Bois-des-Filion

Bois-des-Filion is a city in the province of Quebec, Canada. It is located in the Laurentides administrative region, within the Thérèse-De Blainville Regional County Municipality, on the north shore of the Rivière des Mille Îles. The city is part of the Greater Montreal metropolitan area and is situated between the cities of Terrebonne and Sainte-Thérèse.

Bois-des-Filion covers an area of approximately 4.36 square kilometres. According to the 2021 Canadian census, the city had a population of 10,159, giving it a population density of approximately 2,327.8 inhabitants per square kilometre.

Geography

Bois-des-Filion is located in southern Quebec, approximately 20 kilometres north of Montreal. The city occupies the northern shore of the Rivière des Mille Îles and lies near the junction of several important transportation routes serving the northern suburbs of Montreal.

The city is situated approximately halfway between Terrebonne and Sainte-Thérèse. Other nearby communities include Lorraine, Rosemère, Blainville, Laval and Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines.

The official geographical coordinates of Bois-des-Filion are approximately 45°40′11″N, 73°45′19″W.

The city’s relatively small municipal territory contains residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas, industrial development, parks and riverfront areas.

History

The history of Bois-des-Filion is connected to the development of the former seigneurial territories of Céloron de Blainville and Lepage de Sainte-Claire, whose lands met in the area of the present-day city.

The name of the community is associated with the Filion family and a wooded maple area that historically stood near the boundary of the two seigneuries.

Early Filion family

The municipal history records Antoine Feuillon dit Filion as an early ancestor of the Filion family in Canada. He arrived in Canada in 1684 and subsequently received land associated with the seigneurship of Louis Lepage de Sainte-Claire.

A maple woodland belonging to the Filion family became an important local landmark. A path crossed the woodland and led toward the river, where travellers could cross to reach the communities on the opposite side. The area became known as the Bois de Filion, eventually giving rise to the modern name of the city.

Development of the community

The modern community began to develop more significantly during the early twentieth century.

In 1913, the parish’s history entered a new phase with the arrival of Abbé De Bray and the construction of the first chapel on the site of the present church.

A major development occurred with the construction of the Athanase-David Bridge, which became an important connection across the Rivière des Mille Îles.

The community was known for a period as Saint-Maurice-de-Pont-David, reflecting the importance of the bridge.

The bridge was officially inaugurated in 1925 according to the city’s historical account, while the city’s heritage documentation identifies the surviving historic bridge structure as having been inaugurated in 1934. The bridge became one of the important transportation links between the north shore and Laval.

Incorporation

The municipality was officially incorporated as Saint-Maurice-de-Bois-des-Filion on 1 January 1949. The name was modified during the same year and later standardized as Bois-des-Filion in 1958.

During the 1940s and 1950s, the community developed as both a permanent residential settlement and a seasonal recreational destination.

In 1949, the newly incorporated municipality had approximately 342 permanent families, while around 800 seasonal families visited the community during the summer. The beaches along the Rivière des Mille Îles attracted vacationers from the Montreal area.

City status

On 27 October 1980, Bois-des-Filion was constituted as a city under its present name, Ville de Bois-des-Filion. The official letters patent were received on 7 November 1980.

The Government of Quebec officially recognizes Bois-des-Filion as a ville, or city, within the Laurentides administrative region and the Thérèse-De Blainville regional county municipality.

Name

The name Bois-des-Filion is derived from the historic wooded area associated with a member of the Filion family.

The Government of Quebec’s Commission de toponymie explains that the territory was historically known as Bois-de-Filion. The name was associated with a maple grove belonging to a person named Filion. Over time, the form evolved into Bois-des-Filion.

The city’s official name should not be confused with the frequently encountered misspelling Bois-des-Fillion, which contains an additional “l”.

The official demonym is Filionois for men and Filionoises for women.

Population

Bois-des-Filion has experienced significant population growth as the northern suburbs of Montreal have expanded.

According to the 2021 Census of Canada, the city had a population of 10,159, representing a 5.4% increase from its 2016 population of 9,636. The census recorded 4,258 occupied private dwellings.

The city covers only 4.36 km², resulting in a population density of approximately 2,327.8 people per km² in 2021.

The municipal government reported a population of approximately 10,907 in 2025, reflecting continued growth in the community.

Year	Population
2016	9,636
2021	10,159
2025	10,907

Government and administration

Bois-des-Filion is administered by a municipal council headed by a mayor.

The city belongs to:

Province: Quebec
Administrative region: Laurentides
Regional county municipality: Thérèse-De Blainville
Metropolitan area: Greater Montreal
Municipal status: City

The city’s municipal offices are located on Boulevard Adolphe-Chapleau.

Economy

Bois-des-Filion has evolved from a rural and seasonal settlement into a predominantly suburban community with residential, commercial and industrial activities.

During the 1990s, the city acquired land from public landowners, including the Quebec Ministry of Transport and the Canadian Department of National Defence. These acquisitions enabled the development of an industrial park and the Place du Parc residential neighbourhood.

The city’s economy is connected to the wider Montreal metropolitan region. Local economic activity includes:

manufacturing;
construction;
retail;
professional services;
transportation;
small and medium-sized businesses; and
industrial activities.

Many residents also work in neighbouring municipalities and in the Montreal metropolitan area.

Transportation

Transportation has historically played an important role in the development of Bois-des-Filion.

The city is located near major road corridors connecting the northern suburbs of Montreal with Laval, Montreal, Terrebonne and the Laurentides.

The Rivière des Mille Îles historically represented an important transportation barrier, making bridges particularly significant to the development of the community.

The former Athanase-David Bridge was one of the early important road connections between the north shore and Laval. Today, a heritage observation site commemorates the former bridge and its role in the history of the city.

Rivière des Mille Îles

The Rivière des Mille Îles is one of the most important geographical features of Bois-des-Filion.

The river forms the southern edge of the city and contributes to its natural landscape and recreational opportunities.

The riverfront is used for:

walking;
recreation;
sightseeing;
outdoor activities;
community events; and
appreciation of the natural environment.

The city’s riverfront parks and observation areas are also important elements of its recreational infrastructure.

Heritage

Bois-des-Filion has a substantial collection of buildings and sites considered to have heritage value.

The Thérèse-De Blainville regional county municipality has identified hundreds of buildings and other structures of heritage interest across the region. Bois-des-Filion contains 32 identified heritage properties or ensembles.

Maison Limoges-Perron

The Maison Limoges-Perron is one of the most significant historic buildings in Bois-des-Filion.

The house was built before 1852 and represents traditional Quebec residential architecture of the nineteenth century, with neoclassical influences. It is one of the remaining examples of traditional Quebec architecture in the city.

The property was acquired by the City of Bois-des-Filion in 1999 and underwent major restoration work in 2003–2004. It was subsequently converted into a cultural and artistic venue.

Old Athanase-David Bridge observation site

A historic observation site commemorates the former Athanase-David Bridge.

The site was developed on the remains of the former bridge and provides views of the Rivière des Mille Îles and its rapids. It is located near 37th Avenue and serves as a reminder of the bridge’s importance to the early development of Bois-des-Filion.

Parks and recreation

Bois-des-Filion maintains a network of parks, recreational areas and riverfront spaces.

Municipal facilities include parks with:

playgrounds;
sports fields;
skating areas;
swimming facilities;
water games;
tennis courts;
soccer fields; and
recreational trails.

Among the city’s parks and public spaces are Parc Riverain, Parc Paul-Perron, Parc Langevin, Parc Marcel-Provost, Parc Émile-Pigeon, Parc Lesage, Parc des Artilleurs and Parc Robert-Désy.

The city also contains sections of cycling and multifunctional trails connected with the wider regional network.

Education

Educational facilities in Bois-des-Filion include primary and secondary schools serving the local community.

The municipal map identifies École primaire Félix-Leclerc, École primaire Le Rucher and École secondaire Rive-Nord among the educational institutions located in the city.

Higher education institutions are available in neighbouring communities and elsewhere in the Montreal metropolitan area.

Culture

Bois-des-Filion provides cultural and community services through municipal facilities and organizations.

The city has a public library and facilities dedicated to cultural, recreational and community activities. The municipal calendar includes cultural programs, children’s activities, workshops and community events.

The city’s heritage buildings and riverfront locations also contribute to its cultural identity.

Environment

Environmental protection has become an important part of the city’s identity.

Since 2007, Bois-des-Filion has used the slogan “Vert l’avenir”, emphasizing environmental protection and sustainable development. The city’s official branding describes the slogan as reflecting a commitment to protecting and highlighting the natural heritage of the Filionois community.

The riverfront, parks and remaining wooded areas are important components of the city’s environmental landscape.

Community life

Bois-des-Filion combines the characteristics of a suburban city with those of a historically rural community.

Community facilities include:

a public library;
recreational centres;
parks;
sports facilities;
cultural facilities;
municipal services; and
riverfront recreational areas.

The city also organizes seasonal cultural and recreational activities for residents.

Relationship with Greater Montreal

Bois-des-Filion is part of the wider Montreal metropolitan region and has strong economic and transportation connections with Montreal and its northern suburbs.

Its location provides relatively direct access to Laval, Terrebonne, Sainte-Thérèse, Rosemère, Blainville and Montreal.

The city has consequently experienced suburban growth while retaining elements of its historic identity and riverfront landscape.

Notable characteristics

Bois-des-Filion is notable for:

its location in the Laurentides region of Quebec;
its position on the Rivière des Mille Îles;
its proximity to Montreal;
its relatively small municipal territory;
its high population density;
its origins in the historic Filion family settlement;
its incorporation as a municipality in 1949;
its achievement of city status in 1980;
the historic Maison Limoges-Perron;
the heritage site of the former Athanase-David Bridge;
its extensive network of parks and recreational facilities; and
its emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development.

References

Government of Quebec, Commission de toponymie — Bois-des-Filion.
Statistics Canada — 2021 Census of Population, Bois-des-Filion.
City of Bois-des-Filion — History.
City of Bois-des-Filion — Heritage.
City of Bois-des-Filion — Municipal information and facilities.
Natural Resources Canada — Canadian Geographical Names Database.