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Major city · Canada

Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu

Go for a half-day on the Richelieu: the cable ferry, the riverfront chemin des Patriotes and the church. Sleep elsewhere unless you have a car.

Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu is a small riverside village of about 1,600 people on the east bank of the Richelieu, 51 km from Montreal. It is a cycling, boating and farm-stand stop rather than a destination: the cable ferry to Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu, the heritage chemin des Patriotes and the church are the reasons to come. Most travellers see it in two to four hours, or use it as a lunch stop on the Route du Richelieu.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
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Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
May–Oct (ferry runs April–December)
avoid Nov–Mar (ice bridge replaces the ferry; most services closed)
Airports
Montréal–Trudeau (YUL) · Montréal–Mirabel (YMX)
Nights
0–1

About Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu

Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu is a municipality on the St. Lawrence plain in the Montérégie region of Quebec, part of La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality. It sits on the east bank of the Richelieu River, facing Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu on the opposite shore, and is 51 km from Montreal by road. The village combines riverside and rural landscapes, with most of its territory given over to agriculture outside the riverside strip and a few rang roads.

It is known as a recreational, nautical and agricultural stop: municipal parks, marinas and wharves serve travellers and boaters, and a river segment of 11.8 km is used for pleasure boating. Built heritage with a rustic, renovated character includes resort buildings along the river and country houses. Cycle tourism circuits, art and local flavours round out the draw.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu.

  • Town hall of Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu — It occupies the former Catholic presbytery of the village on chemin des Patriotes.
  • Pierre Meunier Gallery — Created in 2008, it mounts temporary exhibitions of original works and is named for a surgeon and gynecologist attached to his native village.
  • Church of Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu — A historic Catholic church on chemin des Patriotes with an old cemetery at the back.
  • Richelieu Road — A heritage and cultural circuit along the river linking historic sites, museums, heritage churches and open-air artworks.
  • Richelieu Arts and Flavours Route — A creative and gourmet circuit introducing craftspeople, galleries and local products of the Richelieu Valley.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • Ferme Gilles et Constance Bousquet et fils — A fruit and vegetable farm since 1987 selling sweet corn, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and pumpkins, with summer and autumn strawberries as its specialty.
  • Restaurant du Quai — A restaurant on chemin des Patriotes near the ferry landing.
  • Auberge la Belle aux Berges — An inn in a Victorian-style home run by a chef, serving a gourmet menu of local cuisine.

Customs

  • The village has a rustic built heritage, including agricultural buildings and renovated country houses along the river.
  • The territory outside the riverside strip and a few rang roads is mainly agricultural, reflecting citizens' activity on this part of the St. Lawrence plain.
  • The Richelieu crossing service lets travellers avoid long detours to the Autoroute 20 or Autoroute 30 bridges.

Events

  • Festival annuel du Chants de Veilles sur le Richelieu — A nautical festival moving from town to town, starting at Sorel's Catherine Le Gardeur wharf and calling at Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Otterburn Park, Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu and Chambly before ending at Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu's quai Fecteau.Late May
Emergency numbers for Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)811

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeC$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Beerdraught in a village restaurantC$8–11 (≈ US$6–8)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
  • Budget bedCampground pitch, a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedB&B or inn double room, a night, per roomC$170 (≈ US$130)
  • High-end bedB&B or inn double room, a night, per roomC$280 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$80 (≈ US$60) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Cable ferry to Saint-Marc-sur-RichelieuChemin des Patriotes riverfrontChurch of Saint-Charles-sur-RichelieuFarm stands and cycling routes
Airports
YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 60–75 min by car via Autoroute 20 and Route 133; no direct transit to the village.) · YMX Montréal–Mirabel (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited passenger service.)

Map of Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

Saint-Marc-sur-RichelieuSaint-Mathieu-de-BeloeilCalixa-LavalléeSaint-Antoine-sur-RichelieuSaint-Denis-sur-RichelieuSaint-AmableBeloeilMont-Saint-Hilaire

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −6°C (21°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    −4°C (25°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    −2°C (28°F)

Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−6°C (21°F)

−15°C (5°F)

12 rd

Feb

−4°C (25°F)

−13°C (9°F)

10 rd

Mar

3°C (37°F)

−6°C (21°F)

11 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

May

20°C (68°F)

9°C (48°F)

12 rd

Jun

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

12 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

17°C (63°F)

12 rd

Aug

26°C (79°F)

16°C (61°F)

12 rd

Sep

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

11 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

12 rd

Nov

6°C (43°F)

0°C (32°F)

13 rd

Dec

−2°C (28°F)

−10°C (14°F)

13 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical way: the village is spread along chemin des Patriotes and the rural rangs, with no local bus. The cable ferry crosses to Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu in about 5 minutes (April–December); in winter an ice bridge is built for cars. Cyclists use the Montérégie network and the Richelieu River route.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu

go

Door to door: About 10 min

Cable ferry from the quai at 463 chemin des Patriotes, about 5 min

314 m crossing; runs April–December, ice bridge in winter.

Mont-Saint-Hilaire

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Car via Route 133 and Autoroute 20, about 25 min

Mountain trails, orchards and the fine-arts museum.

Beloeil

go

Door to door: About 25 min

Car via Route 133 south, about 20 min

Riverfront old town and restaurants; good rainy-day backup.

Chambly

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Car via Route 133 and Autoroute 10, about 35 min

Fort Chambly and the canal; a full half-day.

Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu

go

Door to door: About 25 min

Car north on Route 133, about 20 min

Patriots history and the Fête du Vieux Marché.

Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu

go

Door to door: About 35 min

Car north on Route 133, about 30 min

Quiet river village; pair with Saint-Denis.

Saint-Basile-le-Grand

caution

Door to door: About 35 min

Car via Route 133 and Autoroute 20, about 30 min

Mostly residential; go only if you are already in the area.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Chemin des Patriotes (riverfront)

Inns and B&Bs along the river; the only real place to sleep in the village.

Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu (west bank)

Across the ferry; more lodging and restaurants, 314 m by cable ferry.

Saint-Hyacinthe or Beloeil

20–30 min by car; more beds, restaurants and services if the village is full.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$80–130 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
C$130–220 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
B&B or inn double room1 × 1 night × C$170C$170
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150C$300
Cable ferry crossing, one way2 × C$5 · checkC$10
Car from Montréal, one day (fuel and tolls)1 × C$45 · checkC$45
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$58
Trip total≈ C$317 per person per day, bed includedC$633≈ US$500

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; tax extra. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeC$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
Farm-stand strawberries (season)checkC$6–10 (≈ US$5–8) per basket
Casual lunch, main dishC$16–26 (≈ US$12–19)
Beer, draught in a village restaurantC$8–11 (≈ US$6–8)
Cable ferry crossingcheckC$5–6 (≈ US$4–5)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very low crime; the real risks are the river (cold, fast current), farm traffic on the rangs and winter ice on the roads. 911 for emergencies, 811 for health advice.
  • No local public transit: without a car you are limited to the village strip.
  • The ferry does not run in winter; an ice bridge replaces it and conditions vary.
  • Many farm stands and restaurants are seasonal and close outside summer and fall.
  • Sales tax is added at the till; prices shown are before tax.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
811

Pocket card

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Saint-Charles-sur-RichelieuSaint-Charles-sur-Richelieu

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)811

Embassy

No embassies in the village; the US consulate general and most embassies are in Montréal (check the address).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Cable ferry Saint-Charles → Saint-Marc: about C$5–6 (≈ US$4–5), 5 min (check)
  • Taxi Saint-Charles → Beloeil: about C$35–50 (≈ US$30–40) (check)
  • Car Montréal → Saint-Charles: 51 km (32 mi), about 45 min (check)

Say or show

  • Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
  • Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
  • Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
  • Où est la traverse ? — Where is the ferry? (oo ay la tra-VERS)
  • Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
  • L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)

French is the main language; a bonjour before a question goes a long way.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Oct (ferry runs April–December) · avoid Nov–Mar (ice bridge replaces the ferry; most services closed) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Ferry timetable and ice-bridge status field-checked for the winter window.
  2. Walking cluster along chemin des Patriotes: town hall, gallery, church, quai and Restaurant du Quai.
  3. Farm-stand and orchard opening dates verified for the summer and fall season.
  4. Cycling route links to the Montérégie network with distances and surface notes.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources

Ask about Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu

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