Being close to the Montréal region has facilitated Montérégie’s cultural development. A number of major artists, such as Paul-Émile Borduas, have lived in the region. The cultural wealth of this scenic spot can be found in many places, including in its historical sites and fortifications, and in the locks built during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Montérégie’s agrotourist enterprises attract consumers’ attention with their sugar bushes, orchards, cider houses, and vineyards, where historical interpretation panels tell the personal stories and broader histories of the people and their local products.
The region is also renowned for its extensive network of cycling trails. Montérégie includes national parks and a number of ecological and nature reserves promoting year-round recreational activities, as well as numerous bed and breakfasts.
Concerning outdoor activities, the sky’s the limit! Possibilities include skiing at Mont Saint-Bruno, pleasure boating on the Fleuve Saint-Laurent, the Rivière Richelieu and Lac Champlain, cruises or outings to the Îles de Sorel, and last but not least, a sporting and cultural festival of international importance, the Valleyfield Regatta.