Rivière-des-Prairies

Around Saint-Joseph church and its slender spire, Rivière-des-Prairies’ old village retains village houses, summer residences and small cottages. The village houses date from the nineteenth century, while summer residences were built during the early twentieth century. The Gothic Revival church designed by Victor Bourgeau and its presbytery form the institutional centre of this riverside settlement. Suburban houses built after the Second World War join those earlier domestic buildings. Rochon beach and a growing number of cottages once drew city residents to this holiday destination beside the river. Today, the church also hosts cultural performances for the neighbourhood.

Population growth increased the demand for sewers and water mains; the resulting municipal debt led to provincial supervision of the town’s affairs. Residential development subsequently advanced from west to east. At the boundary between Montréal-Nord and Rivière-des-Prairies, Cégep Marie-Victorin offers pre-university studies in arts, music, social sciences, history and science. Its technical programs include fashion, human services, health, computing, administration and the arts.

Key places

• Saint-Joseph church : Victor Bourgeau’s Gothic Revival design and cultural performances.
• Saint-Joseph presbytery : part of the village’s institutional centre.
• Former Rochon beach : former holiday destination.
• Marie-Victorin college : pre-university and technical education.