Ride Routes
A Ride from Beloeil: 155 km Through the Richelieu Valley
By the Groupe Contant Team · Published September 6, 2026
Quick Answer
What is a good motorcycle route starting from Beloeil?
A loop of roughly 155 km: follow the Richelieu north on the Chemin des Patriotes (Route 133) to Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu, cross the river on the ferry to Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, run back south down the far bank to Chambly and its fort, then loop east through the Rougemont orchards back to Beloeil. Budget 4 to 5 hours with stops.
The Richelieu Valley is the one part of Quebec where you can ride a hundred kilometres following the same river, change banks aboard a ferry, and pass a French-regime fort, an 1837 battlefield, and a mountain designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve along the way.
This route starts at our Beloeil dealership, in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, and stays close to the water for nearly all of it. As with our other routes, the itinerary is a suggestion: the places and roads are real, the order and distance are worth adjusting.
The Route at a Glance
| Route detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Start | Groupe Contant Beloeil, 2109 Rue de l'Industrie |
| Distance | Roughly 155 km, as a loop |
| Duration | 4 to 5 hours with stops |
| Season | May to late October |
| Main roads | 133, 223, 112, 116 |
| Ferry | Saint-Denis ↔ Saint-Antoine, seasonal — confirm the schedule |
The Route, Leg by Leg
- Beloeil to Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu on the Chemin des Patriotes (about 15 km) — out along the river, with Mont Saint-Hilaire behind you for the first few kilometres.
- Saint-Marc to Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu (about 20 km) — the quietest stretch of the Chemin des Patriotes, past old houses and fields sloping down to the water.
- The Saint-Denis ↔ Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu crossing (a few minutes) — the high point of the route, and its only leg not done on wheels. Seasonal service, with a fare.
- Saint-Antoine to Chambly down the far bank (about 45 km) — the run south, with Chambly and its basin as the midpoint.
- Chambly to Rougemont on Route 112 (about 30 km) — you leave the river for the orchards and the foot of the Montérégie hills.
- Rougemont to Beloeil on the concession roads and Route 116 (about 25 km) — back through the orchards, with Mont Saint-Hilaire in view again toward the end.
Where to Stop Along the Way
- Mont-Saint-Hilaire — the Gault Nature Reserve, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, minutes from the start.
- Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu — the Maison nationale des Patriotes, on the site of the Patriotes' only victory in 1837.
- Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu — the village at the ferry landing, one of the finest riverside stops in the valley.
- Chambly — Fort Chambly National Historic Site on the basin, and the Chambly canal with its towpath and locks.
- Rougemont — the heart of Montérégie orchard country; the stop to make in late August and September, at the height of apple season.
When to Ride This Route
The season is long — May to late October — because the Montérégie thaws early and the route never climbs. The constraint isn't weather but the ferry: the service is seasonal, and out of season you have to detour to a bridge, which lengthens the loop.
Late August and September are the best time, for a reason that has nothing to do with motorcycling: it's apple season in Rougemont, and the last third of the route runs through the orchards at harvest.
One thing specific to this region: the Chemin des Patriotes runs through a string of villages with low, well-enforced speed limits. This is a route to take slowly — which, on this road, is no hardship.
Riding This Route on a Spyder, Ryker, or Canyon
The route suits three wheels well: no elevation, no demanding corners, and a naturally slow pace set by the villages. The ferry takes three-wheelers as it does motorcycles — just plan on low-speed manoeuvring at the ramp, which asks a little more room than on two wheels.
It's also the shortest of our routes in pure riding time, which makes it a good choice for a half-day rental rather than a full one.
Our Beloeil location rents all three Can-Am three-wheel models, minutes from the Chemin des Patriotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
A loop of roughly 155 km: follow the Richelieu north on the Chemin des Patriotes (Route 133) to Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu, cross the river on the ferry to Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, run back south down the far bank to Chambly and its fort, then loop east through the Rougemont orchards back to Beloeil. Budget 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Groupe Contant — Your Quebec Dealer
The Chemin des Patriotes and the ferry both work well on three wheels. Groupe Contant Beloeil rents the Can-Am Spyder, Ryker, and Canyon by the day or half-day.