Château des Charmes

St. Catharines, population 136,803 (2021 census), is the largest city in the Niagara Region. 

A true strategic crossroads and the object of much covetousness by the British, French and Americans in the 19th century, the city of St. Catharines is indeed steeped in history, monuments and heritage. 

The City of Gardens

St. Catharines is also nicknamed the 'City of Gardens', as it abounds in green spaces, parks and landscaped walking trails. 

The largest of these parks is Parc Montebello. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a landscape architect who also created New York's Central Park and Mount Royal Park in Montreal, Quebec (Canada). 

Montebello Park boasts a collection of more than 1,300 rose bushes, of 25 different varieties, which, once in bloom, will intoxicate you with their colours and fragrances. Unforgettable! 

Wine and Fun

But above all, thanks to a privileged temperate climate, the St. Catharines region abounds in wineries and orchards. 

On the wine front, more than 120 wineries produce top-quality wines, including internationally recognized grape varieties adapted to cold climates (yes, we're still in Canada!), such as Riesling and Icewine, the latter a must-discover if you haven't already...

A Lover of Good Food?

Visit the farmers' market on the market square and discover what's produced locally. 

The market has been in existence since 1860, and offers a wide variety of regional products, as well as various activities and events throughout the year. 

You're sure to meet local Francophones and chat about life here!

One of the most famous figures in this story is undoubtedly Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist. 

A survivor herself of slavery in the American South in the mid-19th century, she found refuge in Canada before setting up a veritable network to enable other slaves to escape from their 'masters'. In this way, more than 300 people managed to escape from their captors and take refuge in Canada.

You can learn more about Harriet Tubman's story by visiting Salem Chapel, now a designated National Historic Site. A self-guided historical tour focusing specifically on the period of the abolition of slavery in Niagara-on-the-Lake is also offered on BaladoDiscovery.

If you're in the region in January, don't miss the Niagara Icewine Festival. 

To obtain ice wine, and the guaranteed vintage that goes with it, temperatures must be -8 degrees Celsius or colder. The grapes are harvested frozen, giving them a high sugar content. A true delight, sweet and slightly syrupy. 

If you're a wine lover, you'll be marked for life by Niagara Icewine. An unforgettable experience guaranteed!

Did you know that Canada is the world's largest producer of ice wine?

The city of St. Catharines offers over 90 km of groomed trails and paths, accessible by foot, bike, jogging or rollerblade.

If you'd like to explore them, or discover this magnificent city with its old-world architecture, we suggest you rent a Segway from Niagara Segway Inc. 

This French-speaking company offers Segway tours (a type of large, very stable scooter with wheels on the sides) of the city, as well as excursions to the vineyards.

The City of St. Catharines maintains 3 public beaches on the west side of the Welland Canal: Lakeside Park Beach, Sunset Beach, and Jones Beach. These beaches also have parking facilities, and two of them have washrooms. 

Even though we're a long way from the Caribbean’s white sandy beaches, these lakefront swimming areas are the perfect place to cool off, relax and watch the sunset.

Founded in 1978 by Paul Bosc, the fifth generation of French winegrowers, Château des Charmes is a must on the region's wine trail. 

In addition to the splendid site, you'll discover top-quality wines produced on site with the estate's own grapes. With a view to sustainability, Château des Charmes is a member of the Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario label.