From a very young age he gazed out at the horizon from the shores of the St. Lawrence. Atop the White Rock (Rocher Blanc), he could see even farther. His curiosity grew as he did, along with his taste for exploring. A life dedicated to Adventure, rewarded by numerous awards and distinctions. Today he devotes his time to his motivational speaking engagements and his commitments to young people and the environment. He will soon be off on a new adventure.

 

Following in their footsteps…

Sir Ed Hillary: A living monument, my hero!
Yves Laforest: A friend, the first Quebecker to summit Everest.
Reinhold Messner: The modern mountain climber.
Erhard Loretan: What a climber, and what a tragic end…
Goran Kropp and Renata Chlumska: With them at base camp, and atop Everest.
Inaki Ochoa: Such splendid memories of shared laughter.
Dorjee Sherpa: My climbing partner, my friend, six-time Everest summiter!
Borge Ousland's motivation? Pure adventure, high challenges and total commitment!
Erlin Kagge: A Norwegian friend who also reached the South Pole and climbed Everest. My twin, you might say!
Lucien Berardini, with whom I shared my ascent of Aconcagua. Lucien managed the first ascent in 1954, via the south face.
 

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A long way

1953 – Rimouski Born in Rimouski (Quebec), March 7, 1953. My parents gave me my very first compass…
1970 – Canadian Rockies My first encounters with real mountains, first ascents in the Canadian Rockies (Mont Cascade).
1978-95 – Baffin Island Four expeditions, four journeys on skis across Baffin Island, my first Arctic expeditions.
1979-98 – Canoe trips 5,000 km by canoe, tumultuous rivers and the largest expanses of water in Quebec.
1980-90 – High Atlas Ten treks adding up to thousands of kilometres throughout the High Atlas mountains of Morocco.
1980-91 – Alps Many different climbs in the French Alps.
1989 – Sahara He crossed the Great Western Erg region of the Sahara desert.
1992 – Ellesmere A world first: Skiing across Ellesmere Island, the world’s most northerly island!
1992 – Norway Following in the tracks of the greatest polar explorers of all time … This country…
1993 – North Magnetic Pole First Canadian to reach the North Magnetic Pole on skis.
1993-2001 – Tierra del Fuego Last stop before leaving for Antarctica This city in Chile at the tip of Tierra…
1993 – Antarctica cruise Reconnaissance trip for the South Pole expedition. Strolling among hundreds of thousands of penguins, admiring…
1994 – North Geographic Pole The Geographic North Pole via Siberia, on skis, starting out from a drifting scientific base.
1995 – Greenland First Canadian to ski across Greenland, 650 km from east to west!
1996 – South Pole The Antarctic on skis, totally unsupported, all the way to the South Pole.
1997 – Maïpo Summit of Mont Maïpo -5 264m- in Argentina.
1997 – Aconcagua Summit of Aconcagua - 6 959m, the highest mountain in the Americas.
1997 – Everest First Everest attempt. Bad weather kept him from reaching the summit. The first time I…
1998-2005 – Fuji The summit of the Land of the Rising Sun, Mount Fuji.
1998 – Kilimanjaro Summit of Kilimanjaro - 5 896m, the highest mountain on the African continent.
1999 – Everest Success! Standing on the Roof of the World - 8 850m - the highest point on Earth.
1999 – Fuya Fuya The first acclimatization summit on the Ecuador expedition. Mount Fuya Fuya – 4 280m, reached the summit…
1999 – Imbabura Second summit on the Ecuador expedition. Mount Imbabura – 4 621m, reached the summit on December 19,…
1999 – Cotopaxi Ascent of the highest active volcano on earth.
2000 – Cumbal A detour via Colombia to summit an active volcano, Cumbal.
2000 – Chimborazo Ecuador: ascent of the country’s highest mountain, the Chimborazo.
2000 – Carstensz First Quebeker to summit the highest peak of Oceania.
2000 – Elbrus Ascent of the highest mountain of the European continent.
2001 – Denali-McKinley Ascent of Mont McKinley, the highest summit of the North American continent.
2001 – Vinson Climbing Mount Vinson, the Antarctic summit, the last stop on his World Tour.
The Seven Summits! On December 10, 2001, Bernard Voyer stood atop the world's coldest peak, Mount Vinson, in…
2002 – Logan Attempt to reach the summit of Mount Logan.
2002-2005 – New Zealand Meeting his hero, Sir Edmund Hillary. It was a great moment. A private meeting with…
2003 – Kosciuszko Ascent of Australia’s highest mountain.
2003 – Tibet Lhasa, a place of worship, the Tibetan side of the Himalayas Tibet is an intriguing…
2004 – Bhutan Trekking in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
2007 – Cruise North Nunavut, its history and landscapes, the Northwest Passage … A privilege, this new view of…
2008 – Barbeau Atop Nunavut’s highest peak, not far from the North Pole.
2009 – Andes Horse riding expedition in the Andes.
2011 - Peru Taking young adventurers from the Great White North to the slopes of the Andes.
2014 - Nepal Taking young adventurers from the Great White North to the slopes of the Himalayas.
2020 - Antarctica cruise A new musical & polar project...
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Honours

2017 - Honorary PhD, Concordia University For his trailblazing dedication to environmental protection and today’s youth
2015 - Meritorious service medal In recognition of his tireless support for and dedication to the Canadian Rangers and Junior…
2015 - Explorateur Trail A hiking trail in Rimouski's faunistic Reserve leading to Mount Bernard-Voyer.
2014 - Honorary Nepalese Consul in Montreal In recognition of his Himalayan exploit and his commitments with Nepalese young people.
2012 - Mount Bernard-Voyer, Rimouski The highest summit of Rimouski's faunistic reserve named for Bernard Voyer.
2012 - Commemorative medal, Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II For his significant contribution to Canada.
2011 - Commandeur, Tastevin Promoted Commandeur of the Brotherhood.
2010 - Prix Hommage, LOJIQ Foundation In recognition of his many years of involvement with young people.
2009 - Torchbearer, Vancouver Olympic Committee Torchbearer of the Olympic Flame on its journey across Canada.
2008 - Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, Rangers Appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Canadian Rangers Patrol Group.
2007 - Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur Named Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur by Presidential decree.
2005 - Chevalier, Tastevin Appointed as Chevalier de la Confrérie du Tastevin.
2005 - Member, The Explorers Club Elected as member of the prestigious Explorers Club - New-York.
2005 - Honorary PhD, University du Québec PhD awarded for his contribution to Northern research.
2004 - Lecture hall Bernard-Voyer Maison du Prêt d’honneur, Cégep Vieux Montreal.
2003 - Commemorative plaque, The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation (Canada) Award presented by Sir Edmund Hillary.
2003 - Medallion, Jubilee anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest Presented by the Prince of Nepal to all Everest summiters.
2002 - Commemorative medal, Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II For his significant contribution to Canada.
2002 - 50 greatest Canadians Recognized by the Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson.
2002 - Stamps, Canada Post Tribute to Bernard Voyer for his World Tour of the highest summit on each continent.
2002 - The Bernard-Voyer Trail, in Rimouski A hiking trail leading to the White Rock (Rocher Blanc).
2001 - Personality of the Week, in La Presse A tribute to a public figure for his or her contribution to Quebec society.
2001 - Officer, Order of Canada For his contribution to Canada as an explorer and mountain climber.
2001 - Honorary PhD in Geography, Laurentian University, Sudbury Awarded for his remarkable contribution to geographical knowledge.
2000 - Gold Medal, Royal Canadian Geographic Society The highest distinction to recognize Mr. Voyer’s remarkable personal achievements and his contribution to geography.
1999 - Motion of congratulations, National Assembly of Quebec Unanimous motion for his ascent of Mount Everest.
1997 - Chevalier, Ordre national du Québec For the exceptional nature of his achievements and his contribution to the development of Quebec.
1997 - Medal, National Assembly of Quebec In recognition of the pride inspired in the people of Quebec by his exceptional achievements.
1997 - Lecture hall Bernard-Voyer, Cégep de St-Hyacinthe Cégep de St-Hyacinthe library.
1996 - Laurier Honoris Causa, Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe Distinction awarded in recognition of his many achievements.
1996 - Motion of congratulations, National Assembly of Quebec Unanimous motion to congratulate him on reaching the South Pole.
1996 - Commemorative plaque, City of Rimouski Unveiled in recognition of his conquest of the South Pole.
1996 - Personality of the Week, in La Presse A tribute to a public figure for his or her contribution to Quebec society.
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