The blue route
EMBARK ON A DISCOVERY OF YOUR TERRITORY
Ready to set sail? This year, adventure on the water in the Montérégie region reaches a new level with La Route Bleue! No fewer than 28 new certified nautical routes have been inaugurated, bringing the total to an incredible 470 kilometers of waterways on magnificent bodies of water like the Richelieu River. Whether you're canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding, it's a warm invitation to explore our territory in complete safety, with family or friends.
To ensure that your outings are always a pleasure, La Route Bleue, recognized as a national network, offers you invaluable tools: interactive cartography and detailed data sheets (level of difficulty, duration, weather conditions...). And to encourage you to take the plunge, introductory paddling and water safety events will be organized throughout the summer. Keep an eye out for dates and locations to be announced on the Plaisirs Plein air website. It's the perfect opportunity to rediscover our heritage, meet new people and reconnect with nature, while protecting our precious bodies of water for future generations.
Here, when the water calls, we embark on an adventure!
- Accessibility and safety: Make outdoor water activities accessible and safe.
- Rediscovering our heritage: Rediscovering our heritage and identity.
- Sustainable access: Giving Quebecers back sustainable access to their bodies of water.
- Environmental protection: Protecting water bodies for today and future generations.
- Structured cohabitation: Ensuring the harmonious cohabitation of different uses of water bodies.
Get ready to paddle! The Route Bleue extends into the Montérégie region
The Route Bleue is above all an adventure in sharing and communing with nature.
Center de plein air l'Estacade
Discover the wonders of the Richelieu River. The captivating trails offered by the Centre de Plein Air l'Estacade have everything you need for adventure.
Course 1
Explore the natural beauty of the region, with breathtaking views of the Lacolle Bridge and Ash Island. You'll marvel at the river's ecological richness while enjoying an idyllic setting. Nearby, a range of unusual accommodation awaits you, perfect for extending your stay and experiencing nature at its best.
Rivière Richelieu - Centre de Plein Air l'Estacade - South - La route bleue
Course 2
For beginners, the second course offers a peaceful loop along the Richelieu River, leading all the way to the U.S. border. Its length is ideal for a relaxing day paddling at your own pace. A perfect route for a weekend getaway.
What's more, along the way you'll discover several fascinating points of interest, including a beaver lodge where you can observe local wildlife, and the famous Cantic swing bridge, a living testimony to local history.
Rivière Richelieu - Tour de l'Île Ash - La route bleue
Course 3
Depart from Centre de Plein Air l'Estacade or rue Saint-Pierre in Henryville. Discover a magnificent 8.5 km loop on the Richelieu River.
Ideal for beginners, this 2.5-hour tour lets you spend half a day exploring the region's natural attractions.
Whether you're a nature lover, an adventurer in search of new horizons or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, the courses at Centre de Plein Air l'Estacade will seduce you and offer you a memorable experience in the heart of the Richelieu River.
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Course 1
Departure in the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu area. You'll have the option of following the shoreline of Île Sainte-Thérèse northwards to a pretty marsh. It's a peaceful spot without too much shipping traffic, ideal for observing flora and fauna up close. Richelieu River - Sainte-Thérèse Island - North - La route bleue
Course 2
Also departing from the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu area, with a loop option along the shore of Sainte-Thérèse Island. There are also locks to the west. It's a quiet spot that offers a natural experience close to the city. Rivière Richelieu - Île Sainte-Thérèse - South - La route bleue
Course 3
Start at Parc Gerry-Boulet. This tour offers a short nautical experience in the heart of Old Saint-Jean. You can combine this outing with other discovery activities, or extend it in the direction of the Centre-de-Plein-Air-Ronald-Beauregard park. Rivière Richelieu - Vieux Saint-Jean - La route bleue
Course 4
This route starts at the Centre-de-Plein-air-Ronald-Beauregard park and offers full reception facilities. It allows you to paddle along the west bank of the Richelieu River, near Old Saint-Jean, for periods ranging from a few minutes to a few hours. Richelieu River - Centre-de-Plein-Air-Ronald-Beauregard Park - South - La route bleue
Course 5
Departing from Goyette Park, this trail offers an escape along the east bank of the Richelieu. A visit to the Ruisseau de la Barbotte often provides an opportunity for privileged contact with local wildlife. Richelieu River - Goyette Park - La route bleue
These different routes offer a variety of possibilities for kayaking enthusiasts, from unspoilt natural areas to urban explorations along the Richelieu.
Henryville
Route 1: Rivière du Sud
Sail the Richelieu River from Henryville (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) on a 14 km round trip. Perfect for beginners, it will take you around 4 hours 45 minutes to complete.
Take the turnoff to the Rivière du Sud, and you'll discover varied landscapes bordered by tall grasses, offering total immersion in the surrounding nature.
Route 2: Tour of Île aux Noix
Explore the Richelieu River from Henryville (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) on an 11 km loop.
This approximately 3h45-minute trip is ideal for beginners, offering quiet sailing with a breathtaking view of Île aux Noix and Fort Lennox.
Along the way, enjoy the natural beauty of the island and its surroundings as you return to your starting point.
