On Your Way to Montreal this Summer : Your Ultimate Guide Through Vaudreuil-Soulanges
Heading to Montréal for a music festival, a weekend with friends, or a spontaneous city getaway? The two-hour drive from Ottawa is smooth sailing — but who says the fun only starts when you hit the city? Why not turn the journey itself into part of the adventure?
Vaudreuil-Soulanges is your open-air playground along the way. From paddle boarding and biking to swimming and hiking, it’s easy to stretch your legs and make a few memory-making detours. And to double the fun, don’t skip the gourmet pit stops — local microbreweries, trendy restaurants, charming wineries, and sunny patios are all part of the experience.
Route Option 1: Via Highway 417 and Autoroute 40
If you’re taking Highway 417 in Ontario and continuing on Autoroute 40 in Québec, you’ll pass through the Mont Rigaud area and the region’s urban core — the perfect route for forest escapes and foodie hotspots. Here are our top recommendations.
Outdoor Fun Before the Urban Buzz
Kick off your fresh-air fix as soon as you cross into Québec! Mont Rigaud is a natural playground for outdoor lovers — forest hikes, mountain biking, treetop obstacle courses… you name it! Prefer stunning views over adrenaline rushes? We’ve got that covered too.
- Hiking with a view: Explore the scenic trails of L’escapade on Mont Rigaud. Sweeping lookouts included!
- Thrills on two wheels: If mountain biking is your jam, make a beeline for Mont Rigaud’s outdoor station for heart-pumping fun.
- Up for a challenge? Test your limits high above the ground with the ziplines and treetop courses at Arbraska Rigaud.
- Ultimate relaxation stop: In need of a soothing break on your way back? Surrounded by forest, Paradisos Spa is your go-to for deep relaxation.
- Peaceful paddling: Paddleboard or kayak lovers, detour to Hudson and launch your vessel at Jack Layton Park. No rentals on-site, but the views along the Ottawa River are worth bringing your own gear!
- Romantic & Instagram-worthy: For a dreamy picnic or photo-worthy pit stop, Jardin Champs de rêves delivers giant mosaicultures, lavender and sunflower fields, and a whimsical plant maze.
Tasty Detours Worth the Turn-Off
- Authentic Québécois experience: Craving sugar shack vibes even in summer? Reserve a table at Sucrerie de la Montagne and enjoy a traditional feast on a rustic maple grove terrace — it’s like time-travelling with maple syrup.
- Sip & chill at a winery: Vacation mode activated! Stop by the charming Vignoble Côte de Vaudreuil and enjoy a glass of wine with a view.*
- Love craft beer? You’re in luck — this route has three awesome microbreweries nearby: Microbrasserie Loup-Garou (Sainte-Marthe), Cardinal Brewery (Hudson), and Microbrasserie Trois-Lacs (Vaudreuil-Dorion). Hit one on the way in, another on the way back — we won’t judge.*
- Flavours and charm in Hudson: Don’t miss a gourmet stop in Hudson. Known for its top-notch eateries, cozy cafés, and small-town New England vibes, it’s the perfect detour. Grab a locally roasted coffee, treat yourself to a wild-flavoured homemade popsicle, sip afternoon tea in a Victorian inn, or sit down to a trendy meal on a patio.
Route Option 2: Via Highway 401 and Autoroute 20
Depending on your Montréal destination or starting point in Ontario, you may find yourself cruising along Highway 401 in Ontario and Autoroute 20 in Québec. No worries — this vibrant stretch of Vaudreuil-Soulanges is packed with just as many experiences to enjoy and flavours to savour! From waterside fun and bike routes to flower fields and sun-soaked patios, get ready to level up your road trip.
Stretch Your Legs and Soak Up the Outdoors
Long drives call for fresh air and movement — and we’ve got plenty of ways to get you moving! Whether you want to hit the water or hop on a bike, these stops will help you recharge before diving into the Montréal buzz.
- Sunshine vibes: Kick off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes at Saint-Zotique Beach. A chill beach day on the way to the city? Yes, please!
- History with a view: Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site is a must for history buffs — over 7,000 years of heritage await on this scenic waterfront spot. Bonus: it’s a perfect picnic location.
- Wheels or water? Why not both: Parc du canal de Soulanges is an outdoor gem. Cyclists can enjoy a 35 km bike path along the historic canal, rich in heritage and peaceful views. Prefer paddling? Rent a kayak or paddleboard right on-site and explore the peaceful waters of the canal instead!
- Paddles, patios & good vibes: Village des Écluses in Pointe-des-Cascades is your ultimate activity stop — rent a kayak or SUP, relax on a small beach, savour a cold local beer on the giant waterside patio, or hit the nearby trails at Parc nature Pointe-des-Cascades. Want to stretch the trip even longer? Book a ready-to-camp stay for the night!
Flavour-Filled Stops You Won’t Want to Miss
- Flower power photos: Between mid-July and September, La Belle de Coteau-du-Lac is a floral wonderland. Stroll among endless flower fields, snap your best travel pics, and swing by the farm market or strawberry patch for treats to go!
- Sips in the sun: Craving a sunny wine break? You’ll pass by not one but two local vineyards — Vignoble de Pomone and Le Bourg des Cèdres. Settle into a terrace, glass in hand, and soak up vacation mode.*
- Gourmet pit stop in Coteau-du-Lac: From cozy local bistros and sushi spots to legendary poutine and irresistible ice cream, this town has all the flavours covered for the perfect food stop.
- Old-world charm with tasty treats: Deux Grains au Moulin café-bakery is a regional gem, with homemade pastries, warm decor, and a stunning riverside view — ideal for a quick (and delicious) bite.
- A patio to remember: Searching for the region’s most scenic patio? Patate et Persil checks all the boxes with its creative take on fast food and a breathtaking waterfront view.
- Montreal-style smoked meat, perfected: Montréal might be the smoke meat capital... but Smoke Meat Pete in L’Île-Perrot is where the true magic happens. Legendary sandwiches and laid-back blues vibes? Yes, this is the stop you’ve been craving.
Ready to turn your road trip into a full-on adventure?
*Just one friendly reminder: if you’re indulging at a winery, microbrewery, or restaurant along the way, plan ahead — designate a driver and enjoy responsibly.
Recent travel journals
