Saint-André: Coast, Trails and Heritage

Getting Here and Routes Through the Village

Saint-André-de-Kamouraska is accessible via National Highway 132 and Autoroute 20. The Route verte passes through the central part of the village, making it a practical reference for a cycling trip. The Chemin des Navigateurs is a pilgrimage route followed each year. Saint-André offers accommodation for hikers; during the tourism season, many pilgrims stop there.

Coastal Landscape and Geology

West of Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, rocky monadnocks form a chain of striking cliffs. They are made of exceptionally hard orthoquartzite. The Batture de Saint-André-de-Kamouraska extends for 13.5 kilometres along the coast. The ridges and coastal area offer different perspectives on the local landscape. At Parc de l’Ancien-Quai, interpretive panels provide information about the Battures’ wildlife and plant life, adding natural history to the view of the coast.

Walking Trails, Hiking and Climbing

The Aboiteau is about 6 kilometres long and is used as a walking trail. SEBKA has a total of 10 kilometres of hiking trails in two separate areas, connected by the Sentier de la batture. This offers a choice between a single walking trail of approximately six kilometres and a network of trails with two connected areas. The hiking trails at Cabouron de Saint-André pass through a habitat unique at these latitudes, with a forest area of bonsai jack pines. Trail conditions may vary by season.

For climbing, the SEBKA area in Saint-André has 125 routes of all difficulty levels. SEBKA also offers introductory climbing courses by reservation, including options accessible to families. Access, reservation and participation requirements may change, so it is advisable to check before climbing or planning a course.

Church, Culture and Religious Sites

Construction of the Église de Saint-André-de-Kamouraska began in 1805. It has undergone no major changes since it was built more than 200 years ago. It is the oldest Catholic place of worship in Bas-Saint-Laurent and is designated a historic monument. The church also houses five works of art designated as cultural heritage objects and is part of the Route des Frontières cultural and heritage tour. Its construction history, historic designation, artworks and place on this route all come together here.

Parc de la Madone is a peaceful place dedicated to devotion, near a small waterfall. It can be reached via Chemin de la Madone, just behind the church. The two religious sites are close to each other, while the park and waterfall offer a distinct landscape of their own.

Maison culturelle Armand-Vaillancourt is a cultural centre in the former village school on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Its varied programme includes exhibitions, performances and cultural activities. This cultural centre complements the religious and landscape offerings with a programme spanning different art forms and cultural activities.

Duvetnor offers excursions to Île-aux-Lièvres. The island is part of the territory of Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, making it another local destination for travellers interested in trips on the St. Lawrence River.

Discover more destinations: Mont-Carmel, Kamouraska, Saint-Alexandre-De-Kamouraska, Saint-Pascal, Saint-Pacôme.

Go to the main travel overview: Kamouraska.