McMasterville

McMasterville, a picturesque and modern municipality with an industrial past, is in La Vallée-du-Richelieu region of Montérégie, Quebec. Located on the west bank of the Richelieu River, McMasterville provides a beneficial break on the Arts and Flavours Route. The main recreational tourism activities offered are: boating, hiking, and biking. Its built heritage reflects several eras. The city of McMasterville was named the “big winner” in December 2021 as part of the “Du jardin dans ma Ville!” contest organized by the Corporation des Fleurons du Québec. The McMasterville project involved developing the Boisé du Ruisseau Bernard, a natural environment. The city plans to develop a reception area in the heartwood sector, in particular by planting fruit trees and shrubs. This development of the natural environment will benefit citizens and birds. It will also promote the integration of vegetable plants.

Understand
Life in McMasterville is correlated with neighbouring towns: Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Beloeil, Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu and Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil. This demographic fabric generates an offer of regional recreational and tourist activities, mainly focused on restaurants, pleasure boating on the Richelieu River, cultural activities, artists' and craftsmen's shops, sports activities, leisure activities and basic services to visitors.

History
McMasterville was incorporated in 1917 by separating from Beloeil. This separation follows the decision of Canadian Explosives Limited (formerly known as "Hamilton Powder" until 1910) to initiate the construction of a housing complex for its factory workers. This company was then in full expansion because it supplied the Allied forces during the First World War with explosive material (nitroglycerine) for various products for military use. The toponym McMasterville evokes the first president of the company, Mr. William McMaster. He served as the first president (1910-1924) of Canadian Explosives, which became Canadian Industries Limited (CIL) in 1927. To this day, his portrait decorates the McMasterville Town Council Chamber, highlighting his contribution to the foundation and development of the municipality.

Geography
McMasterville is located on the west bank of the Richelieu River, facing Mont Saint-Hilaire and Otterburn Park. The Bernard stream (a tributary of the west bank of the Richelieu River) separates the municipal territory in two.

By car

 * From Montréal (36 km, time: 29 min. Take the Champlain Bridge (east); take Highway 30 (northbound); take Route 116 (eastbound) to McMasterville.
 * From Quebec City (223 km, time: 2 hr 23 min). Take Autoroute 20 (westbound) to the Grande-Allée exit in Mont-Saint-Hilaire; take route 116 in Mont-Saint-Hilaire; cross the bridge over the Richelieu River; cross Beloeil and continue to McMasterville.

Get around
Its principal roads are Route 116 (along the railway) and Route 223 (Chemin du Richelieu, along the Richelieu River).

Buy
Its commercial area is focussed along (or near) Route 116.

Eat
Several restaurants or dining rooms in the Montérégie have transformed the mode of meals at the tables into take-out or delivery service. In general, restaurateurs have demonstrated great resilience by updating their website, integrating interactive and automated applications for remote orders, as well as the display of the menu, opening hours, their mode of operation (e.g., by reservation, drive-thru service), required health measures (e.g., vaccination record, mask, distancing), other services (e.g., caterer, shops, accommodation, access for disabled, Wi-Fi, take-out, delivery), contact details and often the history of the restaurant or site.