We are presenting once again the blog article of a family comprised of two adults and three children from Sherbrooke that spent one week in the Laval region during their summer holiday. Here’s the fascinating story of the Laval getaway of this family. 

If you’re looking for original ideas for your summer getaways, get on your bike and bring the whole family to Laval to discover its attractions from a whole different angle. That’s what I did last week on some tens of kilometres of cycle paths to do some exercise and take a large bowl of fresh air in good company. Regardless of the itinerary you will choose, you can bike at your own pace while discovering what Laval has to offer!

Route verte

Do you know the Route verte? It is comprised of 4300 kilometres of cycle paths connecting over 320 municipalities in Quebec, which makes it the largest cycle networks in North America. On these thousands of kilometres, over 30 are crossing the island of Laval, including close to a third of dedicated cycle paths. That’s definitely something to please bike enthusiasts of all types!

By following this recreational path, you can cross the city from north to south, east to west, without worrying about traffic. Bike up to the outskirts of the Laurentians or cross the Perry Island bridge to Montreal. My favourite aspect of this cycling journey is the closeness with bodies of water and the unique panoramic views on the Des Prairies or Des Mille Îles River. For instance, at the west end of the island, you can relax on the banks of Lake of Two Mountains. Whatever is your destination, I suggest you take the time to relax on the numerous river banks or lakeside. And bring a picnic!

Old-Sainte-Rose

What about making a full day of discoveries out of your next cycle outing? I was delighted by the charm of Old-Sainte-Rose which is the perfect place for such an experience. Take the time to bike slowly along the small streets and to admire the ancestral homes. Enjoy the sun while cycling along the river banks and take in the view on the river. If you’re hungry, stop at the neighbourhood market, in a gourmet boutique or at the ice-cream parlour.

Rallye des rivières (River Rally) by bike

Combine your next bike outing with a recreotouristic activity which objective is to protect Des Mille Îles River! Along the Rallye des rivières (river rally) of the Centre d'interprétation de l'eau (Water Interpretation Centre), you will cycle on the island of Laval and on its river banks along this rally trail with 24 interactive stops providing information about water preservation and the water ecosystem, with the help of a mobile app.

Discover the mobile app on the Rallye des rivières website.

Laval Bixi Network

It is now possible to rent bicycles through the BIXI bike-sharing network. There are six stations spread across Laval where one can rent standard or electrically assisted bicycles, 24/7.

Whether you’re an occasional or experienced cyclist, you’ll find Laval’s cycle paths quite enjoyable!

Useful Links:

• Laval Cycle Paths
• Route Verte – Laval
• BIXI Laval
• Convivialité des routes pour les cyclistes – Transports Québec – interactive map

#lavalcmaintenant