Discover Ancienne Lorette

River landscapes, forest trails and history

L'Ancienne-Lorette combines nature experiences with traces of the area's history. At Parc de la Rivière, the rivière Lorette flows through an expansive green space in the center of the town. There are also cycling and inline skating routes, boules and pickleball courts, as well as historic sites. When choosing your vacation rental, you can consider whether your trip is mainly about green trails, outdoor activities or cultural history.

For orientation at Parc de la Rivière, two measurements should be distinguished: the park is almost 8 kilometers long and covers 56 hectares. The network of forest trails within the park is also 8 kilometers long. These trails are suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. If you want to include a range of activities in your trip, you’ll find both a green setting and several ways to get active outdoors. The rivière Lorette is part of the park’s landscape; it flows through the grounds.

Beyond the park, there are also trails for active days: L'Ancienne-Lorette has a total of 16 kilometers of cycling paths and corridors for cycling and inline skating. In Boisé Lorettain, numerous walking and cycling trails lead through the forest. This expansive green space offers a different way to experience the area than the trails along the rivière Lorette. If you enjoy getting around on foot and by bike, these amenities may help you choose a suitable base.

Parc de la Rivière has 17 boules courts that are free and accessible at any time. There are also four free pickleball courts. These, too, are freely accessible at any time, and there is no reservation system. These specific opportunities for an outdoor game complement the park’s trails and natural spaces. Whether you’d rather spend the day hiking or cycling, or plan to play one of these court sports, you can weigh up the different options.

A special viewpoint is Escalier Jandomien, accessible via the street of the same name. From there, you can enjoy views of the forest and the rivière Lorette; the staircase also provides safe access to the trails. If you’d like to take in the landscape from somewhere other than the trail itself, you can include this access point in your exploration.

Historic sites and local history

The area's history can be explored through specific buildings and memorial sites. Calvaire de Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation is located at 1625, rue Notre-Dame, in L'Ancienne-Lorette. It was designated a historic monument and historic site on October 5, 1971. Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation stands out for the quality of its composition, its monumentality and its architectural integrity. Both sites offer points of interest for travelers interested in religious buildings and architecture.

The former grain mill of Seigneurie St-Gabriel is also part of the area's history. Two information panels on Rue du Moulin explain its history. The mill was inaugurated in 1755 and operated for almost 175 years. For more insight into the past, L'Ancienne-Lorette's online archive bank contains historical photos and various documents that you can use to explore the city's history.

Another historic landmark is Maison Woodbury-Matte. It is located in L'Ancienne-Lorette and has heritage value as a testament to the development of summer resorts in Québec. Together with the information panels, the archive and the architecturally notable buildings, it offers a cultural way to explore the area. So choose your vacation rental based on which aspect of the trip matters to you: the trails and green spaces, outdoor sports or the history of L'Ancienne-Lorette.

Read more: Québec, Beaconsfield, Sainte-Foy, Beauport.

For the broader travel overview: Communauté-Urbaine-De-Québec.