Major city · Canada
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
Go for half a day, not a night: the Patriots house, the 1792 church and the riverfront take 2–3 hours. Sleep in Chambly or Mont-Saint-Hilaire instead.
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu is a small Richelieu River village of about 2,300 people, 63 km east of Montréal, known for its role in the 1837 Patriots' rebellion and for the Maison nationale des Patriotes. The village core is compact and walkable; most visitors come for two to three hours as a stop on the Route des Patriotes, or for the August market weekend. There is one inn and a handful of cafés, so treat it as a day stop rather than a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (ice bridge season, most services closed)
- Airports
- Montréal–Trudeau (YUL) · Montréal–Mirabel (YMX)
- Nights
- 0–1
About Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu is a municipality on the St. Lawrence plain in the Montérégie region of Quebec, within the La Vallée-du-Richelieu county. It lies on the east bank of the Richelieu River, across from Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, and is reached from Montréal by Route 133, about 63 km away. The village mixes riverside and farmland scenery with a renovated built heritage that includes farm buildings, country houses and resort homes along the water.
Its main draws are the National Patriots Museum, the marina and quays, municipal parks and monuments such as the Marguerite-Michel bell. Boating on a 12.3 km stretch of the Richelieu, cycling routes and heritage circuits also bring visitors. In 2019 the municipality received a Recognition Award from the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec, citing the museum's tourist offer, local cultural life and council leadership on a heritage buildings by-law.
Not a trip line yet
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
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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-Denis-sur-Richelieu.
- Maison nationale des Patriotes — A museum in Jean-Baptiste Mâsse's former shop, with a permanent display of objects from the 1837 and 1838 rebellion in the Richelieu valley.
- Church of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu — A heritage Catholic church dating from 1792, standing on chemin des Patriotes facing the river.
- Handfield Ferry — A cable ferry crossing 389 m of the Richelieu to Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, avoiding long detours to the Autoroute 20 or 30 bridges.
- Heritage tour of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu — A circuit covering 19 heritage sites in the village plus others in the surrounding rows, with a map from the museum shop or municipal office.
- Richelieu Road — A driving route along the river linking historic sites, heritage churches and museums, with the Patriots' museum among its stops.
Eat and drink
Specialities of this place.
- Nelson Distillery beer — Beer from this distillery is served at La Place gourmande during the Fête du Vieux Marché.
- Miels Loiseau & Fils honey — A third-generation beekeeping business selling clover, creamy clover, blueberry, wildflower, buckwheat and creamy buckwheat honeys.
- La Place gourmande — Small fast-food stands at the August market offering local products.
Events
- Fête du Vieux Marché — Held on the second weekend of August; about 25,000 visitors and 125 exhibitors.August
- Commemoration of the Patriot Battles of 1837 — On the Sunday nearest November 23, with a remembrance mass, speeches, a tribute ceremony, flowers and guided museum tours.November
- Chants de Veilles sur le Richelieu — A nautical festival in late May that stops at Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu among other river towns.May
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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-Denis-sur-Richelieu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are the two-lane Route 133 with fast traffic, deer on the rang roads at dusk, and winter ice near the ferry crossing.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 70 km (43 mi); drive via Autoroute 20 and Route 133, roughly 1 h).YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 43 mi (70 km); drive via Autoroute 20 and Route 133, roughly 1 h).
- Getting aroundThe village core is walkable in 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and pastry at a village caféC$5–9 (≈ US$4–7)
- Beerdraught in a pub / can at the dépanneurC$8–10 (≈ US$6–8)C$3–4 (≈ US$3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–35 (≈ US$11–30)
- Budget bedCampground pitch on the Richelieu, a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedInn double room (Auberge la Belle aux Berges), a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedInn double room (Auberge la Belle aux Berges), a night, per roomC$260 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$60 (≈ US$45) · Mid C$120 (≈ US$90) · High C$220 (≈ US$160)
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.
- Airports
- YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 70 km (43 mi); drive via Autoroute 20 and Route 133, roughly 1 h) · YMX Montréal–Mirabel (About 100 km (62 mi); check current passenger service)YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 43 mi (70 km); drive via Autoroute 20 and Route 133, roughly 1 h) · YMX Montréal–Mirabel (About 62 mi (100 km); check current passenger service)
Map of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu · 2.6 km straight line
- Contrecoeur · 9.8 km straight line
- Calixa-Lavallée · 11 km straight line
- Saint-Ours · 11 km straight line
- Saint-Roch-de-Richelieu · 11 km straight line
- Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu · 11 km straight line
- Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu · 12 km straight line
- Verchères · 16 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Denis-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
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
12 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
10 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
13 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
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
The village core is walkable in 15 minutes. A car is needed for the marina (4.7 km south), the rang roads and the Route des Patriotes. The Handfield cable ferry crosses to Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu in about 5 minutes; in winter an ice bridge replaces it.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu
goDoor to door: About 15 min plus waiting
Handfield cable ferry from the east bank, about 5 min
389 m crossing; $4.50 per car, $2.50 on foot or bike. Apr–Dec, 07:00–00:00.389 m crossing; $4.50 per car, $2.50 on foot or bike. Apr–Dec, 7:00 AM–12:00 AM.
Chambly
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Route 133 south, then Route 112
Fort Chambly and the canal; the best half-day pairing with Saint-Denis.
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Route 133 south to Route 116
Nature reserve hikes and the Museum of Fine Arts; more beds than Saint-Denis.
Beloeil
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Route 133 south to Route 116
Riverside old town and restaurants; good dinner stop.
Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Route 133 north
Small riverfront village on the same bank; combine with the ferry loop.
Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
Route 223 on the west bank, via the ferry
Ferry-dependent; check the crossing before committing.
Saint-Basile-le-Grand
skipDoor to door: About 45 min
Route 116 west
Residential suburb; nothing here that Chambly does not do better.
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.
Village core (chemin des Patriotes)
One inn, Auberge la Belle aux Berges, plus the Auberge St-Denis restaurant; book ahead in summer.
Chambly or Mont-Saint-Hilaire
20–35 min by car; far more beds, restaurants and evening life. Better base for a Richelieu Valley trip.
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
- Budget
- C$60–100 (≈ US$45–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$110–180 (≈ US$80–140) excl. bed
- High
- C$200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel double in Chambly or Mont-Saint-Hilaire1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$120 | C$240 |
| Handfield ferry, car, both ways1 × C$9 | C$9 |
| Car fuel, Montréal return, 130 km1 × C$18 | C$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$47 |
| Trip total≈ C$257 per person per day, bed included | C$514≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; prices before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and pastry at a village café | C$5–9 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Poutine or pizza in a village restaurant | C$14–22 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Beer, draught in a pub / can at the dépanneur | C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$3–4 (≈ US$3) |
| Handfield ferry, car / motorcycle / bike or foot | C$4.50 (≈ US$4) / C$3.50 (≈ US$3) / C$2.50 (≈ US$2) |
| Gas, regular, per litrecheck | C$1.50–1.80 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$15–35 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most restaurants and the Patriots house keep short, seasonal hours: check before you drive out.
- The ferry runs Apr–Dec only and stops overnight; the winter ice bridge is weather-dependent.
- No train or bus serves the village: without a car you are dependent on taxis from Chambly or Mont-Saint-Hilaire.
- Cell coverage is fine in the village but patchy on the rang roads.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Saint-Denis-sur-RichelieuSaint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; the US consulate-general and most others are in Montréal. Canadian services: 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Handfield ferry, car: C$4.50 (≈ US$4), crossing 389 m, Apr–Dec 07:00–00:00C$4.50 (≈ US$4), crossing 389 m, Apr–Dec 7:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Montréal → Saint-Denis by car: 63 km (39 mi), about 54 min via Autoroute 20 and Route 13339 mi (63 km), about 54 min via Autoroute 20 and Route 133
- Taxi from Chambly: about C$35–50 (≈ US$30–40), 30 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)
- Le traversier, s'il vous plaît — The ferry, please (luh tra-ver-SYAY seel voo PLEH)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
French is the everyday 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-Denis-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
- Best months: Jun–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (ice bridge season, most services closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry and ice-bridge status fixture: crossing open, closed, or ice bridge, with a taxi fallback from Chambly.
- Maison nationale des Patriotes opening hours and admission verified against the official site before each season.
- Fête du Vieux Marché dates and parking plan for the second weekend of August.
- Route des Patriotes driving loop with fuel, toilets and picnic stops marked.
Sources
Ask about Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
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