Push those legs on over into the country of the heroine of Louis Hémon’s famous novel! But before, you must visit the little village of Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc through which the pretty Rivière noire (Black River) flows. On the banks, you will see an old mill built in 1902 that can still be visited. A little apart from the village sits one of those rare sights, a covered bridge. The Véloroute borrows the Chutes blanches (White Falls) road as you go out of the village and to the right you can see the falls where you will also pass one of the largest dairy farms in the region. Péribonka (traces a sand trail) and its great river suggest a stop at the marina where it is nice to get a glimpse of Lake Saint-Jean again. Péribonka has enjoyed international renown since the Breton writer Louis Hémon stayed there and wrote his celebrated novel Maria Chapdelaine in 1912. It has been translated into 16 languages and has been adapted 3 times for the cinema. The Louis Hémon Museum is part of the Maria Chapdelaine Complex and is devoted to raising the value of literature and regional history and culture. Pay special attention to the modern art sculpture in front of the museum…a lot of tongues wagged a few years ago… While pedalling along the Péribonka River, you will no doubt notice great sandy fields where potatoes are grown. The wooded banks on the other side of the river are part of the Pointe-Taillon National Wildlife Park. On the bridge to the left, is the Chute-à-Savane hydroelectric dam. The word "savane" is the old way of saying "peat bog" which are abundant in the area. Not far, we see the hostel Île du Repos (Rest Island) where many cultural activities are going on all summer. Sainte-Monique-de-Honfleur on the banks of the Péribonka River gets its name from the port of Honfleur in France where Samuel de Champlain set out on his voyage to find New France in 1608. The tourist centre offers several possibilities for open air activities. The Pointe-Taillon National Wildlife Park boasts several kilometres of groomed cycling trails deep in the forest. Long, sandy beaches were meant to walk on and long live swimming!! Flora and fauna abound in the natural habitat, especially moose and beaver and evidence abounds on the bicycle trails. Sainte-Henri-de-Taillon welcomes you with open arms. Close to the church, at a place called Baie de la Pipe (Pipe Bay) is a charming view of the lake and the islands where the Amerindians are said to have gathered to talk and…smoke the pipe! After having pedalled over rolling hills dotted with white sheep (don’t count them!) you will get to Alma, Saint-Cœur-de-Marie Sector where a fine black granite church stands. This municipality, close to the banks of the Grande Décharge River boasts, and rightly so, some of the prettiest sunsets in the region. A stop at the marina and the viewpoint close by is something you might want to consider visiting. Next, the Véloroute will bring you to Saint-Michel Road that wanders through beautiful countryside. By the way, this is where the former Premier Lucien Bouchard was born. Source: La Véloroute des Bleuets, (418) 668-4541 ou 1-866-550-4541, http://www.veloroute-bleuets.qc.ca

Biking

Hybrid Route (road and bike path)