It is to François Jacques, a native of the island and dynamic owner of Québec Aventures Tours, that we owe these exotic routes, motorized to boot. And they are timely.
Fans know: it’s not easy to find scooter rentals outside of Montreal. But for several years now, the man, an adventurer at heart, has smelled a good deal. By buying the old Motel Île d’Orléans (which he modestly repaired, with the means at hand, see box), in the village of Saint-Laurent, he added an adventurous formula, precisely, to the project: guided tours by bike, electric bike and scooter. Notice to those interested: he has vehicles galore, helmets included.
No, these are not fancy Vespas. Ours, rented at the beginning of the month, was a Scootterre Nostalgia, which had experience, certainly, but above all the great merit of being light, which makes driving all the more fluid. Please note that you only need to be 18 years old and have a driving license (driving experience is recommended, but not required), and that’s it. Please note that several vehicles also take passengers aged 12 and over.
François Jacques, who has cycled in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand (not to mention the United States, from one end to the other!), who worked in British Columbia as a history teacher, then at Coca-Cola in business development, always knew that he would return to live on the island one day.
” Yes. Because there is nothing more beautiful than that,” he answers without hesitation, pointing straight ahead, towards this unique, immense view, towards the river. In the distance, on the continent, we can vaguely discern Château Frontenac. Impossible not to smile.
And that, this immensity punctuated by hills, small local businesses and heritage houses, scattered here and there, also “lends itself” very well to the scooter. “It’s a bit like the cycling experience,” he argues.