It looks like a lot of Canadians are looking to stay close to home again this fall and winter. Which means it’s a great year to explore this great country of ours. Here are some great things to see and do in Quebec.
An installation outside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. JIM BYERS PHOTO
MONTREAL
Truly one of the world’s great cities, with fabulous food and wonderful neighbourhoods to explore. Saint Henri is one of the hottest areas of town, with great restaurants and bars and independent shops. Mile End has been one of the most vibrant regions of the city for years. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers wonderful exhibits in a lovely setting. In beautiful Old Montreal, the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History contains bits of buildings that date to the 1650’s. Notre Dame Basilica is a great spot in the old city, while Rue Saint Paul might be the best street in Canada for shopping and food. Of course, there’s also plenty of space to spread out for social distancing. Try a bike ride on the Lachine Canal, or borrow a canoe or kayak and explore all the channels and small rivers that surround the city. Mont Royal Park is one of the great urban parks of the world, with wide-open meadows and pathways covered with thick forests. Le Germain Hotel Montreal is a beauty, but I also love Hotel Nelligan in the old city.
Lovely Baie St. Paul, Quebec. JIM BYERS PHOTO
CHARLEVOIX
This is a marvellous part of the province, with lots of open space and several beautiful towns to explore. Baie St. Paul is a bucolic village filled with art galleries displaying tremendous works. You’ll also find plenty of great restaurants and patios for summer dining. Le Germain Charlevoix is one of Canada’s top hotels, with amazing food and uniquely decorated rooms that reflect the area’s farming history. Take a drive to Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and try a boat ride along the lake, flanked by steep cliffs with funky rock formations that resemble people’s faces or animals. Okay, sometimes you have to use your imagination, but it’s a lot of fun. And quite beautiful. On top of that, Club Med Charlevoix is set to open next Dec. 3; the first Club Med property in Canada.
The village of North Hatley, Quebec. JIM BYERS PHOTO
EASTERN TOWNSHIPS
This is a wonderful part of Quebec, perhaps an hour from Montreal but a world away. Look for bucolic, handsome villages such as North Hatley and Sutton. There are decent ski hills for winter, and the area is a hotbed for cycling. Douglass Beach is a fine place to cool off on a hot day if you’re in the Knowlton area, while Marina Knowlton might be the closest thing the Eastern Townships have to a tiki bar. Spa Eastman is one of the most popular places to stay, while Manoir Hovey has been home to Hillary and Bill Clinton on at least one occasion. Hillary also has stayed in Knowlton at the low-key Auberge Lakeview Inn. Not far away, Auberge West Brome has lovely rooms and outstanding food, while Ripplecove Lakefront Hotel and Spa is a beautiful spot on Lake Massawippi. Not far from Ripplecove is Bleu Lavande. Located near the shores Lac Memphremagog, it’s said to be the largest lavender farm in Canada, and the second largest in North America.
Quebec City in winter. JIM BYERS PHOTO
QUEBEC CITY
Possibly the most romantic city in North America. Take a walk along the small streets in the lower town, also known as the Petit Champlain Quarter. Take the funicular back up to the main city and admire the fortified walls and charming alley ways. Definitely go for a drink at the bar inside the fairy-tale Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac hotel, and go for a stroll along the wooden boards of Dufferin Terrace, which offers tremendous views of the St. Lawrence River. When COVID allows, the Quebec City Winter Carnival is one of the world’s best winter events, with great food, cozy cabins and rides for the kids. Only a few minutes from town is the thundering Montmorency Falls. Or you can try a peaceful bike ride on the Ile d’Orleans, which grows some of Canada’s most luscious strawberries. In winter, check out the ski scene at nearby Mont Sainte-Anne.
The grounds are oh-so-lovely at the Fairmont Chateau Montebello. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
MONT TREMBLANT/MONTEBELLO
Mont Tremblant is a wondrous area in winter, with some of Canada’s best skiing and winter sports. In summer, it’s a hotbed for hiking and golf. There are tons of small lakes to explore in the area. Try a drive from Tremblant down to Montebello, where you’ll find the gorgeous Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello. Between Montreal and Tremblant is the popular, artsy village of Saint-Saveur.
Les Iles de la Madeleine are a truly magical destination in Quebec.
LES ILES DA LE MADELEINE/MAGDALEN ISLANDS
The Magdalen Islands or Iles de la Madeleine are one of my fave places in Canada. You’ll find deserted beaches that go on just shy of forever, along with marvellous food, including local cheeses and strong, local beers. Wind sports such as kite surfing are hugely popular in summer, but you can also find quiet bays for kayaking or canoeing. The crumbly, red cliffs have a lot in common with the geography of Prince Edward Island, and you’ll find plenty of cool galleries, too. The houses are glorious colours you might find in the super-deluxe box from Crayola; deep purples and brilliant aquamarines and sunny yellows.
