Cultural treasures along the Chemin du Roy
By David C, April 18 2024
Gracing the shores of the majestic St. Lawrence River, the Chemin du Roy (“King’s Road”) is the very first roadway in North America and one of Quebec’s most emblematic tourist routes. In the Portneuf region, the route winds along 76 kilometres through five municipalities, including some of the most beautiful villages in Quebec. Exploring it means discovering its people, places, history and local flavours, all the while immersed in its beauty. Here are just a few of the must-see cultural attractions along the Portneuf section of the route.
With Neuville, Cap-Santé and Deschambault-Grondines, the region boasts four of Quebec’s most beautiful villages, which offer the authentic beauty of their built heritage and exceptional landscapes. The Association des plus beaux villages du Québec lists their respective attractions on their website. Park your car or leave your bike at the church, then visit the village centres and discover their treasures!
In Deschambault-Grondines, enjoy a journey back in time through the many historic buildings and picturesque village centres. In summer, Culture et Patrimoine Deschambault-Grondines presents exhibitions at the old presbytery, Moulin de La Chevrotière and the Grondines windmill. Discover the exhibitions and sites here.
In Cap-Santé, be sure to take a stroll along Vieux Chemin: with its many heritage homes, it is a veritable open-air museum. This stretch of the former Chemin du Roy has even been described by The Globe and Mail as one of the most beautiful streets in Canada. Enjoy a visit to art galleries such as Jeannette Trépanier’s, which is housed in a building dating back to the early 18th century! Next to the church, the old presbytery houses L’Escale du Roy, an art gallery, a tourist information office, a shop and a restaurant all in one. Lastly, a bit further east, the Christine Genest Art Gallery is an exhibition space showcasing original works by artists from Quebec and elsewhere.
The churches of Deschambault, Grondines, Saint-Casimir, Cap-Santé and Neuville (as well as Saint-Raymond, in the northern part of the region) are all part of the Voies du Sacré circuit, which reveals some of the oldest and most remarkable religious art and architecture in Quebec. During the summer season, the guides on site will welcome you and share the history of these gems with you.
Speaking of history, visitors can continue discovering the region on foot with the podcast tours of Portneuf’s shoreline. From Neuville to the old village of Grondines via Donnacona, Cap-Santé, Portneuf and Deschambault, you will embark on a journey of discoveries—it’s guaranteed! These walking tours linking the villages to the St. Lawrence River come with a mobile application highlighting the rich heritage of these authentic spots and the people who shaped their history.
With the river so closely connected with the region’s history and development, it’s hardly surprising to find a number of public access points to the St. Lawrence! There are around twenty of them, from wharfs and parks to beaches, tidelands and a nature reserve. At Donnacona’s Les Écureuils wharf, experience the symphony wharf via a mobile application, presented by the Orchestre symphonique de Québec.
Thanks to La Route bleue, a province-wide network of paddleable trails, adventurous canoeists and kayakers can now paddle safely between Cap-Santé’s wharf and Donnacona’s wharf. Last but not least, cyclists can enjoy the full length of the Chemin du Roy on Route verte #5.
The invitation is out: now it’s your turn to explore this legendary road and enjoy all its attractions! Be sure to share your adventures on Facebook and Instagram with #PortneufInegalable and #regionportneuf. We love to see your getaways in pictures!