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Khayman CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec Travel Guide

Town

A commuter town north of Montreal, Sainte-Thérèse stages summer music festivals, sports events and a steady farmers’ market. Visitors pass through for Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne shows, cycling trails and easy access to Laurentian weekend escapes.

Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsÎle JésusSainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec essentials

Country: Canada
Driest months: Jan-Mar
Pay in: Dollar ($)
Language: French, English

Where to Go in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Sight Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Montreal Museum of Fine ArtsMontreal art museum with extensive permanent collections Sight Montréal Insectarium Montréal InsectariumLarge insect museum in Montréal with global entomology exhibits Sight Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal Musée d'art contemporain de MontréalMajor Montreal contemporary art museum with international exhibitions Island Island of Montreal Island of MontrealIsland hosting Montreal city and surrounding municipalities Island Hochelaga Archipelago Hochelaga ArchipelagoArchipelago encompassing Montreal and surrounding river islands Island Nuns' Island Nuns' IslandResidential island in Montreal, mixed housing and parks Island Notre Dame Island Notre Dame IslandMan-made Montreal island hosting parks and the Biosphere History Hochelaga HochelagaFormer Indigenous village site near Montreal Nature Mount Royal Mount RoyalUrban mountain and park overlooking Montreal Nature Lake of Two Mountains Lake of Two MountainsWidening of the Ottawa River near Montreal Nature Kahnawake KahnawakeMohawk First Nations reserve on Saint Lawrence near Montreal Nature Lac Saint-Louis Lac Saint-LouisBroad river widening on the Saint Lawrence near Montreal
Neighbourhoods

Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec at a Glance

Local Time
7:06 PM
GMT-5
Population
25,224

Costs: USD 80-140 per day - comfortable budget for transit, meals, cafés, occasional taxi.

Safety: Generally very safe - very safe; low violent crime, watch for occasional petty theft on transit.

Best Time: June-September - warm weather and community events make summer best for outdoor activities.

Sainte-Thérèse lies about 25 km north of downtown Montreal, making it a quick commuter suburb.

Why Visit Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec?

Just north of Montreal, this suburban hub mixes accessible culture with outdoor life, offering easy access to the Laurentians and scenic cycling routes. Live performances at Théâtre Lionel-Groulx and neighbourhood farmers’ markets give a lively local calendar, while nearby maple farms and classic Quebec comfort foods like poutine and tourtière root visits in regional flavour. Short day trips to hiking trails make it an appealing base for people who want both city comforts and country green space.

Best Things to Do in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec Bucket List

Don't Miss

Musée du Chemin de fer de Sainte-Thérèse - Small railway museum preserving local locomotives, historic cars and regional rail heritage.

Parc Gérard-Lesage (central park) - Green municipal park with playgrounds, walking paths and seasonal community events.

Rue Turgeon shopping corridor - Main commercial street offering bakeries, boutiques and long-standing local businesses to explore.

Hidden Gems

Maison Bélisle (heritage home) - Historic residence occasionally open for guided tours highlighting local architectural history.

Rivière des Mille Îles riverfront paths - Nearby river trails for gentle walks, birdwatching and waterfront relaxation close by.

Local farmers’ market - Weekly market showcasing Quebec produce, cheeses, preserves and local artisan products.

Day Trips

Montreal city centre - Quick drive to downtown Montreal for museums, dining, festivals and the Old Port.

Oka National Park - Natural area with trails, beaches and picnic spots ideal for birdwatching and canoeing.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Visit Sainte-Thérèse from late spring through early fall for the most comfortable weather and outdoor activities; winters are long, snowy and very cold. Summer brings festivals and warm days, spring and fall show pleasant, changeable weather.

Winter

December - February-20 to -5 °C (-4 to 23 °F)

Brutal, snowy and cold-great for sledding and cozy cafés. Expect frequent subzero days, heavy snowfall, and icy streets; dress warmly and plan slower travel.

Spring

March - May-2 to 14 °C (28 to 57 °F)

Thawing, muddy, and unpredictable-early blooms and occasional warm days. Great for hiking and watching maple sap run, but bring layers and waterproof boots.

Summer

June - August15 to 27 °C (59 to 81 °F)

Warm, humid, and lively-perfect for patios, festivals and lake trips. Expect mid-twenties highs, occasional heat waves, and mosquitoes near waterways.

Climate

Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec'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 -16°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1016 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 31 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-41°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -16° - -6° -17° 77 mm overcast 92% 3.7 m/s 0.1 low 9.0h
February Poor -14° - -4° -15° 61 mm overcast 90% 3.6 m/s 0.3 low 10.2h
March Poor -8° - 2° -8° 73 mm partly cloudy 87% 3.7 m/s 0.6 moderate 11.8h
April Acceptable 0° - 10° 2° 82 mm partly cloudy 81% 3.7 m/s 0.9 moderate 13.4h
May Good 7° - 19° 13° 85 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.4 m/s 1.3 high 14.7h
June Very Good 13° - 24° 18° 95 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.1 m/s 1.6 very high 15.4h
July Excellent 16° - 27° 21° 91 mm partly cloudy 77% 2.8 m/s 1.6 very high 15.1h
August Very Good 15° - 26° 20° 92 mm partly cloudy 74% 2.6 m/s 1.4 high 13.9h
September Very Good 10° - 21° 15° 95 mm partly cloudy 75% 2.8 m/s 1.0 moderate 12.4h
October Acceptable 4° - 13° 7° 86 mm overcast 81% 3.2 m/s 0.4 low 10.8h
November Poor -2° - 6° -2° 97 mm overcast 86% 3.6 m/s 0.2 low 9.4h
December Poor -11° - -2° -12° 82 mm overcast 91% 3.7 m/s 0.1 low 8.6h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Sainte-Thérèse is a Montreal commuter suburb north of the island; most visitors arrive via Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and continue by taxi, shuttle or Exo commuter rail (Saint-Jérôme line) to the town. The Exo rail connection from downtown Montreal is usually the quickest public-transit option.

By Air

Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL): The main international gateway for the Montreal region. From YUL you can take a taxi to Sainte-Thérèse (approx. CAD 50-80, 30-45 min depending on traffic) or use public transit: airport buses connect to downtown Montreal (see below) and from there take Exo commuter rail to Sainte-Thérèse.

(No other major passenger airport): Montréal-Mirabel (YMX) no longer handles regular passenger airline service; nearly all scheduled flights use YUL.

By Train & Bus

Train: Sainte-Thérèse is served by Exo commuter rail on the Saint-Jérôme line (Gare Sainte-Thérèse). From Montreal Central (Central Station / Gare Centrale) trains take roughly 35-45 minutes; single-ride fares depend on Exo zones (approx. CAD 4-8 for typical trips). Check Exo schedules for departures.

Bus: From Montréal-Trudeau airport take the STM airport bus into downtown (airport bus service to central hubs, typical journey 25-45 minutes, approx. CAD 10-15 depending on service or transfers). From downtown you can transfer to STM buses or Exo trains to reach Sainte-Thérèse; local STM/Exo connections may add 10-30 minutes.

How to Get Around Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

The best way to reach Sainte-Thérèse is by Exo commuter rail from downtown Montreal after arriving at YUL; for door-to-door convenience use a taxi or rideshare. Once there, local buses, bikes and walking cover most short trips.

  • Exo Saint-Jérôme commuter rail (CAD 4-8) - Regular trains run between Montreal (Central/Gare Centrale area) and Gare Sainte-Thérèse. Trains take ~35-45 minutes from downtown and are convenient for rush-hour commuting. Bring a valid Exo/OPUS fare for the relevant zone; trains can be crowded during peak times but are reliable.
  • STM buses / airport bus (CAD 3.50-15) - STM runs local buses around greater Montreal; airport services connect YUL to downtown hubs where you can transfer to Exo. Allow extra time for transfers during peak hours. Buses are the cheapest option if you want to avoid taxis.
  • Taxi / Rideshare (CAD 50-90) - Taxis and rideshare services can get you door-to-door from the airport or Montreal; expect a flat/zone fare from YUL to the island and higher fares to suburbs like Sainte-Thérèse. Best for groups or if you have lots of luggage.
  • Car rental (CAD 40-90/day) - Renting a car at YUL or downtown gives full flexibility for exploring the north shore and surrounding towns. Road connections are straightforward; parking in Sainte-Thérèse is generally easy outside busy shopping areas.
  • Bicycle / Local buses (CAD 0.00-3.50) - For local trips inside Sainte-Thérèse, a mix of local bus lines and cycling is practical in summer. Bike lanes exist on some main streets; check seasonal schedules for local transit.
  • Walking - Centre-town Sainte-Thérèse is compact and walkable; most shops and services are within a short stroll of the station.

Where to Stay in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Budget

Sainte-Thérèse / Laval - CA$60-110/night

Sainte-Thérèse has modest local inns and a few motels; budget travellers also consider Laval or northern Montreal suburbs for more listings.

Budget stays - Sainte-Thérèse area - Small motels and economy hotels nearby.

Budget options - Laval/Montreal North - Chains and independent budget hotels.

Mid-Range

Montreal / Laval - CA$120-200/night

Mid-range chain hotels and boutique properties are abundant a short drive away in Montreal; Sainte-Thérèse itself has fewer boutique choices.

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth (Montreal) - Comfortable, centrally located option.

Residence Inn by Marriott Montreal Downtown - Well-known mid-range chain hotel.

Luxury

Montreal / Outskirts - CA$250+/night

Luxury hotels are located in downtown Montreal or resort properties outside the city; Sainte-Thérèse does not have five-star hotels.

Fairmont Le Château Montebello (for a resort option) - Well-known luxury resort outside Montreal.

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth - Luxury city-centre hotel.

Eat & Drink

Where to Eat in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Burger
Sandwich
Sushi
Breakfast
Chicken
Italian
Kebab
Thai
Barbecue
Greek
Vietnamese
Asian
Chinese
Mexican
Poutine
Pasta
Steak House
Poke
Bagel

Nightlife in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Evenings in Sainte-Thérèse are generally low-key: family restaurants, a few neighbourhood bars and the occasional live-music night at local venues. Most late-night or club-style entertainment requires a trip into Montreal. If you want a more social scene, check local listings for concert nights or seasonal outdoor events-those are when the town feels liveliest.

Shopping in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec

Shopping is mostly local boutiques, grocery stores and a handful of chain shops along the main commercial streets. For a wider selection-bigger malls and specialty stores-you’ll need to drive or take transit into Laval or Montreal. Seasonal community markets and craft fairs pop up during warmer months, which are the best places to find local food products and artisan goods.