Because the weather is (finally) nice, because the mildest days of summer are here, and because we want to get some fresh air now more than ever, we recommend visiting a very pretty village by bike.
Cycling can be sporty, with flames on the side, a wicker basket in front, and a crate of beans in the back… The most important thing is that you can ride along the most beautiful bike route in the world, between the river and the fields, and past historic wooden houses from the 1800s.
CHAMPLAIN
In Quebec, many of the region’s iconic institutions and landmarks are named after Samuel de Champlain—the self-proclaimed founder ofNew France. That’s why we have the Champlain Bridge in Montreal, the Champlain neighborhood in Quebec City, and plenty of schools, streets, and cul-de-sacs named after him.
There’s also the Champlain River, named by Samuel de Champlain in 1632, which originates near the city of Trois-Rivières and flows into the St. Lawrence River just north of Montreal—near the village of Champlain. So that’s where we’re going for a ride.
The village is located on theRoute du Roy, theoldest road built by settlers in the region, and is above all one of the most beautiful spots on the Route Verte, the longest bike route in North America and, according to National Geographic, the “most beautiful bike route in the world.”
The village of Champlain is one of the oldest in Quebec, and it’s also one of the first places where Canadians went to spend the weekend or a week dipping their toes in the water and lounging on the big rocks in the sun while watching the boats pass by on the river.
Today, the village is incredibly well-preserved—cherished by the region and by a municipality passionate about history—and boasts 200 heritage buildings and a church designated as a historic monument.
BY BIKE – THE GREEN ROUTE
The village is located on the highly iconic Route du Roy, the first road built by settlers in New France in 1737…
But the route that interests us most is La Route Verte. It’s a bike route that stretches over 5,300 km and crosses Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and the United States. In Quebec, a large part of La Route Verte follows the St. Lawrence River northward to Baie-Comeau.
The Route Verte passes through several very pretty villages worth visiting, including some of the prettiest in the province;
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, for its roadside farms, strawberries, and the river
- Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly, for its golden wheat fields and old Victorian houses
- Kamouraska, to dip your feet in the cold water (therapeutic, sublime)
- Batiscan, for the river’s maritime history and the pretty little white wooden houses
- Champlain, for a historic stop featuring old colonial stone buildings along the waterfront
The Route Verte is also the longest bike route in North America and, according to National Geographic, the “most beautiful bike route in the world.” That says it all.
OUR FAVORITE SPOTS IN CHAMPLAIN
We’ll start with agritourism, which is mostly seasonal (June, July, August)but is at the very top of our list of things to do in the region. And if we’re going to ride a bike, we’ll get one with a small basket—and since we have a basket, we might as well fill it with berries… On the Route Verte and around Champlain, here’s what’s on our list:
- theBlueberry and Strawberry Kingdom, for blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries
- Starting in September,Complément Raisin, agrape interpretation center (everything except wine—and a super intriguing grape soft-serve ice cream)
- theChamplinoise Farmand theLessard Farm, for seasonal fruits and vegetables
And since Champlain is a historic village, you can also take a tour just for the sights, with a bit of history thrown in: a heritage trail with two routes and 13 stops that starts at the church(perfect if you’ve decided to grab a sandwich in town before heading out for a ride, and perfect for biking—with your basket full of fruit).
For a meal in Champlain, head to therestaurant-pubLe Manoir Antic—either on the terrace overlooking the river or inside a large Victorian house from the 1800s—for the garlic shrimp and the small-town atmosphere.
For lodging, head tothe Auberge ChampêtreLe Music Hall, located in a large historic house dating back to 1915—a formermusic hall—which also serves as the starting point for several walks along the river and through the surrounding forest.
