Things to Do in Trois-Rivières in June

June is arguably the prime month for this. The humidity is still manageable. The 35 km (22 mile) Route Verte bike path along the river is fully clear of spring debris. The breeze off the water keeps the bugs at bay while you pedal. The light at that time of year, soft and golden until late, makes the views across to Île Saint-Quentin and the distant Laurentians striking. You'll hear the slap of water against the quays. You'll feel the cool, damp air rising from the river.

The cobblestone streets of the Vieux-Trois-Rivières are pleasant to wander in June's mild temperatures. Self-guided formats work well for the month's sporadic weather. You can duck into the cool, incense-scented quiet of the Ursulines Chapel if a shower hits. The longer daylight means you can start a tour late afternoon and still have plenty of light to appreciate the faded grandeur of the 18th-century warehouse façades on Rue des Ursulines.

The park, about an hour's drive north, shakes off its last traces of snow in June. The trails to waterfalls like the Chute Waber are lush and green. The mosquito population hasn't yet peaked. The park's vast lakes, like Lac Édouard, are still bracingly cold but good for the view. The drive there through rolling hills is all new green. This is the quietest the park will be all summer.

June is a transition month at the Marché public de Trois-Rivières. You'll taste the tail end of the maple products. Try the soft maple butter on a fresh baguette. You'll also get the first burst of local greenhouse greens and strawberries. The market's interior hall has the humid, vegetal smell of fresh produce and the tang of local cheeses. A guided tour helps you navigate the best of the season's yield and understand the region's terroir.