The first resort town of the Laurentides

To understand Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts is to understand how the entire Laurentides region became a leisure destination in the first place. This is where the story began.

The early settlement (1849 – 1880)

The parish of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts was canonically erected in 1849, taking its name from Saint Agatha — and “des Monts” reflecting its setting among the Laurentian mountains. The first settlers arrived through the 1850s and 1860s, drawn by the rivers, the fertile pockets of land along the lake, and the abundance of timber. The iconic Église Sainte-Agathe was built in 1858 and remains today one of the most photographed heritage buildings in the upper Laurentides — a beautifully preserved example of mid-19th century Quebec religious architecture.

The Curé Labelle railway and the birth of leisure tourism

The defining moment came in the late 1880s with the arrival of Curé Antoine Labelle’s railway from Saint-Jérôme. The train reached Sainte-Agathe in 1892, and the impact was immediate and profound. Within a decade, Montreal’s wealthy elite were arriving by the trainload — building luxurious lakeside estates on Lac des Sables, opening grand resort hotels, and establishing the town as Quebec’s first serious year-round leisure destination. By 1900, Sainte-Agathe was already known throughout Eastern Canada as a place of refined summer recreation and winter sport.

The sanitorium era (1900 – 1960)

Less celebrated but historically essential was Sainte-Agathe’s role as a major medical destination. In the early 20th century, the pure mountain air was believed to be therapeutic for tuberculosis — at the time, one of North America’s most common and deadly diseases. Multiple sanatoriums were built in and around Sainte-Agathe, treating thousands of patients from across Quebec and beyond. The most famous, the Mount Sinai Hospital sanitorium, drew patients from Montreal’s Jewish community and operated for decades. While medical advances eventually eliminated the need for such facilities, the sanitorium era left an indelible mark on the town’s character — many of the grand buildings, residential neighbourhoods, and even the cultural diversity of contemporary Sainte-Agathe trace to this period.

The Alouette cruises and theatre era (1945 – present)

In 1945, just as post-war Quebec began to redefine its tourist identity, the Croisière Alouette launched its first guided boat tour of Lac des Sables. Eight decades later, the tour still operates — making it one of the oldest continuously-running tourist attractions in the entire province. The Théâtre Le Patriote, founded in 1967, brought summer theatre to Sainte-Agathe and continues to be one of the most beloved theatrical venues in the Laurentides, drawing audiences from Montreal and far beyond.

Modern Sainte-Agathe

Through the second half of the 20th century, Sainte-Agathe transitioned from purely a resort town into a true year-round community. Its designation as chef-lieu of the Les Laurentides MRC consolidated its administrative role in the upper Laurentides. The 2001 merger with adjacent municipalities — Sainte-Agathe-Sud, Sainte-Agathe-Nord, and Ivry-sur-le-Lac — created the modern unified Ville de Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. Today, the town is a uniquely Québécois blend: working community, regional administrative centre, lakeside resort, and living museum of Laurentides heritage.

Local advice for your Sainte-Agathe trip

• Book the late-afternoon Alouette cruise (typically 4 PM or 5 PM) for the best light — the late-day sun on Lac des Sables is genuinely beautiful, and you can have dinner downtown afterwards.
• Reserve Théâtre Le Patriote tickets 4–6 weeks ahead for the popular evening performances, particularly during July and August. Combine with dinner downtown for a memorable evening.
• Use Sainte-Agathe as a base for skiing Mont-Tremblant — accommodations are 30–50% cheaper, and the 40-minute drive to Tremblant is straightforward via Route 117.
• Visit Major Beach on a weekday morning for the calmest waters and easiest parking. Saturday afternoons in July and August can be very busy.
• The P’tit Train du Nord from Sainte-Agathe to Val-David (about 20 km) is one of the most scenic cycling segments in the Laurentides — flat, beautiful, and easily achievable for moderate cyclists.
• Fall foliage peaks typically in the first or second week of October — Lac des Sables surrounded by red and orange forests is one of the most photographed Quebec scenes.
• The Saturday morning farmer’s market during the warmer months is a great way to sample local Laurentides producers — cheese, charcuterie, baked goods, seasonal produce.
• Maple-syrup season in March–April brings cabanes à sucre throughout the surrounding area. Reservations are essential for weekends — book at least 3 weeks ahead.
• Highway 117 traffic on Sunday afternoons heading back to Montreal can be heavy, particularly during peak ski and summer seasons. Leave before noon or stay for early dinner.