Every Christmas or New Year’s Eve, some say, several men in a birch bark canoe will soar through the skies over Montreal and beyond. It’s known as “la chasse-galerie,” and it’s essentially the Canadian version of the Wild Hunt. It’s a tale that has been told since at least the 17th century, and the story may have influenced, or have been influenced by, actual strange events that occurred in the mid-1600s. The story was shared around campfires of the courriers de bois, the voyageurs, and then among anyone who likes a good ghost story, and might be feeling a bit homesick.

In this episode (Part 1), I’ll tell you the historical context of the legend, relay the legend as I heard it, and discuss variations in the story.

In La Chasse-Galerie Part 2, I’ll tell you two additional stories: one of a doomed French lord that, some say, is the origin of the term “la chasse-galerie”, and another long-forgotten tale from Lake St. Clair on the Ontario/Michigan border. I’ll discuss the legend’s connection to Europe’s Wild Hunt, and its relevance today.

Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca. 

David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).