1 Chem. du Musée, Lachine

Nestled between the St. Lawrence River and the Lachine Canal, the Maison Le Ber-Le Moyne stands on land once owned by the famed explorer René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle. In the late 17th century, the property was sold to Jacques Le Ber and Charles Le Moyne, two influential merchants who established a fur trading post—part of a thriving trade network where beaver pelts, highly prized in Europe, were exchanged with First Nations for tools, textiles, and other goods. As the fur trade declined, the site was transformed into a farmhouse, but the construction of the Lachine Canal in the 19th century led to partial expropriation of the land. Now owned by the City of Montreal, the site is open to visitors and forms part of the Lachine Museum.

The Maison Le Ber-Le Moyne, built in 1669, is the oldest surviving building on the island of Montreal. Remarkably, it withstood the devastating Lachine Raid of 1689, when Iroquois warriors attacked the settlement, destroying homes and claiming many lives. Today, the house offers a beautifully curated experience, with exhibitions that explore the region’s layered history—from Indigenous presence to French and British colonization—through artifacts, interpretive displays, and storytelling.

Part of the broader Lachine Museum complex, the house often hosts themed exhibitions, such as one (in May 2021) on historical communication technologies, featuring objects like Polaroid cameras, phonographs, and typewriters. Entry to the house is free, though parking fees apply. Adjacent to the site is Ranger Park, a scenic riverside space ideal for a walk or picnic, with tables and panoramic views of the water—though be prepared for occasional wind and cooler breezes off the river.

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