Neuville: Nature, Shoreline and History on the St. Lawrence River

Neuville is shaped by its St. Lawrence shoreline, a protected natural area, a historic townscape and local food products. When looking for a hotel here, you can plan your stay around whether nature watching, local history, outdoor activities or food is your priority. For practical planning, different details matter: the heritage walk has an approximate duration, guided tours of Vignoble de Neuville are by appointment only, and the farm stands are a summer offering.

Nature and Scenery on the St. Lawrence River

The Réserve naturelle du Marais-Léon-Provancher in Neuville is a 125-hectare natural area dedicated to protecting fauna and flora. The wetland, designed by Canards Illimités, attracts numerous waterfowl during migration. Tides are also part of the landscape: their range on the St. Lawrence River at Neuville is three to six metres.

Following an assessment on July 30, 2024, the trails running alongside the wetland were partially certified for people with reduced mobility. If you need this certification for planning purposes, check its current status before your visit. A footpath runs along the marina breakwater at Parc nautique Maurice-Grenier. At Halte du Saint-Laurent by the park, you can observe the scenery and waterfowl.

Historic Town Centre and Walking Tour

Rue des Érables and Neuville’s former town centre form a historic ensemble of regional interest. The Circuit patrimonial du Bourg Saint-Louis passes through the village and historic town centre. It is 1.29 kilometres long and takes approximately two hours; this time should therefore be taken as an estimate.

The Société d’histoire de Neuville is based in the presbytery dating from 1715, at 716 rue des Érables. Visitors can view collections of books and photographs, as well as exhibitions there. Place des Marées is next to a historic church on Chemin du Roy and offers a direct view of the St. Lawrence River. It was inaugurated in June 2024.

Trails and Activities by the Water

Neuville has twelve shoreline access points where you can enjoy the scenery. These access points also provide opportunities for walking, picnicking, fishing, sea kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing and ice canoeing. This range offers different ways to experience the river environment, with each activity having its own focus.

The Route Verte crosses Neuville from the western end of Route 138 along Rue des Érables to the eastern end of town. Neuville is also part of the Route bleue Québec/Chaudière-Appalaches maritime trail. Both routes complement the shoreline offerings with their own routes through or along the town, without implying any particular connection between individual activities.

Local Food and Wine

The Fêtes gourmandes de Neuville showcase the skills and expertise of Québec producers and makers of local products. The festival celebrates the flavours of Portneuf and the reputation of Neuville sweet corn, which has a protected designation. The event attracts thousands of visitors each year. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the event dates.

In summer, dozens of colourful farm stands along Route 138 in Neuville sell farm products. Domaine des 3 Moulins is a winery on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Neuville. Guided tours of Vignoble de Neuville are available Tuesday to Sunday by prior appointment only. If you plan to take a tour, book an appointment in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Basile, Pont-Rouge, Deschambault, Donnacona, Saint-Ubalde, Portneuf

Back to the main travel guide: Portneuf.