Val-David Station

Unlike most restored train stations in the Laurentians, Val-David station was built recently. That being said, it is architecturally similar to the former building, which was sadly destroyed. But, let’s not put the cart before the horse...

The railroad reached the village of Val-David, formerly called Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-Bélisle, in 1891. The following year, Canadian Pacific built a groundbreaking station to consolidate its transportation operations, given the strategic location next to the village sawmill, carding mill and gristmill. It was named Bélisle’s Mill Station, after the village water mill. The building, of Swiss architecture, housed the stationmaster and his family on the second floor. 

“I don’t think that there is a railroad in the entire world with a brighter future or of greater benefit to the French People.”
- Curé Labelle

The train was initially supposed to carry goods, lumber, and passengers. In response to the influx of skiers, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific introduced weekend “snow trains” in 1927.

In 1921, the station was significantly expanded. Around 1940, the outside walls were repainted oxblood to camouflage the building during the Second World War. In 1950, it was restored and solidified. Five years later, the “snow trains” disappeared, replaced by the developing road network. 

After the railroad was dismantled from Saint-Jérôme to Mont-Laurier, Val-David station was demolished in 1985. Twelve years later, a new station was built in the same sector.

Alongside the P’tit Train du Nord on the former railroad’s right-of-way, the small train station in Val-David is now home to a visitor information centre, a break room and exhibition centre.  

Tourist Information Centre

La Petite gare
2525, rue de l’Église, Val-David, Québec

819 324-5678, ext. 4235
1 888 322-7030, ext. 4235
tourisme@valdavid.com

OPENING HOURS
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-May to Thanksgiving and from mid-December to Easter.