It’s such a joy to discover a region through its artists and its history. Several sites in the Laurentians reflect this juxtaposition of past and present. Come and soak up our rich, lively heritage, and let the creativity of our artists and artisans carry you away. No matter the time of year, there are plenty offestivals and events happening in the Laurentians. Music, dance, and theatre lovers can groove to the beat of the region’s many festivals and experience the creativity of local and visiting artists.
Exceptional performance halls
Get your culture fix in one-of-a-kind spaces! Located in Saint-Jérôme, Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault is an architectural gem. The theatre’s diverse programming includes several signature events, like a concert by pianist Louis Lortie this coming February 19. For its part, Diffusions Amal’Gamme organizes classical concerts at Saint-François-Xavier church in Prévost, where pianists, harpists, violinists, and more present their interpretation of beautiful works in unmatched acoustics. In Val-Morin, Théâtre du Marais is an exceptional place. Its wooden architecture reflects both the rustic character of the village and modernity. The eco-certified performance hall also has a diverse programme. For its part, the Patriote de Sainte-Agathe, built in the 1920s, used to be a boîte à chansons, or small performance room, back in the 1970s, but has since given way to theatre for a young audience, music, and comedy. Since March 2022, the theatre has greeted show-goers in a fully renovated hall!
Discover the Laurentians’ iconic history
Travel back in time along the Route des Belles-Histoires! As one of the province’s official tourist routes, it offers the opportunity to discover the Laurentians through the development of forestry, farming, and tourism. From Saint-Jérôme to Mont-Laurier, take Route 117 or the P’tit Train du Nord to follow in the footsteps of the region’s early settlers. Make your trip even more special by diving back into the 19th century with BaladoDiscovery as your guide, interpreting the region’s history for you at every stop you make. There are 48 points of interest to discover, interspersed with audio narration, videos, texts, and photos!
An “a-mus-ing” museum!
If you love art, culture, and Laurentian heritage, make sure to stop at a local museum to visit a captivating exhibition. In Saint-Jérôme, the Musée d’art contemporain des Laurentides welcomes visitors to its permanent exhibition titled Quand la collection prédit l’avenir and its current temporary exhibition titled Archéologie du vivant until March 19. With 40 years of experience and a collection of 650 works, the museum is also fun for younger visitors. Dive into the history of the Laurentians with a visit to the Laurentian Ski Museum in Saint-Sauveur, which has tasked itself with preserving the history of skiing and the region to which the sport owes its extraordinary expansion. In addition to a voyage back in time, the museum helps visitors better understand how skiing has shaped the Laurentians.
Trades and crafts
A dynamic arts and culture scene is what makes Val-David Village unique. Come and discover new artworks made by local artists and craftspeople! Lolipop is a glass-blowing studio that produces glass-blown jewelry, fashion, and design items. Jonathan Léon’s refined artistic style catches the eye with its harmonious colours and irregular shapes. Known for years in the trades field, Atelier Bernard Chaudron carries one-of-a-kind, locally handmade pewter creations such as oil lamps, vases, glasses, tableware, and decorative items. With the help of over 100 of the region’s talented artists and craftspeople, Espace Rouge Pin carries artworks and crafts, decorative accessories, jewelry and fashion accessories, pottery, personal care products, and much more. Travelling through the region? Make sure to stop at one of these shops for some unique gift ideas!
The Laurentians, a heritage with a rich culture
Learn more about the history of the Laurentians and its heritage infrastructure through a variety of historic sites. Located in the Lower Laurentians, the Patrimoine Culturel Vieux-Saint-Eustache comprises several historic buildings. The Moulin Légaré is one of them. Did you known that it’s the oldest continuously operational watermill in North America? The shop sells flour all year round. The neighbouring Espace muséal du manoir Globensky showcases a permanent exhibition about key events in the 1837 Deux-Montagnes and Maison Chénier-Sauvé rebellion, which provides an insight into the lives of two large families from Saint-Eustache in the 19th and 20th centuries. Further north, the Calvaire-d’Huberdeau heritage site evokes the religious practices of the early 20th century. Its 27 cast-iron statues make it a popular pilgrimage site in the Laurentians. It also provides an incredible view of the village and the Rouge valley from its summit. Discover the region’s history through its heritage today!
Through the eyes of local artists
The region’s art galleries invite you to rediscover the relationship between humans and nature. The Centre d’exposition de Val-David showcases three exhibitions showing how things have changed across three generations of artists: De la cage à l’envol Éco / piège by Joëlle Morosoli, Onirographie by Véronique La Perrière M, and Avant l’orage by Raphaël Biscotti. Located in the former Saint-Faustin presbytery, the Maison des Arts Saint-Faustin offers a different perspective on the environment, while the Haute Température exhibition addresses climate change and its consequences. It covers topics such as waste, pollution, the weather, farming, greenhouse gases, and much more. All the way to the north, the Centre d’exposition de Mont-Laurier invites you to approach nature from a more poetic perspective by surrounding you with two exhibitions: Eaux souterraines by Violaine Lafortune and À propos de l’arbre mort… un hommage à la vie by Carole Taillon.
Young audience shows
It’s never too early to introduce your young children to the theatre! But where to start? Place des citoyens in Sainte-Adèle presents youth programming including a story titled La Soupe à Florencia on February 25 and a musical titled La récréation de Mozart on March 25. Further south, the intimate Petit Théâtre du Nord in Boisbriand seats 185 and brings the audience closer to the performers. Children can get up close to watch the four youth shows coming up over the next few months. Still in the same sector, Odyscène manages 3 performance halls in Sainte-Thérèse and Rosemère. The shows include comedy, song, theatre, dance, circus, cinema, and much more! Expect six family-friendly shows through to the end of winter and spring. Introduce your children now with a programme designed with them in mind.
For all tourism-related questions: info-tourisme@laurentides.com or call: 450-224-7007 | 1-800-561-6673.