Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Highlights of Quebec A Wild Road Trip from Montreal to Quebec City
Canada – Montreal – Quebec City
Book ended by city stays in mighty Montreal and characterful Quebec City, the trip unravels across rolling farmland and roaring rivers. Kick off the countryside leg in Saint-Paulin, a pint-sized town on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. Then, follow this up with back-to-back nature stays in Chambord, Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, Tadoussac and Baie-Saint-Paul.
Sprinkled throughout will be chances to duck into museums, mull over beautiful art, indulge in a spot of retail therapy and dine on a selection of quintessentially French dishes. And when you're not soaking up the quiet atmosphere of these rural retreats for city dwellers, you can immerse yourself in the rich history and healthy hubbub of the province’s (and the country’s) cultural capital: Montreal. Now that’s what you call balance.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
The morning of your foray into French-Canada has arrived. Head to the airport, breeze through security and settle into the lounge for some complimentary nibbles before take-off. Flights to Montreal take seven-and-a-half hours, giving you plenty of time to delve into your holiday read.
Thanks to the time difference, you’ll land no more than three hours after you took off, ready to grab your bags and head to your centrally located hotel. After taking a break to stretch and unwind, venture out for some casual exploring this afternoon.
Then, come evening, reach out to our local Concierge to nab you a table at the swankiest spot in town. It’s time to kick your French-Canadian travels off on a high note. Bon appetit.
The name of the game over the next few days: city sightseeing. Canada’s cultural capital is bursting at the seams with things to do and places to visit, so kick things off with a half-day private tour of the city.
While you wander through the maze of streets, your guide will point out some of Montreal’s most historically significant buildings. The big hitters include the Place Royale, Place d’Armes and City Hall. There’s also the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel and its neighbour, Bonsecours Market – a great place to pick up handcrafted souvenirs.
The rest of your time is free to spend as you please. Explore the 18th-century streets of Old Montreal which look like they could have been plucked straight out of a European city. Then, visit Montreal Olympic Park (the largest indoor amphitheatre in the province) and Habitat 67, a housing complex featuring futuristic cube-like homes. To top it all off, be sure to dine on a plenty of local specialities. Poutine (cheese, bacon and gravy topped French fries), anyone?
Let the road trip commence. Pick up your hire car this morning and strap in for the one-hour-and-45-minute drive to Saint-Paulin, perched on the northern shore of the Saint Lawrence River. The drive twists through La Mauricie National Park, so keep your eyes on the windows as you pass through.
Arriving in the afternoon, check in for a two-night stay at a lakeside hotel. We’ve left the next two days in Saint-Paulin free for you to explore your lush new surroundings at your own pace. A favourite haunt of city dwellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle, this is the perfect place to start dialling up the outdoorsy vibes.
When you’re not lacing up your trainers for walks around the lake, climb in a canoe to see the sights from the water. And if you’re keen to make some furry friends, the nearby Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve (a beaver and moose sanctuary) is worth exploring, too.
Swap lakeside living for countryside charm today as you load up the car for your drive to Chambord, in the Saguenay region. The journey takes three-and-a-half hours, so strap in and pump up the road trip tunes.
When you arrive, check in for another two-night stay in a historic hotel. After dropping off your bags set out to stretch your legs. Chambord is excellent for golf, fishing and water sports if any of these activities take your fancy. Or there’s the Veloroute des Bleutes (meaning Blueberry Bicycle Route), which makes for a delightfully picturesque cycle. This is what the great outdoors is all about.
Hear that? The past is calling. Tuck into a tasty breakfast before heading to the Val-Jalbert historic village. Located on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean, this open-air museum gives you a peak into what life was like in the early 20th century.
Wander between the perfectly preserved houses, stopping to interact with costumed actors as the modern day slips away. Wonderfully immersive, you’ll be able to tour the village and the nearby waterfalls before hopping in a cable car to for panoramic views of the falls and lake.
Surge forward in time this evening as you return to Chambord for some downtime before turning your thoughts to tonight’s dinner. If you haven’t already, we suggest following it up with a swig of – you guessed it – Chambord (raspberry liqueur). It would be rude not to.
After breakfast, hit the road again and journey to Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, a small village which is home to just 462 people. The journey takes one hour and 40 minutes, so you’ll be checking into your chalet-style hotel and divvying up the sides of the bed before you know it.
There’s even more outdoor adventure on the agenda here, and not a moment to waste. Set out along the hiking trails that snake out of the centre of town, including several which provide views over Lac Sainte-Rose; head down to the dock for a cruise through the fjord; embark on a kayaking excursion or quietly observe the local fishermen from the shore – whatever takes your fancy.
Another day, another scenic stint on the road. This morning, check out and load up the car for the hour-long drive east to Tadoussac, on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River.
Pull into town, check into a historic hotel for an overnight stay and grab a lovely lunch. We’ve left the rest of your day free to kick back and unwind. If you’re keen to stretch your legs, visit the Petite Chapelle de Tadoussac (the oldest wooden church in North America) and the Hotel Tadoussac with its striking red roof.
Then, as evening draws, turn your thoughts towards dinner before heading up to bed to rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.
You’ve explored the capital and countryside; now’s the time for animal encounters. Fuel up on a hearty breakfast before climbing into a zodiac boat for a whale watching adventure.
Located at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, Tadoussac is the ideal push-off point for a boat trip to observe these gentle giants. Often seen in groups, the whales gather here in search of food. Cameras poised...
Windswept and wonderstruck, head back to your hotel to grab your bags and drive to Baie-Saint-Paul, located two hours south of Tadoussac. The route skirts the riverbank, so you’ll have views over the water the whole way down.
Pull into your next home away from home this afternoon, ready to check in for a two-night stay. You’ll have a little time to nosy around town before dinner tonight, so let curiosity lead the way.
Rise and shine – the scenic streets of Baie-Saint-Paul await. Tuck into a delicious breakfast before stepping out to explore this charming town, dubbed ‘the artist’s paradise’.
There’s plenty to see and do. If you’re an art lover (or travelling with one), check out the medley of galleries lining the city streets and nip into the Baie-Saint-Paul Museum of Contemporary Art.
Those who’d prefer to continue their outdoorsy streak can stroll along the countryside paths. Baie-Saint-Paul is also the starting point to visit the Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie national parks. The beautifully restored Remy Mill is worth visiting, too. This historic site has been producing flour since 1825 and their homemade bread is brilliant.
Come evening, scour the streets for an enticing spot and sit down to some good conversation over a mouth-watering meal. This is the life.
Wake up bright and early, dig into some morning pastries and then hit the road. The last destination on your road trip is Quebec City. The journey south takes one hour and 15 minutes, passing the famous Montmorency Falls and Canyon Sainte Anne. Talk about scenic.
When you arrive, check in for the last two nights of your trip and do a spot of unpacking. If Old Montreal felt like an ode to historic Europe, then Quebec City is bound to be a delight. Stretch your legs with a stroll around town this afternoon, then reach out to our trusty Concierge to nab you a table in the swankiest spot in town for dinner tonight. It’s time to kick the last leg of your trip off in style.
Slather some maple syrup over your breakfast this morning as you fuel up for a day of sightseeing. Today, you’ll join forces with a friendly local guide for a private tour of Old Quebec.
The only walled city in North America, Quebec is renowned for its UNESCO-listed centre and many museums. Some of the stars of the show during your wanderings are likely to be the iconic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac hotel, the Musee Royal 22e Regiment (or military museum) and the Quartier Petit Champlain, a historic neighbourhood full of boutiques.
When your feet need a rest, return to your hotel to wind down and freshen up. Tonight’s dinner is your last chance to indulge in the region’s French-Canadian comfort food, so don’t hold back. Food comas pending...
Like all great adventures, your time in Quebec comes to an end today. Enjoy a slow start and a decadent breakfast this morning before loading up the car and setting your sights on Montreal airport.
The journey takes three hours, which allows for one last string of road trip antics before you return your hire car and hop on your flight home. Due to the time difference, your seven-hour flight will land in the UK the following morning. While the sun will have set on your French-Canadian foray, the memories are bound to live on.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
MONTREAL FOOD TOUR BY BIKE
Add another dimension to your explorations in Montreal by hopping on a bike to pedal between the city’s foodie hotspots. Tuck into local favourites like guedilles (lobster rolls), naanwiches (naan-based wraps), Montreal smoked meat and beaver tails – a deep-fried crunchy pastry topped with syrup and other sugary toppings.SAGUENAY FJORD BY KAYAK
Tag an extra adventure onto your time in Tadoussac with this kayaking trip on the Saguenay Fjord. The panoramas here are superb – think lush plateaus, steep mountains, dizzying cliffs and steel-blue waters. With an average width of 1.3 miles and a depth of 885ft, the fjord is bound to eke oohs and aahs out of all who visit.PRIVATE HELICOPTER TRIP TO L’ISLE-AUX-COUDRES
Level up your time in Baie St Paul (literally) with a helicopter trip to L’Isle-aux-Coudres, in the UNESCO-listed Charlevoix region. Soar over green plains and rushing rivers before landing for a gourmet lunch and a cider tasting in an orchard.ILE D'ORLEANS AND ITS VINEYARDS
Once dubbed the 'Isle of Bacchus' because of the wild grapevines that covered it, Ile d'Orleans has become a landmark for wine lovers. Perched on the outskirts of Quebec City, it’s home to three celebrated vineyards: Ste-Petronille, Cassis Monna & Filles, and Isle de Bacchus. Good things come in threes, so don’t hesitate to hit up each one for a tasting.
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