Laval – A stroll along the water

Green Island, Crane Island, the Bic Islands… The islands of the St. Lawrence evoke a sense of discovery, tranquility, and the great outdoors. More and more of us are setting out to explore them. Among these islands, there is one that still holds many mysteries and remains, curiously, little known: Île Jésus!

In fact, even though it is home to Quebec’s third-largest city, Laval, and despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of us travel through it every day, the island next to the city still holds its secrets and offers some surprising places to explore, where you sometimes feel as though you’re far away from the big city.

Early in the morning, you can slip past Highway 25 to the east and take East Lévesque Boulevard. That will be our starting point. Even as you approach Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Parish, you can feel yourself drifting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The neighborhood has retained a village-like atmosphere, with its magnificent church, and from there, you’ll enjoy taking breaks in the many parks that line the banks of the Rivière des Prairies. All along our route, there are many spots to admire the riverbanks, often populated by birds coming to rest, offering oases of calm where it’s lovely to stroll.

Before you set out, be sure to mark your route using the excellent resources provided by the team at the Centre for Water Interpretation (C.I.EAU). This nonprofit organization, which specializes in the interpretation and preservation of water resources, has created a River Rally. It’s a route marked by information kiosks located along the banks of the Mille Îles and Prairies rivers, all around Laval Island, which are easy to find using a mobile app.

So don’t hesitate to take the winding streets that lead to the water whenever you can, to learn more about these natural environments. In the southeastern part of the island, most parks open directly onto Lévesque Boulevard, and the further east you go along it, the more it takes on the appearance of a country road, lined with woodlands and farmland. We’ll make our way slowly to the end for a stop at Olivier-Charbonneau Park. Here, the Rivière des Milles Îles meets the Rivière des Prairies, and you can really get a sense of the scale of the landscape.

From here, as we continue along the northern part of the island on Boulevard des Milles-Îles, the drive takes on a distinctly rural feel. The tranquility of the landscape, dotted with charming historic homes, stands in stark contrast to the image we have of the bustling suburbs. So here we are, taking nothing less than a stroll in the countryside just a few minutes from the city. As such, a stop at La Fromagerie du Vieux Saint-François where you can watch the animals, have a snack at the picnic tables, and of course buy some cheese. You shouldn’t miss taking detours through the fields either—via Montée du Moulin, for example—or along Boulevard Sainte-Marie and Avenue des Perron, toward the Ferme Vaillancourt, a long-standing local institution.

West of Route 335, you reach the end of Boulevard des Milles-Îles, which becomes Boulevard des Laurentides for a few hundred meters. To continue your peaceful getaway, head down Avenue des Terrasses, which naturally leads to Boulevard Sainte-Rose a short distance further on. Along the way, you can stop at the Berge de la Plage-Jacques-Cartier and, right next to it, the Berge de la Plage-Idéale

After all these detours, you get the feeling that you’re finally arriving in the village as you reach the charming Old Sainte-Rose neighborhood. Here, a stop is a must, if only to take a stroll and admire the beauty of the well-preserved historic architecture. On some of the historic homes, you’ll find interpretive signs detailing the history of the village’s old houses, the result of the work of the Association of Citizens and Friends of Vieux-Sainte-Rose. As you wander through the neighborhood’s streets, you’ll find plenty to satisfy your appetite, whether you choose to take a break at a restaurant or pick up a bite to eat in a park along the riverbank. Be sure to stop by the gourmet shop Les Minettes, which showcases Quebec’s local flavors, or the very friendly Brûlerie du Vieux Sainte-Rose, for a good cup of coffee and various fine products. A little further west, on Curé-Labelle Boulevard, you’ll also find the famous restaurant Boating Club, a venerable Laval institution housed in a 19th-century landmark building that continues to stand the test of time. Don’t miss a visit to the Water Interpretation Centre we mentioned earlier to explore the permanent exhibition “The Water’s Way: From River to River” and deepen your understanding of waterway conservation.

In fact, by continuing to follow the river, we’ll carry on this Laval journey to reach the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Park, the highlight of our route where we can truly connect with the river. We always enjoy stopping at this urban wildlife refuge where we can rent canoes and kayaks to explore the archipelago. Here, they don’t just provide access to the river; they actively work to protect natural habitats. You’ll also find, in the interpretation center, the permanent exhibition “Incredible but True!” which helps you better understand this preserved gem that is home to the greatest biodiversity in the entire metropolitan area and the Laurentians. It’s a must-see stop along your way—you’ll discover a destination you’ll want to return to often.

As you leave the park, you can continue west along Sainte-Rose Boulevard toward Laval-sur-le-Lac. Along the way, many other parks provide access to the banks of the Mille Îles River, including the Camille-Barbe Riverbank and the Bois de l’Orée-des-Bois. The latter is managed by CANOPÉE – Le réseau des bois de Laval, a community organization dedicated to promoting Laval’s woodlands. Visit their website to learn more.

A trip along the water wouldn't be complete without a stop at the beach! And that's exactly what you'll find at Berge aux Quatre-Vents, at the western tip of the island. This is an amazing place, a well-kept secret and surprisingly unknown even to Laval residents themselves. Yes, there’s a beach in Laval—a real, genuine one, quite lovely, where you’ll even find lounge chairs for napping in the sun and relaxing. Take this opportunity to dip your toes in the sand and, why not, break out the shovels and buckets to build a sandcastle and have some fun.

There are still plenty of places to explore on Île Jésus. As you make your way around, you realize that this sprawling suburb—the result of the merger of several parishes—forms a colorful mosaic brimming with hidden corners. One thing is certain: to get there or leave, if you really want to feel like you’re on a journey, nothing beats a trip aboard the Paule II, the ferry that connects to Île Bizard. There’s nothing better than a short boat ride, however brief, to make you feel far from home.

OTHER STOPS ALONG YOUR ROUTE IN LAVAL
 Recommended by Tourisme LAVAL

Cosmodome – 2150 Laurentides Highway, Laval, Quebec H7T 2T8

Discover space like nowhere else by visiting the Cosmodome, Canada’s only museum dedicated entirely to space science. Among other things, the Cosmodome an exhibition on the solar system and its planets, as well as three virtual missions that immerse visitors in orbit or let them join the first mission to Mars. It is also at Cosmodome you can see one of only two moon rocks in Quebec.

Clip ‘n Climb Rock Climbing – 2929 Saint-Martin Boulevard West, Laval, H7T 2Y8

In Laval, you can have fun while getting active! Clip ’n Climb offers the perfect way to climb and have fun. With 34 climbing walls reaching up to 10 meters in height, Clip ’n Climb will impress you and provide challenges that match your expectations and skill level.

Centropolis – 1799 Pierre-Péladeau Avenue, Laval, H7T 2Y5

A premier destination for thousands of people looking to enjoy exciting moments, memorable experiences, and create lasting memories with family, loved ones, or friends. Centropolis is renowned for its fine dining, lively and vibrant terraces, entertainment options, and shopping. With its pedestrian-friendly areas, it’s the perfect place to wrap up a busy day, enjoy the moment, and savor a delicious meal and a refreshing cocktail while relaxing on a terrace!

iFLY – 2700 Cosmodome Avenue, Laval, H7T 2X1

A call to adventure! Come enjoy a unique experience with a group, friends, or family: flying. iFLY recreates the freefall portion of a skydive almost perfectly, in a safe environment, and is open to everyone ages 4 and up.

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