Canada Province of Québec Lachine Canal

In 1689 Francois Dollier de Casson, Father Superior of the Sulpicians of Montreal attempted to dig a canal in order to supply water to the mills of Montreal and make westward navigation easier on the St. Lawrence. But it would not be until the 19th century before the project became a reality. The Lachine Canal opened in 1825 and enlarged twice, progressively became a major axis for economic development. Because of the canal the southwest of the island of Montreal housed the most important industial concentration in Canada for more thatn a century. Victim of its own success and prisoner of a territory that it had helped urbanize, the canal was replaced by the St. Lawrence Seaway, opened in 1959. It was neglecte, partially filled in and closed to navigation in 1970. It reopened in 2002 for pleasure boating. Today there are changes along the canal, old factories are pulled down or rebuild into new apartments. The path along the canal is great for exersize of all kinds and you can look at history too. It was about a 12km walk, and I returned by bus and metro to Montreal.

Activities along the canal
So many ways to use the area along the canal

Things are changing along the canal too

Many different types of bridges along the canal too

Finally at the other end

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