Exploring La Route des Belles-Histoires Across Four Delightful Days

By Jay Kana | Published September 3rd, 2026
Photos by Jay Kana unless otherwise noted.
Presented in paid partnership with the Tourism Laurentians.

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I like trains. I like Quebec. I like history. Blending all three would be fantastic and thanks to La Route des Belles-Histoires, I’ve hit the trifecta.
This 284-kilometre adventure features more than 60 fabulous stops to learn about the history of this special part of Canada. Plus, there’s a handy app via Balado Discovery and website that provide an audio component to enhance your experience. 

Photo credit Steph Mayo.

I’m proud to say I completed the entire route, starting in Saint-Jérôme and wrapping up in Mont-Laurier over the course of four days.
Here, I’ve provided you a four-day itinerary to follow and or be inspired by to discover this beautiful historical route, which was launched in November 2015. 

Day 1 - Saint-Jérôme

Steeped in history and an appropriate starting point for this adventure, the old Saint-Jérôme train station was created in 1897 and the first to be built in the Laurentians.
It connected neighbouring areas to the community and was the anchor for future rail travel. 

Interestingly, it’s also the point of kilometre zero for the famous Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park, and there’s also a beautiful mural nearby to admire. 

Father François-Xavier Antoine Labelle, nicknamed "the King of the North,” better known as Curé Labelle, was the driver of creating the train station and as such, there’s a museum space showcasing him at the majestic Saint-Jérôme Cathedral. The architecture here is stunning and rightfully so, he was designated as a historical figure of Quebec in 2016. 

Across the street is a park, created in 1905, centered by a statue of Curé Labelle, framed by eight tree-lined paths, which is also the site of the original church.
It’s a space to gather, relax and reflect. 

Take one of the aforementioned paths to reach the Maison de la culture Claude-Henri-Grignon, where there’s a dedicated space honouring this impactful writer, screenwriter, journalist and politician. His creativity helped shine a bright light on the Laurentians. 

A 10-ish minute walk from there brings you to a viewing platform to enjoy views of Rivière du Nord. It’s part of a 600-metre trail that’s serene and features information panels along the way. 

Refuel at Dieu du Ciel! microbrewery, which serves classic pub fare in a modern environment and recharge at the Comfort Inn & Suites Saint-Jérôme, where they have DVDs for rent, which is nice nostalgic touch, in addition to the comfortable beds. 

Day 2 - Prévost, Saint-Sauveur and Val-David

Head north and you’ll find the Shawbridge old train station in Prévost, that was built in 1898 and now doubles as the office of the aforementioned Le P'tit Train du Nord linear park. Interestingly, the stationmasters lived in the upper floor apartment until the early 1980’s. Renamed to Prévost almost 50 years ago as a result of amalgamation and after nearly 50 years of being unused, the community rallied to start restoration in 1985.

A short drive away is the Shaw bridge, which was initially made of wood and purchased in 1863 by William Shaw. Iron materials replaced the wood in 1983. It’s approximately 300 feet long and crosses the famous Rivière du Nord. Plus, there’s a pedestrian portion that’s separated from auto traffic. 

15 minutes north is the charming Saint-Sauveur, with the famous church with the red doors. Originally made of wood, it was heavily damaged by lightning in 1895. Making a small world even smaller, architect Casimir Saint-Jean, who built the Saint-Jérôme cathedral, was assigned to the task of revitalizing it in 1897. The stones came from Montréal and its three bells came from Normandy.
There are ample restaurants and cafes to enjoy, including Restaurant Le Saint-Sau Pub Gourmand and Pascal Le Boulanger for Canada’s best croissant. 

Sainte-Adèle is only 10 minutes north and the home of La Rolland Paper Company, operational from 1904 to 1990, beside the Rivière du Nord. The exterior sign is aging yet familiar. 

Built in 1928, the Mont-Rolland train station has been revitalized and is now part of the Le P’tit Train du Nord and features a bike/e-bike rentals and a café. It’s a popular spot but doesn’t feel overcrowded. 

While you’re here, keep exploring and discover the 10 murals, all within walking distance from each other. Smartly, the cinema mural is steps away from a retro theatre, named Cinema Pine. There’s a second location that’s also a short walk away. 

Close by is Val-David, home to an interesting history of its train station.
It was built in 1892 and called Bélisle's Mill Station. It was expanded in 1921 and demolished in 1985 due to the end of the railway in this area. In 1997, a new station was built, called Val-David, which is why it looks the least aged of train stations along this route. 

A brief walk away is MacTaverne Pub and Inn, with seven bespoke rooms that ooze comfort and personality. The menu is intentionally small, which puts emphasis on making each item exceptional. Their wings are some of the best I’ve ever had, and this family-owned business is destined for greatness. 

At any point in your time in Val-David, head to the Rivière du Nord to enjoy the serenity the water from either the bridge or the shores.
There’s also a smattering of cool public art close to the train station, so get your camera ready. 

Day 3 - Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and the Mont-Tremblant region

The Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts train station also has an interesting timeline.
Built in 1902, moved to its current location and expanded in 1913, then service stopped in 1960 thanks to a better network of roads, then started again in 1978 for three years until passenger services halted, with freight services ending in 1989.
Along with many other old train stations, this station is a visitor centre for Le P'tit Train du Nord. Learn more at their on-site history museum. 

Lac des Sables isn’t a lake; it’s a town, and a delightful one at that. Some history: first known as Lac-des-Sables in the 1850’s, then Sainte-Agathe in 1862 and finally Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts in 1915. There are plenty of cute shops to explore and the streetscape is just waiting to be photographed.
It’s a haven for winter activities, especially skiing with plenty of ski resorts in the surroundings. And keeping with the winter theme, the familiar Bonhomme Carnaval was created here in the 1950s!

Overlooking Lac Des Sables (an actual lake this time) is the breathtaking StoneHaven Le Manoir, built in 1908 and now a member of Relais & Châteaux. During a 30-minute guided tour (held daily,) you’ll be given a history of the massive building, its owners, shown the intricate attention to detail both in large and small instances, and likely gain an appreciation for all the time and thought that went into it. The Italian gardens are a wonder themselves.
Today, it’s a hotel with 51 rooms for an elevated experience.
Fun fact: this was the private residence of Montreal native Douglas Lorne McGibbon, who when diagnosed with tuberculosis, opted to live in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, as it was famous for its fresh air.

While the Sentier des cimes Laurentides in Mont-Blanc isn’t officially on the route, it’s worth the stop. Ascend 40 metres in this observation tower for panoramic views of the region. The gradual ramp makes it accessible and the elevated boardwalk that brings you there has some handy information along the way.
Refuel at on-site restaurant Chez Émile, which serves sandwiches, soups and more. 

Keep going into Mont-Tremblant’s Saint-Jovite area for a stop at the old train station, which was built in 1904, demolished in 1981 due to the popularity of the automobile, and then rebuilt in 1998, smartly using the same blueprints from the original. Artists and painters now use the space to exhibit their creativity in various parts of the year. 

Before you head out, be sure to visit the nearby St-Bernard chapel at Tremblant resort, a replica of the first church, established on Île d'Orléans in 1695. 

After a day of exploring, slow down at Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant on Lake Ouimet, complete with very comfortable beds.
Grab dinner at the on-site le Whisky Bar, either inside or on the patio overlooking the lake. 

Day 4 - Upper Laurentians and Mont-Laurier

It’s a busy day so make sure you’re well rested and fully fueled up.
Start the day visiting the Labelle Railway Museum and Station

This one is extra special because the people of the village of Chute-aux-Iroquois agreed to change the name of the area to the Village of Labelle to pay homage to Father Labelle, who’d done so much to connect this part of the province. In addition to being a stop on the Le P’tit Train du Nord, there’s also a museum to explore and some really appealing outdoor attractions, including a train car. 

A five-ish minute walk away is Zothique-David House. It may seem average at first but impressively, it was built in 1880 and is one of the oldest and best-preserved log houses in the area.
It’s also one of 17 points on the Labelle Heritage and Artistic Tour, so if you’ve got some extra time, explore this area further. 

I quite like covered bridges and was happy that the Macaza Covered Bridge is part of this route. Built in 1904, it still accepts vehicular crossings and is a beautiful piece of design. 

This one’s a bit tricky; it’s the famous La Macaza Town Hall Historical Mural. Why?
Because it’s inside the town hall in the basement. Be sure to check opening hours before you plan your visit.
The created-in-2012 mural itself is delightful, artistic and depicts a timeline of the area’s history. From horses to planes and everything in between, this vivid visual is a must-see. 
Also be sure to check out the first school in the village, Maison de la culture de La Macaza, along with the cemetery.  

A 10-minute jaunt north brings you to the L’Annonciation Station in Rivière-Rouge.
Before you explore, look down to admire the stone patterns in the design of railway tracks. It was built in 1902 and has been a visitor centre since 1988 and during my visit, you can rent e-bikes to adventure the surrounding area.
Lunch was at Patate de la Rouge, a small food stand on the side of the road that makes delicious burgers and poutine and has picnic table seating. I’m absolutely going back.

The old Nominingue Station is an artists haven with plenty to peruse. There was even a farmers market on site during my Friday visit!
The station itself was built in 1904, abandoned in 1981, spent around 15 years at a different location to save it from being torn down, and then moved back to the original location in 1997. 

Close by is the Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola church and it’s more than a place of worship; the acoustics are so impressive and coupled with a Casavant organ, has made it a cool concert venue.

Pop into Lac-Saguay to see Le grand six pieds (The six-foot giant) sculpture, based on a character imagined in 1960 by Quebec singer-songwriter Claude Gauthier.

The last four stops are in Mont-Laurier, and first up is the Facade of Mont-Laurier Cathedral. Built in 1919, nearly all of it burned down in 1982, with the facade being able to be restored, and what you see today. 

The Théâtre Laurier opened in 1935 and featured silent films. It evolved to include live entertainment and even a bowling alley. 

The Power Plant has such a cool vibe to it and being surrounded by rushing water only adds to it. It was first operational in 1912, ran for decades, then abandoned and since the late 1980’s, has been active and supplying power to Hydro-Québec.

The route ends with Mont-Laurier Station, which was the final stop of the Canadian Pacific line when operational. It’s also kilometre 201 of the P’tit Train du Nord.

It opened in in 1909, 32 years after Saint-Jérôme station, it ceased use in 1986 and designated as a Heritage Railway Station of Canada in 1991. There’s a gorgeous wooden train piece of public art on site.
Currently, the station is boarded up and fenced off without any public access due to structural issues since 2021. The municipality was going to demolish it until June of 2026, when the Quebec government intervened and classified it as a historic site. Let’s hope it eventually reopens.