Nuns' Island Island
Residential island in Montreal, mixed housing and parks
An island in the Saint Lawrence near Montreal, primarily residential with riverside parks and cycling paths. People visit for waterfront walks, modernist apartment blocks, and easy ferry access to downtown Montreal.
Nuns' Island at a Glance#
Address: Île-des-Sœurs (Nuns’ Island), Verdun borough, Montreal, QC
About Nuns' Island#
Nuns’ Island (French: Île-des-Sœurs) is an island in the Saint Lawrence River within the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It functions chiefly as a residential neighbourhood and urban district of Montreal.
A mainly residential area with modern condominium complexes, riverside parks and walking and cycling routes along the waterfront. Small green spaces and viewpoints offer direct views across the Saint Lawrence toward other Montreal islands and the city skyline.
The island takes its name from a religious order that owned it from the colonial era; it remained largely rural until substantial residential development in the mid-20th century transformed it into an urban neighbourhood. Development since then has focused on mixed-density housing and public waterfront access.
Sitting in the Saint Lawrence River, the island is part of Montreal’s municipal territory and lies on the city’s southern riverfront, connected by road links and city infrastructure to the rest of Montreal.
- Access: Located within the municipal boundaries of Montreal, the island is served by city streets and cycling paths that connect it to other neighbourhoods.
- Character: Known locally by its French name, Île-des-Sœurs, the island is primarily a residential neighbourhood with several waterfront parks and promenades.
How to Get to Nuns' Island#
Nuns’ Island is connected to downtown Montreal by the Concord/Champlain Bridge system. From central Montreal, the island is reachable by car in about 15-25 minutes depending on traffic; STM buses serve the island from Verdun and RM-138. There is pedestrian and bicycle access across the island’s bridges.
Tips for Visiting Nuns' Island#
- Take the metropolitan shuttle from Angrignon métro for a short, scenic trip across the bridge into Île-des-Sœurs.
- Walk the riverfront pathways toward the south end of the island for quieter views and benches placed to catch sunsets over the St. Lawrence.
- Visit the Concordia University campus plaza and the nearby eco-parks to see how 20th-century development meets intentional green design.
Best Time to Visit Nuns' Island#
Best in late spring through early fall for walking and river views; winter is rewarding for those who appreciate quiet urban snow-scapes.
Weather & Climate near Nuns' Island#
Nuns' Island's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (978 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -15° - -5° | -16° | 71 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -13° - -3° | -14° | 59 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -7° - 3° | -7° | 67 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 11° | 3° | 77 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 19° | 13° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 24° | 19° | 86 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 27° | 22° | 91 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 26° | 20° | 93 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 21° | 16° | 93 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 13° | 7° | 82 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -1° - 6° | -2° | 93 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - -1° | -11° | 85 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
