Quebec - suggested route

With breathtaking scenery, long warm summer months and magnificent autumn colours, take in the mighty St Lawrence River and the cities of Montréal and Québec City for the ultimate driving experience.

This 10-day tour will give you the highlights of the Province of Québec with either motorhome or, car and hotels. It can be extended, shortened or amended to suit your needs!

DAY 1 - Montreal

Arrive into Montreal and overnight. Enjoy this cosmopolitan city with its French flair by exploring the sights of Old Montréal such as the Notre Dame basilica with the exciting, vibrant restaurants, shops and art galleries throughout the city. Visit the museum of Pointe-à-Callière in the Old Port, which gives a magnificent insight of the city, the province and Canada, and from there take a walk along the turbulent Lachine Rapids.

DAY 2 - Montreal to Riviere Du Loup (267 miles)

Situated between Québec City and the Gaspé Peninsula on the southern shore of the St Lawrence River and renowned for its beautiful sunsets, the small city of Rivière-du-Loup offers nature-lovers the opportunity to experience local out door activities. Visit the Musée du Bas-Saint-Laurent which preserves and exhibits contemporary Québecois art to learn about the region’s history and culture.

DAY 3 - Riviere Du Loup to Perce (345 miles)

Enjoy the passing seascapes before arriving in the lovely village of Percé; take the cruise around Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island, a bird sanctuary home to over 80,000 gannets. Percé has some excellent hiking trails including the path to Mont-Sainte-Anne, the left fork of which leads to commanding view of Percé Rock, Bonaventure Island and the surrounding coastline,

DAY 4 - Gaspe Peninsular

With so much to do and see on the Gaspé Peninsula, you'll most likely decide to spend a few extradays here. The beautiful drive encircling the Gaspé Peninsula offers magnificent views of the rugged coastline as well as mountain scenery. Visit lovely Forillon National Park; be blown away at Le Nordais - one of the largest windmill parks in Canada and enjoy the serenity of the Mètis Gardens, featuring 40 acres of manicured gardens and a historic manorhouse.

DAY 5 - Percé to Matane to Baie-Comeau (217 miles)

Your journey today takes you through some of Québec’s most beautiful coastal scenery. Visit Canada's tallest lighthouse in Cap-des-Rosiers and pass through a changing landscape of sea and mountains. Travel from lighthouse to lighthouse to arrive in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, at the edge of Gaspésie National Park. Continue on to the town of Matane, famous for its shrimps and its excellent salmon fishing. From here, take the ferry across the St Lawrence River to Baie-Comeau on the Côte-Nord, a 99% French-speaking town, boasting some fine restaurants. Spend the night here before continuing on to Tadoussac.

DAY 6 - Baie-Comeau to Tadoussac (124 miles)

The short drive to the small village of Tadoussac, Canada’s oldest and surrounded by hills, rocky coastline, and the majesty of the St Lawrence River, will give you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and maybe do some hiking, seakayaking or whalewatching. Here the Saguenay River Fjord meets the St Lawrence River and the Tadoussac Hotel, built in 1866, and the village's charming old houses are a photographer's dream.

DAY 7 - Tadoussac to Québec City (134 miles)

Another leisurely day so you could spend more time enjoying the peace of the Tadoussac area with one of the most spectacular bays in the world. Instead of heading directly for Québec City, you might like to consider taking highway 172 west to Chicoutimi on the northside of the Saguenay Fjord then driving back to St-Simeon on Highway 170, taking you the length of the Fjord. There are a number of roads leading into the Fjord which you may like to explore. Alternatively, from Chicoutimi, you could take the mountain route to Québec City through the Laurentians - breathtaking mountain vistas or coastal scenery - the choice is yours!

DAY 8 - In Quebec City

Take time to explore and take in the atmosphere and French and English history in this beautiful city. Québec City's Old Town is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, whose walls still stand. Enjoy the views of the St Lawrence River from the top of Cap-Diamant where the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac dominates the skyline.

DAY 9 - Québec City to Trois-Rivières (80 miles)

On leaving Québec City you will continue your journey south to Trois-Rivières (ThreeRivers), so named because of its location at the three-pronged mouth of the Saint-Maurice River. The city's main street is composed of century-old buildings housing a great variety of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops.

DAY 10 - Trois Rivieres to Montréal (87 miles)

A short journey back to Montréal will give you lots more time to explore this gorgeous city.