Located in the heart of the St. Lawrence River, the Berthier archipelago offers many kilometers of cycling paths, hiking trails, birdwatching spots and regional flavors by the ton.
Here's our suggested itinerary to discover Berthierville and its islands over the course of a few days.
DAY 1
For your first day on the Berthierville Islands, take advantage of access to the river by bike. This bike tour of the Berthierville Islands is a great idea. It's almost 80 km long and passes through Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, La Visitation-de-l'Île-Dupas, Saint-Barthélemy, Maskinongé, Saint-Cuthbert, Sainte-Geneviève-de-Berthier and Berthierville. From the beginning of the summer holidays until Labor Day in September, you can explore the country roads and even take the ferry, La Traverse des îles.
The Society for the Conservation, Interpretation and Research of Berthier and its Islands (SCIRBI) also offers three trails on Île du Milieu and Île de la Commune. Numerous bird species can be observed in the marshes and swamps along the interpretive trails. Numerous footbridges and three observation towers facilitate observation and movement along the trails. Guided tours are available from mid-June to the end of August. Leashed dogs are welcome.
For the full experience, take to the water for an introduction to sailing with Voilévolution. The only sailing school in the area, Voilévolution is the place to go for an introduction to sailing, or to learn or improve your sailing skills. These three activities will give you the chance to breathe the air of the river and rub shoulders with it while enjoying an outdoor activity. We end this outdoor day at the Brasserie Locomotiv, located in the center of Berthierville. It serves great beers brewed on site and the food is delicious.
DAY 2
For a second day in and around Berthier and its islands, we propose a mix of culture and regional flavors. Our first stop is the Cuthbert Chapel and its museum. Built in 1786, the chapel was the first Protestant temple in Quebec. A visit to this historic building is an opportunity to see its museum and enjoy visual arts, contemporary dance performances, landscape art and even concerts. You can also visit the Maison Rosalie-Cadron museum in Lavaltrie, which also offers a very interesting program, or the Maison des Cageux in Lanoraie. We will end the day with an evening on the terrace of the Café Culturel de la Chasse-Galerie in Lavaltrie to enjoy their menu or attend one of their shows.
After visiting these two museums, a gourmet tour of the Berthierville area is sure to please. We start at the Vignoble du Vent Maudit, where you can pick your own table grapes, a unique activity in the region. Then it's off to the Saint-Vincent meat farm, where you can stock up on organic meat and local produce. Pick your own blueberries or pumpkins at Bleuetière Asselin or sweeten your beak with delicious doughnuts from the Délices d'Antan bakery.
DAY 3
Did you know that a ferry can take you from one side of the river to the other, avoiding the traffic jams of the metropolis? On the other side, we'll take advantage of our visit to the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River to visit the immersive Stratera exhibition. At the Sorel-Tracy ferry dock, you can interactively discover the 103 islands of the Lac-Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve.
Since 2000, the region has been internationally recognized by UNESCO for its unique natural features. The Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve (LSPBR) covers an area of more than 7,000 km² spread over four administrative regions of Quebec (Lanaudière, Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec and Montérégie). This international recognition is a real source of pride for the region, as it acknowledges the exceptional character of this ecosystem where nature and man interact.
ACCOMMODATION SUGGESTIONS IN BERTHIERVILLE AND ITS ISLANDS
WHERE TO EAT IN BERTHIERVILLE
- Brasserie Locomotiv
- Restaurant Benny & Co.
Take advantage of your stay in the Berthier and its Islands region to discover the Grande Côte and its Islands Gourmet Tour. This Goûtez Lanaudière tour will give you the opportunity to make many gourmet discoveries.
To learn all about the Berthierville and its Islands outdoor destination and discover all it has to offer, consult the destination page.
