Established in 1667 by the French explorer Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle, while he was searching for a route to China, it was named after a contraction of la petite Chine (“little China”). Settlement of the site began in 1675.

When was Lachine founded?

Established in 1667, Lachine is one of the first three parishes on the island of Montréal.

Where does the name Lachine come from?

Lachine, apparently from the French term la Chine (China), is often said to have been named in 1667, in mockery of its then owner René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle, who explored the interior of North America trying to find a passage to China.