Québec
Cradle of French North America
Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Québec City is the only fortified city in North America north of Mexico. Brimming with treasures, it’s much more than just a living museum. Inside and outside the walls of Old Québec are a host of gastronomic discoveries, cultural goings-on, special and sporting events and, of course, superb shopping. The surrounding region doesn’t lag behind, either. There’s Île d’Orléans, the largest heritage site in Québec. There’s one of North America’s oldest thoroughfares, the New France route, which links Old Québec with the Côte-de-Beaupré and is studded with points of interest.
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Côte-Nord
Between earthly and unearthly
The Côte-Nord is actually an amalgamation of two regions: Manicouagan and Duplessis. Running along the St. Lawrence as it turns from estuary to gulf, the coastline here is dotted with lighthouses, whale-watching sites, archipelagos and beaches. But the magic extends far beyond the river: the Côte-Nord is also a prime destination for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, green spaces, nature and scenery. Indeed, Manicouagan- Uapishka has been designated a UNESCO World Biosphere reserve. The sea mammals of the St. Lawrence River make their lovely dance in this region where everything is grandiose. The dams are oversized, and even the littlest villages astonish by their great beauty.
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Îles-de-la-Madeleine
An archipelago surrounded by the sea
Right in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is a string of islands with evocative names: Grande Entrée, Grosse Île, Pointe aux Loups, Havre aux Maisons, Cap aux Meules and Havre Aubert. All except Entry Island are linked by route 199. Natural beauty is at every turn: long beaches, the dunes and their beach grass, grey and red sandstone cliffs.
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Lanaudière
Wide-open spaces
We came to hear the music of its hundreds of waterfalls as well as that of its festivals.” Culture, nature, food and adventure: there’s lots of good reasons to head for the hills of Lanaudière! The region also has plenty to please sports buffs and outdoor enthusiasts, with activities for every season.
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Eeyou Istchee Baie-James
Escape like never before
Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is one of the world’s last remaining pristine lands. Its countless rivers and lakes are teeming with fish, and the region is known for its spellbinding natural phenomena, wildlife and wilderness. A part of the population is Cree, an indigenous culture that lives in harmony with nature.
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