Pointe-Claire offers a variety of ways to shape your stay: trails and educational gardens in Parc naturel Terra-Cotta, cultural history around the church and windmill, and arts offerings and waterfront spots along Lac Saint-Louis. You can focus on nature, architectural heritage or cultural life.
Cultural History and Art
The village of Pointe-Claire is the historic heart of the city. Saint-Joachim Church is a Neo-Gothic work by architect Victor Bourgeau and is significant to Pointe-Claire’s cultural and religious heritage. The windmill also tells the story of the area: built in 1709, it is classified as a heritage building. Only about twenty windmills remain in Québec; the Pointe-Claire mill is among the oldest.
The Pointe Claire heritage site offers a vivid picture of the 300-year development of the institutions of this Montreal parish through its unique combination of architectural elements. It offers views of the South Shore, Montréal and Mont Royal. A semi-public path and small spots to relax are located on the south shore of Saint-Joachim Church.
Since opening in 1963, the Stewart Hall Cultural Centre has been at the heart of cultural life in Pointe-Claire and hosts high-quality cultural events. The Artothèque showcases art by local artists from Pointe-Claire and surrounding communities. Individuals and businesses can buy or rent original works of art there at affordable prices; the specific selection of works changes.
There are several offerings specifically for young people: the Artothèque MiNi is a creative space for children up to and including age 12. Selected works from it are displayed in the Coin jeunesse at the Stewart Hall Cultural Centre; the selection is refreshed through recurring submissions. The Coin jeunesse also offers a variety of activities and exhibitions for children and teenagers.
Trails, Forest and the Seasons
Parc naturel Terra-Cotta is an urban woodland with a diverse range of wildlife and plant life, covering almost 40 hectares. Its educational gardens are dedicated to monarch butterflies and bees. The park has five walking trails with a total length of 4.4 kilometres. The trails are suitable for both experienced hikers and casual walkers in summer and winter; snowshoeing is also possible in winter. Pointe-Claire has 35 walking trails in total. The figure for Terra-Cotta Park refers to its own trail network.
Parc Edgewater is located on the shore of Lac Saint-Louis, along Chemin du Bord-du-Lac – Lakeshore, at the entrance to the village of Pointe-Claire. A multi-use path runs through the park and can be used by cyclists. This makes this waterfront spot different from the wooded trails in Terra-Cotta Park: its lakeside location and the path through the park are its defining features.
Waterfront Spots and Village Life
Pointe-Claire has privileged access to Lac Saint-Louis. There are access points for boats along the shore, including at Chalet Grande-Anse and Parc Alexandre-Bourgeau. Pointe-Claire also has 64 viewpoints with panoramic views. These viewpoints offer a distinct way to orient yourself as you explore the area; they are not the same as the boat access points.
Another way to spend time in the area is to visit the village of Valois, a commercial district with shops, boutiques, restaurants and activities to suit a variety of interests. Its offerings extend beyond the focus on forests, water and heritage, so no single theme has to define your stay.
Discover more destinations: Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Baie-D'Urfe, Hampstead.
View the broader travel guide: Montreal.
