Located on an island north of Montreal, this major Quebec suburb is connected to the mainland by bridges. Home to Quebec's largest university and the Montmorency Falls.
Laval, an island city north of Montreal, invites you to discover its suburban neighborhoods, riverside paths, and unique attractions. Explore hands-on space simulations at the Cosmodôme, browse shops at Centropolis, or bike the trails along Rivière des Mille Îles. The city’s past as 14 separate villages remains visible in landmarks like the 1885 Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Church and the stone walls of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Penitentiary. Direct airport access and highway connections make Laval both a practical home base and a spot for science museums, shopping districts, and outdoor exploration. Families often start their visits at the Centre de la Nature, where greenhouses and winter sledding hills fill 50 hectares of public space.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Laval’s rivers define its landscape. To the south, Rivière des Prairies separates the island from Montreal, while Rivière des Mille Îles borders the north. Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles rents kayaks and has trails that wind through marshes frequented by herons. In warmer months, locals fish from wooden docks or picnic on small islands accessible by rented paddleboat. The city-run Centre de la Nature includes a tropical greenhouse with cacti and citrus trees, plus a hill for sledding when snow falls. For indoor activity, Carrefour Laval and Centre Laval malls stay open year-round, with stores ranging from global chains to Quebec-designed clothing shops.
Museums and Historical Sites
At the Cosmodôme, you can pilot a simulated spacecraft or spend a night in a replica space station modeled after NASA designs. Five blocks east, the Armand-Frappier Museum uses microscopes and interactive displays to explain how vaccines work, reflecting its ties to a biomedical research center. In the Sainte-Rose district, 19th-century limestone houses cluster near the river, some converted into cafes with terraces overlooking passing boats. The Laval Symphony Orchestra holds concerts at Salle André-Mathieu, a 1,200-seat venue that stages everything from Beethoven symphonies to modern film score performances. Art exhibitions rotate monthly at Maison des arts de Laval, highlighting painters and sculptors from Quebec’s contemporary scene.
Festivals and Seasonal Highlights
Free snowshoe trails open in Boisé Papineau Park each February, with equipment provided at a small visitor cabin. Summer brings the Mondial Choral Loto-Québec, where choirs from 30 countries perform in parks and churches across the city. During March school breaks, families visit Auteuilloise farm to feed goats or try maple taffy poured on snow. On July 1, Canada Day fireworks light up the sky above Rivière des Prairies, accompanied by food trucks serving poutine and smoked meat sandwiches. December’s Sainte-Rose Christmas Market fills the square beside Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Church, where vendors sell wool mittens, birchwood decorations, and hot apple cider.
Travel Tips and Logistics
Laval shares Montreal’s time zone (EST) and currency (CAD). While French is the main language, English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas. The nearest major airport is Montréal-Trudeau, 25 minutes south by car. Public buses connect key destinations like Cosmodôme and Centropolis, but a rental car makes it easier to reach sites such as the Mille-Îles River dams or the Saint-François golf course. For quick access to Montreal’s downtown, stay near Montmorency or De la Concorde metro stations.
Universities and Job Opportunities
Université de Montréal’s Laval campus specializes in nursing and mechanical engineering programs, with a research center studying neurodegenerative diseases. College Montmorency trains students in robotics and 3D animation, partnering with local tech firms for internships. Major employers include pharmaceutical plants like GlaxoSmithKline and food producers such as Lactantia. Note that Quebec’s immigration policies limit temporary work permits for service industry roles in Laval, though exemptions apply for healthcare and engineering positions.
Sports and Year-Round Recreation
Watch the Laval Rocket hockey team play at Place Bell arena, where games run weekly from October through April. Two public golf courses operate seasonally: Saint-François has narrow fairways under mature oaks, and Cardinal requires precise shots over ponds and streams. Horizon Roc indoor climbing gym has walls up to 15 meters high, with routes for beginners and advanced climbers. When temperatures drop below freezing, locals skate on the Rivière des Mille Îles or drill holes in the ice to catch perch and pike.
