Saint-Lazare is located inland from Hudson, on the south side of Highway 40. It was originally settled by French-speaking colonists in the 18th century, but after the War of 1812, a large number of English-speaking immigrants arrived in the area. Early settlers cultivated the land with oats, corn, rye, buckwheat, potatoes, tomatoes and hay. The region’s natural resources also attracted settlers. Iron mines, sawmills and a glass factory were established. The community continued to grow, becoming a municipality in 1875.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that St Lazare’s residential growth began. Residential home prices on the island of Montreal began to skyrocket, prompting families to seek out more affordable locations. St Lazare was the ideal location, and new residents flocked to the area in search of a more relaxed lifestyle than on the island, as well as larger homes and properties for less money than on the island.

Today, new housing developments continue to flourish under the aegis of the municipality, which has adopted strict environmental protection regulations. Nature is important in St Lazare, and the region boasts dense forests, clean spring lakes and ponds. One of the region’s main attractions is the Parc naturel les Forestiers de Saint-Lazare, which is a 4-season playground featuring an outdoor pool, trails for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

With the growth spurt of families moving into the area, St Lazare benefits from many new schools being built in the region. There are 3 French and 4 English elementary schools. St Lazare and Hudson divide their high school students between Westwood Junior and Senior High Schools. For French high school students, buses run to Vaudreuil-Dorion, just 15 minutes away.

If you’re a horse rider, the region is perfect for you. Numerous stables populate the area, and miles of trails have been developed specifically for non-motorized riders. The region is home to numerous horse shows, from Pony Club to international level. Every year, the town hosts the Festival du Galop, a two-day weekend where all horses are in the spotlight, from the Mountie Carrousel to jousting.

There’s also an annual Gymkhana festival and a Horse Ball competition.

For more powerful horse enthusiasts, there are networks of trails dedicated to ATVs and snowmobiles. The torchlight parade for all-terrain vehicles is a fun event. St Lazare also has its own airport, Cooper Airfield, which usually welcomes between 50 and 70 private aircraft at any one time. Once a year, the airport hosts a Fly-in Breakfast. Small planes come from all over the country to show off their wings. The public has the chance to see the planes up close, chat with the pilots and take a helicopter or plane ride.

St Lazare boasts a large sports complex including an indoor soccer field, field hockey rink and sports hall. Parc Bédard, in the center of town, features a small water park, a grass field, three baseball diamonds and tennis courts. In winter, two field hockey rinks and an ice-skating ring are added. Numerous other parks and tennis courts are scattered throughout the commune’s small housing estates.

There is no train service to Saint-Lazare, but a local bus system, the RTM, provides transportation from Saint-Lazare to the Vaudreuil-Dorion station.