Nature journey along the Saint Lawrence

WENDAKE
After picking up your vehicle, drive to Wendake, near Québec City.
Explore Old Wendake on foot: the chapel, listed as a historic monument, the Tsawenhohi house tracing the history of several former Grand Chiefs of the Nation, the Kabir Kouba falls…

Stay at the First Nations hotel-museum

TADOUSSAC
To reach Tadoussac from Québec City, you’ll follow the Saint Lawrence River along one of Québec’s most scenic roads.

Crossing through Charlevoix, you’ll discover a charming region that draws many artists inspired by the beauty of its landscapes. Stop to take time exploring one of the many art galleries of Baie Saint-Paul, stroll along the water, sample local cuisine…

Then continue on to Tadoussac, your gateway to observing the whales and belugas that frolic in the waters of this majestic river.

BAIE COMEAU – JARDIN DES GLACIERS
Drive to Baie Comeau.

The Jardin des Glaciers is an integrated interpretation, exploration and research site built on rigorous scientific content, set within an unusual and exceptional environment. It covers the ice age, climate change and the migration of the first peoples through three distinct experiences:
– The natural, with the Maritime Adventure Park, where you discover the traces left on the land by glaciers.
– The virtual, with the Glacier Exploration Station, where you become familiar with the full range of observable phenomena related to glaciers.
– The cybernetic, with the Cyber-Crossroads and its interactive network, where you deepen your knowledge through interactive activities.

Your afternoon will be devoted to visiting the Glacier Exploration Station, with its 3 multimedia shows and free-exploration themed zones. You’ll also have the chance to visit the Maritime Adventure Park, where you’ll explore the “Valley of Shells” scenario before moving on to “The Peoples of Ice”.

THE CHIC-CHOCS
3 remarkable days spent at a lodge built with great care for respecting the surrounding natural environment.

FORILLON NATIONAL PARK
A peninsula on a grand scale. Created in 1970, Forillon National Park sits at the very tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. Its sweeping landscapes of sea, cliffs and mountains span 244 km². Forillon protects a representative sample of the Notre-Dame and Mégantic mountains along with elements of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence marine region. Ten distinct rock formations, seabird colonies and enigmatic arctic-alpine plants give the park its unique character. Within this seaside park, the Grande-Grave heritage site bears witness to the way of life of local fishing families.

BONAVENTURE ISLAND AND PERCÉ ROCK
Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park is known for its rich natural, historical and geological heritage. Shaped by time and sea at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, it has Bonaventure Island as its fortress and the majestic Percé Rock, a stone vessel and tourism emblem of Québec. Its distinctive flora and fauna, including its famous northern gannet colony, make it an essential destination, as does the built heritage of the island, the last remaining trace of island life from the last century.

You’ll have the opportunity to take a cruise to discover this natural heritage.

ANTICOSTI ISLAND
You’ll then cross the spectacular Matapédia Valley, heading toward the magnificent Bas-Saint-Laurent region. From Mont-Joli, a small plane will fly you to Anticosti Island, where you’ll spend 3 unforgettable days in an exceptional territory.

BIC NATIONAL PARK
Bic National Park lies within the maritime estuary of the Saint Lawrence. Its capes, bays, coves, islands and mountains have long been a point of pride. The atmosphere here is unlike anywhere else. Think of the sounds and smells of the sea, the caress of the sea wind. Picture a sunset recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world. Seabirds nest here. Rare plants bloom on the rocky capes. Seals bask in the sun near the shore. It is beautiful, calm and restful.

RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP
Experience the extraordinary: a night in the lighthouse keeper’s house. Some islands in the St. Lawrence River are jealously protected, and for good reason: they serve as a sanctuary for various colonies of water birds and a resting stop for several species of rorqual whales and seals. Long inhabited by a single person — the lighthouse keeper — these islands are now open to those seeking a stay steeped in calm and quiet, looking for intimate contact with near-untouched nature.

Head to Rivière-du-Loup for an interpretive cruise along the great river and its gems.

From the moment you arrive on Pot-à-l’Eau-de-Vie Island, you’ll be charmed by its beauty, but above all by its absolute calm and tranquility. Indeed, the island’s only inhabitant is, and has always been, the lighthouse keeper. Left to the birds and seals, this island has retained its wild character.

QUÉBEC CITY
Continue on to the charming city of Québec, cradle of French America.

In summary:
– 1 night in Wendake at a hotel-museum
– 1 night in Tadoussac at a charming B&B
– 2 nights at the Jardin des Glaciers in a prospector tent
– 1 night in Matane at a 3* hotel
– 3 nights in the Matane wildlife reserve at a 4* lodge
– 1 night in Gaspé at a 4* hotel
– 2 nights in Percé at a charming B&B
– 1 night in Bonaventure at a 4* hotel
– 1 night in Rimouski at a 4* hotel
– 2 nights on Anticosti Island at a lodge
– 1 night at Le Bic at a charming lodge
– 1 night in a lighthouse
– 2 nights in Québec City at a 4* hotel