Agricultural silos often go unnoticed when travelling through the countryside. But in the Haut-Saint-Laurent region of Montérégie, that is no longer quite the case.
Over the past few years, a network of monumental murals painted on silos across the region has begun to take shape.
MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent
This innovative initiative pays tribute to the area’s heritage while creating a unique cultural experience for both residents and visitors.
The first project was completed on Artifice Street in Franklin. The artwork is impossible to miss. It was painted on two side-by-side silos attached to the Vincent family farm barn.
The mural features a tractor, highlighting the agricultural identity of the region, but also a cyclist, paying tribute to a sport that is especially popular in this corner of southwestern Quebec.
MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent
The second giant mural is just as colourful. A silo at Thornbrae Farm, located on Route 138 in Très-Saint-Sacrement (near Howick), now features a barn swallow.
The green bands decorating the top and bottom of the mural are inspired by the structure of the Turcot Bridge, designated a historic monument by Quebec’s Ministry of Culture in 2009. Beneath the swallow are stylized pictograms representing various pollinators important to both agriculture and nature in general.
The hexagonal shapes of these pictograms also reference quilt patterns, a traditional craft still practiced today by the property owner and local artisans.
In addition, the painting technique creates an optical illusion for visitors. Up close, the geometric shapes and colours appear randomly arranged. From a distance, however, the colours blend together to reveal a magnificent mural.
Open-air museum
MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent
Last fall, a new phase of the project was launched to add more artworks to this growing open-air museum.
It is easy to imagine that this developing circuit will attract fans of large-scale public art in the years ahead.
One can easily picture spending a summer day cycling from one monumental artwork to another, along peaceful country roads and through rural villages. The idea of discovering the region mural by mural is sure to attract many visitors — and certainly cyclists as well.
Five cycling routes
The regional county municipality hopes to become an attractive destination for cycle tourists. Five cycling routes have been developed to help visitors explore the territory while riding along scenic country roads with constantly changing landscapes.
Distances range from 76 to over 100 kilometres. Some routes are more challenging than others. Certain itineraries follow waterways, while others flirt with the American border.
Covey Hill Circuit
Distance: 101 km
Elevation: 342 m
Grand Circuit of Haut-Saint-Laurent
Distance: 154 km
Elevation: 196 m
Lake Saint-François Circuit
Distance: 75.8 km
Elevation: 70 m
Châteauguay Circuit
Distance: 71.5 km
Elevation: 130 m
Blueberry Circuit
Distance: 75.8 km
Elevation: 208 m
The region also offers an off-road cycling experience on the Sentier du Paysan.
Le Sentier du paysan / Le Cycliste du dimanche
This peaceful bike path crosses the Jardins-de-Napierville RCM through the municipalities of Cantic, Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Saint-Patrice-de-Sherrington, the Township of Hemmingford and Sainte-Clotilde.
Passing through farmland and wooded areas, cyclists ride on a flat, paved trail. This is a place people come for tranquility.
Between giant murals, quiet rural roads and gourmet stops, the Haut-Saint-Laurent region is perfectly suited for bike touring. And to fully enjoy the experience without carrying heavy panniers, Voyager à vélo’s luggage transport services allow cyclists to ride light from one accommodation to the next.