Beloeil, Quebec, a city nestled in the heart of Canada, is a suburb of Montreal. Located on the South Shore of the Richelieu River, it is a mere 32 kilometres east of Montreal. The city's name, Belœil, is often written with an oe ligature, as per the official Commission de toponymie du Québec. However, other sources, including the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the town's official website, avoid the ligature. As of the Canada 2011 Census, Beloeil had a population of 20,783.
Beloeil's history is rich and diverse. Although there is evidence of indigenous peoples' presence along the Richelieu River, none has been found within Beloeil's territory. The city's recorded history began on 18 January 1694 when Governor Louis de Buade de Frontenac granted Joseph Hertel a seigneurie along the shores of the Richelieu River, which Hertel named the Seigneurie de Belœil.
The city's development was slow in the initial decades following the arrival of Europeans due to the geographic situation of the Richelieu, which made it a primary avenue of attack from New York toward New France. However, by 1768, the local population had grown significantly, leading to the establishment of a mission. In 1772, a presbytery-chapel was completed, and the registry of the parish of Saint-Mathieu-de-Belœil was opened.
Beloeil was officially created as a village in 1903 and became a city in 1914. Today, it forms an unbroken urban area of over 50,796 inhabitants, which is part of Greater Montreal.
The origins of the name 'Belœil' have been a subject of debate. One theory suggests that the city derives its name from the view from atop the Mont Saint-Hilaire. According to this theory, Jean-Baptiste Hertel, the brother of the first seigneur of Belœil, exclaimed "Quel bel œil!" (What a beautiful view!) upon seeing the view. The alternate theory suggests that the name derives from a town in Belgium with the same name.
Beloeil lies in the central Saint Lawrence Lowlands, a plains region on both sides of the Saint Lawrence river. The city occupies the west shore of the Richelieu River in front of the Mont Saint-Hilaire. The region surrounding Beloeil remains largely agricultural, with the city forming part of a broader agglomeration of over forty thousand inhabitants.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Beloeil had a population of 24,104. The city had a population density of 988.7/km2 in 2021. The majority of the population was 15 years of age or older, and the median age was 42.0 years old. The city is home to a diverse population, with 6.3% of the population being first-generation Canadians and 5.6% being second generation.
Beloeil is well-connected by road, with major connections being route 116 and autoroute 20. Both of these roads connect Montreal to Quebec via Beloeil and Saint-Hyacinthe. The city also offers a bus service linking Saint-Hyacinthe to Longueuil via Beloeil along route 116. However, the majority of the population prefers to use the road to commute to work.
