CANADA EAST - Quebec and Ontario: from Montreal to Toronto via Gaspesie

Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) is the historic heart of the city, located along the Saint Lawrence River. Known for its cobblestone streets and well-preserved 17th- and 18th-century buildings, it has a distinctly European atmosphere. The area is home to iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Basilica, Place d’Armes, and the Old Port, and offers a vibrant mix of history, culture, cafés, and galleries.

travelling from Québec to Montréal, one can’t help notice how strikingly different the two places are: Montréal is a cosmopolitan, dynamic, futuristic city; while Québec holds on to its religious and military heritage. Standing in a wonderfully panoramic location on Cap Diamant, overlooking the Saint Lawrence, Québec is the city with the oldest tradition in Canada. It’s also the only Northern American city that still boasts walls, bastions and buttresses, as well as many churches and convents, thus deserving the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Québec takes pride in its deeply-rooted French tradition.

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.

Gaspé, located at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, is a place of history and natural beauty. Known for Forillon National Park, the region boasts dramatic cliffs, beaches, and hiking trails. Whale-watching tours and the famous Percé Rock are absolute highlights. Gaspé is a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers.

Once a humble fishermen’s village, Percé grew into a remarkable tourist destination – especially thanks to the beauty of its landscape, above all the huge pierced rock formation in the sea that gave the town its name (“Rocher-Percé” means “the pierced rock”).

Rimouski, a charming city on the St. Lawrence River, captivates with its maritime ambiance. The Pointe-au-Père area, featuring an iconic lighthouse and a submarine museum, is a popular attraction. Rimouski is also a gateway to Parc national du Bic, offering stunning coastal landscapes.

Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, stands between the British identity of Toronto and the French heritage of Montreal – both physically and historically. It’s one of the most unique cities in the country. The seat of the Canadian Parliament and a cultural centre of importance, Ottawa is a pleasant town, brimming with parks.

The stage offers a mix of natural beauty and rural vistas first passing through the beautiful Muskoka area and passing through small villages and quaint towns such as Whitney and Barry's Bay, before reaching Huntsville: a great place to stop, with numerous restaurants and stores, and town from which one reaches directly to the western entrance of Algonquin Provincial Park. Huntsville, the gateway to Algonquin Provincial Park, delights with lakes, forests, and a vibrant arts scene. It's a paradise for outdoor lovers, offering canoeing, hiking, and fishing in summer and snowshoeing in winter. The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery features stunning artworks inspired by Canada's nature.

The drive from Algonquin Provincial Park to Toronto is a journey through some of Ontario's most picturesque landscapes, offering a mix of urban, suburban and natural areas. Starting in Huntsville, one of the main towns in the Muskoka region and a great place to stop, with numerous restaurants and stores, but which is also the western gateway town to Algonquin Provincial Park, you pass through towns such as Barrie, a well-known center for outdoor activities located on Lake Simcoe. Continuing south , the landscape becomes less rural and wooded, signaling the entrance to the Muskoka region, famous for its lakes and cottages. And finally we reach Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. Standing on the shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is not afraid to show off its wealth: its skyline juts with shining skyscrapers, under the futurist steeple of the CN Tower.