Portneuf: River Landscapes, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Portneuf appeals to travelers who want to include nature and history in their travel plans. Tourism in the MRC de Portneuf focuses primarily on natural attractions, historic features and heritage sites. The region offers a variety of themes to explore: river landscapes and forest trails sit alongside historic buildings, exhibitions and traditional crafts.

River Landscapes and Protected Nature

The territory of the MRC de Portneuf borders the St. Lawrence River for more than 50 kilometers. The watersheds of four major rivers also shape the region: the Jacques-Cartier, Portneuf, Sainte-Anne and Batiscan. These geographic features give the landscape a distinctly water-oriented character, though nature activities are not limited to the river.

In Neuville, the Réserve naturelle du Marais-Léon-Provancher is a 125-hectare natural area dedicated to protecting fauna and flora. The Parc naturel régional de Portneuf offers more than 70 kilometers of forest trails in several areas, including the Sainte-Anne River gorges and the Lacs Long et Montauban, Lac Carillon and Les Lacs areas. Travelers who want to prioritize nature and trails in their plans will find specific areas and landscape themes here to help guide their choice of outings.

Forest Trails, a Cave and a Water Route

At 980 meters long, Grotte le Trou du Diable in Saint-Casimir is considered the second-longest accessible cave in Québec. Its length and distinction make it a special natural attraction in the region. It offers a different experience from the extensive forest trails: here, a single cave takes center stage, while the trails form a network spread across several areas of the Parc naturel régional de Portneuf.

Canoeing or kayaking is also possible on the Route bleue section between Cap-Santé and the Quai des Écureuils in Donnacona. The route is considered safe, has a moderate difficulty level and is accessible all summer. Check conditions before setting out. This lets you plan the water route as a distinct seasonal activity, while the forest trails and cave offer other nature experiences.

Historic Sites and Exhibitions

Deschambault-Grondines has numerous historic buildings in the village centers of Deschambault and Grondines, as well as along the Chemin du Roy, which runs beside the St. Lawrence River. In Grondines, the church has a special protected status under Québec's Cultural Heritage Act and is among the churches considered to have national heritage significance.

Culture et patrimoine Deschambault-Grondines includes the Moulin de La Chevrotière, the Vieux Presbytère de Deschambault and the Moulin à vent de Grondines. Their permanent exhibitions showcase local and regional architectural and landscape heritage, as well as traditional skills. The Vieux Presbytère was built in 1815; its permanent exhibitions explore the building's history and the heritage of the village.

The exhibition at the Moulin à vent de Grondines explains how the building's function changed: for about 200 years, it served as a grain mill, and from 1912 to 1967, as a signal station on the St. Lawrence River shipping channel. Production history and navigation are presented side by side, while the Vieux Presbytère focuses on one building and the history of the village.

Traditional Techniques and Granite

Culture et patrimoine Deschambault-Grondines offers workshops in blacksmithing, carpentry and wood carving, where you can learn or develop traditional techniques. The Centre d'interprétation du granite in Rivière-à-Pierre was founded in 2003 and gives residents and tourists the opportunity to learn about the municipality's granite. It is open in summer; if you plan a seasonal visit, check visiting options for the relevant dates.

Discover more destinations

Saint-Basile, Portneuf, Deschambault, Neuville, Donnacona, Pont-Rouge, Saint-Ubalde, Le Haut-Saint-Maurice

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