It’s a mild, sunny Sunday in November, and as we sip our morning coffee, we’re thinking of a great place to go white goose-watching with the family. A quick search revealed Parc des Trois-Bérets in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli as a favourite place to watch the flock of migratory birds.
A pleasant surprise at the Parc des Trois-Bérêts
A charming village at the eastern end of the Chaudière-Appalaches region, just a few kilometres from Bas Saint-Laurent, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli has everything it takes to make you feel like you’re on holiday all year round! As well as its magnificent natural setting on the banks of the river, the area boasts an enviable cultural vitality in many respects. Many artists have chosen to settle here over the years, no doubt because Saint-Jean-Port-Joli has everything to inspire.
As we drove along Route 132 to our destination, we doubted we’d see any geese (they’re not on order), as several long stretches of river were devoid of birds. But surprise! When we arrived at Parc des Trois-Bérets, our wish was granted. Great white waves rippled against the blue sky, coming to rest on the shore. Through the tall grass, we were able to enjoy this ephemeral spectacle to the sound of the cacophony of birds. The children thought that from a distance, the geese looked like hundreds of snowflakes gently twirling around. We followed the maritime interpretation trail lined with the wooden sculptures for which Saint-Jean-Port-Joli is famous. Here and there, benches, magnificently carved in honour of the founding families of the village, offer themselves for admiring the landscape. The attention to detail is touching, the beauty soothing, a vision well integrated into this park.
