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Repentigny, Quebec, incorporated as a town in 1957, population 86,100 (2021 census), 53,824 (2016 census). Repentigny is located 24 km northeast of Montreal where the Rivière L'Assomption and Rivière des Prairies meet the St. Lawrence River. It is built on a quasi-peninsula formed by the Rivière L'Assomption and the St. Lawrence, fronted by a chain of islands along its shoreline. The town is connected to Île de Montréal by the Pierre-Le-Gardeur Bridge (1938–39; rebuilt in 1974). On 1 June 2002, Repentigny was amalgamated with the town of Le Gardeur.
Founding and Development of Repentigny
Repentigny dates back to 1647 when Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny was granted a seigneury. Settlement took place after 1670 when his son Jean-Baptiste was given the seigneury. The area was set up as the parish municipality of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption-de-Repentigny in 1855, and the name was shortened in 1956.
For most of Repentigny's existence, growth was rather slow. It numbered 106 inhabitants in 1681 and a mere 650 in 1925. From 1920 to 1960, it became known as "Repentigny-les-Bains" because of its fine beaches, cottages and summer resort activities. After 1960, when it had a population of just 9,000, it became one of the fastest-growing suburbs of the Montreal metropolitan area. "Westmount-de-l'Est," as it was then nicknamed, attracted the well-to-do.
Industry and Culture
The doorway to the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Repentigny is the most important municipality of the regional county municipality of L'Assomption. Although primarily residential in character, this mainly French-speaking town has some manufacturing activity. La Fromagerie Champêtre is a family-run cheddar cheese factory. The Roman Catholic church, L’Église de la Purification-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie (1723–25) and Moulin Grenier (Grenier Windmill; 1820) are some of the town’s landmarks.
The Diane-Dufresne Art Center opened its doors in 2016, followed in 2021 by the inauguration of the Alphonse-Desjardins Theatre. Across Iberville Boulevard is the Robert-Lussier Library, named in memory of the town’s former mayor (1960–68).
Did you know?
The famous Quebec rock band Les Cowboys Fringants owes its name to a country song contest organized by Repentigny's old western bar La Ripaille in 1996.
Along the St. Lawrence River lies Parc régional de l’Île-Lebel, a 34 ha haven of peace and quiet with a 3 km-long walking trail. Repentigny has hosted its own Oktoberfest festival at Île-Lebel since 2007, showcasing Quebec products from the region’s microbreweries, cideries, and artisan food producers. Nearby Parc Saint-Laurent has a boat ramp and hosts a number of cultural and sporting events each year.
