Ride the waves this summer on Montréal's navettes!
This article was published on July 18, 2023.
As an island city, you’ve never quite seen Montréal until you’ve seen it from the waters of the St. Lawrence River. Following a successful pilot project, this May through October the Société de transport de Montréal (STM for short, in collaboration with ferry operators Navark and AML) has expanded its river shuttle system to six waterway routes that offer up a low-cost opportunity to enjoy a river cruise and take in some of the city’s further flung quartiers. Locals refer to these compact watercrafts lovingly as navettes, and they’re the perfect way to explore Montréalers’ love affair with the water from atop the flowing waves. Here’s a look at each of the six routes, with a few suggestions of things to do at the ports of arrival and departure!
N1: Montréal-Mercier / Boucherville
Catch the N1 at the Parc de la Promenade-Bellerive, a 2.2 km stretch of greenery that rests gently on the shores of the St. Lawrence with pathways, picnic spots and playgrounds for the kids. Special programming throughout the summer features performances and activities, and the on-site ice cream stand is always bustling. The N1 routes past the island parklands of Île Charron and lands at Quai Yvon-Julien in Boucherville. Founded as a seigneurial parish in 1667, a quick stroll over to the Église de Sainte-Famille and its cobblestone church square overlooking the river makes for a charming trip back in time.
N2: Vieux-Port / Boucherville
The N2 makes the same final landing as the N1, but starts from Quai Jacques-Cartier in the Old Port of Montréal. On its way, this navette floats past the eastern edge of the Old Port, under the iconic Jacques Cartier Bridge and close enough past the La Ronde amusement park to hear the screams of joy from its rollercoasters. Once at Boucherville’s Quai Yvon-Julien, it’s a stone’s throw to the Manoir seigneurial de Boucherville, one of Montréal’s oldest households, or the blooming De Montarville community garden. The bucolic Pine River Park, featuring the gently meandering waters of its namesake river, is the perfect choice for a picnic break.
N3: Vieux-Port / Pointe-aux-Trembles / Varennes
The longest route in the system, the N3 passes under the Jacques Cartier Bridge en route to Pointe-aux-Trembles, one of Montréal’s easternmost neighbourhoods. The ferry station here is based at the charming Marché public de Pointe-aux-Trembles, open every Saturday from May to September and featuring fresh foods, cultural happenings and artisanal booths. You can also visit the Buvette du Quai, an open-air café-bar with an urban beach, a public terrace and even games! Cyclists will love the on-site BIXI station for the chance to take a look around—if you’re feeling intrepid, we’d suggest a jaunt to the Parc nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies a short 20 minute ride away. Should you choose instead to stay on the N3 to its termination point at Varennes’ Quai de Bellevue, you’ll take in the passing views of La Grande Île and Sainte Thérèse Island. Once there, the small township features the stately postcard-pretty Sainte-Anne de Varennes Basilica. This route’s a big one—there and back requires a total travel time of 100 minutes on the water.
N4: Vieux-Port / Île Sainte-Hélène / Longueill
The N4 makes its first stop at Parc Jean-Drapeau‘s St Helen’s Island, before continuing on to the South Shore’s biggest city Longueil. After landing at the marina, take the overpass across the road to Old Longueil for a wander down Rue Sainte-Charles Ouest, home to bakeries, bistros, and the Maison de la culture Marcel-Robidas to take in an exhibitions or cultural event. Before getting back on the navette, make a stop at Marie-Victoria Park and climb the Belvédère De Longueil for a raised view over the city and across the waters to Montréal.
N5: Vieux-Port / Île Sainte-Hélène
Punctuate a day of sightseeing in Old Montréal and the Old Port with a quick hop over to St Helen’s Island, and explore all that Parc Jean-Drapeau has to offer—not to mention some of the most Instagrammable vistas of the city. Don’t forget to tag your best shots with #mtlmoments!
N6: Montréal-Mercier / Île Charron
Departing from Parc de la Promenade-Bellerive, the N6 lands on Charron Island, home to both the Parc de l’Île Charron and the Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville, not to mention the Longueil Municipal Beach and a popular frisbee golf course close at hand near the dock point. A true hidden gem, the leafy expanses of Charron Island are worth taking a pause and soaking in the surrounding nature.
Fares and schedules
If all of that wasn’t good enough, tickets for the navette system are all of $5.50 or less each way—a true bargain for a river cruise experience. For booking information, fares and schedules, check out the STM’s website! All aboard!
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. He’s lived in Montréal since 2015, during which time he’s most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.