Québec is full of beautiful places to visit! With the warm weather setting in, it's time to start planning our vacation, or simply our next weekend to break the routine. To make things easier for you, our team has put together a top 5 list of the best Québec destinations to discover.
Discover the best-kept secret of the Chic-Chocs mountains
Would you like to live your love of the great outdoors and mountain sports while enjoying the dolce vita with an all-inclusive package? In this case, this Québec destination par excellence is the Matane Wildlife Reserve. With a breathtaking view and raw nature in all its splendor, this is the place to be. Here, there is no TV, no telephone, not even an alarm clock, and above all, no traffic, since it is perched at an altitude of 615 meters. The latter is only accessible by the shuttle that will take you to your stay.
The Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs offers daily guided or self-guided outdoor activities, equipment included. Hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding, wildlife observation. A perfect nature therapy! On the culinary side, the chef prepares three meals a day with seasonal products. Your stay will take place in an intimate atmosphere, as only 18 rooms are available.
Would you rather relax? If so, the spa awaits you, unless you prefer to stroll by the fireplace while admiring the majestic surrounding forest. That's pretty much the only decision you'll have to make, since everything is taken care of here from A to Z. A true summer camp for adults!
A day on the water at Maïkan Aventure
You are inspired by a day of paddling and beer? It's a good thing, because Maïkan Aventure offers you to rent various equipment to discover the numerous islands (and beaches!) of the Saint-Maurice delta. Whether you prefer canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding, you will find the watercraft that suit you best. You will have the freedom to explore the Saint-Maurice River. Although located in the middle of Trois-Rivières, this river is ideal for water sports and offers amazing and beautiful natural landscapes. Birdwatchers can head to Île Saint-Quentin to feed the ducks while drifting under the sun.
Better yet, you can discover the menu of the Chack restaurant bar as soon as you return from your excursion. This establishment adjacent to the boathouse specializes in charcuterie prepared directly in the wood-fired oven. However, vegetarian options are also available. Relax and enjoy your day on the terrace with a view of the river, and forget about your daily worries.
Thirsty for silence? Go to the Abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac
The Abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac is home to some thirty Benedictine monks. They live their daily lives to the rhythm of prayer, community life, daily work, and of course, in complete silence.
The silence! Imagine, no ding! of e-mail coming in, no furious driver honking his horn, no neighbor mowing his lawn at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, or colleague talking too loudly about the exploits of his youngest daughter. Nothing. Just silence. The Abbey offers silent individual retreats.
The place is rustic, but welcoming. During your visit, you can also try the delicious cheeses, ciders, and compotes that the monks make (our team's big favorite is Le Moine cheese!). The reputation of these delicacies is well-established in Quebec! You can also go there to pick apples in the orchard. The landscape of the Lake Memphremagog region is striking, with its large green spaces and magnificent gardens.
We warn you, there is no wifi, and phones are not allowed. It's time to shut down for a few hours.
Certified sportswomen, follow the P'tit Train du Nord
It's not for nothing that cycling enthusiasts from all over Quebec agree that the P'tit Train du Nord is an exceptional trail. Indeed, it starts in Bois-des-Filion and ends 234 kilometers further in Mont-Laurier.
All along the way, you will discover colorful panoramas, many welcoming municipalities, and campgrounds in the middle of nature that will allow you to familiarize yourself with the rich history of the Laurentians.
Of course, nothing prevents you from completing the journey in several stages throughout the summer. A shuttle service is available to take you to the trail section of your choice (phew!). As the route alternates between asphalt and dirt roads, it is best to bring everything you need to change a wheel if you are unlucky, or at least a snack to wait for the shuttle!
We invite you to consult the interactive map in order to plan your trip and if necessary, to reserve your room in one of the many inns along the P'tit Train du Nord.
A weekend of camping in Kamouraska
For the space of a weekend (or more, let's be frivolous!), how about avoiding traffic and simply living to the rhythm of sunrises and sunsets? Although Quebec has hundreds of natural retreats worthy of the name, Kamouraska stands out. With its many campsites with access to the river, this is a paradise for lovers of sunsets and peace.
Your journey away from the big city begins in the village of Kamouraska, a picturesque municipality anchored on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Not only does it offer a wide range of inns, boutiques, and art centers, but it also boasts some of the most beautiful sunsets in Canada. Yes, yes! We're not making this up. National Geographic says so.
With a wide variety of hiking trails and camping sites, you'll never be bored. The more athletic among us can even take up temporary residence at the SEBKA campground for rock climbing. For those of you who are in a more private mood, head for the Kamouraska wharf. It's the ideal place to taste the fresh catches of the Poissonnerie Lauzier, a real sea bistro.
And there you have it, no need for plane tickets to enjoy a vacation worthy of the name! Of course, if you know of any other well-hidden attractions, feel free to tell the rest of our community in the comments section. We never have enough choices when it comes to recharging our batteries.
