BALLADE DES GENS HEUREUX

Quebec famous King's road

by Bernardo Pisarzewski

September 24, 2006

Prior to the 18th century, the road network in Nouvelle-France (what is now the province of Québec) was nothing more than a smattering of dirt trails and back roads that linked villages and townships. What was needed was a proper artery that connected Québec City with Montreal. So it was in 1731 that Eustache Lanoullier de Boisclerc set out to build a road along the St-Lawrence River. Completed in 1737, the Chemin du Roy (today hwy 138) was 7.4 meters wide and 280 kilometres long. It crossed 37 lordships and (at the time) was the longest paved road north of the Rio Grande.

In September 2006, a die-hard group of about 20 VEA members decided to retrace this historic road up to Lac St Pierre and absorb a little culture and history along the way. However, the morning dampness made it so that only a small handful dared to take out their cars, namely Jean-Claude Tacquet in his Citroen Traction and myself in my Ferrari 308.

The first pit stop was at the Restaurant Caillette in Maskinongé, renowned for its (squeaky) cheese used in poutine. I have to admit that the sensation of chewing on cheese that although tastes great, feels like Styrofoam in your mouth, is a far cry from the Parmiggiano Reggiano that I've been brought up on. Further down the road, the cortège stopped at the restaurant of the Auberge du Lac St. Pierre (just before Trois-Rivières) to break for lunch. Given the very windy conditions outside and exquisite culinary delights of the Auberge, few of us were in a hurry to hit the open road.

Once on our way, our final destination was the Moulin Seigneurial de Pointe-du-Lac, where our guide, dressed in traditional garb greeted us and took us though the mill's history. This mill, built in 1765, served as a flour mill until the middle of the 19th century, when more industrialised methods were adopted and the Quebec feudal system was abolished. In 1945, a saw mill was added to the existing installations and was fully operational until 1984. In 1975, the mill was declared a heritage site and to this day is a well preserved architectural jewel.

Rather than take hwy 40 back to Montreal (as most did) I decide to once more take route 138, and enjoy the scenery. On the way back, I was treated to a novel sight, and drove for several kilometres tailing a very nice replica of the famous Ford GT40.

Once more, hats off and thank you to our activities director Bernard Bellavance, for a well planned outing.

©VEA