Granby
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Granby is a city of about 69,000 people (2021) with many tourist attractions, businesses, public services and rich history in La Haute-Yamaska, in the Eastern Townships (Estrie) region of Southwestern Quebec.
Understand
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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
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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.
Tourist information
[edit]- Granby Tourism website
Get in
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Map of Granby (Quebec)
- Autoroute 10, the motorway to the Eastern Townships, passes between Granby and Bromont on its way from Montreal to Magog and Sherbrooke.
- 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).
Get around
[edit]- 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.
See
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- 1 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.
- 2 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.
- 3 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.
- 4 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.
- 5 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.
- 6 Palace - Salle de spectacle (Palace - Theater), 135, rue Principale, bureau 20, ☏ +1 450-375-2262, , billetterie@palace.qc.ca. Jun-Dec. Performance hall offering a varied program of artists and shows.
Do
[edit]- 1 Lake Boivin's nature interpretation center (Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin), 700 Rue Drummond, ☏ +1 450-375-3861. 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.
- 2 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.
- 3 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.
- 4 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.
Events
[edit]- 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.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Granby and region public market (Marché public de Granby et région), Centre Notre-Dame, 270 Rue Principale. Schedule posted on website; usually one day per month. Farmers' market offering products from their land and their local produce.
- 2 Galeries de Granby, 40, rue Évangéline. 106 stores including IGA and Walmart.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Atelier Archibald, 150, rue St-Jacques. Family restaurant with working-class cuisine. Rustic restaurant with open kitchen serving pizza, poutine and other dishes.
- 2 Bistro La Fringale, 76, rue Principale, ☏ +1 450-994-5994. Dining room that can accommodate up to 40 people. Bring your own wine.
- 3 Bonne Bouffe, 185, rue Principale, ☏ +1 450-991-6011, info@bonnebouffesante.com. Restaurant.
- 4 Cantine Ben La Bedaine, 599 rue Principale, ☏ +1 450-378-2921. Daily 10:00-00:00. Burgers, fries and poutine in a classic fastfoodery from the 1959s.
- 5 Cantine chez Richard, 406, rue Denison, ☏ +1 450-777-4950. Speciality: pizza. Online ordering service.
- 6 Di Carlo Restaurant Inc, 28, rue Dufferin, ☏ +1 450-375-0577. Italian restaurant. Take-out menu available from 5 p.m.
- 7 La Maison Chez-Nous, 847, rue Mountain, ☏ +1 450-372-2991, info@lamaisoncheznous.com. Th-Su from 17:00. Gastronomic restaurant. Mains $50-62.
- 8 La Table à Mo, 118, rue Principale, ☏ +1 450-372-0043. Restaurant. Take-out menu. Catering service and chef at home.
- 9 Le Esmond, 231, rue St-Charles, ☏ +1 450-372-7727. Restaurant.
- 10 Le Cafe de la Brulerie, 4 Rue de la Gare, ☏ +1 450-372-2200. M-W 07:00-21:00, Th F 07:00-22:00, Sa 08:00-22:00, Su 08:00-21:00. Upscale cafe offering breakfast, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, burgers, etc.
- 11 Maison Boire, 13, rue Court, ☏ +1 579-365-3232. Restaurant. Bring your own wine. Online ordering service. Shop. Establishment having obtained several decorations in particular in 2021 "restaurant of the year by Aliments du Québec on the menu", "greenest restaurant in Canada" in 2020, LEAF certification level 3, "Laureate Initiative in sustainable tourism 2019".
- 12 mangeZen, 190, rue Principale, ☏ +1 450-378-2626. Healthy restaurant.
- 13 Pur Délice, 601, rue Denison, ☏ +1 450-375-2294. Bistro. Offer of ready meals, pastries, catering service.
- 14 Restaurant C'est Belge, 246, Rue Robinson Sud East, ☏ +1 450-777-7676. W-Su 08:00-14:30. Belgian restaurant. Gourmet lunches. European dinners. Also at 102, rue Principale (+1 450-994-7676) daily 08:00 to 14:30.
- 15 Restaurant Ly Anh, 38, rue St-Joseph, ☏ +1 450-372-9993. Vietnamese restaurant. Bring your own wine. Terrace seating option.
- 16 Restaurant OBLON, 12, rue Principale, ☏ +1 450-776-1044. Restaurant.
Sugar bushes
[edit]- 17 Érablière Bernard Mets cuisinés & interprétation, 1268, rue Denison Ouest, ☏ +1 450-375-5238. Online store of ready meals. Sugar shack. Interpretation and games. Frozen food store.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Bar Le Bonsaï, 350, rue St-Jacques (at Plaza Granby), ☏ +1 450-375-4642. Bar. Meals on site.
- 2 Bar Taverne Des Loisirs, 588, rue St-Charles Sud, ☏ +1 450-378-7832. Brewery.
- 3 Vrooden Brewery, 617 Simonds South, ☏ +1 450-956-0703. Th F 15:00-22:00, Sa 15:00-20:00. A craft microbrewery specializing in German beer with a tasting room.
- 4 Le Grimoire - Microbrasserie / Fabrique - Boutique - Salon, 1546, rue Principale, ☏ +1 450-372-7079. Brasserie artisanale.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 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.
- 2 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.
- 3 Hotel Le Principal, 700 rue Principale (along Route 112), ☏ +1 450-378-8406, toll-free: +1 800-363-8953, info@hotelleprincipal.com. 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.
Motels
[edit]- 4 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, motelgranby@gmail.com. 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.
Gîtes, chalets
[edit]- 5 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.
- 6 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).
- 7 La Maison Collins, 79, rue d'Ottawa, ☏ +1 450-830-0820, toll-free: +1-844-355-5355, info@lamaisoncollins.com. Breakfast included. Services included in each room: private bathroom (with clawfoot tub), fridge-freezer, air conditioner, access to a BBQ.
- 8 Magnolia B&B, 180, rue Dufferin (cottage in the upper town sector), ☏ +1 450-777-7172, ccourchesne2006@hotmail.com. Cottage built in the 1940s. Full breakfast service. Collection of teapots of more than 200 units.
- 9 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.
Camping
[edit]- 10 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.
Connect
[edit]Nearby
[edit]Brome
[edit]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.
Bromont
[edit]Directly south of Granby (across the autoroute) is Bromont, the site of the equestrian competition for the 1976 Montréal Olympic Games.
Waterloo
[edit]A small village directly to the east.
- [dead link] 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.
Cope
[edit]- 1 Bibliothèque municipale Paul-O. Trépanier, 11, rue Dufferin, ☏ +1 450-776-8312, cacote@granby.qc.ca. The library is affiliated with the BIBLIO network of Quebec.
- 2 Centre sportif Léonard-Grondin (Leonard-Grondin Sports Center), 601, rue Léon-Harmel, ☏ +1 450-776-8350, cslg@gmsgranby.org. This sports centre has three ice rinks and the amphitheater offers 3000 seats to spectators.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Granby |
| Montreal ← Marieville ← | W  E |
→ Eastman → Sherbrooke |
| Montreal ← Rougemont ← | W  E |
→ Eastman → Sherbrooke |
| Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu ← Saint-Hyacinthe ← | N  S |
→ END |
| Drummondville ← Acton Vale ← | N  S |
→ Cowansville → Richford via  |