Granby (Quebec)

Granby is a radiant city of 69,025 people (2021) with many recreational tourist attractions in the Eastern Townships of Southwestern Quebec.

The main attractions of the city of Granby are:

  • nature and the outdoors: hiking, biking or in-line skating trails, Yamaska National Park, the Boivin lake, golf clubs in the region;
  • arts and culture: the Palace performance hall, school and CEGEP halls offer a varied program of public performances;
  • entertainment: the Granby zoo;
  • its accommodation capacity, in hotels, motels, lodges, tourist residences or camping;
  • its varied gastronomic offer; the downtown area offers a variety of restaurants, dining rooms, caterers and take-out;
  • its microbreweries and pubs;
  • its agritourism offer;
  • its picturesque built heritage: a heritage circuit allows you to take an interest in the great history of the region.

Understand

Granby is a regional centre for industries (textile, lumber, dairy products) and commercial zone, but is also a tourist town, due to the presence of the important Granby Zoo.

The town is named after John Manners, Marquess of Granby.

History

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited sporadically by nomadic First Nations people.

In 1792, Loyalists fleeing the United States were granted permission to colonize the Eastern Townships. In 1803, the Executive Council of Quebec conceded the Township of Granby to Colonel Henry Caldwell and his 97 associates. John Horner, the first inhabitant who settled on the site of the current town arrived in 1813. Horner built a sawmill near the Yamaska River.

Field areas have been exploited for agricultural use and the North Yamaska river's flow has been used for its hydraulic energy since the construction of a first dam in 1815 by large industrial companies; the use of dams along the stream has provoked the formation of a large shallow swamp, called Lac Boivin, often cited as one of Granby's landmarks.

Get in
  • LimoCar, at the Couche-Tard store at 111 Rue St Charles S, ☏ +1 819-562-8899. One direct bus a day M-F on the Montréal - Sherbrooke line (1 hr 50 min, $23). (updated Jun 2019)

Get around
  • Transport urbain Granby. Three routes bearing the names South, North and Centre served by buses and taxis seven days a week. From Monday to Friday, buses and taxibus pass every 30 minutes. On Saturdays and Sundays, the buses of the South and North circuits and the taxibus pass hourly. adult $3.25, senior or student $3, child 12 and under free. (updated Jun 2019)

See
  • 🌍 Granby Zoo (Zoo de Granby), 525 St-Hubert St. Zoo, water park and amusement park. Home to nearly 1,500 animals from over 225 different species, among which are elephants, giraffes, gorillas, and tigers. It hosts a Fête des Mascottes ("Mascot Festival") each year in July. 13 to 64 years old $41, 3 to 12 years old $28, 2 years old $12, under 2 years old free, 65 years old and over $33, online promotion 5 people (all ages) $150. (updated Jun 2019)
  • 🌍 Musée canadien de l’Arme et du Bronze (Canadian Army and Bronze Museum), 53 Rue Dufferin, ☏ +1 450-405-4585. Sa Su 12:00-16:30; M-F by appointment. Weapons, stamps, currency, sculptures. adults $12, 65 and over $10, students 14 and over $10, children 5 years and under free, children 6 to 13 years $8. (updated Jun 2019)
  • 🌍 Voitures Anciennes de Granby (Granby International classic car show), 230 Drummond Street, ☏ +1 450-777-1330. Granby's annual classic car show takes place at parc Daniel-Johnston on the three days over the last weekend in July. See over 3000 antiques, vintage, hot rods, muscle cars and classic imports cars. $12-15 per day, or $30 for 3 days, children 12 and under free. (updated Jun 2019)
  • 🌍 The Autodrome Granby (Autodrome de Granby), 1268 Cowie Street, ☏ +1 450-375-3055. The Autodrome Granby, one of Canada's largest dirt oval racing tracks, hosts professional racing teams every Friday night from May to September. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Verger Champetre - Gite & Compagnie, 2300 Cowie Street, ☏ +1 450-379-5155. Jun-Dec. Orchards, alpaca farm and petting zoo. A fruit trees to pick your own fruit in harvest season, an interpretation centre explaining life on the farm, children’s games, seasonal activities, and a wide range of products made from their land. Cafe with lunches for $11-15. A three-bedroom cottage is available ($450 for nights, $200 each additional night) with full kitchen. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Palace - Salle de spectacle (Palace - Theater), 135, rue Principale, bureau 20, ☏ +1 450-375-2262, , . Jun-Dec. Performance hall offering a varied program of artists and shows. (updated Sep 2022)

Do
  • Lake Boivin, Daniel-Johnson Park, and the Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin (nature interpretation centre of Lake Boivin) are landscaped with paths all around for bikers and pedestrians. Touching the heart of the town, Lake Boivin has Daniel-Johnson Park on its northern shores, from which residents and tourists practise recreational sports such as navigation and cycling, the park also hosts events for Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Earth day; as well as a self-proclaimed fête de la rivière (river's fest) to honour and clean the North Yamaska River; characteristic hills on the park's premises are very popular for picnicking during the summer and sleighing in the winter. The Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin is a non-profit with a mission aimed at conservation of the territory, habitat, fauna and flora of Lake Boivin.
  • 🌍 Yamaska National Park, 1780 Boulevard David Bouchard, Roxton Pond, ☏ +1 450-776-7182. A provincial park that protects a vast humid zone around the Choinière reservoir; it is sought out for its forest, beach, walking and biking paths, as well as the navigation of its waters (only light non-motorized vehicles are permitted); it is considered an important bird sanctuary. Boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, bikes, etc., available for rent. Dogs permitted in designated areas. Adult $8.75/day, child 17 and under free; parking $8.50; ready-to-camp tents for 4-6 people $92-104, cabins for 4 people $258. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Victoria Park. Park Victoria is the oldest urban garden in town. Its lot was purchased in 1889 and the park landscaped in 1900. In the warm months, free concerts are sometimes played in a gazebo. (updated Sep 2020)
  • 🌍 Miner Park. Park Miner is the second oldest park in Granby; it lies downtown and houses Piscine Miner (Miner pool), the municipal indoor public pool. A monument to the founders of Saint-Jean-Baptiste society was erected in 1934. The first community public art gallery in the region is installed by Atelier 19. During the summer, the park has tents installed to house different public activities such as dance and music. (updated Sep 2020)

Events
  • Festival de la chanson de Granby (Granby Song Festival), 135 Rue Principale, bureau 31, ☏ +1 450-375-7555. The aim of the festival is to discover, develop and promote the next generation of French-language song from Quebec and abroad. Many well-known artists, such as Jean Leloup and Luc De Larochellière, have gained their first public exposure here. Ten days in late August. The festival celebrated your 50th birthday. $120 for a six-evening package, which includes the finals. (updated Sep 2022)

Buy

Eat

Sugar bushes

Drink

Sleep
  • 🌍 St Christophe Hotel & Spa, Ascend Hotel, 255 Denison East (Lakeshore setting with direct access to the "Route Verte" (Green route) bike trail), ☏ +1 450-405-4782, toll-free: +1-855-973-7216. Classic European architecture, access to therapeutic baths, massages, an indoor heated pool and whirlpool. Free Wi-Fi, exercise room, free breakfast. All guest rooms offer cable television, refrigerator, coffee maker, desk and mini bar. From $189. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Hotel Castel, 901 rue Principale (along Route 112), ☏ +1 450-378-9071, toll-free: +1-800-363-8953. Spa, exercise room, heated outdoor pool, a playground for children, three restaurants. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Hotel Le Principal, 700 rue Principale (along Route 112), ☏ +1 450-378-8406, toll-free: +1 800-363-8953, . Hotel offering 81 rooms, each of which is equipped with a mini-fridge and air conditioning. Free full breakfast. Flat screen TV & Illico. Zoo packages are available. (updated Sep 2022)

Motels
  • 🌍 Hôtel/motel Granby, 1085, rue Principale (at the corner of Route 139 and 112, on the border of Montérégie and the Eastern Townships), ☏ +1 450-378-6966, toll-free: +1 877-535-0535, fax: +1 450-378-6681, . Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 11:00. Available offer of two types of packages with the Zoo and Amazoo. All rooms contain: microwave, refrigerator, air conditioning, large color television with cable, desk (table). In addition, an outdoor heated swimming pool is available in the summer season. (updated Sep 2022)

Gîtes, chalets
  • 🌍 Gîte B&B - Une Fleur au Bord de l'Eau, 90 Drummond (facing the L'Estriade bike path; near the shops and restaurants of downtown Granby), ☏ +1 514-755-3888. Lounge area with TV, outdoor pool, bicycle shed and air-conditioned rooms. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Gî'TEMPS couette et café, 371, rue Couture (cottage with access to the Estriade cycle path), ☏ +1 450-531-9551. Offers four large spacious bedrooms, each equipped with a private bathroom with a ceramic and glass shower, heat pump, individually controlled air conditioning or heating, patio door giving access to a balcony or directly to the land. Panoramic view of Mount Shefford. Bistro-style dining room (individual table). (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 La Maison Collins, 79, rue d'Ottawa, ☏ +1 450-830-0820, toll-free: +1-844-355-5355, . Breakfast included. Services included in each room: private bathroom (with clawfoot tub), fridge-freezer, air conditioner, access to a BBQ. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Magnolia B&B, 180, rue Dufferin (cottage in the upper town sector), ☏ +1 450-777-7172, . Cottage built in the 1940s. Full breakfast service. Collection of teapots of more than 200 units. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Suites du Centre-Ville, 27, rue Court (in the heart of downtown Granby), ☏ +1 450-361-1559. Offer of nine suites. Family concept with shared games room. Located near bike paths, historical monuments, children's play area, several parks including Victoria (swings), Daniel Johnson (skating rink and pedal boats) and Miner (indoor swimming pool) parks. (updated Sep 2022)

Camping
  • 🌍 Camping Granby, 310, rue Robitaille (south of the city of Granby in the urban area of Montplaisant), ☏ +1 450-372-6639. Campsite offering a heated swimming pool and an artificial lake with lifeguards and water games, a community hall, a canteen/convenience store, six sanitary blocks, an arcade, a playground, a "CAN" mascot, a propane filling service, firewood, a library and a card game room. The sports offered are: Basketball, baseball, irons, roller skating, petanque, dek hockey, pickleball, soccer, tennis, cycling, volleyball, jumping pillow and water trampoline. (updated Sep 2022)

Nearby

Brome

Southeast of Granby.

  • Brome Fair, 345 Stagecoach Road, Brome (Autoroute 10 Exit 73 - route 241 south, left on route 104, right on route 215), ☏ +1 450-242-2870. Early September. Since 1856, a large agricultural fair. The largest rural agricultural fair in Quebec. (updated Jul 2020)

Bromont

Directly south of Granby (across the autoroute) is Bromont, the site of the equestrian competition for the 1976 Montréal Olympic Games.

Waterloo

A small village directly to the east.

  • Underground music festival of Waterloo, Rue du Lac, Waterloo (follow Autoroute 10 E towards Chemin Foster (QC-243 N), take exit 90 of Autoroute 10 Ouest; at the stop sign, turn left on Chemin Foster to Waterloo; at the intersection of Foster and Foster Road, turn left; turn left on Rue Du Lac). Punk, rock and metal music. Second weekend in July. Entrance to the site, parking and concerts are free. (updated Jun 2019)

Cope

Go next
Routes through Granby
Montreal ← Chambly ←  W  E  → Eastman → Sherbrooke
Montréal ← Longueuil ←  W  E  → Thetford Mines → Frampton
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu ← Saint-Hyacinthe ←  N  S  → Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton → End
Drummondville ← Acton Vale ←  N  S  → Bromont → Abercorn


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