| MRC de «La Jacques-Cartier»
Located 20 minutes from downtown Quebec city, «The Jacques-Cartier» offers you a quality tourist product, geared mainly towards outdoor life and nature.
Some history
The roots of the area go back to the XIIIth century, however, actual colonization only began in the last century. Drawn by giant forests and the promise of an excellent wood production, English, Irish and Scotish immigrants are the first to settle in this territory, which explains the names Stoneham, Tewkesbury and Shannon given to some geographical places.
It was only at the turn of the century that seasonal visitors mixed with the local population. As for winter tourism, it began around 1930, when Quebec's alpin skiing becomes popular to Americans. Today, the region distinguishes itself by the simultaneous presence of a natural framework and intensive tourist activities.
Mountains, water, forests and still more forests...
Along with water, there is abundant vegetation: an ondulating and mountainous relief, several lakes (Beauport, Delage and St-Joseph) and rivers (Montmorency and Jacques Cartier...), varied wildlife, and a rich floral presence on a territory more than 8 500 square kilometers...
In the Jacques-Cartier park (3 000 square kilometers approximately), thus named because of the river that crosses it, visitors can choose from many activities, among which is a wildlife observation safari (wolves and moose).
The Duchesnay forestry station offers educational activities with the theme being the forest, through the help of its "Econature Center". The Montmorency forest, set up by Laval University over 30 years ago is very representative of a white birchtree plantation. Finally, the national park shelters one of America's most beautiful ecological reserves, namely the Laurentien wildlife reserve (restricted public access).
Some small cities and picturesque villages
On site, the Jacques-Cartier Tourism offers a tourist circuit that lets the visitor discover the charm of the small cities and villages grouped into two sectors:
- the East sector including Lac
Beauport, Lac-Delage, Ste-Brigitte-de-Laval, St-Gabriel-de-Valcartier and the united townships of
Stoneham
and Tewkesbury;
- the West sector including Lac-St-Joseph, Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, Shannon and Ste-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier.
Numerous activities, summer as well as winter
In summertime, due to the presence of many lakes and rivers, it is possible to practice a wide variety of nautical activities: swimming,
fishing, sailboarding, leisure cruises, canoe-kayaking and rafting... And for those who don't like water, mountain biking is eased by a Mountain biking network, that offers beaconed trails, adapted to different levels of
difficulty. Nature's lovers will enjoy a relaxing excursion
while doing a little horseback
riding.
With the arrival of winter, the favorite activities of the region become alpine and cross country skiing, sliding,
snowmobiling, dogsledding excursions as well as
carriole
rides.
Quebecers and visitors intermingle getting to know each other better, through the practice of these activities.
Restaurants, Inns, hotels and campgrounds
Finally, visitors can count on people's hospitality, and on the presence of many campgrounds, condos
and cottages
for rent. As for dining, many establishments offer a service typical of the region.
Among tourist installations available
Hébergement Stoneham
Condominums, houses and cottages rental. Stoneham
Plage Lac St-Joseph
Fossambault-sur-le-Lac
Pourvoirie du Lac Beauport
Lac Beauport
Site culturel amérindien Tsonontwan
Stoneham
Station touristique Duchesnay
Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
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