Top ideas Our team’s top picks for riverside picnics

I’m a girl who loves traditions, and one of my favorites in the summer is, without a doubt, my picnic at Parc des Trois-Bérets (the tables by the river) with a pita from La Libellule. It’s always just as delicious, and the view is magical. For me, it’s a place that feels like a holiday.

I GO THERE FOR

The veggie pâté pita, the strawberry lemonade and the buzz of the village of St-Jean-Port-Joli.

🥪 La Libellule, resto convivial
🧺 Parc des Trois-Bérets
🚗 Distance between the two: 2 minutes (1 km).

We’ve got a soft spot for simple plans that make it look as though we’ve organised everything like pros. This is one of them: a stop at O’Ravito Café in Saint-Romuald, and there you have it, the perfect riverside picnic at Parc de la Rivière-Etchemin. No prep needed the night before, and a setting that makes you forget you’re still just a few minutes away from the bridges.

I GO THERE FOR

Enjoy my special Chaudière-Appalaches lunch box: local cheeses and charcuterie, a gourmet sandwich and a decadent dessert.

🥪 O’Ravito Café & Traiteur
🧺 Parc de la Rivière-Etchemin
🚗 Distance between the two: 5 minutes (3 km)

When I fancy getting away from my usual haunts, I make my way out to Cap-Saint-Ignace. It’s just far enough from home to feel like I’m in a different world, without it being the adventure of a lifetime. A stop at the Babel Café, followed by a short 1 km walk along the Sentier du Petit Cap trail, perfect for introducing my 3-year-old to the outdoors and enjoying a magnificent view of the river and the Charlevoix mountains.

I GO THERE FOR

The strawberry iced matcha, the BLT wrap and the brownie.

🥪 Babel Café
🧺 Sentier du Petit Cap
🚗 Distance between the two: 1 minute (300 m)

My favorite spot for a picnic is, without a doubt, the Saint-Michel Marina. The view is breathtaking. It’s the perfect place to recharge my batteries. First, I stop off at the Fromagerie du Terroir de Bellechasse in Saint-Vallier.

I GO THERE FOR

Their generous ready-to-eat counter, their cheese curds and, above all, their absolutely decadent chocolate sundae!

Anyone who knows me knows I simply can’t resist.

🥪 Fromagerie du Terroir de Bellechasse
🧺 Saint-Michel Marina
🚗 Distance between the two: 8 minutes (9 km)

It’s no secret, I love my village of Saint-Nicolas! On those short, busy weekends when I fancy a bit of a break, I make the most of the very best my village has to offer. A quick stop at Les Bleuets du Vire-Crêpes (almost a second home to me in the summer) and I head off to Anse Ross, my absolute favorite spot in the whole world, right by the river. What could be better than having your feet in the sand at low tide?

I GO THERE FOR

The Blueberry and Local Delicacies Gift Box: a box filled with blueberries and gourmet local produce, such as cheeses, charcuterie and other little gems. It’s a dream!

Psst… if you’re more of an early riser, you’ll be pleased to know that their brunches are also available to take away.

🥪 Les Bleuets du Vire-Crêpes
🧺 L’Anse Ross
🚗 Distance between the two: 9 minutes (7.2 km)

At the start of the week, it’s often hard to find a restaurant open for my end-of-day motorbike rides. My plan? A stop at Alicia Sanchez, a delicatessen in Lévis, then off to the Quai de Leclercville. I love this place: it feels like you’re eating right in the middle of the river!

I GO THERE FOR

A few cheeses, some salami and a good bottle of privately imported wine.

🥪 Alicia Sanchez, épicerie fine
🧺 Quai de Leclercville
🚗 Distance between the two: 57 minutes (65 km)

*As a bonus, here’s my route so you can find the best way to get there!