Villa Saint Martin

Villa Saint Martin is a Jesuit retreat center located on the shore of Lac des Deux Montagnes at the western end of Montreal Island. The building offers private rooms with basic furnishings and shared bathroom facilities, creating a simple setting for extended stays.

The center opened in 1913 as Canada's first residential facility dedicated to spiritual retreats and renewal. By the 1960s, its programs expanded to serve married couples and support groups seeking community and guidance.

The center serves as a retreat space where visitors engage in guided spiritual practices and group reflection sessions. People come here to step back from daily routines and work through personal and spiritual questions with trained facilitators.

The location is best explored on foot, and its proximity to Cap-Saint-Jacques Park makes it easy to step outside and enjoy the waterfront setting. Plan for longer visits, as programs are organized as multi-day retreats rather than short drop-in sessions.

In the 1960s, the center pioneered specialized programs for married couples seeking spiritual growth together, a forward-thinking approach that was uncommon at the time. This early expansion reflected how the center responded to changing visitor needs and social trends.