Splendid Nature of Quebec

Arrive at Montréal’s Trudeau International Airport and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The Roadbook you received has all the information needed for your holiday/trip/journey. The remainder of the day is at leisure to discover the delights of this fascinating city, where you can savor its French-Canadian flavor walking on its original cobblestones through historic Old Montréal or enjoy magnificent views of the city from the observation point at the top of Mont Royal. Of course, the culinary scene in Montréal is as spectacular as its attractions.

Overnight in Montreal.

Getting to know the city on a cruise is on your menu today. Accompanied by a guide, discover the unique facets of Montréal from the comfort of a cruise boat. Explore 25 km of history and attractions along the St. Lawrence River: Old Port, Ste-Helen’s Island, the unspoiled landscape of the Boucherville Islands and much more.

Overnight in Quebec City.

Enjoy a full day exploring North America’s only walled city. Not to be missed are the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, the Upper and Lower towns, the Notre Dame Basilica, and the National Assembly and Parliament Buildings. In the evening, stroll through the city’s pedestrian-friendly streets and savor the European feel that gives Québec City such special distinction.

Overnight in Quebec City.

Today’s drive takes you along the St. Lawrence River to Rivière-du-Loup, a major administrative and service center set on a terrace above the coastal plain with an appealing and distinctively Québécois atmosphere. The prosperity of the early 19th-century and the early 20th-century is reflected in its splendid homes and public buildings, including city hall and St. Patrick’s Church and Presbytery. From the Park of the Luminous Cross, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town’s center, the St. Lawrence and the five islands called Les Pèlerins, home to thousands of seabirds and shorebirds.

Overnight in Rivière-du-Loup.

Uncover the scenery and maritime lore of the Gaspé Peninsula as your route today takes you to Baie des Chaleurs which lies at the inlet of the Gulf of St. Lawrence between northern New Brunswick and eastern Quebec. Discovered and named by Jacques Cartier in 1534, Baie des Chaleurs is a famous fishing ground for cod, herring, mackerel, and salmon, with quaint Acadian fishing villages on its shores.

Overnight in Baie des Chaleurs.

As you travel along the coast you pass Port-Daniel, a community of Scottish, Acadian, and Irish descent. Take the Capitaine Fournier road which provides an unobstructed view of a railway tunnel that crosses Cap de l’Enfer - Cape of Hell. The tunnel measures 190 m in length and is the only one of its kind in Quebec. From the ‘Côte de Surprise’ (Surprise Coast) highway by the small fishing port of L’Anse-à-Beaufils, the view of Percé Bay and Percé Rock is magnificent.

Overnight in Percé.

Once the largest fishing port in the Gaspé Peninsula, Percé has turned into something of a gem of the entire Gaspé region as a resort and tourist town, renowned for the extraordinary beauty of its surroundings. Its prominent geological feature is a great rock pierced with a hole, from which the community derived its name. The town has a terrific selection of restaurants and cafes and there is a summer theatre and a boardwalk that stretches along the south beach. At the wharf you can watch the fishermen cleaning their daily catch.

Overnight in Percé.

As you pass the eastern most tip of the peninsula, take time to visit Forillon National Park. Apart from its towering vertical cliffs, the area’s most prominent landmark is the lighthouse at Pointe-au-Pere National Historic Site, which rises 30 m above the St. Lawrence. Admire the wild rose bushes which lend the nearby community of Cap-des-Rosiers its name and make a photo stop at Gros Morne with its magnificent cliffs and lovely bay area. Continue to the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula where a wondrous mountainous spectacle awaits you in the Parc de la Gaspésie.

Overnight in Parc de la Gaspésie.

With peaks of over 1,000 m, the park is the only place in Quebec where caribou, moose and white-tailed deer co-exist. Enjoy 140 km of hiking trails with far-reaching views or consider a guided nature tour. Apart from hiking, the park also offers mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, and picnic spots. An Interpretation Centre houses a permanent exhibit and souvenir shop. Audio-visual displays and special activities help you to learn more about the park’s flora and fauna and its geological history.

Overnight in Parc de la Gaspésie.

Today you will leave the Gaspé Region and drive to Tadoussac, a choice destination for those interested in marine wildlife, particularly whales. Some of the small towns along the way feature local art galleries displaying some of the finest artwork from eastern Quebec, an area known for its magnificent works of wood carving. Take the ferry: Matane to Baie Comeau/Godbout. Keep an eye out for whales and other wildlife as you cross the mighty St. Lawrence.

Overnight in Matane.

Today, take a short but scenic drive into Saguenay. An excellent view of the waters below the Saguenay Fjord can be found at the town of L’Ansede-Roche. A stop at L’Anse-Saint-Jean, sometimes called Quebec’s ‘Little Switzerland’ because of the steep mountains flanking the town, offers a look at well-preserved traditional local fieldstone and log architecture. A covered bridge that was built in 1929 and spectacular views of the Saguenay River can also be found.

Overnight in Saguenay.

Explore Saguenay Provincial Park along the north and south shores of the Saguenay Fjord. The 105 km long fjord is up to 250 m deep, which results in dark amber to black colored water. Cold salt water from the St. Lawrence pushes under warmer fresh water from the Saguenay, which has created an amazingly diverse marine life. Visit the park’s interpretative center and learn about the formation of the fjord and its physical, hydrographic, and oceanographic characteristics.

Overnight in Lac St. Jean. 

A full day to enjoy this impressive area of the Saguenay Region. While the region around the lake is known for mining and lumbering, nature and recreation enthusiasts can enjoy boating, hiking, climbing, fishing for landlocked salmon, and horseback riding around this uniquely circular lake. Your day ends driving through Quebec’s wild nature and dense terrain as you make your way to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.

Overnight in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts

If staying at Lac à l'Eau Claire, you have access to a wide variety of activities during your stay: forest walks and mountain biking on well-marked trails, access to the beach, boating, canoeing, windsurfing, and sailing on the tranquil lake. Also available, for a fee, are river canoeing, seaplane flights, ATV-tours, fishing, waterskiing, diving and golf.

Overnight in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts

Return to Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport for your return flight or stay in the city if you plan to extend your trip.