Historic Routes | Montreal to Quebec City

Start your day by soaking up the lively atmosphere along the Lachine Canal. Enjoy breathtaking views of Montreal and the St. Lawrence River as you cross the Champlain Bridge. You can easily spot many of the city’s iconic structures, such as the Olympic Stadium and St. Joseph’s Oratory. Then follow the south shore of the river along La Riveraine. This bike path offers magnificent views of the city and the Boucherville Islands and allows you to discover historic neighbourhoods in the Montérégie region. Take a break in Old Saint-Lambert or Old Longueuil to refuel. In Boucherville, you have two options: stroll along the river and the streets of Old Boucherville and admire the ancestral homes, or treat yourself to a nature break at the Îles-de-Boucherville National Park via the river shuttle that connects the Boucherville municipal dock to Île Grosbois.

Possible attractions/stops: Old Port of Montreal, Old Saint-Lambert, Old Longueuil, Îles-de-Boucherville National Park, Old Boucherville

Night in Boucherville

Leave Boucherville and continue your journey on La Riveraine, savouring the last panoramas of the river and the islands. Gradually, the bike path moves away from the banks and plunges you into the heart of the Montérégie’s agricultural lands. Cycle through fields and orchards. The landscape diversifies, offering a mosaic of forests, marshes, and waterways. Along the way, you will come across charming ancestral homes, witnesses to the region’s rich past. Your itinerary for the day will take you through picturesque villages, each with its own unique character: Varennes, with its history and old-world charm; Verchères, bordered by the river and its seigneurial houses; and Contrecoeur, gateway to the Bas-Richelieu region. After the bike path, the paved shoulder ensures a safe ride to Sorel-Tracy, where you can discover the atmosphere of this port city.

Possible attractions/stops: Parc de la Frayère and Parc des Voiles (Boucherville), Old Varennes, Domaine du Fleuve vineyard (Varennes), Verchères historic downtown, Maison des Gouverneurs (Sorel-Tracy), Old Sorel (Sorel-Tracy), Biophare (Sorel-Tracy), Stratera l’archipel fabuleux (multimedia attraction – Sorel-Tracy)

Night in Sorel-Tracy

After a ferry crossing to Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, take the Chemin du Roy, the oldest road in Quebec, and discover its rural landscapes and picturesque villages. Don’t miss the Magasin Général Lebrun in Maskinongé, the red houses of Yamachiche, and the Moulin seigneurial de Pointe-du-Lac. In Trois-Rivières, delve into the past by exploring Old Trois-Rivières with its monuments and churches. Then choose your experience: relive the lumberjack era at Boréalis, explore the Forges Saint-Maurice, Canada’s first industrial establishment, or stroll through the port park and Rue Des Forges, a lively area full of restaurants.

Possible attractions/stops: Cuthbert Chapel (Berthierville), Magasin Général Lebrun (Maskinongé), viewpoint at the Lac St Pierre rest stop, visit the Moulin seigneurial de la Pointe (Trois-Rivières), Old Trois-Rivières, Boréalis (Trois-Rivières), Forges Saint-Maurice (Trois-Rivières)

Night in Trois-Rivières

Leave Trois-Rivières and let yourself be carried away by the charm of the Chemin du Roy, which today winds along the majestic St. Lawrence River. You will pass through charming villages with authentic character, where ancestral stone houses, imposing churches, and windmills follow one another. Along the way, you will pass near the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-du-Cap, a pilgrimage site steeped in history. Your route is also punctuated by architectural treasures, such as the Manoir des Jésuites (in Trois-Rivières), the old presbytery of Batiscan, and the Moulin de la Chevrotière in Grondines, a precious witness to Quebec’s heritage dating back to 1674. Finally, in Deschambault, contemplate the beauty of the river from the old presbytery and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of this picturesque village.

Possible attractions/stops: Manoir des Jésuites (Trois-Rivières), the old presbytery (Batiscan), Fromagerie le Baluchon (Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade), Fromagerie de Grondines, Moulin à vent (Grondines), village of Deschambault and its gourmet attractions (bakery, chocolate shop)

Night in Deschambault

Leave Deschambault and let yourself be surprised by the last attractions of the Chemin du Roy before reaching Quebec City. Admire the ancestral homes, churches, and wharves that line your route. In Cap-Santé, follow the old road – the detour is worth it! During your day, you will pass through Deschambault-Grondines, Cap-Santé, and Neuville, which are among the most beautiful villages in Quebec. Then follow the river to the imposing Quebec Bridge, announcing the imminent arrival in the capital. Finally, reach Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage jewel, with its cobblestone streets and fortifications. Explore the Citadel, admire the Château Frontenac, discover Place Royale and the Plains of Abraham, and enjoy the breathtaking view from the Dufferin Terrace. Your stay in the old city will be the culmination of this memorable cycling adventure!

Possible attractions/stops: Portneuf wharf, art gallery in Cap-Santé, Rue des Érables in Neuville, Old Quebec, the Citadel, Place Royale, Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace and the Plains of Abraham

Night in Quebec City