Only $ 6 to escape Montreal heat wave

In Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier moves especially in the race, his office in his backpack, on the lookout for subjects and fascinating people. He speaks to everyone and is interested in all circles in this urban chronicle.

Do you want to know an initiate secret to get away from the boring heat? The commune park on the edge of the river, in Varennes, is perpetually windy … and it is accessible to Montrealers by river shuttle from the Old Port or Pointe-aux-Trembles for $ 6 per adult and free for children.

“Intense heat, heat wave, humidity,” leaks the weather app for my phone.

This warning does not apply to me or the fifteen strollers installed at the picnic tables under six centenary trees.

Because here, in the town’s park, there is wind. All the time.

We often talk about heat or freshness island: here, we are in a wind oasis.

Behind me, on the lawn, a man handles his kite.

In front of me, on the water, a kitesurfer makes acrobatics.

When writing this chronicle, it is as if I had eight giant fans rocked on me.

A good hundred people are soft, distributed all over the chairs placed with a view of the river.

“When there is no wind here, we worry: that means that the earth has just stopped turning,” says Michel Beauchamp, the co -owner of the caterer at Auntielie.

“I stopped decorating my storefront with flowers because the wind snatched them, then crushed the petals on the walls of the houses around,” deplores Mr. Beauchamp.

This wind massacre of flowers makes miracles to dispel heat.

The Tante Azalie caterer is on the road directly at the top of the quay of the N3 river shuttle operated by Navark which performs the Old Port-Pointe-aux-Trembles-Varennes.

The journey lasts approximately 45 minutes, from the Jacques-Cartier quay. It costs $ 6, so $ 12 round trip. For those under 11, it’s free.

Enrick Ste-Croix, 7, passes his head over the binge of the bow to receive a maximum of splashes.

“I love it when you come across a boat and then it makes waves,” enthuses this follower of thrills.

Sens, Raphaël Legault, 11, takes advantage of the slightly less manic wind on the stern. He returns with his father, Guillaume, from a virtual reality session on dinosaurs (The lost world) to phi studios in the Old Port.

The town’s park is a 5 -minute walk from the Navark quay.

It is longitudinal and has a wooden gateway and observation towers … always windy.

There are toys and equipment (balloons, bikes, scooters) loaned for free by the city. (During my visit, the attendant held the parasol so that it does not go in the wind.)

In a maritime container is a small snack-out coffee from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There are modern toilets in a municipal chalet and even brutalist cement bécosses.

There is no monitored beach, no water games either, which is a shame. Swimming is therefore at your own risk.

Now you know how to escape the detestable urban heat wave for only $ 6.