Discover Quebec through its most beautiful sights
Like two and a half times France, Québec is a destination of choice for most French people who visit France Canada . So obviously, we don't visit "all" Quebec, but the beautiful province is a perfect destination for two to three weeks of total change. From Montreal to Lac Saint-Jean, passing through the famous city of Quebec, the famous whales of Tadoussac or the Eastern Townships, you will be taken on a road trip to Quebec. Follow the guide!
Montreal, cosmopolitan
Your plane just landed on the tarmac at Montreal’s Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport after seven or eight hours. Once immigration and customs have passed, it is time to go to the Discovering Montreal . We start with the historic city center and a stroll along the docks to take the pulse of the city. The silhouette of the Bonséjour market dominates the landscape, then the view of the St.Lawrence River between tourist, commercial and industrial complexes makes it possible to better understand the city. Then it’s time to get lost in the streets of old Montreal. We are in the historic heart of the city with the Place d’Armes and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Montréal, which unfolds all its colors with its extraordinary retable.
Notre-Dame de Montréal Basilica – Photo credit: Flickr – Julien Redelsperger
The next day, we will take a bit of height with Mont Royal Park, a kind of Montreal's Central Park that dominates the city from an imposing hill. A perfect place to overlook the buildings in Montreal that detache themselves from the urban immensity of this city, big as 3 and a half Paris!
View from Mont Royal Park – Photo credit: Flickr – Julien Redelsperger
By descending, you should not miss a walk in the very lively Plateau Mont-Royal district, where many French expatriates come to settle. In the evening you will find numerous bars for a drink. The opportunity to brunch and taste local gastronomy, before leaving to the east of the city to cultivate in the magnificent “space for life”. On the programme, the visit of Biodôme (a mixture of zoo, garden and aquarium, immense and very lively; insectarium; Botanical gardens) grandiose in summer, planetarium or Olympic stadium with its famous leaning tower that offers a 360-degree view of the metropolis.
View from Mont Royal Park – Photo credit: Flickr – Julien Redelsperger
Before leaving, enjoy your day to stroll around the famous shopping street of Saint Catherine or visit one of the many museums in the city, such as Pointe-à-Callière Museum on the history of the city or that of the Fine Arts. After three to four days on site, take possession of your rental car and put the gas in the east direction of Sherbrooke.
Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships
In a two-hour drive from Montreal, you are at the heart of a green and hilly countryside, renowned for its art of living, picturesque villages and wines.
Abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac – Photo credit: Wikimedia – Hurteau, Paul
Moreover, one wine route has even been created to discover one of the 21 vineyards that make the reputation of the region. Sherbrooke will be your stage for one or more nights. The city does not lack attractiveness with, in particular, the Terra Mutantès multisensory experience at the Museum of Science and Nature or a walk in the city centre.
Before leaving the eastern cantons, offer a short escapade in the Coaticook Gorges, close to the American border, with this canyon almost 50 meters deep through an impressive pedestrian bridge. On site, hiking, cycling tours and walks await you, without forgetting the magnificent show Foresta Lumina which illuminates the places as ever.
Once you're ready, we drive back to discover the famous capital of Quebec, at 2:30 a.m. on the road.
Quebec, history
Change of scenery with a historic city of importance. Quebec proudly displays its ramparts, castle, and old stones along the St.Lawrence River. Visiting Québec is going back to time and enjoying an art-of-living in the European that is highly appreciated by tourists. Old Quebec and its alleys will lend themselves to a beautiful day of discoveries on foot in the historic city.
Even though it is no longer visiting, Chateau Frontenac is the symbol of the capital of Quebec. Hosting a luxury hotel, it deploys its terraces overlooking the Petit Champlain area and the St.Lawrence River.
Château Frontenac illuminated at night – Photo credit: Flickr – Julien Redelsperger
The next day, if the heart tells you, you can discover some of the many captivating museums of the city, including that of Civilization, French-speaking America or Fine Arts. Unless you prefer to stroll through the typical streets of the Petit Champlain district with paved streets that are lost between historic houses, murals and shops, to reach Place Royale.
Place Royale, Quebec – Photo credit: Flickr – Julien Redelsperger
If you still have time, you can push the exploration to the Plains of Abraham, where the history of Quebec was played in the 18th century between French and English. Otherwise, you can go back to your car in the direction of the north by making a quick hook by the falls of Montmorency, the highest in Quebec, even exceeding those of Niagara about 30 meters.
Chutes de Montmorency, Québec – Photo credit: Flickr – Julien Redelsperger
Route to Tadoussac
After 3:30 a.m., we leave the large urban centres to arrive at Tadoussac. A small town located on the St. Lawrence River, at the mouth of the Saguenay River, it owes its reputation and its tourist attraction to its whales and its wild fauna that offer tourists coming near them by boat. This is the perfect place to offer a cruise and approach these huge and majestic animals that sometimes play with tourists. The best season is often September and October.
Baleine near Tadoussac – Photo credit: Wikimedia – Hans Bernhard
On the road, the landscape is beautiful and the road flirts between forests, hills, typical villages, while being within reach of the river. The journey is just as exciting and disappointing as the arrival in Tadoussac.
Le Saguenay and Lac Saint Jean
The last step of your Quebec trip, which will take you to the third largest lake in Quebec. On the way, do not miss the Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park with these cliffs that plunge into the river creating an incredible landscape. You can explore it from the earth or water according to your desires.
Saguenay River and Cap Eternity, seen from Cap Trinité, Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park – Photo credit: Wikimedia – J.boulian
In winter or summer, whether in the snow, on the water or on the farmland, Lac Saint-Jean offers many activities for tourists in bad nature and discoveries. In any case, make a crochet by the wild zoo of Saint-Félicien that offers an incredible variety of animals in a natural setting. A beautiful way to meet Canada's wildlife, including these famous white bears!
Bears in the Wild Zoo of Saint-Félicien – Photo credit: Wikimedia – Dereckson
Finally, the historic village of Val-Jalbert, whose life stopped in 1927, will fascinate you with its unique history and atmosphere. It is both an open-air museum, a ghost village and a great opportunity to go back to the 1920s. Built at the foot of an imposing waterfall, it is a visit not to be missed. Note that it is even possible to sleep there.
Historic village of Val-Jalbert – Photo credit: Wikimedia – Sylvainbrousseau
And now it’s time to return to Montreal (about 5 hours’ drive) where your plane is waiting for you. If you would like to see more to continue your journey, Gaspésie is a destination of choice. Count, this time, about 10 hours’ drive to Gaspé and discover other landscapes to curb your Quebec road trip.
Photo credit: Flickr – Julien Redelsperger
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