8 Most Eccentric Towns in Quebec

Québec, the largest province in Canada, is home to breathtaking geography and deep heritage. With easy access from the US, where else can you enjoy the melodic language of love to such an extent without leaving the North American continent? Encompassing the iconic St. Lawrence waterway, mountains, forestlands, and valleys, the maritime portion, like Percé, inspires holidaymaking with sandy stretches and coastal photography.

Rimouski hosts several large festivals and a beautiful waterfront promenade with sunning seals. Enjoy year-round recreation in Magog, on a glacial lake, possibly home to the long-necked Memphré. Boasting one of the nation's richest architectural landscapes, these Québecois towns and villages take it beyond the modern glam of Montreal or the historic Québec City. Discovering each eccentric town feels like traveling to another place in time entirely.

Gaspé

Named aptly for its scenic perch on the Gaspé Peninsula, this picturesque historic fishing village is sure to bring out the relative expression of emotion. Whether it was named after navigator Gaspar Corte-Real, who visited around 1500, or after the Indian word meaning "end of the world" or "gespeg," the happy coincidence resulted in a standout name. Laced in the east by the York River, where it enters Gaspé Bay, it feels like you've died and gone to heaven in the beautiful region. Upon witnessing the grandeur in 1534, Jacques Cartier claimed this area for the king of France.

Thriving with tourism today, the eccentric town is an eastern terminus of the Canadian National Railway, which can be a costly yet unforgettable way to see the country. So just casually drop by the provincial fish hatchery in the seat of a Roman Catholic diocese. The rural backdrop against the bright blue waters overwhelms you with all the charm and coastal scenery. Gaspesie Museum reiterates everything you see around on a journey through time, including how the fishing port in 1758 survived a disastrous attack by the British under General James Wolfe. Just 45 minutes northwest along the coast, Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse is spectacular at sunset.

Knowlton

Knowlton is an idyllic setting for a holiday destination on Lac Brome's southeastern shore within rolling hills and farmlands. Known for its Loyalist roots and outstanding built heritage, this is the place to discover real Québecois pride. Its Victorian heart with well-preserved heritage on display adds a layer of character for nature lovers and couples alike along the main street, lined with quaint shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Auberge Knowlton is the oldest inn in the Eastern Townships since 1849. Hors-Cadre is a great gallery, while the Lac-Brome Museum features a kids' portion for hands-on discoveries. After a leisurely stroll, dive deeper into the region’s allure.

Outdoor activities include hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, with easy lake access for boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Grab something from Boutique Canards Du Lac-Brome, a deli, to enjoy at Douglass Beach with a pavilion. The active enjoy Sentier Lac-Brome, a multi-use trail with very small gravel, so you hurry past the beautiful lake view. Parc des Lions hosts community gatherings and seasonal festivals at heart, while Tiffany Park is a real lakeside vision up the shore to take in from a picnic table. Rent a charming waterfront cottage and visit the Brome Fair, one of Québec's longest traditions, showcasing agricultural prowess and fun for all.

La Tuque

Discover authentic Québec in La Tuque. It brims with genuine vibes at the foot of a mountain that looks like a tuque. Home to only 11,207 residents, the lively and sporty city enjoys biking, boating, and playing in the snow. Enveloped in forests along the vast Saint-Maurice River, Sentiers Club des Trois Raquettes is a beautiful fall foliage hiking area. Exceeding every desire for the outdoorsy, La Tuque feels closer than across Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier from Québec City. Although it is faster to drive around, the park features a visitor center, hiking trails, campsites, and rustic chalets.

Lac Saint Louis is a charming lake downtown, while Le Parc des Trois Soeurs is at your beck and call for serene recreation just a scenic drive down Rte 155. Stop by Boutique De Plein Air Le Pionnier and discover Indigenous culture. With riverfront stays, cultural sites, cozy cafes, bars, and restaurants like Chez Ti-N'Ours, it is easy to find a common language among the welcoming locals and feel what it is like to be Québécois through outdoor activities. From golf and fishing to camping and skiing without leaving the bounds, explore historical routes on a drive, a bike, a motorcycle, or even an ATV.

Magog

Atop the glacial Lake Memphremagog and the Magog River, Magog echoes eccentricity through breathtaking scenery with its love for watersports and wine. Visit in September during the Magog-Orford Grape Harvest Festival with 150 exhibitors, wine tastings, and cooking workshops amid live music and grape-crushing demos. Circuit des Arts Memphremagog is a summertime showcase of regional artists. Under 90 minutes from Montreal, you can tour and relax anytime with a glass at Vignoble le Cep d’Argent, surrounded by mountains and rolling countryside. The hiking trails take you away through wetlands and thick woods at Marais de la Riviere aux Cerises.

The calm glacial waters are perfect for slicing in a kayak, paddle-boating, fishing, or a cruise boat, plus ice-skating and ice-fishing. Plage de la Baie-de-Magog and Plage des Cantons are ideal for picnics, swimming, and sunbathing. Memphré, a fabled long-necked lake monster, and Labyrinthe Magog add a layer of charm. Stroll through Jardin du Grand Ben or drop by Nordic Spa Station with thermal spas, baths, and saunas. The waterfront Rue Principale boasts art galleries, boutiques, and cafés overlooking the lake and the northern riverbank. Stop by Museé International d’art naïf de Magog and catch a live play at Le Vieux Clocher de Magog. It is 15 minutes north to ski at Mount Orford.

Percé

Under an hour south of Gaspé, this town, tipping the peninsula, offers the best vantage point of one of Canada’s most iconic geological formations, Percé Rock. The eccentric monolith shaped like a natural arch is best viewed from an overlook via panoramic hiking trails, like Belvédère Au Pic de l'Aurore or Vue panoramique de Percé down the shore. Take a boat tour for an up-close view of the enormous wonder that some say resembles a shipwreck, with steep cliffs and access at low tide. Just inland, Plateforme Vitrée Suspendue is a thrilling activity on its own, while Mont Saint-Anne is a great hiking area, proximate to La Grotte, a nature reserve with a glittering waterfall.

Once a small fishing village, Percé paints its maritime heritage against a stunning panorama with historic fishing buildings and ancestral homes. Browse a museum and art galleries, and taste vino over seafood at Bistro Les Sacs Vin. With sparse white homes and cottages dotting the green shelf over water, it is a real photogenic affair to step out from Camping au Havre de la Nuit Inc. or Camping Côte Surprise. Find a serene spot in the morning along Plage de Percé with views of the rock. Just south, the Chalets Camping Nature Océan overlooks Phare du Cap Blanc, a lighthouse. The nearby Île Bonaventure is a provincial park and sanctuary to over 250,000 migratory birds in the summer.

Rimouski

The maritime capital of Québec on the Saint Lawrence River boasts Canada's second-tallest lighthouse. Pointe-au-Père is, simply put, a stunning white lighthouse. Full of beautiful waterfront hiking areas to enjoy the views, there's a sandy beach and rocky landscape with sunning seals for every type of outdoor adventure and photography. Beautiful in every season, from Le Jardin communautaire de la Société horticulture de Rimouski to a wintertime beach, the town greens delight the eye in fall foliage, like the popular Lepage Park at the heart of town. Catch a local play or watch a flick at Cinéma Lido before riverfront dinner at Le Bien, Le Malt - Brasserie Artisanale, or Chez Oeufs.

The waterfront city in a quiet natural setting offers a beautiful waterfront promenade and hosts several festivals, including the Festi Jazz International de Rimouski and the Flavour Trail, plus art and food festivals. Echoing Paris with names like Rue St. Germaine, the Coastal Trails can take you right to a kids' adventure park in a forest setting. From browsing Librairie L'Alphabet Inc., a waterfront bookstore, to La Corporation du Musée Régional de Rimouski Inc., no visit is complete without a stop at Poissonnerie Gagnon Inc., a seafood market. Explore Parc National du Bic south along the shore on a hike or kayak and observe wildlife. Thirty minutes inland, Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer is Quebec's highest suspension footbridge.

Saint-Pacôme

Just a hop from the St. Lawrence River, not far from where it flows through Québec City in the west, Saint-Pacôme is the self-proclaimed "Capital of the Detective Novel." A telling title for the bookish type and Sherlock Holmes, many enjoy easy access to the iconic river and the opportunity to visit the historic Québec City. This Bas-Saint-Laurent village offers beautiful scenery, revealing its unique character in the foothills of the Haut-Pays. The Pacômiens enjoy views of the meandering Ouelle River through the heart from the doorstep, plus Lac St. Pierre, a pretty local pond for a relaxing summer day in nature. Jardin Floral De La Pocatière is south.

Part of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Québec, Saint-Pacôme is a fantastic escape from the city and a great little town to visit when in Québec. Characterized by historical architecture along the riverfront and framed by trails like its heritage circuit, activities include hiking, biking, and scenic drives, with nearby cute towns like Kamouraska and Cacouna. The Red Thread routes through the local countryside, while other trails lead to mountaintops in seasonal blooms. Catch a flick at the local cinema and enjoy homey stays in town, plus scenic landmarks to commemorate your visit, like Belvédère de la Croix.

Stanstead

Once home to the Abenakis, Stanstead was initially a tri-village area of Beebe Plain, Rock Island, and Stanstead. Founded by pioneers in New England in the 1790s, this tiny town in the Eastern Townships region tops the US geographically. Offering the easiest access, it makes it a breeze to leaf through the pages of a history book. Strolling with a croissant from Auberge Le Sunshine down the "outdoor museum"/main street, you will discover its pride in heritage and the title of one of Québec’s most beautiful villages. The collection of beautiful historic buildings is a legacy of 19th-century United Empire Loyalists and the granite industry.

Sifting through the magnificent architecture dating back to the 19th century along Dufferin Street, take some time by the prestigious Stanstead College (1873) and the Collège des Ursulines (1881). Perpendicular on CANUSA Street, divided at the center by the border, catch a performance at Haskell Opera House. It is the most peculiar feeling to be watching the actors play on stage in Canada while sitting in Vermont, US. Between landmark buildings and churches, the Stanstead Stone Circle radiates energy around a unique rock formation along the Pioneer Trail. Feel the mysticism over a picnic or meditation session before moving on to the Colby-Curtis Museum and the former post office.

Embracing Quebec's Unique Towns

The Indigenous peoples had long established well-developed societies, trading extensively before the Europeans arrived in "New France." French colonists, the Canadiens or habitants, also established fur trading posts, claiming land according to the seigneurial system of land ownership that they developed. The growing colony was actively converting Indigenous peoples to Christianity.

Distinguished in many ways, Québec leaves it up to you to navigate its complex tapestry on a fun new adventure of discovering an eccentric town. Stanstead was founded by pioneers from New England across the border from Vermont, where you can watch a theatrical performance in a unique arrangement. Search for other clues of the friendly Canadian spirit and echoes of France on your next visit.