East Canada: Quebec, Gaspesie and New Brunswick

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.

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.

Fredericton is the elegant capital of New Brunswick, a historic, intimate city set along the banks of the Saint John River, surrounded by tree-lined avenues and parks that earn it the nickname "city of elms". Its charming centre preserves historic buildings, the neo-Gothic Anglican cathedral and a lively artistic and cultural scene, with art galleries and music festivals. The picturesque riverfront, lively with walks, markets and green spaces, is the heart of city life. Fredericton boasts a history linked to the Loyalists and a strong cultural identity, bilingual and welcoming. A convenient base in the heart of the province, it allows you to explore New Brunswick's river and rural landscapes. Historic, green and refined, Fredericton is a human-scale capital where art, history and nature meet along the tranquil banks of the Saint John River.

Moncton is a lively city in New Brunswick, an important crossroads of the Atlantic provinces and a bilingual centre with a strong Acadian presence. Located along the Petitcodiac River, it is famous for two curious natural phenomena: Magnetic Hill, where an optical illusion seems to make cars roll uphill, and the "tidal bore", the tidal wave that surges up the river thanks to the imposing tides of the Bay of Fundy. The city offers a charming centre, water parks and a welcoming atmosphere. A convenient base, Moncton makes it easy to reach the gulf beaches, the Acadian coast, the rocky shores of the Bay of Fundy and Prince Edward Island, connected by the long Confederation Bridge. Dynamic and well connected, Moncton combines natural curiosities, Acadian culture and its role as a hub, a practical and pleasant stop for exploring Atlantic Canada.

Bouctouche is an Acadian village in New Brunswick facing a splendid sand dune that reaches into the Gulf of St Lawrence. The Bouctouche Dune, with its long wooden boardwalk, is a protected natural area ideal for walks, birdwatching and swimming in the warm waters of the bay. The village celebrates Acadian culture with museums and reconstructed historic villages. Between sea, dunes and living traditions, Bouctouche is a bright stop on the Acadian coast.

Miramichi is a town in New Brunswick, located along the banks of the river of the same name, famous worldwide as one of the best waterways for Atlantic salmon fishing. Set in a territory of forests and waters, it retains a strong bond with nature and with the region's traditions, of Irish and Acadian roots, which animate lively festivals of Celtic and folk music during the summer. The Miramichi River is the heart of local life and attracts anglers and nature lovers from everywhere. The area offers rural landscapes, outdoor activities and an authentic, welcoming atmosphere. The culture of the Mi'kmaq First Nations is present in the territory. Between legendary fishing, rivers, forests and musical traditions, Miramichi is an authentic stop for those wishing to discover the nature and genuine soul of the New Brunswick interior.

Caraquet is considered the cultural capital of Acadia, a lively New Brunswick town stretched along a bay of the Acadian Peninsula, a proud keeper of the francophone identity of Atlantic Canada. Its colourful houses line the coast, where fishing and seafood set the rhythm of daily life. The heart of the Acadian celebrations, it hosts a great festival each summer that culminates in the Tintamarre, a boisterous parade in which the population fills the streets. Nearby, the Village Historique Acadien brings the history of this people to life through period buildings and costumes. The bay's waters invite discovery and the sunsets are spectacular. Between culture, sea and living traditions, Caraquet embodies the proud soul of Acadia.

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.

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.

Matane is a maritime town on the Gaspé Peninsula, stretched along the St Lawrence shore where the river grows as wide as a sea. Famous for its prized shrimp, the crevettes de Matane, and for the Atlantic salmon that swim up the river each summer and can be observed through a dedicated underwater window, it is a pleasant stop along the peninsula's scenic road. From its harbour departs the ferry to the river's north shore. The town preserves a historic lighthouse and an authentic atmosphere tied to the sea. The surroundings, including the wildlife reserve and the Chic-Choc Mountains, offer nature and wildlife. Between shrimp, salmon and sea, Matane embodies the authentic maritime flavour of the Gaspé.

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.

We follow the St. Lawrence coast through Charlevoix, a region of pretty country villages and small river communities, stopping in the quaint village of Saint-Paul, well known to artists and painters. 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.