Grand Tour of Quebec

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.

Arriving in Quebec from Montreal, the difference between the two cities is striking: while Montreal appears international, dynamic, and progressive, Quebec is tied to its religious and military past. 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.

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.

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.

Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is a coastal town in Québec, located along the northern shore of the Gaspé Peninsula, facing the Gulf of St Lawrence. Its location makes it the main gateway to the Parc national de la Gaspésie, a vast mountainous reserve that holds some of Québec's highest peaks, part of the Chic-Chocs mountains, home to caribou, moose and deer. The park offers spectacular hikes, ski touring and grandiose landscapes of mountains and forests. The town, facing the sea, has a seafront, a marine exploration centre and an authentic maritime atmosphere. A meeting point between sea and mountains, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is an ideal base for nature and adventure lovers. Between wild peaks and the St Lawrence coast, it is a fascinating stop in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula.

Saguenay is the large city that brings together the old centres of Chicoutimi, Jonquière and La Baie, stretched along its namesake river in the heart of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. The urban heart of a land dominated by the majestic Saguenay Fjord, one of the world's southernmost, it is the ideal base for exploring grand scenes of cliffs plunging into the water, boreal forests and picturesque villages. Cruises along the fjord offer unforgettable views, while the historic centre of La Baie and the city's museums tell its industrial and cultural history. The fjord's waters, where belugas are spotted, and the trails of the national parks invite adventure. Between fjord, city and northern nature, Saguenay is the gateway to a spectacular Québec.

Saint-Félicien is a Québec town stretched along the banks of the Ashuapmushuan River, near the great Lac Saint-Jean, in the heart of the boreal Saguenay region. Famous for its remarkable wild zoo, the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien, where visitors ride a little train through the enclosures while the boreal wildlife, such as bears, bison and moose, roam free, it is a pleasant base for exploring this authentic corner of Québec. The town is also a stop on the famous cycle path that circles Lac Saint-Jean. The region, nicknamed the kingdom of blueberries, is renowned for its gastronomy. Between wild zoo, lake and boreal traditions, Saint-Félicien offers the authentic charm of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

Saint-Alexis-des-Monts is a quiet Québec village immersed in the forests of the Mauricie region, surrounded by boundless nature of lakes, rivers and wooded hills. A renowned retreat for nature lovers, it is famous for its inns and lodges set in the woods, where you can relax in contact with the Québec wilderness. The land lends itself to canoeing, fishing, hiking and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling among snowy landscapes. The deep calm, crystalline lakes and starry skies make it an ideal destination for those seeking peace and adventure. Between forests, lakes and warm hospitality, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts offers the authentic charm of the Mauricie nature.