Photographing Seal Pups in Canada

In Montreal, tradition and dynamism are one and the same: cosmopolitan yet welcoming, Quebec's largest metropolis is a blend of cultures, flavours and stories coming to life in a relaxed atmosphere. A small French colony founded in 1642 once stood on the site of present-day Old Montreal, a district where you can take the pulse of a historic past. In the Old Port, among fashion boutiques, trendy restaurants, microbreweries and wine bars, Place d'Armes — home to the statue of the city's founder, Paul de Chomedey — and Place Jacques-Cartier preserve the city's foundations.

From the top of Mont Royal, which rises serenely right in the city centre, Montreal unfolds at your feet. Beyond downtown, the city as a whole, renowned for its open-mindedness, is a mosaic of neighbourhoods with varied architecture and influences: Chinatown, the Latin Quarter and the Village make Montreal, above all, a city of distinct boroughs.

This slender archipelago offers its sandy beaches to the waves of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Against a backdrop of intense blue stand out pale dunes, green hills, ochre cliffs and brightly colored houses. This setting, with the sea ever-present, invites the pleasures of leisure and open-air living. Winter in the Islands is, above all, a privileged encounter with the Madelinots and their traditional sense of hospitality. The unique beauty of the Magdalen Islands' landscapes will unfold before your eyes: tall red sandstone cliffs, immense pristine ice fields, snow-covered hills and valleys will delight you throughout your stay and travels.

Harp seal pup observation is the major winter activity on the Magdalen Islands. In early March, on the ice of the Gulf, hundreds of thousands of harp seals come to give birth to their pups, known as “blanchons”, on the ice pack surrounding the Magdalen Islands. It is a spectacular landscape of snow and ice, brought to life by the presence of this immense herd. You can enjoy the stillness of the ice pack, the silence of winter broken by the calls of the seals and their pups all around you. A one-of-a-kind experience!

The Magdalen Islands are the only place in the world where it is possible to observe harp seal pups on the ice pack. A natural spectacle of rare beauty that you must see at least once in your life!

Lose all sense of time in Mauricie. Halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, this region stretching from the Saint Lawrence River to the boreal forest is breathtakingly beautiful. Come discover its remarkable landscapes, hike its mountain trails and dense forests, explore its history and heritage, and, above all, enjoy the warm welcome of its people.

Mauricie is synonymous with vast natural spaces, forests, lakes and rivers. Mauricie National Park, a protected natural area, is a haven for nature and outdoor enthusiasts: hiking, cycling, camping, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife watching. For water-based activities, you'll be spoiled for choice.