summer-trips

winter-trips

The staff

your guide

The association

The Old Convent

The association is housed inside a historical site within Neuville, an old convent, which is located in the heart of the village, roughly twenty minutes from downtown Quebec. The Old Convent, built in 1716, is one of the most ancient structures in Neuville. It was founded by Sisters of the Congrégation-Notre-Dame, and, according to history, Marguerite Bourgeoys herself chose its location. Once an old boarding house, the Old Convent is a warm, inviting place that still retains all of its yester-year charm. Whether you decide to walk down the road to stroll along the side of the St.Laurent or take one of the many paths through the field leading up to the plateau, the majestic beauty of the land will leave you breathless. For more challenging but equally magnificent terrain, the surrounding woods and marshlands are sure to satisfy.

Espace Québec Nature is a non-profit organization founded in 1997 at the Old Convent in Neuville, in the Portneuf County. Its goal : to offer profound personalized experiences with nature, in all seasons and to a varied clientelle. It offers this through trips and group sessions, as well as through a natural and poetic approach to nature.

The founders of the organization, in collaboration with the municipality and several other actively involved persons, are working continually to create a unique visiting experience that highlights the historic, cultural, and touristic values of the village.


The staff :

Jean-Noël André courriel	Pierre Bérerd courriel
Isabelle Forest courriel	Sylvie Mahieu courriel

Trips in the great outdoors



Espace Québec Nature will meet you upon your arrival in our historical house in Neuville, one of the oldest towns in Quebec, along the Saint-Laurent, in Portneuf county, about 15 minutes from the Quebec airport.
You can also create your own trip depending on your desires and budget by leaving me a message with you wishes.


Summer from mid-june to mid-october

Forfait 1 KENO « campement » Camp Keno 3 jours Lac-Saint-Jean 2 jours Saguenay 2 jours Tadoussac (baleines) 1 jour Comté de Portneuf 1 jour

Forfait 2 INNU « l'être humain » Camp Keno 3 jours Charlevoix 2 jours Tadoussac (baleines) 1 jour Côte-Nord 3 jours

Forfait 3 MANIC « la rivière » Combiné KENO & INNU

Outline of the trips

Camp Keno :
Immersed in the wilderness on the shore of Nadeau Lake (Portneuf County), accessible only by boat, not a cabin or motor boat in sight, you'll live in a massive prospector's tent, with everything you'll need to survive provided for you. After a 20 minute trek in the woods, we'll leave civilization behind to meet with our friend, the calm waters of a big lake. Our paddles dip into the placid water and our canoe begins to pick up speed. After a short trip across, we arrive at the camp, ready to spend the next few days simply communing with nature. The program includes canoeing on lakes as well as rivers, bathing, paddling techniques, portage routes, canoe races, campfire cookouts, scenic walks... In essence, the extraordinary way of life that the first explorers of this country established.

Lac-Saint-Jean :
We'll visit the Saint-Félicien Zoo, remarkable for its 450hectares of land where bear, moose, beaver, elk, and various other wildlife all exist together in harmony. With its unique naturalistic concept, this zoo gives visitors the unique experience of a voyage into the great North-American wilderness where it is us, the humans who are confined, and the animals are the ones who roam free! You will find most of the animals that inhabit our continent in this massively immense park. We will meet and stay with a woodsman who will also teach us to fish for trout on beautiful "Lac Doré". In the land of the trappers, falls is without a doubt the best time to talk about fishing, hunting and trapping.

Saguenay :

We'll pass along a beautiful rocky coast that smells of seasalt, forests without limit, mountains sculpted by ancient crater, and the beautiful Saguenay fjord... The mountains invite us to climb up the Cape-Trinité, and a wonderfully scenic walk along the Saguenay river and its fjord allows us to truly appreciate nature. Because of the rich combination of fresh and salt water that makes up the fjord, this aquatic playground is home to all sorts of sea-faring creatures, such as fish and certain types of whales. The Fjord interpretation centre allows us to fully understand and appreciate this amazing natural phenomenon.

Tadoussac :
Tadoussac is an aquatic crossroads, where the Saguenay river meets the Saint-Laurent river, resulting in a natural underwater trench of over 200m in depth. After passing the beacons marking the channel for the big cargo ships that cross near Montreal and the Great Lakes, we arrive close to the
under-water trench. All of a sudden, breaking the

silence of the waves, a powerful whistle sounds right in front of us, and then another! No, we're not under attack, it's just a group of "rorquals communs" hunting, their smooth bodies skimming the surface of the water before plunging again back into the depths of
the trench. Swimming close by, at most 20 m for the boat, these massive mammals let us peer into the world of giants. Finally looking away from the gigantic wonders, we notice that a troupe of Belugas have ascended the river. A little while later, we see what we think is the head of a bull frog, but which turns out to be a big grey seal that have come to feed. When we finally leave in the afternoon, we leave with hearts full of appreciation for this beautiful natural site.

Charlevoix : Go for a scenic hike up  to Lac des Cygnes, then go rafting down the Malbaie River. The last safety precautions have been taken by André and Giselé, and there we are, excited and ready to go. At first, the Malbaie river is kind and allows us to familiarize ourselves with the gentle workings of our paddles, and before we know it, the first rapids have come and gone without problem, and our guides' senses of humour let us finally relax. It must be said that the Malbaie river offers a multitude of varied experiences. I personally have had the chance to race with a beaver, to see an eagle soar with lunch in its grasp, even to admire an otter playing gracefully... all extraordinary experiences that lift one's spirits easily and safely.

Côte-Nord : We'll live with native-americans from the Betsiamites area, near Comeau Bay, adopting the rhythm of their lifestyle. I have the priveledge of being warmly reveived within certain famillies in the village. Léopold and Delvina, our guides, will integrate you within their summer camp as if you were their family. The natives believe in "circular" human relations, as opposed to the linear way of life we oxidentals have developed. Around the camp fire, individual languages often become unimportant as laughter permeates the air and seems to bring us all closer together, and we realize that we are all "human beings", all of us both the same and yet uniquely different. Léopold brings us into  the woods to experience "their" earthly paradise. We'll also head to Papinachois, where we will be able to visit a reconstruction of their traditional living space throughout the ages. We also might get the chance to fish for trout out of a canoe on the Nippi river. What a treat! 

Comté de Portneuf : 


Autres possbilités : With our extensive knowledge of this rather extensive city, you'll see sites not normally seen by the common tourist in Quebec, the oldest city in North-America and considered to be part of our World's heritage by UNESCO. Quebec, a veritable front door for the new world, the provincial capital offers its old-world european charm to those willing to walk its ancient streets. Its position on the site of the Cap-Diamant, its view of the beautifully green Île d'Orléans, and its close proximity to the Laurentine mountains enhance the romantic charm of this beautiful city. The accomodating and fun-loving nature of its habitants adds a warm and friendly flavour to this smiling francophone city. The Place-Royale, the Québec-Lévis traverse, the Dufferin terrace, the Marie-Guyart tower observatory, the civilization museum, sous-le-cap road, the vieux-port, Petit-Champlain road, the Plains of Abraham. Visiting even some of the listed attractions will ensure a unique and interesting visit of a very unique and interesting city.

Winter

trip 4 WABUSH « the hare » Winter Chalet on a wildlife reserve 4 days (Skiing, Snow-Shoeing, Hare-trapping) Snowmobiling 1 day Dog-sledding 1 day

Séjour en chalet :

Winter chalet : Live an incredible experience like none you've ever had before, several enchanting days in the heart of the forest, surrounded by trees, snow, and the beautiful sounds of the outdoors. Like the first settlers of this great land, you'll be able to fully appreciate the beauty of these immense snow-covered forests, all the while profiting from the warm comfort of our cabin. The incredible panoramic view, the inviting warmth of the living room with its crackling fireplace, the sampling of certain trapper specialties, all this is there simply to procure you the simple joy of a restful life. Each day brings a new experience: cross-country skiing on frozen lakes, dog-sledding, snow-shoeing...

Raquette :

Snow-shoeing : During our excursions into the forest, I'll take you snowshoeing in the heart of the forest, where we'll find ourselves in the midst of thousands of snow-covered trees with ice encrusted branches that glitter in the bright winter sunlight. If we turn our eyes towards the snow, we're able to see fresh animal tracks, giving us a glimpse into their lives and their different ways of dealing with winter. We also leave snares to capture hares, and when we finally return to the cabin... meal-time...

Motoneige :

Snowmobiling : The "Skidoo" or snowmobile is a fast and powerful machine that allows us to venture into the parts of the forest where normally only the animals leave their tracks. We'll use them mostly as an indispensable means of transportation to access areas that we wouldn't normally be able to. We'll also take a day trip from Saint-Raymond all the way out to the "Tower of Fire" that overlooks Montauban lake.

Ski de fond :

Cross-Country Skiing :Picture yourself, skiing in the silence of the great outdoors along a frozen lake, bordered on either side by majestic birch and spruce trees. Leaving early in the morning, we'll ski along a well-maintained path that goes right along wild-country, and then across the frozen surface of Robinson lake, and then we finally arrive to where we'll settle down to have our little pic-nic. The fresh air, the comraderie, the scenery, all this comes together to give genuinely unique flavour to our trip.

The ski trips are adaptable for children or adults, beginners or experts. I can, as well, for skiiers of high skill and good physical condition, organize multiple-day or over-night trips.

Traîneaux à chiens :

Dog-sledding :  Dog-sledding is a unique experience during Quebec in the winter that has to be lived to be understood. The first moments are absolutely amazing, with the barking of the dogs who are simply portraying their joy of being outside and doing what they do best. The sled must always be anchored when not in use, as the dogs are always pulling on the reins, eager as always to be out and about. But as soon as the sled is untied, we experience a unique sense of joy as we become one with the sled and the dogs as we glide silently through a beautifully serene landscape. We adjust the experience according to the age and time commitment available.

Ski de piste

Downhill Skiing   (an option not included in the price) At night on the slopes of Mont-Saint-Anne or Stoneham. In the magic of the lit up mountain, ski between massive trees on perfect snow and you will understand the obsession that has enthralled so many people and families for years and years.

The winter program is subject to change depending on on the weather and the availability of equipment

A word on your guide, Jean-Noël André : « When you're with me I guarantee an safe, authentic trip. I offer trips for families or groups between 2 and 10 people. My natural and poetic approach encourages complete immersion in the great outdoors, and will helps you better understand the fauna and flora and different cultures of our great land. My desire is that each person can enter within themselves and communicate with this wonderful land of ours and discover the freedom to re-create ones life ».

« I created this nature-tourism enterprise in large part grace to the insistance of several of my friends who had the desire to live with me adventures of the kind that I had lived in the stories that I regaled them with over the years. Authenticity is a very important part of the trips. I offer excursions where each adventure has been weighed and thought out to offer a vision of Quebec most loyal to the spirit and flavour of the land in the time available. It has never about seeing the most places in least time time possible. Taking into consideration wishes and demands, I offer adventures accessible for each person. I'm not in the business of extreme sports, and my trips aren't about fear, danger, or miscomfort. That being said, the bravest can always go further and there are always ways to make the adventure more interesting for those who thrive on adrenalin ».

My first experience with true beauty I had when I was only seven years old. My family took me on a hiking trip in the swiss alps, and instantly I fell in love. Wonder overtook my heart as my eyes took in the grandeur of the mountains, the beauty of the snow-capped glaciers, the majesty of the mountain animals... all these riches, offered to me freely.

The years went by, and here I am in Québec, where the mountains are horizantally vast in an « original » nature. When I leave to go cross-country skiing on the partially frozen Saint-Laurent river, a strong emotion overtakes me each time I stand witness before the immenseness of the river, and standing there, such a small and insignificant speck of matter, I become immense, I become the river.

The ability to constantly be awed and to take joy in the wonder of nature, in all its various forms, has always been with me. Later, I learned to be aware of nature as more than just a place for recreation, but also as a place for re-creation. The sensation of being small admist such immensity, to be part of a reality that both excludes and includes me as a player, for me this is the true gift of creation.

Nature became my true home, and to truly be a part of this land, this tiny part of the universe, one must live it, cultivate it, respect it, and discover its secrets. The rocks are the memory of the land, one that goes back millions of years. The natives say that rocks are the grandfathers, as they are the guardians of the past. « I am nothing but the inconsequential dust of a star ». Vegetation teaches me that life exists to live, and that life is infinitely more powerful than death. A perpetual resurrection manifests in the rhythm of the seasons. The animals show me their prodigious ability to adapt in the midst of natural chaos to respond to their innate needs and to perpetuate their race. Natural selection allows the strongest to survive and to recuperate. It is surprising to see the sheer amount of death present in nature and yet it will always be considered a place for regeneration and life. The great Canadian forests are subject to terrible fires every year that destroy unbelievably large amounts of forest, and yet, the forest heals itself and continues to grow. It's the natural cycle of life and death and life always remains as stubborn as ever.

And what is to be said about human beings, the only living entity on this planet aware of its own demise, where are they found on the grand scheme of things? How can one respond to their existential anguishes and reconcile with themselves, with their inner deaths, with all these things? I know from experience that the sources of life that created nature are cosmic. In fraternising with nature, I absorb the true essence of life, and become a being among all beings, a creator able to invent my own life.

It was with this vision in mind that I created « Espace Québec Nature », an organization offering sessions with nature where we live a fundamental experience of truly being part of nature, trips set on discovering Québec in all seasons, useful and sportive activities such as fishing, canoeing, trapping, etc.