Quebec self drive holiday, Canada

Description of Quebec self drive holiday, Canada

This road trip sandwiches the natural wonders of Quebec between two major cultural cities. Starting in Quebec City, you’ll follow the path of the Saint Lawrence River and the Saguenay River, through Saguenay Fjord National Park, to some of the region’s prettiest areas, before heading back west to Montreal.

There’s not a great deal of distance between Quebec City and Montreal – they are just 260km apart by road. But stray away from the Trans-Canada highway, and instead follow the roads along the rivers and fjords, and you’ll find you’ll want to while away the days in this region. This trip takes you past waterfalls, fjords and rivers and tiny towns – it’s the perfect setting for a holiday that mixes adventure with gastronomy.

East of Quebec City, the Saint Lawrence river widens, and its shoreline road forms a scenic route known as the Route du Fleuve, which passes between little riverside villages. The views, of hillsides covered in trees – maples yellowing in the autumn, and vivid green in spring – is occasionally disturbed by something more exciting – whale sightings.

The Saguenay River drains into the salty Saint Lawrence River, which brings whales including humpbacks, blue whales and belugas, as well as Greenland sharks to the river mouth. From a little outpost known as Point de Islet, you may even be able to spot whales whilst standing on the shore. You can also go on a whale watching trip to get even closer to the action.

If you continue up the Saguenay River, into Saguenay Fjord National Park, you’ll discover a gorgeous natural adventure playground. This is one of the longest fjords in the world, hemmed in by high, dramatic cliffs – and a wonderful place for kayaking and hiking.

Food is high on the agenda in the province. You can lunch like the French and brunch like the Canadians. Croissants sit alongside maple syrup-soaked pastries, and there are plenty of local cheeses and meats to try. Poutine is never far away – but, when you find it, you might want to get it as takeaway, so you can keep exploring. It wouldn’t be a road trip without some roadside restaurants too – and you’ll find plenty en-route.

This trip gives you plenty of time in Montreal and Québec, giving these large cities the attention they deserve. Quebec City has a walled city centre, where cobblestone streets sport fancy boutiques, whilst Montreal’s gothic-revival basilica wows the crowds with its dramatic interior decor. It’s refreshing to switch between car and city break, and this trip does a great job of balancing both sides.

By going on a self drive holiday you have all the agency. You can reach places off the tourist trail, support First Nations communities and smaller villages and towns – and still not miss out on the cultural highlights of Canada’s great cities too.

Photo credits: Canyon Sainte-Anne, Village historique de Val-Jalbert, Destination Canada

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