Des Chenaux

Located east of Mauricie, the RCM des Chenaux is the region’s gateway for travellers coming from Québec City. Our suggestion if you’re driving through the area? Say adios to the flat, boring highway views 👋 and head straight for the King’s Road (Chemin du Roy). Following the river and running through the entire RCM, Route 138 treats visitors to breathtaking river and countryside panoramas. Along the way, you’ll discover local crafts, authentic regional cuisine, and Mauricie’s heritage in the charming villages that dot the landscape.

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Regional Snapshot

While all of Mauricie is a paradise for food lovers, this is especially true in the RCM des Chenaux. The mix of cultural heritage, rural traditions, and natural beauty along the St. Lawrence River (hello, amazing views 📸) creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that begs for a getaway or road trip.

And that’s thanks in large part to the King’s Road (Chemin du Roy), the St. Lawrence’s land-based sibling. Crossing the RCM des Chenaux all the way to Trois-Rivières, this is the oldest driveable road in North America. It highlights the region’s rustic and historic character, lined with period homes, small churches, and bucolic scenery (starting to get how stunning Des Chenaux is? 🥹). This iconic route invites visitors on a journey back in time to experience the colonial history of New France. A quick stop at the Vieux Presbytère of Batiscan or the Domaine seigneurial Sainte-Anne is enough to see for yourself! The local villages add to the rustic escape with their markets, artisan shops, and welcoming inns.

And of course, don’t miss the Verger Barry orchard, Fromagerie L’Ancêtre, Boissons du Roy, Simon de l’Atlantique, and the local microbreweries. Here, you’ll savour the region’s terroir and experience the legendary warmth of its people. 🫶

In winter, the region’s showstopper is the world-famous ice fishing for tommycod (poulamon) in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade. Each year, the frozen river hosts about 500 heated fishing cabins where families and friends gather to fish, laugh, and make memories together. Other regional must-sees include the Parc de la rivière Batiscan and the Domaine Enchanteur, with its magical maze of icy trails.

Must-Sees

Whether you’re into history, great food, or local crafts, one thing’s certain: you’ll find what you’re looking for, guided by the river breeze, in the RCM des Chenaux! Here are a few suggestions to help you break away from the crowds and daily grind.

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For more tips and activities, ask the pros!

Tourisme Mauricie is a bit like a loving mom. She has six “kids”—the region’s six territories—and she loves them all equally (well, almost. Everyone knows the little rascal is always the most charming one 🤫). And as a good mom with no favourites, she’ll tell you all her kids are the BEST. So don’t hesitate to reach out for advice and activity ideas about each territory! (Wait, did we really just compare ourselves to a loving mom?)

Visit Tourisme Des Chenaux’s website