Why Add Lanaudière–Mauricie to Your Quebec Trip

Last Updated on December 23, 2025

Rather than rushing straight from Quebec City to Montreal, carve out time for Lanaudière–Mauricie: a stretch of river canyons, mixed forest, quaint towns, and farmland that invites a very different pace.  Here’s how to explore the region known as “The Authentic Quebec.”

Want to see more of Quebec?  Take the slow route between Quebec City and Montreal through Lanaudiere–Mauricie, on the north side of the St. Lawrence River.  Here you can balance high-adrenaline moments (think via ferrata walls and a river-spanning zip line) with miles of hiking trails and peaceful spots along the water. On a wet day, swap outdoor thrills for local museums or artisan workshops in nearby towns.

Beyond the active side, the region excels at hands-on cultural experiences and eco-focused stays. Choose a full-service lodge that serves multi-course dinners built around local produce or drop into a microbrewery and forest-food restaurant to see how chefs translate the woods onto your plate. Accommodation ranges from rustic inns to sustainable resorts, each one a chance to slow down and connect more closely with nature.

This detour slots neatly into an extended Quebec itinerary: head south from Quebec City, follow quieter backroads through Lanaudiere–Mauricie, then continue toward Montreal, perhaps spending a last adventurous weekend in Laval before you wrap up your trip.

My trip was hosted by Tourisme Mauricie and Tourisme Lanaudiere, but all opinions, recommendations, and experiences shared here are entirely my own.

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In this Itinerary for Lanaudière–Mauricie, the Authentic Quebec

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Start with the Outdoors: Parc de la rivière Batiscan

Parc de la rivière Batiscan is an Aventure Écotourisme Québec accredited park that works equally well as a half-day stop or a multi-night escape.  On a single visit to the Batiscan River Park, you can:

• Hike trails that thread through river canyons
• Tackle the via ferrata route (150m across a cliff wall, plus a 10m descent)
• Fly over the river on a zip-line
• Paddle a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard in calm channels
• Ride a network of multi-use biking trails
• Cast a line for bass and other local fish species (be sure to bring a provincial fishing license)
• Hunt for hidden geocaches scattered throughout the park

If you’d rather stay overnight, you can book a tent campsite, a rustic log cabin, or one of the ready-to-camp shelters complete with beds and heating.  All adventure packages and lodging options require advance reservations, especially from June through September.

The zipline here was the first I’ve done that follows the path of a river, and now I’m hooked (caribinered?).  It’s a single-descent, which makes for a quick but invigorating trip.  Rather than a treetop course, this is so close to the rushing river that you might worry your feet will get wet – if you had time to think!

Plan on three to four hours depending on the activities you choose.  Pack sturdy shoes, layered clothing, a daypack with water and snacks, plus any paddling or fishing gear.

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Rainy-Day Backup: Trois-Rivières

If rain forces you off the trails at Parc de la riviere Batiscan, Trois-Rivières has plenty of indoor options to fill an afternoon.  Start at Borealis, the pulp-and-paper museum housed in a converted factory, where interactive exhibits walk you through the paper-making process and the region’s industrial history. A few blocks away, the Old Prison of Trois-Rivieres offers guided tours through its preserved cells and guard towers, complete with stories of 19th-century inmates.

For a change of pace, head to the Musée POP, where rotating exhibits cover Quebec pop culture—from vintage comics to local music. History buffs can also visit Fort Trois-Rivieres’ interpretation center, which displays artifacts and multimedia on New France defenses.

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Lunch Stop: Le Presbytère Microbrewery & Restaurant

About 20 minutes south of Parc Batiscan, you’ll find the family-run Le Presbytere Microbrewery & Restaurant in Saint-Stanislas.  It’s housed in a former rectory, hence its name. Inside, vintage beer bottles line the walls above heavy wood tables, and menus arrive in leather bindings you can peruse while tucked into low-backed chairs.

Chef Isabelle Dupuis and co-owner/husband/chief forager Francis source forest mushrooms, wild herbs, and berries from the surrounding woods. Their small-batch artisanal beers – infused with those same plants – aren’t sold anywhere else. 

On weekdays you’ll choose from a concise menu; weekends add a few extra plates. Start with the creamy onion soup made with house beer and full slices of bacon, then pick a main like seal sausage, fresh St. Lawrence fish, or a poutine topped with beer-braised sauce. 

For a deeper dive, reserve their seven-course gastronomic tasting.

Browse the specialty boutique before you leave: soaps, local sauces, maple syrup, and other products and goodies from nearby artisans. If you want to linger longer, there’s a five-room inn — once the town doctor’s house — sitting kitty-corner to the restaurant.  Plan on at least 90 minutes for lunch.   

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Check In and Unwind: Le Baluchon éco-villégiature

Le Baluchon’s eco-resort ethos is all about inviting you into nature while keeping impact low. Buildings combine locally harvested timber with passive-design principles, and the property uses composting and water-management systems to minimize waste.  

Meals feature ingredients sourced from nearby farms, and the on-site horse-drawn carriage tour (available to book in advance) offers a gentle introduction to the wetlands, meadows, and mixed forest that define the landscape.

Accommodation ranges from 4 inns with a total of 90 classic lodge rooms to 8 standalone cabins, lofts, and chalets tucked into the forest edge.  Each space balances rustic materials with modern comfort, giving you room to spread out and unwind after a day of exploring.

The on-site spa menu has beauty treatments, therapeutic massages, and kinesitherapy sessions tailored to your needs.  A separate thermal spa can be reserved in three-hour blocks and features a dry sauna, hot baths, cold plunge pool, and a cascading waterfall for your own private circuit.

Resort activities vary by season.  In summer you can hike miles of trails, paddle a canoe or kayak on still waterways, try your hand at archery, or set out on horseback.  I spent a lovely morning on horseback winding through the resort’s forest trails and summer meadows.

Winter opens up cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even dogsledding across frozen fields. No matter when you visit, Le Baluchon offers a full spectrum of ways to engage with the land.

I was only able to spend one night here, but I would have loved to have stayed a week!  If you have time, I recommend to stay at least two nights, which will allow you to really enjoy the resort’s amenities and the region. Or just make Le Baluchon a getaway from Quebec City!

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Morning: Hike, Breakfast, and Horseback Riding

Before breakfast, hit the trails for a short hike. The paths curve through mixed forest and trails, including bridges over calm waters and a rushing river. I woke at dawn to get drone shots of the scenery and waterfall in the morning light.  If you’re an early riser, this quiet hour is yours.

After your hike, head to the cafe for breakfast. The menu changes with the seasons but always focuses on local ingredients. 

Next, saddle up for a guided horseback ride across the property.  Whether you’re new to riding or experienced, this is a relaxed way to explore the resort’s forest edge and trails.  Reservations for the resort’s activities and spa are recommended and can be made through the website.

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Foraged Lunch and Suspension Bridge at Forêt Ouareau Regional Park

About an hour from Le Baluchon, Foret Ouareau Regional Park protects thousands of hectares of mixed hardwood and conifer forest crisscrossed by over 100 km of trails. One highlight is the Pont Suspendu, a 60-meter suspension bridge above a forested gorge, offering sweeping views of the Ouareau River and landscape. 

You can loop back on hiking circuits ranging from easy strolls to full-day excursions, or switch to mountain biking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing depending on the season.

For a deeper taste of the woods, consider Marcheur des Bois for a foraged lunch experience. Their experts identify and gather edible mushrooms, berries, and wild greens, then serve a daily menu made with the harvest.  The menu varies based on what’s in season.  

When I visited in late June, we had a three-course meal with asparagus and stinging nettle soup, wild mushroom arancini, baluchons (bundles) filled with pulled pork or salmon, salad, and a trio of desserts: peppermint brownie, strawberry creme petit chou, and balsam fir cookie. 

Note that their base of operations may shift based on the season – check out their Facebook page for their location and what’s on the menu before visiting.

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Evening Retreat: Auberge du Vieux Moulin

After your afternoon at Foret Ouareau, drive about 30 minutes to Auberge du Vieux Moulin, a four-season resort with year-round activities to match. 

The lakefront main inn here features 20 rooms with a king or queen bed plus a built-in Murphy bed, ideal for families. Each has a gas or wood-burning fireplace, and select rooms also feature a freestanding tub so you can soak your worries away by the fire!

The resort also offers insulated four-season mini-houses known as “Coolbox” rooms, alongside standalone cottages and suites with separate living areas for more space and privacy. For a glamping twist, seasonal teepees are set up on-site with beds and basic heating for a unique overnight.

I stayed at the main inn, where the reclaimed-timber interiors give each room a warm, rustic feel. My room had a fireplace, large modern bath, and a clawfoot tub, plus a balcony with views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Whatever room you choose, be sure to arrive early enough to choose an on-site activity. You can borrow a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or paddleboard for a sunset glide on the water; swim out from the sandy lakeshore to the sunning platform or trampoline on the lake; or unwind in the spa area.

The resort’s Nordic spa is included for all guests and features outdoor hot tubs, dry sauna, steam baths, a Nordic waterfall, and indoor swimming pool. The indoor pool and spa are adjoining the inn, so choose a room there if you want quick access to those amenities.

Dining plans range from room and breakfast to full board, and you’ll certainly want to experience dinner at the resort!  The main dining room welcomes you with a three-course dinner menu built around local game, fish from nearby waters, and farm-fresh produce.  Expect soups, salads, hearty mains, and simple desserts that highlight regional flavors. The menu is on a rotation, so visitors who stay several days will find new dishes to tempt them.

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Next Morning: Breakfast and a Stop at La Terre des Bisons

Wake before dawn and step onto your balcony at Auberge du Vieux Moulin, or walk out on the sandy beach.  The lake is often as still as glass, and watching the light shift across the water is a moment worth waking up early for! 

Back inside, head to the dining room for the farm-to-table buffet breakfast. You’ll find fresh breads, local cheeses and charcuterie, seasonal fruit, eggs, and breakfast meats. It’s a simple spread that highlights the region’s ingredients and sets you up for the drive ahead.

When you’re ready, it’s a short trip to La Terre des Bisons, a family-run ranch where bison and elk have been raised since the mid-1990s. The on-site museum cleverly uses interactive displays and virtual reality stations to trace the animal’s role on these lands, from First Nations stewardship through modern conservation.

The farm started with only 3 bison, but the herd has grown to nearly 100 now. All of the adult bison are female, and we were lucky to get to see a baby that had been born just that morning.

You can view the herds from outside their enclosure, learn about breeding practices, and pick up locally made bison products in the farm and butcher shop onsite.

Allow about 90 minutes here before you continue your journey.

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Practical Tips for Your Lanaudière–Mauricie Road Trip

For this route, you’ll need a car, which you can rent in either Montreal or Quebec City (depending on which direction you’ll complete the itinerary).

Be sure to book well ahead for your accommodation, rental car, and key activities, as the summer season bookings can fill up quickly. Reserve meals at Le Presbytere and other restaurants whenever possible.

Download an offline Google Map before you begin, or use a dedicated GPS device. I often lost a cell signal in rural areas. Don’t forget to fill up your tank in larger towns before heading into forested areas.

Pack layers for changing weather, sturdy shoes for trails, and a small cooler bag if you plan to buy farm or brewery finds or pack a picnic lunch. (I usually travel with a small insulated bag like this in my suitcase for just this purpose!)

Be sure to double-check opening hours and seasonal schedules including summer holidays like Canada Day (Fête du Canada – July 1) and Quebec Day (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day – June 24).

Basic Safety Tips

• Carry a basic first-aid kit, insect and tick repellent, and a charged power bank, especially if you’ll be hiking or cycling. For paddling, add a small dry bag or waterproof pouch.
• Check weather and park conditions before setting out, and confirm activity times when booking.
• In remote areas, stick to marked trails, travel with a partner when possible, and keep park office contact information handy.
• In an emergency: Dial 911 for police, fire, or ambulance.

Staying prepared lets you focus on the trail, the river, and everything in between, so you can enjoy this slice of Quebec without worry!

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Final Thoughts: The Authentic Quebec Road Trip

If you’re looking to add to your trip to Quebec City and Montreal, it worth giving this region at least two or three days. This route allows you to slown down and enjoy the natural landscape during your journey.  Lanaudiere–Mauricie offers an authentic side of Quebec you won’t find in its cities. 

Did you visit Lanaudiere–Mauricie using tips from my guide?  Message me on Instagram to let me know!

Check my list of the most unique things to do in Montreal to add to your Quebec trip. Or get all my tips for a perfect 3-day Montreal itinerary.

Looking for one last adventure in Quebec before you fly out from Montreal?  Grab my tips for an adrenaline-charged Laval itinerary with world-class escape rooms, indoor skydiving, U-pick farms and kayaking!

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