Named after Lt. Col. Charles de Salaberry who helped defeat 3000 American troops with 300 men during the War of 1812, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is the southernmost city in Quebec. It’s so far south that you can get to New York State quicker than you can get to downtown Montreal.
Salaberry is dubbed the “Venice of Quebec” thanks to its location on a collection of islands in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. Personally, I’m not quite sure if it’s a match for the real thing. Sure, it has more architectural beauty than most North American cities of the same size, but far from being on par with Milan or Florence.
The Deux-Rives Museum displays items on local history. More history can be found across at Coteau-du-Lac where the ruins of an old fort can be found. The fort is also the site of the old canal that crosses the 24 metre difference along the St. Lawrence River.
Museum Deux-Rives 
Fort Coteau-du-Lac 
Old canal 
Salaberry skyline
Parc Delpha-Sauvé along the Salaberry waterfront is a wonderful place to be even during icy cold winters. The footbridge on the canal reminds me of the Pont d’Amour in Annecy in France. When it’s cold enough, the canal is open for ice skating.
Prominent buildings in the city were constructed in the early 20th century, including the Basilica-Cathedral of St. Cecilia which looks much older. The reconstruction of the basilica in 2002 has left one of the towers unrestored showing the original and refurbished condition of the building.
Basilica-Cathedral of St. Cecilia 
A restaurant
The city hall is a more modern. It was built in 1962 as a modernist piece of architecture with Bauhaus accents. Its odd shape is due to its location on what is effectively a rectangular roundabout with parking on all four sides. The nearby combined police and fire station is in a similar style.
City Hall 
Courthouse 
College de Salaberry 
Police and fire station
The courthouse looks imposing, as it should. Interestingly, what I found even more imposing was the local college. The main building is approximately 120 metres long and shaped like a castle. It reminds me of the “citizen palaces” of East Berlin where the Soviet regime would build massive buildings for the use of the average person.
