Les Basques: ideal destinations for a picnic

Of course, the river banks and the shorelines remain the most popular. Many of these places are popular with families, as children can run around on the beach while parents enjoy their local produce purchases and take photos of the beautiful surrondings.

In Trois-Pistoles, the dock and the Catherine-Leblond promenade provide a bit of salty sea air on the hottest days of summer. You will find picnic tables dotted along the promenade and on the docks. You will be able to watch the arrivals and departures of the ferry and chat with the fishermen who come to catch smelt at the end of the dock.

Finally, at the crossroads of Jean-Rioux and Notre-Dame street, where the Trois-Pistoles church stands, the park adjacent to the church is the perfect place for tasting products from the surrounding businesses and attending artistic performances on Wednesday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes throughout the summer. Around ten picnic tables are available and it is also possible to find places in the shade of the large maple trees that border the grounds.

If you prefer the forest and the sound of waterfalls on the stones, the different viewpoints of the National Trail which runs along the Trois-Pistoles River will delight you. Enjoying a good meal, with both feet in the river to cool off, is always pleasant.

Otherwise, several high viewpoints provide spectacular views of the rock walls carved out by the river bed. The Sault MacKenzie, the cable-stayed footbridge and the Passerelle des Basques are becoming must-sees. Picnic tables are also available in these different locations and in certain river access parking lots.

If you are not afraid of heights, the Belvédère Beaulieu in Saint-Simon-de-Rimouski remains a must. Several picnic tables line the Route verte between the entrance on Chemin Côté and Chemin du Porc-Pic. At Porc-Pic, a beautiful belvedere has been set up near the Porc-Pic falls. A nice place for those who would like to eat before or after the climb to the viewpoint.

And if you pass through Saint-Simon-de-Rimouski, don’t hesitate to take a little detour, either to Parc Croc-Nature in the center of the village, or towards Saint-Simon-sur-mer via Chemin de la Grève and go to the small municipal rest area. This offers the possibility of picnicking and seeing superb sunsets over the river.

Do you want to have a picnic on the edge of a lake with the children? Several picnic sites are available to you in Saint-Mathieu-de-Rioux.

The Parc du Riverain offers several picnic tables, in addition to a children’s play area and a small beach to soak up your feet. Otherwise, Roger-Riou Beach will allow those with watercrafts such as boats, kayaks and paddle boards to picnic on the edge of the lake before setting out.

So, what are you waiting for for a little roadtrip in the Basques? We are waiting for you, picnic basket under your arm and if you lack inspiration to enhance your meal, on site, you will find everything you are not looking for! Cheese, charcuterie, fishmongers, SAQ, grocery stores and restaurants will be happy to prepare a meal for you to take out!

The Public Markets are also a good place to stock up on supplies for outdoor dining! The MRC des Basques has 3 public markets on its territory.

The first market is the Marché public des Basques. It is located in Trois-Pistoles, on Pelletier street in the courtyard of the Caveau de Trois-Pistoles. It is open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A second public market is located on route 132, in Saint-Simon-de-Rimouski. It is open Thursday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Finally, the Saint-Mathieu-de-Rioux Outdoor Market is located at the entrance to Camping KOA.  It is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Have a good summer and above all, enjoy your meal!