The farmers market located next to the municipal parking lot in the Dorval Village is a great place to pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers. Elyse Amend
Vacationing in the villages
Discovering the hotspots on the Lakeshore
Elyse Amend
elyse.amend@transcontinental.com
High gas prices may have some people second-guessing their out-of-town holiday plans this summer, so if you do decide to stay home, rest assured the West Island has plenty to offer. The area’s four villages – located along the shores of Lake St. Louis in Dorval, Pointe Claire, Beaconsfield, and Ste. Anne de Bellevue – have restaurants, watering holes, parks, green spaces, historical spots, and much more to make sure both young and old get that perfect mix of action, rest, and relaxation this summer.
Dorval Village
While close to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Dorval train station and bus terminal, the Dorval Village located along Lakeshore Drive, approximately between Dorval and Martin Avenues, provides a nice refuge from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area. There is a good selection of restaurants and cafés offering a variety of cuisine, as well as a number of bars and taverns where you can whet your whistle. Visitors can spend some of their disposable (or not-so-disposable) income at the small shops and boutiques, including jewellers, specialty food shops, chocolatiers, and many others. There is also a seasonal market located at the municipal parking lot in the centre of the village, where one can buy flowers and fresh fruit and vegetables from local producers. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth or just need to cool off on a hot summer’s day, Dorval Village also has its fair share of ice cream parlours, each with their own signature flavours and concoctions.
For those who enjoy art, the Dorval Town Hall regularly exhibits the works of local artists for all to discover.
Although not always located directly in the village, Dorval Main Streets – the local merchants association – organizes events throughout the year, including Halloween contests, holiday season events, and the upcoming soapbox derby, which will see young adrenaline junkies race down Fénelon Boulevard on Aug. 17.
Pointe Claire Village
Further west along the Lakeshore is Pointe Claire Village, a long-time West Island favourite. The eating and drinking establishments are frequented by both college and university students, as well as those who remember the days at the Maples Inn, which burned to the ground in 1985, and the Edgewater, which closed its doors in the late 80s and was demolished by the city years later. Located in the old Pointe Claire Hotel building, Clydes is a popular spot for those looking for some pub grub and drinks, a game of pool, or a music show.
Many homes and businesses in the Pointe Claire Village are characterised by architecture from the ‘old days.’ History buffs should make sure to check out the 17th-century mill at the point and St. Joachim Church on Ste. Anne Street. The Société pour la Sauvegarde du Patrimoine de Pointe Claire (the Pointe Claire heritage preservation society) offers guided historical tours of the village, starting at 1 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 514-693-9114 or visit
www.patrimoinepointeclaire.org.
Pointe Claire Village’s Bourgeau Park becomes party central in the summer for St. Jean Baptiste festivities on June 24 and Canada Day celebrations on July 1. There is music, games for the kids, face painting, snacks, and fireworks displays over the water after the sun goes down. The Pointe Claire Village and its shops and boutiques are also great places to buy gifts or treat yourself year-round.
Beaurepaire Village
Head further down Lakeshore through Beaconsfield, and you’ll find yourself in the Beaurepaire Village. Located on Beaconsfield Boulevard between St. Louis and Fieldfare Avenues, the Beaurepaire Village went through an $8 million facelift between 2001 and 2004, turning it into a little hub of restaurants and shops full of potential. While it may be small, the village has everything you need for a pleasant day of shopping: gift shops, clothing stores, jewellers, interior decoration stores, and even a specialty shop for your pets await you. For art lovers, there is a gallery, and there are also many courses offered in the village for those who love to create.
If you get hungry, you don’t need to go far. The Beaurepaire Village has a number of restaurants and cafés, including the Homestyle Bakery located in the century-old general store. The Black Lion Pub upstairs is also a good place to meet with friends and grab a domestic or imported beer, or catch the hockey game on TV.
Ste. Anne Village
If you cap off your West Island vacation in the Ste. Anne de Bellevue Village, you won’t be disappointed. The boardwalk along the Ste. Anne Canal offers a wonderful venue for a leisurely stroll and checking out the boats moored along the docks. Every Saturday, the colours and flavours of the Ste. Anne’s public market take over the boardwalk. Visitors can check out fresh produce, meats, cheeses, breads, and artesian products from local producers.
Music is in the air on Tuesdays. All summer long, world music and progressive music artists will perform on the boardwalk and in Ste. Anne de Bellevue’s parks. For the schedule, visit
www.ville.sainte-anne-de-bellevue.qc.ca, click on ‘Leisure and Culture,’ and then select ‘Art and cultural activities.’
Although Ste. Anne’s may be the only spot in the West Island with paid parking along the main street, visitors can find plenty of places to leave their cars for free on the side streets. Wither way, a visit is worth it. As with all West Island villages, the selection of restaurants, cafés, and bars in Ste. Anne offer visitors plenty of choice. Whether you’re in the mood for old fashioned pub grub, fine dining, or anything in between, chances are Ste. Anne’s has what you’re looking for.
The merchants association is also very active in Ste. Anne, and organizes a number of special events throughout the year. The annual Illuminated Christmas Parade draws families from all over, while the Fifth Annual Ste. Anne de Bellevue Street Festival will take place this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sidewalk sales, live music, inflatable games, and much more guarantee a fun day for everyone, so make sure to put on some good walking shoes, pick up an ice cream cone on the boardwalk, and enjoy.
by Elyse Amend 
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mireille kulisz
Comment online since July 11th 2008Hi Elyse,
Just took some of my out of town friends to Old Port of Montreal as well as Pointe Claire village. I must tell you that they enjoyed their visit in Montreal but Pointe Claire Village was by far the visit they enjoued the most. The church, the boutiques and Clyde were very much appreciated by all.
Have a great summer!
Mireille