Complete Quebec

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.

You follow the course of the St. Lawrence River. 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.

You cross the river and reach Lévis, an attractive Victorian town on the southern bank of the St Lawrence, with magnificent views over Québec. Following the road that runs east from Lévis towards the Gaspé Peninsula, the most scenic route is Hwy 132, which closely follows the shore of the St Lawrence. The alternative is the Trans-Canada (Hwy 20), which slips quickly past Rivière-du-Loup, effectively marking the start of the Gaspé Peninsula. Hwy 132 winds through flat farming country, between long, narrow cultivated fields, a legacy of the seigneurial system, and passes through a string of quiet villages dominated by large Catholic churches. The three most interesting stopping points along the 180 km between Lévis and Rivière-du-Loup are St-Jean-Port-Joli, St-Roche-des-Aulnaies and the charming Kamouraska, with its distinctive architecture. The first settlement worth noting along Hwy 132, about 80 km east of Lévis, is St-Jean-Port-Joli, a centre of woodcraft. A traditional Québécois activity, wood carving reached its peak between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Revived in the second half of the twentieth century, alongside traditional religious themes it broadened to popular and francophile subjects. Worth seeing is the delicate interior of the Église St-Jean Baptiste 14 km east of St-Jean-Port-Joli lies the village of St-Roche-des-Aulnaies, with a magnificent watermill and an old manor house once owned by a wealthy merchant (entrance at extra cost). 40 km further east along Hwy 132 is Kamouraska, a lovely village once the holiday resort of Québec's wealthy residents. The village boasts many examples of the most remarkable architectural feature of the Bas-St-Laurent region, the roof of the houses, which projects outwards to protect the walls from the rain with typically curved eaves. One of the finest examples is the Villa St-Louis, a private house, once the residence of Adolphe Basile-Routhier, the author of the Canadian national anthem. The nets you may notice hanging from poles along the river are used to catch eels. Rivière-du-Loup marks the start of the Gaspé Peninsula. Rivière-du-Loup is a lively town in Québec, facing the southern shore of the St Lawrence estuary, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. An important crossroads, it is the departure point of the ferry that crosses the river towards the Côte-Nord. The town offers a charming centre, a picturesque waterfall in the heart of the settlement and scenic parks overlooking the wide estuary, from which you can enjoy splendid sunsets and from where boat excursions set off for whale watching among the river's islands. The area is also famous for its rural landscapes, farms and terroir products. Nearby stretch parks and trails ideal for hiking. Maritime and welcoming, Rivière-du-Loup is a pleasant stop along the St Lawrence coast, an ideal base for discovering the natural beauty and flavours of the Bas-Saint-Laurent.

Carleton-sur-Mer is a charming seaside resort on the Gaspé Peninsula, stretched along the southern coast facing the Baie des Chaleurs, whose unusually warm waters make it a renowned holiday destination. Set at the foot of Mont Saint-Joseph, from whose summit a magnificent view over the bay unfolds, it offers beaches, a marina and a pleasant promenade. The town is also famous for its wellness, with spa centres facing the sea. The surroundings invite hiking, kitesurfing and nature watching. Mild climate, sea and mountain make Carleton-sur-Mer one of the sunniest pearls of the Gaspé, where you can relax to the gentle rhythm of the Québec coast.

Along the way we suggest stopping at the Bonaventure lighthouse to take photographs. Bonaventure is visited above all for salmon fishing and for its beach, and is known as a stronghold of Acadian culture. The tradition is celebrated at the Musée Acadien du Québec in the town centre. Continuing towards Percé, stop at the Site Historique du Banc-de-Paspébiac, and at the Cap Espoir and Cap Blanc lighthouses. Percé is one of Québec's most spectacular villages, located at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, facing the Gulf of St Lawrence. Its symbol is the famous Rocher Percé, an imposing rock formation pierced by a natural arch that rises from the sea right in front of the village, one of the most iconic landscapes in eastern Canada. Just offshore, Île Bonaventure hosts one of the world's largest gannet colonies, reachable by boat for an unforgettable nature excursion. The village offers a charming seafront, fresh-fish restaurants and an authentic maritime atmosphere. The area is ideal for hiking, whale watching and discovering coastal nature. Between spectacular rocks, seabird colonies and sea, Percé is a fascinating and unforgettable destination, a jewel of the wild Gaspé Peninsula.

Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is a coastal town in Québec, located along the northern shore of the Gaspé Peninsula, facing the Gulf of St Lawrence. Its location makes it the main gateway to the Parc national de la Gaspésie, a vast mountainous reserve that holds some of Québec's highest peaks, part of the Chic-Chocs mountains, home to caribou, moose and deer. The park offers spectacular hikes, ski touring and grandiose landscapes of mountains and forests. The town, facing the sea, has a seafront, a marine exploration centre and an authentic maritime atmosphere. A meeting point between sea and mountains, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is an ideal base for nature and adventure lovers. Between wild peaks and the St Lawrence coast, it is a fascinating stop in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula.

Matane, a picturesque town on the Gaspé Peninsula coast, is renowned for its abundance of salmon and stunning scenery. Parc des Îles offers a peaceful spot to relax and explore, while the promenade along the St. Lawrence River provides breathtaking views. Enjoy freshly caught seafood in local restaurants and experience the warm hospitality of the region. Baie-Comeau is a town in Québec, located along the northern shore of the St Lawrence estuary, in the Côte-Nord and Manicouagan region. Grown around the paper industry and hydroelectric power, it is a convenient base for exploring the great wild spaces of the north. The region is famous for its imposing hydroelectric dams, in particular the colossal Manic-5 complex, open to visitors and considered an engineering marvel. Surrounded by forests, rivers and the vastness of the estuary, the area offers opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing and exploring pristine nature. Baie-Comeau is also a departure point for ferries crossing the St Lawrence. Maritime and immersed in northern nature, Baie-Comeau is a stop for those wishing to discover the grandiose landscapes and engineering works of Québec's Côte-Nord. Tadoussac is a picturesque village in Québec, set where the Saguenay River meets the majestic St Lawrence, in a scene of extraordinary beauty. Considered one of the oldest European settlements in North America, it preserves historic charm with its wooden chapel and the iconic hotel overlooking the bay. Tadoussac is famous above all as one of the world's best whale-watching locations: in the plankton-rich waters of the estuary swim belugas, minke whales and even blue whales, observable on boat or zodiac excursions. The nearby Saguenay fjord, with its steep walls, offers spectacular panoramas and unforgettable cruises. Sand dunes and coastal trails complete the natural offering. Between fjords, whales and history, Tadoussac is a fascinating and evocative destination, a jewel of the Québec coast.

Ste-Rose-du-Nord nestles on the banks of the Saguenay Fjord in Québec and is considered one of the fjord's gems for its spectacular setting between rocky walls and dark waters. The small village keeps a craft-village feel, with little wooden houses, small galleries and a wharf from which to admire the scenery. A departure point for cruises and kayak excursions, it offers the chance to spot the fjord's wildlife and the landscapes of Saguenay National Park. Ste-Rose-du-Nord is a poetic stop for those travelling between nature and quiet. Saguenay is the large city that brings together the old centres of Chicoutimi, Jonquière and La Baie, stretched along its namesake river in the heart of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. The urban heart of a land dominated by the majestic Saguenay Fjord, one of the world's southernmost, it is the ideal base for exploring grand scenes of cliffs plunging into the water, boreal forests and picturesque villages. Cruises along the fjord offer unforgettable views, while the historic centre of La Baie and the city's museums tell its industrial and cultural history. The fjord's waters, where belugas are spotted, and the trails of the national parks invite adventure. Between fjord, city and northern nature, Saguenay is the gateway to a spectacular Québec.

Saint-Félicien is a Québec town stretched along the banks of the Ashuapmushuan River, near the great Lac Saint-Jean, in the heart of the boreal Saguenay region. Famous for its remarkable wild zoo, the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien, where visitors ride a little train through the enclosures while the boreal wildlife, such as bears, bison and moose, roam free, it is a pleasant base for exploring this authentic corner of Québec. The town is also a stop on the famous cycle path that circles Lac Saint-Jean. The region, nicknamed the kingdom of blueberries, is renowned for its gastronomy. Between wild zoo, lake and boreal traditions, Saint-Félicien offers the authentic charm of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

Chambord is a quiet village in Québec, located on the shores of the vast Lac Saint-Jean, in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. Set in a landscape of water and forests, it is a serene base for discovering the natural and cultural beauties of this region famous for its great open spaces. Near the village lies the Village historique de Val-Jalbert, a fascinating, perfectly preserved industrial-era ghost village set around a spectacular waterfall, which recounts the history of the paper industry. The great lake offers beaches, water activities and the chance to ride the famous cycling loop that circles its shores. Quiet and immersed in nature, Chambord is a pleasant stop for those exploring the Lac-Saint-Jean region, between industrial history, lakeside landscapes and the warm hospitality of northern Québec. La Tuque is a Québec town set in the heart of the vast forested Haute-Mauricie region, stretched along the banks of the Saint-Maurice River in a boundless land of boreal forests, lakes and rivers. The homeland of the famous singer-songwriter Félix Leclerc, it is a prime base for lovers of wilderness and adventure, with canoeing, fishing, hunting and hiking in boundless spaces far from any crowd. The region is dotted with countless bodies of water and crossed by rushing rivers. The immensity of the land and the deep calm make it a refuge for those seeking authentic contact with the wilderness. Between rivers, forests and northern silences, La Tuque offers the purest essence of Québec nature. Saint-Alexis-des-Monts is a quiet Québec village immersed in the forests of the Mauricie region, surrounded by boundless nature of lakes, rivers and wooded hills. A renowned retreat for nature lovers, it is famous for its inns and lodges set in the woods, where you can relax in contact with the Québec wilderness. The land lends itself to canoeing, fishing, hiking and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling among snowy landscapes. The deep calm, crystalline lakes and starry skies make it an ideal destination for those seeking peace and adventure. Between forests, lakes and warm hospitality, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts offers the authentic charm of the Mauricie nature.

The journey from the Laurentides region to Montreal is an experience that takes you from the splendid mountains and forests of northern Quebec to the vibrant metropolis. The route once again offers splendid panoramic views of Quebec, with the landscape changing from mountains to hills and the surrounding plain. As you approach Montreal, traffic and urbanisation increase, and on arrival you will notice the vibrant energy, rich culture and diversity that characterise this cosmopolitan metropolis.