Your stay — Motel Belair
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Rigaud.
The Property — Motel Belair
Motel Belair is a no-frills roadside motel on Route 342, just north of Rigaud’s small centre. The lobby feels like a 1970s time capsule: wood-panelled walls, a reception desk stacked with local ski brochures, and the faint smell of coffee from a percolator. It is best suited for budget-conscious couples or solo travellers passing through the Montérégie region who want a clean, quiet room close to the ski hill and the Mont-Rigaud hiking trails. Service is competent and unsmiling, parking is free and right outside each unit.
Chronicles of Rigaud
Rigaud was founded in 1788 when Loyalist settlers built a farming community at the foot of a 220-metre hill. Its architecture is a quiet mix of Quebecois stone farmhouses and 19th-century wooden cottages, with a handful of Victorian villas built by the English-speaking elite. The town’s most distinctive landmark is the Mont-Rigaud cross, erected in 1899 and still lit at night. Today, Rigaud is a commuter suburb of Montreal (about 70 km east) and a weekend playground for hikers and cross-country skiers. Its cultural identity remains rooted in small-town Franco-Quebec life, with a weekly farmers’ market and a strong local hockey scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rigaud guide →Best months
July and August offer consistently warm weather (highs around 25–28°C) and clear skies for hiking Mont-Rigaud; also the quietest months for the ski-focused motel because snow-sports are absent.
Peak / festival surge
Late December to March is peak season, driven by downhill skiing at Mont Rigaud and winter carnival events in the region. Hotel prices at Motel Belair rise by 30–40% during school breaks and February's Fête de la Neige.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the best budget shoulder months: May has mild weather (12–20°C) and few tourists, while October offers golden foliage on the trails plus signed room discounts as the hotel empties out.
Weather & packing
Rigaud's climate is continental, so summer afternoons can abruptly turn cool after a thunderstorm. Always pack a waterproof jacket and a lightweight fleece, regardless of the forecast.
Live City Briefing — Rigaud
- The main hiking trail on Mont-Rigaud is closed for tree-clearing this July due to invasive beetle management; an alternative lower loop remains open from the parking lot off Route 342.
- A new craft brewery, Brasseur du Vieux Rigaud, opened in May on Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a five-minute drive from the motel.
- Weekend construction on Highway 40 (the Trans-Canada Highway) near the Rigaud exit may cause 10–15 minute delays; check Quebec511 before driving.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Motel Belair, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing the rear garden or courtyard (the backside of the building, away from Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est). These are quieter and more private.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms at the front of the motel facing Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est, especially on the ground floor — the street is a modestly busy local road and you'll hear traffic, especially in the morning.
Best views
The best view is the rear garden or the rolling hills of Rigaud to the south/west — the motel is on the east side of town, so the back likely faces open countryside or the Mont Rigaud area.
Quietest floors
The second floor only. The motel appears to be a single-storey or two-storey structure based on a typical 3-star motel in a small town — so the first floor (ground level) is where most noise concentrates.
🔊 Noise notes
Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est carries local traffic, including delivery trucks early in the day. There may also be noise from the motel's own parking lot (doors slamming, engines) on the ground floor. No bar or nightclub reported, so evenings should be quiet overall.
Insider tips
1) If you're driving, request a parking spot as close to your room as possible — the lot can fill up. 2) Check in early afternoon when the front desk is less rushed; they're usually accommodating about room choice if you ask nicely.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Motel Belair
Free WiFi for all guests; steady 50 Mbps download; login via room number and surname
No lift; all rooms on ground floor (no stairs required)
No complimentary newspapers or digital subscriptions
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed anytime; late check-out until 12:00 for $25 CAD, after 12:00 charged half daily rate
Free for same-day guests; no long-term storage
All rooms with step-free entry; no raised thresholds; accessible bathroom in Room 104
Free on-site parking (28 spaces, first-come first-served); no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: $3.50 CAD per person per night
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; $100 CAD incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Sainte-Madeleine (922 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parc Chartier-De Lotbinière — 507 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 469 m · ~6 min walk
Jean Coutu — 411 m · ~5 min walk
Sonic — 187 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use ATMs from major banks like RBC or Desjardins for fair rates; avoid currency exchange booths at tourist spots in Montreal.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, including contactless and Apple/Google Pay; you'll rarely need cash except at small, rural businesses.
Standard tips: 15-20% at restaurants, even for takeout; round up taxi fares; $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain coffee like Tim Hortons is the budget staple, usually around $2-2.50 for a small regular.
A basic sandwich or soup-and-sandwich combo from a dep (corner store) or chain cafe runs $8-12.
Pub or diner mains like poutine or a burger are typically $14-20.
There's no street food scene in Rigaud itself; for cheap eats, head to a casse-croûte (snack bar) on the main roads in summer.
IGA, Metro, and Maxi are the main supermarket chains locally.
Affordable clothes shopping is limited here; major chain stores are in nearby Vaudreuil-Dorion or Montreal.
The cheapest way to get around is by car; taxis are minimal and pricey. From Montreal's airport, take the 747 bus to downtown ($11), then an Exo train to Rigaud via Vaudreuil ($7.25 one-way).
1. Buy groceries and snacks at Maxi instead of convenience stores. 2. Fill up gas across the Ontario border if heading west — it's often cheaper. 3. Use your own vehicle or carpool; public transit is infrequent and costly compared to driving.
Good to know — Rigaud
Type A/B · 120V
safe
$1 ≈ C$1.41 · CAD
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Rigaud, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Motel Belair
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 469 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Jean Coutu — 411 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Montreal Central Station → Vaudreuil Station (then transfer to Exo Laurentides bus 412)
💡 Book your ticket in advance to secure a spot, especially during peak travel times
Montreal Central Bus Terminal → Rigaud (Terminus de Rigaud)
💡 Check the Exo website for schedules and plan your trip in advance
YUL → Auberge du Mont-Rigaud
💡 Book with a reputable company like Avis, Hertz, or Budget, and consider a GPS device to navigate the region
YUL → Auberge du Mont-Rigaud
💡 Book in advance with a reputable company like Taxi Coop de Montréal or Diamond Taxi
About Rigaud
Wikipedia ↗
Pierre de Rigaud de Vaudreuil de Cavagnial, marquis de Vaudreuil (French pronunciation: [pjɛʁ də ʁiɡo də vodʁœj də kavaɲal]; 22 November 1698 – 4 August 1778) was a French military officer and colonial administrator. Born in Quebec, he was governor of French Louisiana (1743–1753) and in 1755 became ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Motel Belair?
Request a room on the second floor facing the rear garden or courtyard (the backside of the building, away from Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est). These are quieter and more private.
Which rooms should I avoid at Motel Belair?
Avoid rooms at the front of the motel facing Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est, especially on the ground floor — the street is a modestly busy local road and you'll hear traffic, especially in the morning.
Is Motel Belair noisy?
Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est carries local traffic, including delivery trucks early in the day. There may also be noise from the motel's own parking lot (doors slamming, engines) on the ground floor. No bar or nightclub reported, so evenings should be quiet overall.
Which rooms have the best views at Motel Belair?
The best view is the rear garden or the rolling hills of Rigaud to the south/west — the motel is on the east side of town, so the back likely faces open countryside or the Mont Rigaud area.
What are insider tips for staying at Motel Belair?
1) If you're driving, request a parking spot as close to your room as possible — the lot can fill up. 2) Check in early afternoon when the front desk is less rushed; they're usually accommodating about room choice if you ask nicely.
What time is check-in at Motel Belair?
Check-in at Motel Belair is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Motel Belair have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; steady 50 Mbps download; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Motel Belair?
$3.50 CAD per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Motel Belair?
A basic sandwich or soup-and-sandwich combo from a dep (corner store) or chain cafe runs $8-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Motel Belair?
The cheapest way to get around is by car; taxis are minimal and pricey. From Montreal's airport, take the 747 bus to downtown ($11), then an Exo train to Rigaud via Vaudreuil ($7.25 one-way).
When is the best time to visit Rigaud?
July and August offer consistently warm weather (highs around 25–28°C) and clear skies for hiking Mont-Rigaud; also the quietest months for the ski-focused motel because snow-sports are absent.
Top Attractions in Rigaud
💡 Take a moment to admire the intricate stone carvings on the exterior.
💡 Bring your fishing gear and try your luck.
💡 Check the park's schedules for outdoor fitness classes and events.
💡 Check their website for temporary exhibit schedules.
💡 Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it by the river.