The Corridors: Eastern Canadian Cities

Toronto, Canada's largest city, stretches along the shores of Lake Ontario with a skyline dominated by the soaring CN Tower, the metropolis's symbol, from whose top a dizzying panorama unfolds. Cosmopolitan and multicultural, the city is a mosaic of ethnic neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy and Kensington Market, where cultures and flavours from around the world coexist. The centre pulses with life around Yonge Street, the Financial District and the Distillery District, with its Victorian brick buildings now home to galleries, cafés and shops. Among the attractions are the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the modern lakefront, from which ferries depart for the Toronto Islands. The city is also an ideal base for reaching the nearby Niagara Falls. Dynamic, welcoming and ever-growing, Toronto is a metropolis open to the world, a showcase of Canadian diversity and modernity.

The journey continues along the northeast coast of Lake Ontario. Kingston is an elegant historic city in Ontario, located on the shores of Lake Ontario where the St Lawrence River begins, at the entrance to the famous Thousand Islands archipelago. Once Canada's first capital, it preserves numerous limestone buildings that earn it the nickname "Limestone City", including the city hall and Fort Henry, an imposing fortress designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Rideau Canal. The city boasts a lively university life, a charming historic centre rich in restaurants and cafés, and a picturesque lakefront. From Kingston, cruises set off among the Thousand Islands, scattered with islets and mansions. Its refined atmosphere and historic heritage make it a fascinating stop. Between history, lake and fortifications, Kingston is one of Ontario's most charming cities, ideal for lovers of heritage and river landscapes.

The approximately 200-kilometer drive from Kingston to Ottawa offers a journey through picturesque landscapes along Trans-Canada Highway 401 and then 416. There are glimpses of the St. Lawrence River and stops at attractions such as the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO site famous for its historic locks. Arriving in Ottawa, the Canadian capital, one is greeted by a mix of culture, history and modernity. Ottawa, Canada's capital, lies on the banks of its namesake river, on the border between Ontario and Québec, and is an elegant, orderly city rich in museums and national monuments. Its symbol is Parliament Hill, with the majestic neo-Gothic Parliament buildings and the Peace Tower dominating the river. The Rideau Canal, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crosses the city and in winter becomes the world's longest ice-skating rink. Ottawa hosts some of the country's most important museums, from the National Gallery of Canada to the Canadian Museum of History across the river. The lively ByWard Market offers fresh produce, restaurants and bars. Bilingual and cosmopolitan, rich in green spaces and cultural life, Ottawa is a human-scale capital where history, politics and culture meet in a refined and welcoming atmosphere.

Your journey from Ottawa takes you through the scenic landscapes of western Québec, where forests, rivers, and rolling hills create a varied and pleasant drive. A worthwhile stop is Montebello, renowned for its charming village atmosphere and the impressive log architecture of the Fairmont Le Château Montebello. Continuing eastward, you pass rural communities and traditional villages that offer a glimpse into French-Canadian culture and lifestyle. Along the way, beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding countryside add to the experience. You will eventually arrive in Trois-Rivières, one of Canada’s oldest cities, known for its historic district, attractive waterfront, and welcoming atmosphere. Trois-Rivières is a historic city in Québec, located halfway between Montréal and Québec City, where the Saint-Maurice River divides into three channels at its mouth into the St Lawrence, giving the city its name. Among the oldest cities in North America, it preserves a charming historic centre with streets rich in period buildings, cafés and a lively cultural atmosphere, enlivened by festivals such as the poetry festival. The picturesque riverfront offers scenic walks over the St Lawrence. The city boasts a rich industrial heritage linked to paper and iron production, recounted in its museums and historic sites, such as the old Forges du Saint-Maurice ironworks. A convenient stop along the itinerary between Québec's two great cities, Trois-Rivières combines history, culture and riverside atmospheres, a pleasant pause in the heart of the Francophone province.

Québec City, capital of the eponymous province, is the most European city in North America, the only one north of Mexico to have kept its fortified walls, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a promontory above the St Lawrence River, it is dominated by the unmistakable silhouette of the Château Frontenac, a sumptuous hotel towering over Vieux-Québec. The cobbled streets of the old town, divided into Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville, enchant with their stone houses, boutiques, cafés and Francophone atmosphere, especially magical under winter snow. The Petit-Champlain district, among the oldest on the continent, and Place Royale preserve the charm of New France. The Terrasse Dufferin offers scenic walks over the river, while the gastronomy celebrates Québec cuisine. Romantic, historic and uniquely characterful, Québec City is a city to be explored on foot, among fortifications, alleys and old-world atmospheres.

The journey from Quebec City to Montreal offers an experience through the beautiful Quebec countryside. Along Autoroute 20 or Autoroute 40, the main highways linking the two cities, we pass through various landscapes, from green hills to open plains, with the St. Lawrence River accompanying much of the journey. Arriving in Montréal, the difference between the two cities is striking: so much Quebec is tied to its religious and military past, so much Montréal appears international, dynamic and progressive. Recommended activities for your free day in Montreal: a walking tour of the city’s Old Port, or bike rental to explore the extensive cycling paths and the Formula 1 circuit. You may visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or the Montreal Botanical Garden and Biodome, or enjoy shopping in the boutique and shopping mall district along St. Catherine Street.