Interpretive and Visitor Centre
Maritime canal history visitor and interpretation center
For the 2026 summer season, the Soulanges Canal Regional Park has set up operations at the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Interpretation Center, thanks to an agreement reached with Parks Canada. In addition to presenting the history of the region’s maritime canals, our guides can provide information on the area’s tourist attractions.
The National Historic Site traces the history of the region’s maritime canal development, from the First Nations to the present day. It highlights the evolution of this strategic transit point, from portage to bark canoes, then to the rigolet canal and the first lock in North America. Located on the maritime trade route to the Great Lakes, the site bears witness to the many challenges associated with navigation in one of the most rugged sections of the St. Lawrence River. The construction of the Soulanges Canal in the late 19th century was part of this ongoing effort to improve maritime trade.
Come visit us to learn more about the history of maritime canals and discover the region’s tourist attractions!
Guides will be on hand every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 8 through August 19, 2026.
The visitor and interpretation center will be open on weekdays for self-guided tours according to a variable schedule. The Parks Canada outdoor site can be visited independently year-round.
Interpretive activities are also available by reservation between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the following dates:
- Sunday, July 12, 2026
- Sunday, July 12, 2026
- Sunday, July 26, 2026
- Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Sunday, August 16, 2026
- Sunday, August 23, 2026
Contact us to reserve your spot: 438-405-2300
Admission to the site and guided tours are free.
ArchéoTours cost $5 per person, plus $15 for bike or boat rental, if needed.
Address of the National Historic Interpretation Center: 308A chemin du Fleuve, Coteau-du-Lac, QC J0PÂ 1B0
Free parking is available.
ArchéoTours
To immerse yourself in the history of the Soulanges Canal, two ArchéoTours will also be offered this summer. On July 11, a 17-km ArchéoTour by bike, starting from the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site, will take participants on a journey through the archaeological landscapes that bear witness to the canalization of the St. Lawrence River. On August 8, participants are invited to explore the canal by kayak or stand-up paddleboard alongside the Soulanges Canal Park team. Along the way, stories, discoveries, and archaeological remains will come together to bring the history of this iconic site to life.
