Mostly known for its military history, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is the site of the first French fort in Canada. First built in 1666, Fort Saint-Jean has been continuously occupied from 1748 to the present day, albeit changing hands several times.
Fort Saint-Jean
The second fort was built in 1748 and destroyed by the French in 1760 to prevent it from falling into Iriquois hands. Almost as soon as the third fort was erected, it was occupied by the Americans during the 1775 invasion and burned to the ground the following year. It was reconstructed again in 1776 and defended Canada against the Americans in the War of 1812 and the Patriot Revolt in 1837. Today it is used to train cadets for the Canadian military in addition to the Royal Military College in Kingston.
Courthouse 
City hall 
Cathedral
In 1836, Canada’s first railway was built between Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and La Prairie, now a suburb just south of Montreal. The courthouse was built in 1861 and brought in the elite of the area such as lawyers and judges to live there. Along with their professions, they brought in the money to build fine Victorian homes and money to expand the local cathedral.
Railway swing bridge 
Locks on the Chambly Canal 
Waterfront restaurants 
Recreational area being painted
The waterfront area along the Richelieu River is being restored to become a thriving promenade with restaurants and recreational space. Part of the Chambly Canal National Historic Site resides on the waterfront with one set of locks and a swing railway bridge.
