Promenade-Fleuve: interactive walks along the shoreline
By David C, April 16 2025
Promenade-Fleuve offers a unique immersion in the shoreline passing through the region of Portneuf, giving visitors the chance to discover its exceptional landscapes and natural environments that change with the tides. Spreading over 20 kilometres through the five municipalities along the St. Lawrence River, it offers eleven routes accessible at low tide on the tidelands. The excursions explore the fauna, flora and magnificent landscapes of the St. Lawrence River, which are otherwise inaccessible.
Visit the Promenade website (in French) to choose from a number of well-defined itineraries, suitable for all types of walkers. The rich ecosystems and their inhabitants are presented in detail.
When you arrive at the start of each walk, you’ll find an information board with a tide clock, instructions and information about the natural environment. Keep your eyes peeled for Canada’s largest bird of prey, the bald eagle, the discreet map turtle—a vulnerable species in Quebec—and the northern dusky salamander!
You can also learn more about the history of the region. In Cap-Santé, you can see one of the rare weir fishing gears still in use in Quebec, and a magnificent waterfall formed where the Côte à Morasse stream joins the St. Lawrence River. In Donnacona, some intriguing wooden structures can be seen right on the shore. These are in fact the remains of a Great Northern Railway track that was laid in 1908.
In synch with the tides
In the region of Portneuf, the St. Lawrence River is affected by semidiurnal mixed tides, with two high tides and two low tides per day, but with varying amplitudes and intervals. The itineraries are accessible at low tide and submerged at high tide. In order to complete your excursion, it is advisable to set off before the tide reaches its lowest point, when it is still ebbing and allows access to the shore for a few hours, depending on the location.
Podcast tours of Portneuf’s shoreline
Once you’ve completed your walk, the Podcast tours of Portneuf’s shoreline offer an in-depth look at the village centres of Grondines, Deschambault, Portneuf, Cap-Santé, Donnacona and Neuville. Through a free mobile app, six walking routes tell the story of the history and culture of the villages. The tours last around 40 minutes and are less than 2 km long. They are accessible to all and provide fascinating archive images and historical anecdotes. They allow you to plunge into the history of the region while enjoying the present-day landscape. Don’t miss out on this experience rich in culture and history.
Find out more
If you’re looking to get away from it all, to take in some stunning views and to reconnect with nature, you’ve come to the right place. Treat yourself to a picnic with a view—there’s no shortage of choice! Be sure to share your best photos of the shoreline using the #regionportneuf tag.
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Read more
Route bleue: Paddle your way throughout Portneuf - read here
Cultural treasures along the Chemin du Roy - read here