Discover the experience
With its colourful flowers, mature trees, and rich artistic heritage, the Garden of the Way of the Cross at Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is a serene oasis on the mountainside. Designed by landscape architect Frederick G. Todd, this green oasis features several stations showcasing some forty figures that blend beautifully into the natural setting. Open until Thanksgiving, the garden is ablaze with magnificent colours in the fall, offering visitors breathtaking views of Montréal and a peaceful space for reading, reflection, and contemplation.
Maison Mère Baie-Saint-Paul, a former convent transformed into a hub of creativity and innovation in 2017, will charm you with its Jardin de François (François’s Garden), a peaceful haven perfect for meditating and connecting with nature. The grassy spaces invite you to linger and take in the landscape as it begins its seasonal transformation, while the Allée des sœurs (Sisters’ Path), lined with towering pines, leads you straight from the fields to the shoreline. Honouring the timeless values of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology, this serene and beautiful garden offers a peaceful escape.
Perched on a hillside, Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary in Rigaud is a historic site that captivates visitors with its rich heritage and stunning natural setting, which comes alive with vibrant colours in the fall. The chapel offers breathtaking views of the town of Rigaud, the Ottawa River, and the surrounding area. Open until October, it’s an ideal spot for picnicking under the trees, relaxing in a peaceful setting and exploring the nearby walking trails.
Tucked away in the heart of the city, the monastery garden at Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal boasts a rich history, which you can discover on a guided tour until October. Once carefully tended by the Hospitalières nuns to feed their community and care for hospital patients, it has gradually transformed into a serene ornamental haven with a beautiful view of Mount Royal. It also includes a large orchard, the only one of its kind in Montréal.
Looking to see the Laurentians from a different perspective and explore a lesser-known corner of the region? Head to Huberdeau, a charming village on the banks of the Rouge River that’s home to a 19th-century heritage site. Perched atop a mountain, the Calvaire d’Huberdeau offers sweeping views of the village and the Rouge River valley. It’s the perfect vantage point for admiring the fall colours as they begin to transform the landscape. Take time to enjoy a picnic in this lovely setting and marvel at the calvary’s 28 bronzed cast iron figures.
If you’re exploring downtown Montréal and looking for a quiet spot to pause for a moment, step into the cloister garden behind Christ Church Cathedral, right in the heart of the city. Enjoy the soothing sound of the fountain, check out the Raoul Wallenberg monument to learn about this Second World War hero, and admire the cathedral’s heritage architecture standing in striking contrast to the modern skyscrapers that surround it.
Visiting Trois-Rivières? Don’t miss the gardens next to the Our Lady of the Cape Shrine, among the most renowned in the Mauricie region. Beloved by pilgrims, artists and locals seeking a calm place to reflect, read or enjoy a picnic, these gardens are set along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, just steps from the shrine and nearby walking trails. Stroll down tree-lined paths and pause to admire the serene Lac Sainte-Marie at the heart of the site.
