Outdoor activities
Country routes
King's RoadTravel through three centuries of history!
The King's Road (Chemin du Roy) is the oldest roadway in Canada. From 1737, it linked New France's three largest cities: Montréal, Trois-Rivières and Québec City. Nowadays, a marked itinerary allows you to discover the rich heritage of the Québec City and Area, the Mauricie and the Lanaudière regions. This route runs for the most part along the St. Lawrence, enhancing your itinerary with an ecological jewel: Lac Saint-Pierre, a World Biosphere Reserve. You can also cycle the King's Road, as several sections are part of the Route Verte (green route) bikeway.
Quaint villages
The King's Road passes through picturesque villages, many of which are perched on cliff tops. Some of these villages conceal magnificent stone homes built from the 17th to 19th centuries, a legacy of the French Regime. Inns, restaurants, artisans' studios and old-time general stores await you in these historic buildings. Among the municipalities known for their architectural heritage, you have to see Deschambault, Cap-Santé and Neuville, all members of the Most Beautiful Villages of Québec network.Heritage treasures
Several buildings have been identified as historic monuments, including the Old Prison of Trois-Rivières, built in 1822 and today a museum. The church in Cap-Santé, constructed between 1754 and 1763, is one of the oldest churches in Québec. Berthierville, Neuville, Deschambault and Grondines also boast very old churches and chapels. The Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-du-Cap (Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape), an important pilgrimage site located on the banks of the St. Lawrence, is well worth the detour with its stained-glass windows and imposing Casavant organ. In Vieux-Trois-Rivières, enjoy a walking tour and admire the old quarter's many historic buildings. Lastly, you'll glimpse a few mills, such as the Chevrotière mill, as you follow this extraordinary heritage route!Your itinerary
The 280-km (174-mi.) King's Road runs from Repentigny, in the Lanaudière region, to the Québec City borough of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, passing through the Mauricie region along Highway 138.
