Sundial Park

You can’t pass through Papineauville without stopping at Parc du Cadran Solaire. Located directly on the 75th meridian, this exceptional sundial is much more than just a curiosity: it marks one of the key reference points used to establish Eastern Standard Time.

Designed by André Beaulieu, a clockmaker from Montreal, this monument is striking for its unique architecture, inspired by the armillary sphere, an ancient astronomical instrument. Completed in 2010, it depicts the apparent motion of the stars and the Sun around the Earth. Its metal structure highlights the meridian circle (75° West longitude), the polar circles (North and South), the horizon circle, and the ecliptic circle, illustrating the apparent path of the Sun.

The Papineauville Sundial Park is the perfect place to observe, learn about, and marvel at this ingenious method of measuring time, based on the principles of time zones. It’s a fascinating stop you won’t want to miss during your visit to Petite Nation.