Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula, Lighthouses & Whales self-drive

Begin your holiday in style with included airport lounge access before your daytime flight to Montréal. Nestled between the majestic St. Lawrence River and the triple peaked hill “Mont Royal” Montreal, Canada’s most cosmopolitan city, is waiting to greet you. From the amazing underground city centre to the top of the Olympic tower. Explore lively Sainte-Catherine Street, or historic Old Montreal with the well-known Notre-Dame du Montréal.

This morning collect your car and trace the St. Lawrence River as you head north. Admire views from scenic viewpoints or relax on a lakeshore. The slower route 138 takes you off the mundane highways in order to experience rural Quebec and the remaining farms from the seigneurial regime. Along the way, pass through Trois-Rivieres, one of the first European settlements dating back to 1634 and the point from which French explorers embarked on their North American discovery Continue to classical and historical Quebec City – the first in North America to be named a UNESCO world heritage site. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, the city provides visitors with a wonderful blend of past and present.

Quebec City’s cobblestone streets make an ideal setting for a walking tour to discover its beauty. Discover this charming city and walk alongside the majestic St.Lawrence River, one of Canada’s most important waterways. Explore the narrow streets of Old Quebec, the Upper and Lower towns, the Plains of Abraham, the National Assembly as well as the Parliament Building. 

Stay: Hotel Manoir Victoria, Quebec City

Following the scenic path of the St. Lawrence River, today you are bound for the Riviere-du-Loup, the gateway to the Gaspe Peninsula. Kamouraska with its quaint architecture offers a pretty place to stop for lunch. Within the beautiful villages of Kamouraska and Notre-Dame-du-Portage, spot the Kamouraska roof, a distinctive design borrowed from the shipyards. 

Stay: Hotel Levesque, Riviere-du-Loup (Superior)

Continue today towards Matane. Drive past beautiful Cacouna village before reaching the Parc Bic, a magical spot for sea excursions, hiking, cycling and harbour seal spotting. Further along the town of Rimouski is home to the Musee de la Mer, a maritime museum presenting the history of the Empress of Ireland and its sinking. Climb the 128 steps to the top of Canada’s second tallest lighthouse.

Stay: Hotel Belle Plage, Matane (Superior)

Bound for Gaspesie National Park, soak in the splendours of the Chic-Choc and McGerrigle mountains and keep an eye out for interesting wildlife. The Park contains the highest peaks of the Appalachian Mountains in Quebec; the only caribou herd south of the St. Lawrence, a large moose population, arctic-alpine flora and 150 kinds of birds. Enjoy a day to explore Parc de la Gaspesie

Stay: Gite du Mont Albert, Gaspesie National Park (Superior)

Enroute to Gaspe, explore the Forillon National Park and discover magnificent views of the sea and mountains. Observe abundant wildlife including black bears, porcupines, beavers, black-legged kittiwakes, cormorants, guillemots, seals and whales.

Stay: Hotel Le Mirage, Perce/Gaspe (Superior)

Once the largest fishing port in the Gaspé Peninsula, Percé is now the gem of the entire Gaspé region as a resort and tourist town and renowned for the extraordinary beauty of its surroundings. Its prominent geological feature is a great rock pierced with a hole, from which the community derived its name. The town has a terrific selection of restaurants and cafes, some of the best in the region. There is a summer theatre and a boardwalk that stretches along the south beach. At the wharf you can  watch the fishermen cleaning their daily catch.

Stay: Hotel Le Mirage, Gaspe/Perce (Superior)

Today proceed along Baie des Chaleurs through numerous picturesque fishing villages to Matapedia. At Bonaventure visit the Gospel Chapel, the arts and craft shops and the Acadian Museum. Time permits to visit the Parc de Miguasha, a UNESCO world heritage site renowned for fossils from the Devonian Period.

Stay: Hotel le Francis, Baie des Chaleurs (Superior)

In Rimouski board a high speed catamaran for the 55-minute crossing to Forestville (included). Upon arrival in Forestville proceed along the North shore of the Lawrence River to Tadoussac, gateway to the Kingdom of the Saguenay and an immensely popular area for whale watching. 

Stay: Hotel Tadoussac (Superior)

Today enjoy a 3-hour whale watching cruise (included). Five orsix species, including the humpback whale (15 m), the fin whale (20 m), and the blue whale—the world’s largest mammal (30 m and 140 tons!)—come inland as far as the Charlevoix coastal area for feeding. Catch the 10 minute free ferry ride across to Baie Ste Catherine and proceed to La Malbaie where you will spend the night.

Stay: Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu (Superior)

Depart La Malbaie and drive south through the Charlevoix Region to Quebec City. Enjoy the incredible scenery, the beauty of which has inspired generations of artists. Along the way, you may stop to visit picturesque Baie St. Paul and take a stroll along its many narrow streets lined with charming boutiques, art galleries and great restaurants. You may also wish to stop at Sainte Anne de Beaupre’s shrine and Montmorency Falls before returning to Montreal and drop off your car hire.

Spend a last few hours in Montreal before heading to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK