Laval - A walk along the river

L'Île verte, l'île aux grues, les îles du bic... The islands of the St. Lawrence evoke discovery, calm and fresh air. More and more of us are setting out to discover them. Among them, there's one that still hides many mysteries and is curiously unknown: Jésus Island!

In fact, despite being home to Quebec's 3rd largest city, Laval, and despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of us pass through it every day, the island next to the metropolis keeps its secrets and offers amazing opportunities for walks that sometimes feel like a far cry from the big city.

Early in the morning, you can sneak east of Autoroute 25 onto Boulevard Lévesque Est. This will be our starting point. Already, as we approach Saint-Vincent-de-Paul parish, we sense that we're moving away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The district has retained a village feel, with its magnificent church, and it's from here that you'll enjoy pausing in the many parks that line the banks of Rivière des Prairies. All along our route, there are numerous places to contemplate the banks, often populated by birds that come to rest, and offering oases of calm where it's good to stroll.

In fact, before you set off, take the time to put some markers on your itinerary, thanks to the excellent work of the Centre de l'Interprétation de l'Eau (C.I.EAU) team. This non-profit organization, which specializes in the interpretation and preservation of water resources, has created a River Rally. This is a route marked out by information terminals located on the banks of the Mille Îles and Prairies rivers, all around the island of Laval, which can be easily found thanks to a mobile application.

So don't hesitate, as often as you can, to take a detour to the water to learn more about these natural environments. In the southeastern part of the island, most of the parks open directly onto Lévesque Boulevard, and the further east you go along this boulevard, the more it takes on the appearance of a country road, lined with woods and farmland. Slowly make your way to the end, stopping off at Parc Olivier-Charbonneau. Here, the Rivière des Milles Îles meets the Rivière des Prairies, giving you a good sense of the territory.

From here, as we continue along the northern part of the island via boulevard des Milles-Îles, the walk takes on a distinctly country feel. The calmness of the landscape, dotted with pretty ancestral houses, is in stark contrast to the idea of a bustling suburb. It's nothing less than a country stroll just minutes from the city. As such, a stop at La fromagerie du Vieux Saint-François where you can admire the animals, break bread on the picnic tables and, of course, buy cheese. And don't forget to take a detour through the fields, on Montée du Moulin, for example, or along boulevard Sainte-Marie and avenue des Perron, towards the Vaillancourt Farman ancestral local institution.

West of Route 335, you come to the end of Boulevard des Milles-Îles, which becomes Boulevard des Laurentides for a few hundred metres. To continue your quiet escapade, continue on Avenue des Terrasses to reach Boulevard Sainte-Rose a little further on. Along the way, you can stop off at the Berge de la Plage-Jacques-Cartier and, just next door, the Berge de la Plage-Idéale.

At the end of all these detours, it's almost as if you've arrived in the village, as you reach the pretty district of Vieux-Sainte-Rose. Here, a stop is well worth making, if only to take a stroll and contemplate the beauty of our well-preserved built heritage. Interpretation panels on some ancestral homes tell the story of the village's old houses, the work of the Association des citoyens et amis du Vieux-Sainte-Rose. As you stroll through the streets, you'll find plenty to tempt you, whether you opt for a break in a restaurant or a bite to eat in a riverside park. Don't forget to stop by the gourmet boutique Les Minetteswhich showcases Quebec's terroir, or the very friendly Brûlerie du Vieux Sainte-Rose, for a good cup of coffee and a variety of fine products. A little further west, on boulevard Curé-Labelle, you'll also find the famous Boating Cluba venerable Laval institution, a 19th-century landmark that continues to stand the test of time. And don't miss a visit to the Centre d'interprétation de l'eau (Water Interpretation Centre ), where you can see the permanent exhibition "Le chemin de l'eau : de la rivière à la rivière" and learn more about river protection.

Continuing along the water's edge, we continue our Laval journey to the Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îlesthe high point of our journey, where we can really come into direct contact with the river. We always enjoy stopping off at this urban wildlife refuge, where we can rent canoes and kayaks to navigate the archipelago. Here, not only do we provide access to the river, but we also actively work to protect the natural environment. In the interpretation center, you'll also find the Incroyable mais vrai! permanent exhibition, providing a better understanding of this preserved jewel, home to the greatest biodiversity of the entire metropolitan region and the Laurentians. It's a must-see on your way to a destination you'll want to return to again and again.

Leaving the park, you can continue west along boulevard Sainte-Rose towards Laval-sur-le-Lac. Along the way, numerous other parks provide access to the banks of the Rivière des Mille Îles, including Berge Camille-Barbe and Bois de l'Orée-des-Bois. The latter is administered by CANOPÉE - Le réseau des bois de Lavala citizen organization that promotes Laval's woodlands. Visit their website to find out more.

A trip along the water would not be complete without a stop at the beach! And that's exactly what you'll find at Parc de la Berge aux Quatre-Ventsat the western end of the island. It's an amazing place, a well-kept secret and surprisingly little-known by Laval residents themselves. Yes, there is a beach in Laval, a real one, very pretty, where you'll even find deckchairs for napping in the sun and relaxing. Take this opportunity to get your feet in the sand and, why not, get out the shovels and buckets to build a castle and have a bit of fun.

There are still many places to explore on Jésus Island. It's easy to see that this immense suburb, the result of the merger of several parishes, is a motley mosaic packed with hidden corners. One thing's for sure: if you really want to feel like you're on a journey, there's no better way to get there than aboard the Paule II, the ferry that links up with Île Bizard. There's nothing like a short boat ride, however brief, to make you feel far from home.

MORE STOPS ON YOUR WAY TO LAVAL
Suggested by Tourisme LAVAL

Cosmodome - 2150 Autoroute des Laurentides Laval, Quebec H7T 2T8

Discover space like nowhere else by visiting Cosmodome, the only museum in Canada devoted entirely to the dissemination of space science. Cosmodome features an exhibition on the solar system and its planets, as well as three virtual missions that plunge visitors into orbit or allow them to join the first mission to Mars. At Cosmodome , you can also see one of the only two moon rocks in Quebec.

Clip 'n climb -Climbing 2929, boulevard Saint-Martin Ouest, Laval, H7T 2Y8

In Laval, you can have fun and do sports at the same time! Clip 'n climb offers the perfect activity for climbing and fun. With 34 climbing walls up to 10 metres high, Clip 'n climb is sure to delight and challenge you to the height of your expectations and skills.

Centropolis - 1799, avenue Pierre-Péladeau, Laval, H7T 2Y5

An exceptional rendezvous for thousands of people who want to enjoy memorable experiences and create memories with family, friends and loved ones. Centropolis is renowned for its fine dining, vibrant terraces, entertainment and shopping. With its pedestrian areas, it's the ideal place to end a busy day, enjoy the moment and savor a good meal and a delicious cocktail, all from the comfort of a terrace!

iFLY - 2700 avenue du Cosmodome, Laval, H7T 2X1

A call to adventure! Come with your group, friends or family and enjoy the unique experience of flying. iFLY is a near-perfect reproduction of the free-fall portion of a parachute jump, in a safe environment accessible from the age of 4.

Article produced in collaboration with Tourisme Laval, Tour du Québec and Bonjour Québec. Text and photos by Simon Jodoin.