Quebec was built over centuries through the creation of a string of villages scattered across its territory. Today, they remain warm and welcoming places waiting to be discovered.
By bike, these villages become much more than simple dots on a map. They turn into rest stops, encounters, and landscapes that are earned one pedal stroke at a time.
These hamlets are connected by a mix of cycling paths and quiet country roads. Often, as you leave one village and stretch your neck, you can already spot the church steeple of the next parish on the horizon.
Welcome to “La Belle Province.”
Several regions stand out as true cycling paradises: Montérégie, Estrie, Beauce, and Bas-Saint-Laurent, to name just a few.
With its rolling hills, the Dunham area attracts many cyclists who enjoy long climbs followed by peaceful descents with sweeping views of the countryside. The number of possible rides is impressive.
This region—once home to the late columnist Pierre Foglia, himself a passionate cyclist—is also known for its vineyards and excellent dining spots.
Riding the Gravel
Estrie is well known for its cycling paths, but it has also become a paradise for gravel cycling. This fast-growing discipline has developed significantly in recent years, with routes mapped out along quiet country roads rarely used by vehicles.
A gravel road to explore.
A good example is the Coaticook Regional County Municipality. Villages such as Way’s Mills, Barnston-Ouest, Waterville, and Compton offer a glimpse into a region once settled by Loyalists from the United States.
This fertile agricultural area is rich in local products. One warning: the ride may take longer than expected. Why? Because the stops are many—whether to photograph the scenery or to sample the region’s culinary delights.
It’s easy to be tempted by the craft beers and renowned cheeses produced in this part of the Eastern Townships.
For gravel cycling enthusiasts, the Val-Saint-François region also offers many dirt roads forming loops of varying difficulty. The Valcourt area, birthplace of inventor Joseph-Armand Bombardier, is a great example.
Recreating the Tour de Beauce
The Beauce region is famous for its warm hospitality. For more athletic riders, it’s even possible to recreate parts of the Tour de Beauce, one of Canada’s best-known cycling races.
In 2025, elite cyclists rode through picturesque villages such as Saint-Gédéon and Saint-Odilon, completing loops of more than 160 kilometres. Since hills don’t scare them, the organizers also included a demanding ride through the Lac-Mégantic region.
The St. Lawrence River in Kamouraska
If the sea, tides, and passing ships fascinate you, head toward Bas-Saint-Laurent, particularly the Kamouraska area.
A Kamouraska sunset. / Le Cycliste du dimanche
Cycling here feels like stepping into Quebec’s history, as you ride along roads lined with ancestral homes.
Following the quiet Route 132, largely abandoned by motorists who prefer the speed of Highway 20, you pass through villages such as Saint-Philippe-de-Néri, Saint-Germain, and Saint-André, all while the majestic St. Lawrence River remains your constant backdrop.
Several cycling loops are possible, including rides from Kamouraska to Rivière-du-Loup or from Kamouraska to La Pocatière.
One suggestion: book at least one night in one of the many charming inns in the area. At the end of the day, after a good meal, head to the shoreline and prepare for the show—the sunset over the St. Lawrence is not to be missed.
After riding from steeple to steeple, you begin to understand something: Quebec is not a place you simply cross.
It is a place you discover. Slowly. One village at a time.
Share Your Favourite Cycling Villages!
The Voyager à vélo team would love to hear about your favourite cycling villages and regions in Quebec and Ontario.
Do you know great cafés, charming inns, or must-see attractions along the way?
Let us know at info@voyageravelo.com.