuns. Her legacy is still a major part of the city’s identity.

Modern Suburban and Industrial Growth

For centuries, Varennes remained a small, rural town with an economy based on agriculture. In the 20th century, its proximity to Montreal led to its transformation into a residential suburb. This growth accelerated in the post-war period. A major change came with the development of a large industrial-port zone along the Saint Lawrence River. This zone attracted major industries, including chemical manufacturing, which diversified the city’s economy beyond agriculture and residential life.

Things to Do and See

The sights in Varennes are centered on its historic and religious heritage, as well as its location on the Saint Lawrence River. The main points of interest include its large basilica, a shrine dedicated to its most famous resident, and the public park along the riverfront. These attractions reflect the city’s long history as one of Quebec’s oldest parishes.

Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Varennes

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Varennes is the city’s most prominent landmark. The current church was built between 1884 and 1887 and was designated a minor basilica in 1993. It is a large stone church built in a style that blends Gothic and Romanesque revival elements. Its two tall spires are a key feature of the city’s skyline. The basilica was built on the site of several earlier churches that had served the parish since its founding. It remains the active spiritual center of the community.

Sanctuary of Saint Marguerite d’Youville

The Sanctuary of Saint Marguerite d’Youville is a major religious site located in Varennes. The sanctuary is dedicated to Saint Marguerite, who was born in the city in 1701 and went on to found the Order of the Grey Nuns in Montreal. She was the first native-born Canadian to be elevated to sainthood. The sanctuary includes a modern interpretation center that details her life and work. It is a place of pilgrimage for many and a key part of the city’s historical and religious identity.

Parc de la Commune

The Parc de la Commune is the main public park in Varennes, located directly on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River. The park offers extensive green space for recreation and provides wide views of the river and the island of Montreal on the opposite shore. It contains walking paths, picnic areas, and playgrounds. The park is a central gathering place for residents, especially during the summer months. It hosts many of the city’s public events and festivals.

Vieux Varennes (Old Varennes)

The area of Vieux Varennes is the historic core of the city, located around the basilica and near the river. This part of the city contains some of the oldest buildings, including traditional Quebec-style houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. A walk through these streets provides a look at the original village layout before its modern suburban expansion. The historic houses and the basilica create a distinct architectural ensemble that reflects the city’s long past.

Varennes Marina

The Varennes Marina (Halte nautique de Varennes) is the city’s recreational boat harbor on the Saint Lawrence River. The marina provides docking facilities for pleasure boats and serves as a hub for local boaters. It is a center of activity during the summer sailing season. The marina’s location next to the Parc de la Commune makes it part of the city’s main recreational waterfront area. It offers a direct connection to the river for both residents and visitors.

Sports in Varennes

The sporting life in Varennes is focused on community and amateur-level sports. The city has strong local associations for Quebec’s most popular sports, particularly ice hockey and soccer. The city’s modern sports facilities provide a hub for these activities.

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is a central part of community life in Varennes, as it is throughout Quebec. The city has a large and active minor hockey association that provides programs for hundreds of young players. The local arena is a primary hub for the community during the winter months.

AHM Varennes

The local minor hockey association is the Association de Hockey Mineur de Varennes (AHM Varennes). The teams from the association are known as the Vipers. The club operates teams across all age categories, from young children learning to skate to competitive youth teams. They play their home games at the Sportplex de l’Énergie, a modern indoor arena in the city.

Football (Soccer)

Soccer is another very popular participation sport in Varennes. The local soccer association provides opportunities for hundreds of youth and adult players to participate in the sport. The club uses the city’s numerous outdoor sports fields for training and matches during the summer season.

AS Varennes

The main soccer club in the city is the Association de Soccer de Varennes (AS Varennes). The club operates recreational and competitive teams for all ages. It is a key institution for youth sports in the city. The club’s teams compete in the regional leagues of the South Shore of Montreal.

Getting Around in Varennes

Navigating Varennes is best done with a combination of walking and local transport. The historic center of the city is compact and can be explored on foot. For travel to other parts of the city and for commuting to Montreal, a local bus network and a car are the primary modes of transport.

On Foot: The Old Town

Walking is a suitable way to explore the historic core of Varennes. The area around the Basilica of Sainte-Anne and the Parc de la Commune is pedestrian-friendly. This allows visitors to see the main historic sights and enjoy the riverfront at a relaxed pace. The older streets of the village can also be explored on foot.

Local Buses

The public transport in Varennes is part of the regional Exo network. The Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM) Sorel-Varennes sector operates local bus routes. These buses connect the different neighborhoods of Varennes. They also provide commuter services that connect the city with the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station in Longueuil, which is on Montreal’s Yellow Line.

How to Get to Varennes

Reaching Varennes is straightforward due to its location in the greater Montreal area and its connection to the main road network of Quebec. The city is accessible by car and regional public transport.

The Open Road: Driving to Varennes

Driving is the most common way to reach Varennes. The city is located directly on Autoroute 30, which is a major ring road that bypasses the island of Montreal. It is also located near Route 132, which is a major road that runs along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River. From downtown Montreal, the drive to Varennes takes approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic and which bridge is used to cross the river.

Arriving by Air: Montréal–Trudeau Airport

The primary international gateway to the region is Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). The airport is located on the west side of the island of Montreal, approximately 45 kilometers from Varennes. From the airport, a rental car or a combination of public transport services would be required to reach the city. This would typically involve taking the 747 airport bus to downtown Montreal and then connecting to the metro and a bus to the South Shore.

Connecting by Coach

There are no direct long-distance bus services to the city of Varennes itself. Travelers would typically take a long-distance bus from a company like Orléans Express to the main bus terminal in downtown Montreal. From there, they would need to transfer to the local public transport network, using the metro and a regional bus, to complete the journey to Varennes.

On Track: A Journey by Rail and Bus

Varennes does not have its own passenger train station. The closest commuter train stations are located in other nearby South Shore suburbs. For travelers arriving by VIA Rail or Amtrak, the journey would terminate at the Central Station in downtown Montreal. From the train station, it is a short walk to the Bonaventure metro station, where travelers can begin the journey on the public transport network to reach Varennes.

The St. Lawrence Route: Arriving by Ferry

While Varennes is on the St. Lawrence River, it does not have a major passenger ferry terminal for long-distance travel. There are some local, seasonal river ferry services that operate on the Saint Lawrence, but these are primarily for local transport and tourism. Arriving by a large ship would involve docking at the Port of Montreal, from where travelers would need to take ground transport to reach Varennes.

Driving Distances

The driving distance from 10 regional cities, according to Google Maps:

• Montreal, QC, Canada – 28 kilometers (0 h 40 min)
• Ottawa, ON, Canada – 227 kilometers (2 h 40 min)
• Quebec City, QC, Canada – 233 kilometers (2 h 40 min)
• Boston, MA, USA – 489 kilometers (5 h 10 min)
• Toronto, ON, Canada – 569 kilometers (5 h 50 min)
• New York, NY, USA – 628 kilometers (6 h 50 min)
• Philadelphia, PA, USA – 784 kilometers (8 h 20 min)
• Detroit, MI, USA – 943 kilometers (9 h 30 min)
• Washington, D.C., USA – 961 kilometers (10 h 10 min)
• Halifax, NS, Canada – 1,232 kilometers (12 h 40 min)

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