Québec City's Countryside

View of Mont Sainte-Anne from Île d'Orléans
Île d'Orléans, Camirand Photo

The greater Québec City region offers an extraordinary historical heritage and landscapes of great beauty. Here are the different sectors that make up the area around Québec City.

Île d'Orléans: Treasure Island

Île d’Orléans, just 15 minutes from downtown, across from the Montmorency Falls, is well worth a visit! Take a tour of an island that is the largest heritage site in the province. Be sure to stop by boutiques and farms to savour local delicaties and admire the works by regional artisans and artists, Explore the picturesque Québec countryside in the middle of the St. Lawrence River.

Côte-de-Beaupré: A Magnificent History

The region has an abundance of exceptional heritage and natural attractions. Travel along Route de la Nouvelle-France (New France Route), a historical journey through fascinating cultural, heritage, and agrotourist sites, including Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, a famous pilgrimage destination. The landscape of Côte-de-Beaupré is caracterized by the St. Lawrence River, the Laurentian Mountains, waterfalls and canyons. You can practice a number of outdoor recreational activities near Mont-Sainte-Anne.

Jacques-Cartier: A Breath of Fresh Air

The mountains and forests of the Jacques-Cartier area make it a real recreational paradise in every season. Here, we turn off our cell phones and take in spectacular landscapes: sprawling mountains, rivers and lakes abound! The national park, the Réserve faunique des Laurentides and the Station touristique Stoneham are just a few
of its attractions for nature-lovers.

Portneuf: A Natural Way to Relax

The area around Portneuf is known for the legendary chemin du Roy (King's Road) and its charming towns. Anyone who loves outdoor sports and nature will
get their fill in this area: mountain biking, hiking, cycling, fishing, and snowmobiling. You'll also want to sample the culinary and comestible bounty of Portneuf.

Charlevoix

The grandiose landscapes of Charlevoix inspire artists, stimulate adventurers and soothe city dwellers in search of tranquility. Observe the fascinating spectacle of whales, meet the artisans of a fertile land or climb the highest peaks! From Québec City, whether you take the St. Lawrence Route, the Mountain Road or the Flavour Trail, you can expect amazement in any season.
 

Chaudière-Appalaches

All you need to do is hop on the Québec-Lévis ferry or cross the bridge to reach this region with 200 km of coastline, an archipelago of 21 islands and lovely hills. Take the time to stop for a coffee in one of the friendly villages, to taste the products of the many maple groves or to practice your favorite outdoor activity. Psit! It is from Lévis that you will have one of the best views of Old Québec and the Château Frontenac.

Responsible Road Trips in Eastern Québec

Our responsible road trips in Eastern Québec bring together the best eco-friendly experiences on the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence River. Explore the great outdoors while respecting the environment thanks to a wide choice of responsible companies.

Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Imagine a land where a lake is as huge as an inland sea and where the walls of a fjord rise to the sky! Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is the ideal place to enjoy nautical sports. In addition to the magnificent sandy beaches, families enjoy visiting the wild zoo, the historic village of Val-Jalbert and the Cap Jaseux Adventure Park. In winter, the large amount of snow received favours snowshoeing, downhill skiing and backcountry skiing, with frequent powder snow.

Mauricie

The best way to get to Mauricie is by the Chemin du Roy: the first roadway between Québec City and Montréal that wheeled vehicles could use. Along the route, discover the history of New France thanks to several points of interest. Further north, the region extends to the boreal forest in the famous La Mauricie National Park, where you can appreciate stunning landscapes. Halfway between Québec City and Montreal, Trois-Rivières' dynamic downtown is worth a visit.

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