You don't have a car to get out of the metropolis and find yourself in the middle of nature? Are you alone and don't you feel like leaving unaccompanied? Bonjour Nature's excursions in the Lanaudière region, with transportation by minibus, might be right for you.

During the summer, from Thursday to Monday, you can choose from a dozen excursions to destinations ranging from Saint-Jean-de-Matha to Saint-Donat, via Saint-Côme. Here is an overview.

mountain bike and fall

Arriving in Saint-Côme, we first take possession of our mountain bike in the shop and then go to Parc Louis-Philippe-De Grandpré. There is a network of simple paths of all levels. We have the opportunity to take a break on the banks of the L’Assomption River.

The day continues with a hike in the Parc régional de la Chute-à-Bull. In the middle of the woods, the fall is reminiscent of certain less frequented corners of the Antilles in the tropical forest.

The edible forest

Would you like to know which wild mushrooms to pick? Would you also be curious to find out which plants and flowers can be used as spices or herbal teas? This is the idea of ​​the initiation hike to edible forest products on the lands of the Val Notre-Dame Abbey in Saint-Jean-de-Matha.

A stop at the boutique will allow you to see the astonishing variety of possible products, such as marinades, soups and syrups. At the bistro, forest products are also in the spotlight, including the fir pogo with haskap sauce that I found tasty.

day at the beach

Head for the beach of the Parc des Pionniers, in Saint-Donat. The view overlooks the majestic Lac Archambault with the mountains on the horizon. If you want to go on the lake, there are kayaks, pedal boats and other watercraft for rent (extra).

The place lends itself well to a picnic. You could pick up what you need at the Boulangerie du Village, not forgetting its famous date squares...

HELLO NATURE

The Saint-François on board

In Saint-François-Xavier-de-Brompton, the Pura Vida Lodge campsite

▶ www.puravidalas.com

The little train of the south...

If the name is imaginary, the journey is not. From Iberville to Drummondville, there are more than 140 km of trails, laid out on old railway lines. Accommodation here and there along the route.

▶www.tourisme-monteregie.qc.ca

Alain Demers is the author of the book Rediscovering Quebec: 101 destinations, published by Éditions du Journal.