You don’t have a car to get out of the metropolis and find yourself in the middle of nature? Are you alone and don’t you feel like leaving unaccompanied? Bonjour Nature’s excursions in the Lanaudière region, with transport by minibus, might be right for you.
During the summer, from Thursday to Monday, you can choose from a dozen excursions to destinations ranging from Saint-Jean-de-Matha to Saint-Donat, via Saint-Côme. Here is an overview.
mountain bike and fall
Arrived in Saint-Côme, we first take possession of our mountain bike in the shop and then go to Parc Louis-Philippe-De Grandpré. There is a network of simple paths of all levels. We have the opportunity to take a break on the banks of the L’Assomption River.
The day continues with a hike in the Parc régional de la Chute-à-Bull. In the middle of the woods, the fall is reminiscent of certain less frequented corners of the Antilles in the tropical forest.
The edible forest
Would you like to know which wild mushrooms to pick? Would you also be curious to find out which plants and flowers can be used as spices or herbal teas? This is the idea of the introductory hike to edible forest products on the lands of the Val Notre-Dame Abbey in Saint-Jean-de-Matha.
Photo courtesy, Tourism Lanaudière
On the grounds of the Val Notre-Dame Abbey, you can learn about edible forest products.
A stop at the boutique will allow you to see the astonishing variety of possible products, such as marinades, soups and syrups. At the bistro, forest products are also in the spotlight, including the fir pogo with haskap sauce, which I found tasty.
- Price (initiation hike): $114.
day at the beach
Head for the beach of the Parc des Pionniers, in Saint-Donat. The view overlooks the majestic Lac Archambault with the mountains on the horizon. If you want to go on the lake, there are kayaks, pedal boats and other watercraft for rent (extra).
Photo courtesy, Guillaume Millette
At the beach in Parc des Pionniers, at Lac Archambault
The place lends itself well to a picnic. You could pick up what you need at the Boulangerie du Village, not forgetting its famous date squares…
HELLO NATURE
- Day trips, Thursday to Monday
- More than 10 destinations
- Round-trip transport by minibus, departing from the Radisson metro station
- www.bonjournature.ca
OTHER OUTING IDEAS
The Saint-François on board
In Saint-François-Xavier-de-Brompton, the Pura Vida Lodge & Sup campsite offers boat transport with a paddle board to allow us to descend the river for 9 km. Rental on site.
▶ www.puravidalas.com
The little train of the south…
If the name is imaginary, the path is not. From Iberville to Drummondville, there are more than 140 km of trails, laid out on old railway tracks. Accommodation here and there along the route.
▶www.tourisme-monteregie.qc.ca
Alain Demers is the author of the book Rediscover Quebec: 101 destinationspublished by Éditions du Journal.