Fort de Chambly is one of those spots that makes a family day out both fun and surprisingly easy. Just half an hour from Montreal, the fort sits right on the Richelieu River and offers plenty for kids to explore without being overwhelming. From stone walls and soldiers’ quarters to hands-on activities and wide open space to roam, it’s the kind of outing where everyone finds something to enjoy.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
The massive stone walls of Fort de Chambly still welcome visitors much like they did centuries ago.
Practical Info for Families
| 🗺️ Location | 2 Rue de Richelieu, Chambly, Quebec |
| 🕒 Hours | Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (hours may vary by season, closed certain holidays) |
| 🎟️ Admission | Adults: ~$9 • Seniors: ~$7.50 • Youth (17 and under): Free |
| 🎫 Parks Canada Discovery Pass | Free entry with pass |
| ⏳ Visit Duration | 1–2 hours recommended |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly | Yes – stroller-friendly courtyard, interactive exhibits for kids |
| ♿ Accessibility | Ground-level access, some upper floors may have limited accessibility |
| 🍽️ Nearby Dining | Restaurants, cafés, and ice cream shops within walking distance in Chambly |
| 🛍️ Gift Shop | Small boutique with history books and souvenirs |
| 🌐 Website | parks.canada.ca/fortchambly |
Why Build a Fort in Chambly?
Four centuries ago, the Richelieu River wasn’t just a peaceful place for a walk, it was one of the busiest and most strategic waterways in New France. Canoes, supply boats, and later military vessels all used this river as a main route between the St. Lawrence and Lake Champlain. That also made it a hotspot for conflict.
To protect the colony, French soldiers first built a wooden fort here in 1665. Its job was simple but important: keep watch over the river and defend against attacks, especially during ongoing tensions with the Iroquois Confederacy. Later, the wooden structure was replaced by the stone fort that still stands today. Its thick walls, corner towers, and commanding view of the water made it a strong defensive point.
But Fort de Chambly’s story doesn’t stop with the French. Over the centuries, the British also took control of the fort, and it played a role in different conflicts, from colonial wars to the War of 1812. Each period left behind layers of history that you can still see in the exhibits today.
For families visiting now, all this military history might sound like a lot for kids to take in, but once you’re standing in the courtyard, it’s easy to explain. You can point to the high walls and ask them to imagine soldiers keeping watch, or show them how the river made the fort both a lifeline and a target. It’s history you can actually walk through, which makes it a lot easier to understand than a page in a textbook.
💡 Fun Fact for Kids: The very first fort built here wasn’t stone at all, it was made of wood! It didn’t last long against the weather and attacks, which is why the stronger stone version was built in 1711.
Exploring the Exhibits Indoors
Once you step inside the stone walls, you’ll find a series of exhibits that feel like a mix of history lesson and treasure hunt. Everything is bilingual in French and English, so no one misses out, and the layout makes it easy for families to wander without feeling rushed.
The displays walk you through the story of the fort, from the early wooden structure to the stone stronghold that still stands today. There are uniforms lined up behind glass, complete with tall hats and buttons that kids love pointing out, along with muskets, cannons, and tools that soldiers once used. Large maps on the walls show how the Richelieu River connected different forts and settlements, and it’s fun to trace the routes together as a family.
What makes this section shine for kids are the interactive pieces. Instead of just reading plaques, they can put on headphones to watch short videos, try out puzzle boards, or follow along with activities designed to keep young visitors curious. Parents will appreciate that the exhibits are short and clear, which makes it easy to explain the “big picture” while the kids explore details that catch their eye.
Another bonus is the size, the interior isn’t overwhelming. You can comfortably move through each room in order, and there’s always something different to see: weapons, household items, maps, and even personal belongings of the soldiers who lived here. It’s enough to spark imagination without feeling like too much information all at once.
Outdoor Courtyard & Activities
Stepping into the courtyard is one of the best parts of the visit. The stone walls rise up around you, and it’s easy to imagine what life might have been like for soldiers stationed here centuries ago. Unlike the quieter indoor exhibits, the courtyard feels open, bright, and inviting, it’s the spot where kids can stretch their legs and explore safely while parents take in the view of the Richelieu River just beyond the fort.
Families explore the courtyard where replica soldiers’ uniforms bring 17th-century military life to life.
The wide space makes it stroller-friendly, and benches and picnic tables are scattered around if you want to pause for a snack. Families often use this area as a “reset zone”, a chance for kids to run a little, climb up to a lookout spot, or simply burn some energy before heading back to the museum rooms.
Depending on the season, the courtyard sometimes has extra activities to bring history to life. Kids might get the chance to try on replica coats, peek at outdoor displays, or join in special events hosted by Parks Canada. Even without added programming, there’s plenty to spark curiosity: the cannons lined up by the walls, the watchtowers in each corner, and the feeling of standing in a space that was once filled with soldiers preparing for real battles.
For parents, it’s also a nice breather. The courtyard is big enough for kids to explore without wandering too far, and it offers a change of pace from the more structured exhibits inside. On a sunny day, it’s easy to linger here for a while before continuing with the visit.
💡 Family Tip: Bring along a small snack or water bottle. There’s no café inside the fort itself, but the courtyard is a great spot to pause and refuel before exploring more.
Hands-On Fun for Kids
Fort de Chambly is one of those historic sites that doesn’t just tell you about the past, it lets kids step into it. Instead of standing quietly in front of displays, they’re encouraged to touch, play, and imagine.
One of the highlights is the giant wooden map puzzle of the Richelieu Valley. Our kids loved moving the pieces around and seeing how the forts connected along the river. It’s simple, but it sparks conversations about why this region was so important.
Another favorite is the dress-up station. Slipping on a soldier’s coat, complete with shiny buttons, instantly transforms kids into little time travelers. They’ll happily pose for pictures in uniform, and it makes the whole history lesson feel more real.
There are also smaller activity stations sprinkled throughout the exhibits, designed to keep short attention spans happy. Some involve matching games, others are interactive panels, and a few give kids the chance to test their observation skills. Parents get the bonus of watching their kids learn while still having fun.
The best part? It doesn’t take much to keep kids engaged here. The fort’s size is manageable, so they don’t get tired of walking, and the mix of activities means there’s always something new around the corner.
💡 Kid-Friendly Tip: Let your kids take the lead for part of the visit. Following their curiosity, whether it’s a puzzle, a uniform, or a cannon outside, makes the experience more exciting for them and more relaxed for you.
Living History – Inside the Barracks
Walking into the barracks is like opening a door straight into the 18th century. The rooms are set up to look just as they would have when soldiers lived here, with wooden bunk beds, rough blankets, and simple furniture. For kids, it feels like stepping onto the set of a movie, but everything you see is rooted in real history.
The dining area is especially eye-catching. A long wooden table is laid out with loaves of bread, chunks of cheese, and pewter plates, showing the kind of meals soldiers might have shared after long days on duty. There are cooking tools and storage barrels nearby, and it’s easy to imagine the noise and chatter of dozens of men crammed into the space.
Other corners of the barracks give you a glimpse of daily routines. You’ll find storage chests filled with supplies, uniforms hanging on pegs, and small personal touches that remind you soldiers weren’t just fighters, they lived here for months at a time. These details are simple but powerful, especially for kids who may not always connect with history through dates and names.
The barracks also help explain how tough life could be. The beds are narrow and rough, the rooms feel dark compared to modern homes, and comforts were few. Parents can point out these differences to help kids imagine what life was like without today’s conveniences, no screens, no cozy mattresses, just hard work and basic living.
Final Thoughts
Fort de Chambly is a wonderful mix of history and family fun. It’s small enough that you won’t feel rushed or overwhelmed, yet full of little discoveries that keep both kids and adults interested. From the indoor exhibits and puzzles to the open courtyard and the barracks frozen in time, it’s the kind of outing that makes learning feel like play.
What we loved most is how easy it was. In less than a two-hour visit, the kids got to dress up, solve puzzles, and imagine life as little soldiers, while we had the chance to soak in the history and the views of the Richelieu River. For families looking for a simple day trip close to Montreal, this National Historic Site is definitely worth adding to the list.
Beaver Curious
If there’s a quirky museum, a hidden alley, or a local legend, you’ll find me nose-deep in the details. Every destination is a treasure map, and I’m here to discover every secret, snack, and story. Curiosity isn’t just a trait, it’s my travel compass!
