Estérel is one of the Laurentians' most exclusive lake communities — a town purpose-built for refined waterfront living, set around Lac Masson and Lac du Nord, less than an hour from Montreal. It's known for architecturally distinctive homes, deep privacy, and a strong commitment to protecting its lakes.
Notable lakes & waterways: Lac Masson, Lac du Nord, Lac Dupuis, Lac Grenier, Lac Castor.
Estérel's story began in 1957, when two businessmen set out to create a model “vacation town” in the Laurentians. Ville d'Estérel was officially founded in 1959, with Fridolin Simard as its first mayor. Set around Lac Masson, Lac du Nord, Lac Dupuis, Lac Grenier and Lac Castor, the town covers roughly 16.2 square kilometres.
Through the 1960s and 1970s, the famed Hôtel Estérel became a premier destination and helped put Laurentian resort living on the map. The celebrated painter Jean-Paul Riopelle lived in Estérel and built his studio here, drawing inspiration from its breathtaking landscapes and majestic forests.
Reconstituted as a municipality in 2006, Estérel has been renewing itself ever since — a peaceful place to live less than an hour from Montreal, with a 24/7 protection service (on land year-round and on the water in summer) that adds to the sense of security and well-being.
The town is distinguished by architecturally refined residences and exceptional privacy, thanks to its lush vegetation and rolling topography — an ideal setting to build a private retreat away from the city. In 2008 Estérel joined Quebec's “Fleurons du Québec” horticultural program and earned four out of five — the best score that year, and the only town to receive that classification.
Environmental stewardship is a constant priority: the main lakes are studied closely to keep them healthy, with an active strategy for conserving the town's waters, shorelines and wetlands. Year-round recreation is part of the appeal too — cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in winter; golf, tennis, hiking and water sports in summer.
As with anywhere in the Laurentians, a few local factors shape value here: the specific lake and its motor rules, whether the property has four-season municipal road access or a private road, and the condition of the well and septic system. Shoreline protection rules (the riparian strip, littoral and flood zones) also affect what you can build or modify near the water.
Morrie can walk you through what to expect in Estérel specifically — and surface opportunities, including off-market ones, that fit what you're after.
For a full walk-through of the process, see the complete guide to buying waterfront property in the Laurentians.
Talk to Morrie about current and upcoming waterfront listings in the area.
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