Mercier

Day Trips

Start your day with a scenic bike ride along the Saint Lawrence River, breathing in fresh air and enjoying panoramic water views. Stop at a local café in Mercier for freshly baked pastries and a locally roasted coffee. Chat with friendly baristas to learn about the community’s cycling culture.

Continue your ride toward nearby villages, exploring charming streets lined with historic homes and artisanal shops. Pause at a farmers’ roadside stand to sample seasonal fruits and homemade preserves. Capture photos of the rustic barns and rolling fields that characterize the Montérégie landscape.

Return your bike and stroll along the riverbank just before sunset, watching as the sky is painted with warm hues. Dine at a cozy bistro overlooking the water, sampling regional specialties like poutine and Québec-style smoked meats. End your evening with a riverside promenade under softly glowing street lamps.

Begin your exploration at the historic Notre-Dame-de-Lorette church, marveling at its ornate stained-glass windows and wooden beams. Strike up a conversation with the local historian who often shares fascinating anecdotes about early settlers. Capture photos of the hand-carved statues and centuries-old craftsmanship.

Head to the Mercier artisanal market where local farmers and craftsmen display fresh produce, cheeses and handcrafted goods. Sample farm-fresh strawberries in season and taste unique maple products made nearby. Browse stalls for handmade pottery and locally woven textiles as souvenirs.

Enjoy a leisurely meal at a family-run tavern specializing in traditional Québecois fare like tourtière and pea soup. Join an evening folk music session if available, clapping along to lively accordion tunes. Cap the night with a stroll through the lit-up town square and friendly chats with vendors packing up their stalls.

Set out early to Parc Delpha-Sauvé where winding woodland trails await just minutes from downtown Mercier. Keep your eyes peeled for white-tailed deer and colourful warblers among the sugar maples. Take a mindful pause at the park’s central clearing to listen to rustling leaves and trickling streams.

Find a shaded spot for a picnic lunch with supplies picked up from the local market, including crusty bread and artisanal cheeses. Afterward, tackle one of the longer loop trails that meander alongside marshes and small ponds. Bring binoculars for birdwatching and guidebooks to identify native plant species along the way.

As dusk falls, join a guided nature walk if available, learning about nocturnal wildlife that emerges after dark. Return to Mercier for a relaxed dinner at a riverside café, feasting on fresh-caught fish from the Saint Lawrence. Conclude the day by stargazing in a nearby open field, marveling at the clarity of the night sky.

Drive northeast to Fort-Chambly National Historic Site to tour its restored fortifications and learn about colonial-era skirmishes. Participate in an interactive demonstration of 17th-century military drills and visit the on-site museum. Capture scenic shots of the fort’s timber palisades set against lush riverbanks.

Continue to the Chambly Canal, renting a small boat or kayak to drift through a series of historic water locks. Stop at one of the canal’s picnic areas for a lunch of baguette sandwiches and pastries from a local boulangerie. Wander along the towpath, admiring the vintage lock-keeper cottages and ironwork bridges.

Return to Mercier for dinner at a waterfront restaurant renowned for its seafood platters and seasonal vegetables. Enjoy a leisurely riverside walk as the sun sets, reflecting off the calm waters. Unwind with a locally brewed craft beer at an outdoor terrace while listening to gentle river currents.

Journey through rolling vineyards to a boutique winery just outside Mercier for a guided tour of the tasting rooms and barrel cellars. Learn about the region’s unique climate and soil that yield crisp Rieslings and rich Pinot Noirs. Dip into the fields for a close-up look at grape clusters ready for harvest.

Sample a flight of award-winning wines paired with artisanal cheeses and charcuterie on a sun-drenched terrace. Consult with the vintner to understand flavour notes and winemaking techniques passed down through generations. Stroll through the vine-covered trellises with a glass in hand, enjoying panoramic views of the countryside.

Return to Mercier town centre and dine at a gourmet bistro featuring local produce and wine pairings. Share stories of the day’s tastings over dishes like duck confit and seasonal vegetable risotto. Cap the evening with a digestif in a cozy lounge filled with rustic décor and soft jazz.

Arrive at the Rivière Richelieu kayak launch early to rent a kayak and gear for a day on the water. Paddle downstream as the morning mist lifts, passing under quaint wooden bridges and alongside cedar-lined banks. Keep watch for snapping turtles sunning themselves on floating logs.

Stop at a scenic riverside park for a riverside picnic with pre-packed local sandwiches and homemade pies. Continue your paddle through narrow back channels teeming with marshland life and waterfowl. Find a secluded inlet to pull ashore for birdwatching and photos of the tranquil aquatic scenery.

Glide back toward the launch point as the sun sinks low, painting the sky in fiery oranges and purples. Share a convivial dinner at a waterfront restaurant famous for its perch and smoked salmon platters. Finish the night with a peaceful stroll along the riverbank, reflecting on the day’s aquatic adventure.

Take the commuter train into Montreal for a guided walking tour of Old Montréal’s cobbled streets, historic chapels and horse-drawn carriages. Visit landmarks like the Notre-Dame Basilica, marveling at its ornate Gothic Revival interior. Stop for a café au lait and croissant at a riverside terrace overlooking the Old Port.

Explore the Musée Pointe-à-Callière to uncover the city’s archaeological roots, diving into interactive exhibits about indigenous cultures and colonial history. Wander through the colourful Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood, admiring vibrant street art and boutique storefronts. Refuel with a gourmet sandwich and freshly squeezed juice from a local delishop.

Dine in the lively Mile End district, sipping signature cocktails and sharing small plates of smoked meats, poutine variations and molten chocolate desserts. Experience Montreal’s nightlife by catching live music at a cozy jazz club or open-air festival during summer months. Conclude the evening with a late-night crepe parfait or artisanal gelato near Belle Province.

Catch a ferry to Parc des Îles-de-Boucherville, a five-island archipelago perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Rent bicycles to explore paved and unpaved trails winding through forests, marshes and riverside viewpoints. Pause at an observation tower for sprawling vistas of the Saint Lawrence and Richelieu Rivers converging.

Break for lunch on a picnic blanket at one of the park’s designated areas, sampling gourmet sandwiches and fresh berries from local markets. Try stand-up paddleboarding in the sheltered channels or fish for bass from a quiet shore. Stroll the culturally significant sites that highlight the region’s indigenous and colonial heritage.

Return to Mercier before dusk, arriving in time for a refined dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing terroir-driven cuisine. Share a bottle of local cider while recounting your island adventures. End the evening with a gentle walk beside the illuminated riverbank, breathing in the night air.

Visit a family-run dairy farm just outside Mercier to tour the facilities and meet friendly cows and goats. Observe cheesemakers in action, curdling milk and pressing wheels in a hands-on demonstration. Learn about sustainable farming practices and the importance of terroir in dairy products.

Indulge in a cheese tasting paired with seasonal fruit preserves, crusty baguettes and a selection of cold cuts. Attend a short workshop on crafting fresh goat cheese, milling herbs and spices into your own wheel to take home. Stroll through the farm’s vegetable gardens, sampling sun-ripened tomatoes and crisp lettuce.

Return to Mercier for a rustic dinner at a bistro specializing in farm-fresh fare and local produce. Savor dishes like grilled zucchini, heirloom bean cassoulet and lavender-infused crème brûlée. Wrap up the day with a sunset sit-down by the river, enjoying the tranquillity of rural Québec.

Unwind with a day at a nearby spa offering massage therapy, aromatherapy and hot stone treatments. Float in a hydrotherapy pool surrounded by calming nature sounds and soft lighting. Do gentle stretches in a steam room or attend a guided meditation class to center your mind.

Sip herbal tea in a serene relaxation lounge before indulging in a light lunch of seasonal soup and green salad. Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure featuring local maple sugar scrubs. Take a leisurely walk in the spa’s adjacent gardens, breathing in fragrant lavender and mint.

For your final night, dine at a riverside bistro renowned for its nose-to-tail cooking and vegetarian innovations alike. Watch the sun dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the water. Toast to your Mercier adventure with a glass of local ice wine as gentle waves lap nearby.