The Perfect Three-Day Getaway

Portneuf is a great area for scenic cycling. Our top recommendation is the Dansereau — La Liseuse bike path, which traces the Jacques-Cartier River. Its relative flatness makes it accessible to all, even families with young children. Explore a beautiful natural environment in sync with the rhythm of the river and drink in the peaceful surroundings.

Seasoned road-trippers never skip Casse-Croûte du Vieux-Moulin in Pont-Rouge. Its delightful rooftop patio, fresh ingredients, and generous portions make it a destination in its own right.

Next we’ll take a walk along Promenade Jacques-Cartier, a walking path between two of Pont-Rouge’s main cultural sites: Maison Déry and Moulin Marcoux. The Promenade stretches for 4.6 km along the Jacques-Cartier River and features 30 interpretive signs for learning on the go. It’s a great opportunity to slow down and learn more about the history of Pont-Rouge and its heritage sites.

Next stop is the Vieux Presbytère in Deschambault. This designated historical monument sits on a heritage site alongside several other important village institutions, including the church, convent, town hall, and community hall.

It features permanent educational displays on Deschambault’s history and heritage and hosts exhibitions of visual arts and contemporary crafts. Dive into the living history of a community that proudly supports local heritage.

Enjoy more tasty rest-stop fare at Casse-Croûte du Roy, which proudly features regional products and locally farmed ingredients.

Another great spot in the area is La Dinette du Cap, a friendly little bistro set up in a charming house that dates back to 1846. It’s an ideal lunch or coffee stop with a delightfully warm atmosphere.

For dinner we recommend Myranel, a restaurant where every dish tells a story in one of the few Biosphere-certified establishments in the Québec City area. Be sure to check their opening hours before visiting this MICHELIN Guide recommended restaurant.

After a long day of travel, it’s time to unwind at the cozy Auberge de l’Ouest, an inn located in a century-old three-storey building. Guests enjoy exclusive access to an indoor hot tub—what better way to relax and bask in the calm of the Portneuf countryside?

The inn is a five-minute walk from the St. Lawrence River and offers a selection of board games, as well as fire pits where guests can strike up conversations with fellow visitors.

Rise and shine! Day two starts with a trip to the local shops to fill our stomachs. Le Soleil Levain bakery offers all-day breakfast featuring local flavours, as well as a selection of pastries made with fresh butter.

For those who prefer a more DIY approach, the general store Magasin Général Deschambault is stocked with a wide selection of local and bulk products. Plus, the upper floor houses a museum where shoppers can learn about the history of this heritage site.

Another option is the Marché Public de Deschambault, which runs on Saturday mornings in summer. Sample the region’s gourmet vegetables, meats, cheeses, chocolates, coffee, wines, honey, breads, soaps, fresh berries—treats for all tastes, in short.

And speaking of chocolate, follow up breakfast by picking up a chocolate-hazelnut spread or some homemade chocolate treats from Julie Vachon Chocolats. Now that’s a sweet start to the day!

Sticking to our foodie theme, the day continues with a visit to the Fromagerie des Grondines, a cheese-production workshop museum. Discover the different stages of cheese production on a guided tour that takes visitors through the cowshed, milking parlour, production areas, and aging cellars. Then enjoy tasting the freshest possible version of the organic raw-milk cheeses produced on site.

End the visit on a high note at the boutique and stock up on gourmet cheese, the perfect start of a picnic basket for the next stop on our itinerary.

Have a delicious picnic in this idyllic park, then spend the afternoon on the Sainte-Anne River. Simply rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and be carried along by the gentle current. For a bit more of an adrenalin rush and an adventure for the whole family, try the three-hour rafting experience and be whisked away by the rhythm of the river.

For night-two accommodations, look no further than one of the park’s glamping tents or fully equipped cottages to round off a magnificent day in nature.

Visit Maison Plamondon for enriching exhibitions celebrating the region’s cultural identity. Its summer 2026 lineup includes special activities highlighting the accordion’s key role in Québec folk music.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the local community through a cultural experience that showcases our local musical heritage.

For lunch, our choice is clear: the legendary Ti-Oui Snack Bar, which has been serving nothing less than the best poutine in the region for 45 years. Eat up, because we’ll need the energy for our action-packed day in Vallée Bras-du-Nord.

On the way out of downtown Saint-Raymond, stock up on locally made provisions at the Alexis de Portneuf cheese factory.

An afternoon is plenty of time for an 8 km (5-mile) hike to beautiful Delaney Falls along the Bras-du-Nord trail. At a brisk pace, the hike takes just under 2 hours. A more leisurely trek will add about another hour.

Now that we’ve seen the sights and made the memories, we’ll retire to Le Roquemont, a hotel, restaurant, and microbrewery, and kick back on its Le Brassin patio with a beer in hand and our feet in the water. The microbrewery also offers tastings and a guided tour, by reservation only.

After a few drinks, it’s a seamless transition to dinner at the restaurant, where the rustic decor is complemented by the selection of local meats featured prominently on the menu.
A comfortable night’s stay at the hotel is the perfect way to end the trip.
 

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