Heritage, culture and a passion for the arts all combine in the fascinating neighbourhood of Maillardville. This is a place you’ll want to explore – partly on foot.
Maillardville is home to one of the largest communities of French Canadians in Western Canada. You’ll see architecture dating back to the early 1900s, when settlers first began arriving in the area. In contrast, you’ll also find modern shopping and a wide variety of entertainment options.
So, let’s tour Maillardville like a local.
Eat & Drink
Here are some local favourites to check out.
C Market Coffee: This cute café roasts its own coffee on-site and is open for dining in, with safe spacing between tables. They also offer baked goods and delicious food items all day. #111 – 100 Schoolhouse Street, 604-474-2026
My Greek Taverna: Pick up some Greek takeout form this highly acclaimed restaurant for an evening picnic in the park. 946 Brunette Avenue, 604-525-5351
Woody’s Pub: Start with some delicious traditional pub-style favourites or wrap up your day with a refreshing drink on their new patio, with live music on weekends. 935 Brunette Avenue, 604-526-1718
But there are so many more places to try in Maillardville. You’ll find a number of Korean restaurants nearby, including Smoking Pig, Daon Korean Cuisine and Pocha Korea. Vietnamese options include I Am Pho or Pho 99 Restaurant. For sushi, there’s Narita Sushi and I Love Sushi. For Italian, That Place Restaurant is offering takeout. Other local options include Windsor Bar and Grill, Mei Le Bakery and Restaurant, Browns Social House, Morning Tide Eatery, Cactus Club Café and more.
Olivier’s Breads: A short drive from Maillardville, is an authentic French Bakery Olivier’s Breads 12 King Edward St, (778)-285–8662.
How Maillardville was Born
Once a thriving mill town nestled along the Fraser River, Maillardville is Coquitlam’s most historic neighbourhood. Here you can image what life was like in times gone by.
These lands are part of the core territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation people and lies within the shared Traditional Territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Katzie, Musqueam, Squamish and Stó:lō nations.
While explorer Simon Fraser passed through the area in 1808, European settlers didn’t arrive until the 1860s. A state-of-the-art sawmill was opened in 1889, which would later become known as Fraser Mills.
In 1909 and 1910, the mill recruited French Canadian workers from Quebec. And the name Maillardville was born, in honour of the first parish priest, Father Edmond Maillard.
Today, the neighbourhood’s past is recognized in street names, cultural activities and community associations that honour early pioneers and their French Canadian heritage. Among the highlights is the annual Festival du Bois, the largest francophone festival on Canada’s West Coast, featuring musical performances, traditional cuisine and activities.
Explore by Foot
Use our map to start your self-guided tour by walking toward Carré Heritage Square, which marks the historic entrance to Fraser Mills. Follow on toward the Fraser Mills Station and Place des Arts, a community arts centre and music school based at Ryan House, a turn-of-the-century residence built by the Canadian Western Lumber Company Ltd.
Continue on to Our Lady of Lourdes, a church built in 1938 on the site of the original church, built in 1910.
While it’s not currently possible to visit Mackin House – one of the last remaining homes built by the Canadian Western Lumber Company Ltd. – the Fraser Mills Train Station and CPR Caboose is open for train lovers in limited hours for the summer. Coquitlam Heritage Society, who operate Mackin House, are also offering great online exhibits including their Journal Project to help give future historians information about the COVID-19 crisis.
Picnic and Play
For some free entertainment on a sunny day, pack your picnic and head to either of these parks for some childish fun.
Mackin Park: This park at 1046 Brunette Avenue has playing fields, ball diamonds, tennis courts, walking trails, a playground, spray park and large skateboarding area.
Rochester Park: Monkey around at this incredible park (1390 Rochester Avenue) based on an outdoor nature play theme. It even has a climbing wall and a zipline, plus tunnel slides and saucer swings, with accessible features. The park includes a skate spot, a sand play area and a water play area.
Or, if you’re looking to practice your swing, Eaglequest Golf offers a golf range, practice green, mini golf and a nine-hole championship par three course.
Indoor Entertainment
You’ll find plenty of things to do and buy in Maillardville. This shopping area is best known for big retail names such as Ikea, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Toys R Us, but you’ll also find plenty of indoor entertainment options for the whole family.
Here are some to try.
Crash Crawly’s: This indoor playground has reopened with new safety measures in place. Visit their website for details about this indoor playground, also offering laser tag or glow-in-the-dark mini golf.
Cineplex Cinemas Coquitlam and VIP: The movie theatres are said to start reopening in July with new safety protocols. Watch their website for updates.
Escape Room: You’re trapped. You have one hour and one mission: Escape! This is a fun activity to do with friends or family in your bubble, rain or shine, at Trapped Coquitlam.
Maillardville Community Centre: Recently reopened, offering a mixture of community programs and online programs.
Place des Arts: This non-profit teaching arts centre and music school has also recently reopened. Visit their website for details about upcoming programs.
Share your photos with us on social media by tagging #explorecoquitlam. And if you have something to add to this list, email us at tourism@coquitlam.ca.