100% customisable travel idea
From Québec to Gaspésie La Belle Province by the water’s edge
Canada - East - Saint Lawrence - Gaspésie
Québec’s roads and the St. Lawrence River
Your journey
At each stop, you settle into a charming accommodation, like a wide-open door to authentic Canada - delightful wooden inns with breathtaking views, typical guesthouses where a friendly atmosphere prevails. We have also added two highlights to your itinerary: a cruise to take you to Percé Rock and a kayak rental to paddle down the Bonaventure river. The rest of the time, you’ll travel at your own pace, at the wheel of your rental vehicle, which will stay with you from the beginning to the end of your journey - even on the ferry between Saint-Siméon and Rivière-du-Loup. And, should you need anything during your trip - whether it’s booking the best table in Québec or arranging a last-minute guided walk in a national park - our on-site Concierge remains reachable at all times.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Meet & greet at the airport and private transfer to downtown Québec City. Check in for three nights at a property that has been part of the cityscape since 1870. Nestled in a stone building, it boldly blends Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles - as the particularly welcoming lobby attests. A recent renovation has brought some modern touches to the classic décor of the rooms. You’ll feel at home here, and it’s an easy base for exploring the city.
The only walled city in North America, Quebec City instantly conjures the era of New France. The capital of francophone Canada strikes a fine balance between old and new, traditional and avant-garde. You have a full day here to make the citadel your own, perched high on its promontory, and enjoy a stroll along the St. Lawrence River. A charming café terrace is the perfect spot for a well-deserved break between visits.
Not to be missed - An escape to Jacques-Cartier National Park. A true haven of peace just outside Québec City, the park is a breath of fresh air for travellers looking to escape the city for a few hours. It is made up of a vast mountainous plateau carved by deep valleys, with a calm river winding through.
At the wheel of your rental car, collected the day before, drive to Baie-Saint-Paul in the Charlevoix region. For a long time, the town relied on farming and forestry. Today, it boasts numerous art galleries and invites you to enjoy the great outdoors. It is also the departure point for the Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie national parks.
Overnight stay at an inn set in a stone building from the 1840s. It has expanded over time, annexing the neighbouring buildings. After extensive renovations, the entire property now boasts an elegant contemporary design. The spacious rooms have all been decorated with care by artists.
Set off again, driving to Saint-Siméon before boarding your car onto a ferry. Once on the opposite bank, the journey continues through wild landscapes, featuring towering cliffs dotted with tiny villages, working harbours and pebble beaches. Settle in for two nights in the village of Le Bic. Your wooden chalet faces the St Lawrence River. Rustic yet contemporary, it offers a true “cabin in Canada” experience - a little interlude suspended in time.
Independent visit - Bic National Park. Its headlands, bays, coves, islands and mountains form a beautifully harmonious tableau. Seabirds nest here, rare plants bloom on the rocky caps, and seals bask by the shore… It’s beautiful, calm and relaxing. Several trails offer stunning views of the coast.
Drive south of the peninsula to Chaleur Bay. Here, the beaches are made for swimming, while in the traditional Acadian villages, life is still shaped by the sea and the day’s catch. According to history, families founded the village of Carleton in the 18th century. Take advantage of the barachois, an immense sandbar, to swim in the bay’s refreshing waters.
You'll stay for two nights in the heart of the village, in a guesthouse facing the sea.
In your itinerary: kayaking down the Bonaventure River. The water is crystal-clear and the descent is ideal for beginners. Choose between a standard canoe, single kayak or double, and off you go! This short, gentle stretch offers ideal conditions for an easy-going paddle.
Drive to Percé, at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Check in for two nights at a hotel set in the middle of a large lawn. The panoramic view from every room perfectly showcases the famous rock and its unique features.
On your itinerary - A boat trip to Percé Rock. This rocky islet with its steep cliffs has, along with the cliffs of Étretat, become the most photographed chalk formation in the world. As you draw closer, it's easy to see why. Next, you'll head to Bonaventure Island, home to a colony of northern gannets.
Continue your journey towards Gaspé. Nearby, Forillon National Park, bordered by the Gulf of St Lawrence on one side and Gaspé Bay on the other, offers stunning views. Thousands of seabirds find refuge in the boreal forest and on vertiginous cliffs, while seal colonies live along the shore.
Overnight stay in Gaspé in a warm, welcoming inn overlooking the bay.
Drive to Gaspésie National Park and settle in for two nights at a guesthouse built more than 50 years ago, facing Mount Albert. A strong sense of hospitality, delicious cuisine and comfort seem to be the core values of this small accommodation.
Optional - A guided walk in the national park with a naturalist.
Not to be missed - The park's hiking trails. Originally created to protect the wildlife and plant life of the Gaspé Peninsula, the park has also been carefully developed for visitors. Hiking is without doubt the best way to explore it and observe its inhabitants: white-tailed deer, Arctic char, golden eagle, moose, caribou, and salmon from the Sainte-Anne River. Seasoned walkers and beginners alike will find an endless playground here.
Continue your drive to Rivière-du-Loup. On arrival, settle in for the night at a lovely hotel set on the water’s edge, slightly outside town. The pavilions look like a motel from the outside, but inside they pair comfort with tasteful décor.
This final day alternates a waterside stroll to the foot of impressive falls - one of the local highlights - and shopping in the town centre's boutiques, in search of the perfect souvenir to remember your journey.
Here, you board the ferry again back to the opposite shore, then drive to Québec City. Return the hire car at the airport and take your international flight home. Night on board, arrival the next day.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
A day at the Strøm Spa in Old Québec
Take the opportunity to recharge at one of Québec’s best spas, located on the banks of the St Lawrence River. Combining relaxation and urban flair, you enjoy a unique experience surrounded by an environment of incomparable natural beauty.Gaspésie National Park with a guide naturalist
In the heart of the peninsula, various trails offer hikers the chance to immerse themselves in the mountainous reality of the park. Bare mountain peaks, glacial cirques or signs of wildlife are just some of the features that enhance this outing. At the same time, you benefit from the in-depth knowledge of a naturalist guide.With a few more days, Montréal
As your itinerary passes nearby, make a stop in Montréal if you have extra time. A stay here is essential to understanding contemporary Québec. On the banks of the St Lawrence, the industrial port is bustling with activity; not far away, pedestrian streets with a unique charm where everything seems waiting to be discovered: the fortifications and the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, Mount Royal and Beaver Lake, the lanes of Mile End and the Latin Quarter, Lafontaine Park… In every season, the city is sure to charm travellers passing through.
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