Eastern Canada: highlights of Quebec

Settled on cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway is Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of Canada’s Quebec Province. Its colonial centre features winding cobblestone streets lined with bistros and boutiques, magnificent architecture dating from the 1600s, and is topped by the spectacular Château Frontenac. Quebec City mixes its history with modernity and hosts a wide range of cultural events including an incredible winter festival.

The city was named after the nearby river, whose name means "Wolf's River" in French. This name may have come from a native tribe known as "Les Loups" or from the many seals, known in French as *loups-marin* (sea wolves), once found at the river's mouth. Rivière-du-Loup was established in 1673 as the seigneurie of Sieur Charles-Aubert de la Chesnaye. The community was incorporated as the village of Fraserville, in honour of early Scottish settler Alexandre Fraser, in 1850, and became a city in 1910. The city reverted to its original name, Rivière-du-Loup, in 1919. Between 1850 and 1919, the city's anglophone population grew dramatically. Most of them left the region by the 1950s. 1% of the population still speaks English as its first language.

The Acadian Coast extends eastward from Campbellton/Pointe-à-la-Croix along the south shore of the Baie de Chaleurs, a warm bay which continues past Caraquet. This region has a strong francophone heritage, in sharp contrast to the United Empire Loyalist roots of more southern New Brunswick communities such as Fredericton. The area has had numerous names over the centuries: it was called Wisiamkik (muddy spot) by the Mi'kmaq who inhabited the region, it was then named Pointe-des-Sauvages by the French in 1700 and subsequently Pointe-Rochelle, Cavenik's Point, Kavanagh's Point, Quiton's Point and Martin's Point, before settling in 1833 with its current name in honour of Lieutenant-Governor Sir Archibald Campbell.

At the eastern tip of the Gaspésie Peninsula lies beautiful Percé, a lively town full of character, charm and natural beauty. The majestic Percé Rock, a large sandstone boulder, rises from the sea off the coast of the village and is home to numerous nesting birds during the summer. With some luck visitors can also see whales from the coast, and the surrounding Appalachian Mountains offer hiking trails for those looking to get lost in nature.

Matane is a seaside town located on the Gaspésie Peninsula on the south coast of the Saint Lawrence Current, serving as the gateway to the Gaspé region of Quebec. The down-to-earth and rustic atmosphere makes Matane a charming place to visit, and don’t miss the fresh seafood caught daily on its shores.

The charming town of Saguenay is best known for its impressive Fjord and eponymous river that dominates the landscape. The imposing cliffs that dot the banks of the river rise up to 50 meters above the water. Furthermore, you can enjoy hiking in the vast forests here. This is also the place to be for whale watching. And even the illustrious Beluga is regularly observed here in summer. In short, a wonderful stopover in the wide region of Quebec.

Located in the Laurentian Mountains and characterised by its valleys and rounded hills, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts is a small parish town surrounded by nature. Part of the Rouge-Matawin Nature Reserve as well as being in close proximity to the Lac Sacacomie, the town is a perfect base for adventurers and nature lovers looking to explore Canada’s majestic landscapes.