Quebec has an extraordinary variety of natural environments, ranging from fertile river plains, north of the Appalachian chain, to vast expanses of forest, taiga and tundra, washed by thousands of lakes and rivers, including the Saint- Lawrence, one of the main rivers of Canada.
To discover
Travel to Canada: tailor-made tours, hotels and stays from our partners
From vibrant Montreal to the wild expanses of Gaspésie, passing through the sublime regions of Charlevoix and Tadoussac, the charms of Quebec are revealed throughout this itinerary, designed in the spirit of a road trip but which can just as easily transform into a cruise on the peaceful waters of the St. Lawrence.
Map: our road trip in Quebec (1484 km; 5 stages)
Step 1: Montreal
3 days – History – Culture
Montreal is a captivating and multicultural metropolis.
f11photo - stock.adobe.com
After an 8-hour flight from Paris, we landed at Montreal-Trudeau airport, located about twenty kilometers from the city center.
We take advantage of these first three days to discover the must-see attractions of this captivating and multicultural metropolis, whose charm remains intact in all seasons.
Stroll through the maze of cobbled streets of Old Montreal and discover Place d'Armes, Notre-Dame Basilica or Place Jacques-Cartier, lined with lively café terraces in summer;
Stroll along the quays of the Old Port, where you can ice skate in winter, and enjoy a superb view of the city from Mount Royal;
Discover Montreal's nightlife during an evening in the bars and restaurants of the Quartier des Spectacles and Sainte-Catherine Street.
TAKE A PRIVATE TOUR OF MONTREAL
Step 2: Quebec
2 days – 254 Km – 3 hours drive – History – Culture
Rodrigo M. Nunes / RM Nunes - stock.adobe.com
North of Montreal, the city of Quebec, the provincial capital, reveals a deliciously European atmosphere that you can soak up while strolling through its fortified historic center, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and dominated by the imposing Château Frontenac.
Stroll through the Citadel, the old town of Quebec, which is reached by walking on the Terrasse Dufferin, from where you enjoy a splendid view of the Saint-Laurent River and the Lower Town which opens up to his feet ;
Get lost in Petit Champlai, explore the Latin Quarter and explore Place Royale, which revolves around the Notre-Dame de Québec cathedral and the Old Port;
Relax at the Plains of Abraham park, the city's green lung and scene of the 1759 battle between the English and the French.
VISIT CHÂTEAU FRONTENAC
Step 3: Charlevoix & Baie-Saint-Paul
2 days – 93 Km – 1h30 drive – Nature
View of the
c
Arthabaska, in the heart of the Grands Jardins national park.
Pernelle Voyage - stock.adobe.co
Departure for the picturesque Charlevoix region, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and which owes its irregular profile to the fall of an immense meteorite several million years ago.
A hikers' paradise in summer, the region is home to two wild national parks where you are sure to venture before discovering the charms of Baie-Saint-Paul, one of the oldest cities in Quebec.
Discover the grandiose natural landscapes of the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park and the Grands Jardins National Park;
Observe local wildlife during a cruise on the Malbaie River (between May and October);
Stroll through the charming town of Baie-Saint-Paul, whose streets are lined with old houses, art galleries and restaurants with a warm atmosphere;
Go on an excursion to Isle-aux-Coudres, located opposite Baie-Saint-Paul and appreciated for its bucolic decor.
MARITIME MUSEUM TICKET
Step 4: Tadoussac
2 days – 122 km – 2 hours drive – Nature
Tadoussac Bay welcomes a host of whales between the months of May and October.
Pernelle Voyage - stock.adobe.com
From Baie-Saint-Paul, we take Route 362, one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in Canada, to go to Tadoussac, whose bay welcomes a host of whales between the months of May and October, with a peak of presence in September.
Set off to meet whales during a kayak, zodiac or catamaran outing in the company of an experienced guide (terrestrial observation possible from the Pointe de l'Islet trail and whale interpretation and observation center). Cap-De-Bon-Désir);
Marvel at the enchanting landscapes of the Saguenay Fjord, whose trails protected by a natural park invite hiking both in winter and in summer.
ZODIAC AND WHALE WATCHING
Step 5: Gaspésie
2 days – 437 km – 7 hours drive – Nature
Venture into the Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park to discover the famous monolith.
Alexandre Blanchet / Alexandre - stock.adobe.com
Heading for the eastern end of Quebec where the sublime Gaspésie peninsula is located, which sits in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and whose vast territory offers natural landscapes of great beauty.
Here, lakes, forests and rural villages alternate with beaches, glaciers and long uninhabited stretches where time seems to have stood still.
Venture into the Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park to discover the famous Rocher Percé monolith, 470 m long;
Board a boat to visit Bonaventure Island, a true oasis of peace where nature passes from the prairie to the boreal forest and is home to a huge colony of gannets;
Go on snowshoes or cross-country skis on the trails along the Sainte-Anne River and hurtle down the snow-covered slopes of the Chic-Chocs mountains;
SNOWSHOE RENTAL IN WINTER
Step 6: Return to Quebec
2 days – 578 Km – 8 hours drive – Relaxation – Gastronomy
Île d'Orléans is accessible via a suspension bridge.
Darryl Brooks / dbvirago - stock.adobe.com
Back in Quebec, we take advantage of these last two days to treat ourselves to a getaway to the island of Orléans, majestically located in the middle of the Saint-Laurent and accessible via a suspension bridge.
Visit the vineyards between Saint-Pierre and Saint-Pétronille and taste a glass of wine while contemplating the Montmorency waterfall;
Shop in cheese shops, cider makers and jam shops where local products are in the spotlight;
Stroll the lavender gardens of the Seigneurie de l'île (between June and October).
TAKE A BOAT TRIP IN QUEBEC
Then head to Jean-Lesage airport in Quebec to board the plane back to France with lasting memories of this region of extreme beauty.