8 of the Quirkiest Towns in Quebec
Quebec is a massive province in eastern Canada that spans almost the entire St. Lawrence River at its south and huge swathes of Arctic shoreline to its north. Within it are countless small towns, many remote and unique, with their own cultures, traditions, and iconic tourist offerings. From artistic havens to gateways to vast national parks, let's take a deeper dive into 8 of these places that could certainly be described as quirky!
Baie-Saint-Paul
Baie-Saint-Paul is one of Quebec’s quirkiest towns and is celebrated mainly for its gorgeous location at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. As the original home of the renowned Cirque du Soleil, Baie-Saint-Paul is famous as a place that has fostered creativity for many decades at this point. This town of around 7,000 residents is also known for its colorful houses, art galleries, and outdoor murals, making it an excellent getaway for those who love the arts.
Visitors should check out said local galleries, like Iris Art Gallery and Galerie d'art Beauchamp, or explore the artistic history of the town more in-depth at the Baie-Saint-Paul Museum of Contemporary Art. Baie-Saint-Paul also hosts the annual Rêves d’Automne Festival, where art and culture intertwine in a celebration featuring vendors and fun activities for the whole family.
Surrounded by mountainous landscapes and hiking trails as well, the town appeals to outdoor enthusiasts as much as it does to art lovers. You do not have to stray far, as Gouffre Park is just steps north of downtown along the Gouffre River and contains several trails that are perfect for a leisurely walk in the countryside.
Magog
Located on the shores of Lake Memphremagog, Magog is renowned for its extensive waterfront, which features a scenic boardwalk lined with cafes, restaurants, and other amenities. On the lake, visitors can rent kayaks or launch their own boats off of one of many docks or embark on a cycling trip along the surrounding network of trails.
Magog is also home to the picturesque Parc de la Baie, which features yet more walking paths, picnic areas, and access to the lake during all seasons. The nearby Mont Orford National Park is a short drive north of town and contains lengthier trails that lead to a number of lakes, hilltops, and other scenic vistas.
The town’s history can be learned about at destinations such as the Maison Merry, a preserve home dating back to 1821, or get a taste of the local art scene at the Musee International D'Art Naif.
Val-David
Val-David, a village in the Laurentian Mountains north of Montreal, is an absolute gem known for its offbeat vibe. Home to a community of artists, potters, and musicians, this town of around 5,200 residents is the place to go for an unconventional experience in the wild of Quebec.
Celebrations like the annual 1001 Pots festival, where over a thousand unique ceramic works are displayed across a large outdoor space are a must-see. But, Val-David is also known for its health retreats and wellness centers, in case you were looking to destress with something a little more potent than just art. The Auberge et Spa Beaux Rêves and the Hôtel Spa Watel are just two of the great places nearby to see for a relaxing getaway
To explore the wilds of the Laurentian region, there are several parks close by to check out, like Parc Régional Val-David-Val-Morin, which provides you with scenic hiking trails and places to go rock-climbing.
Percé
The Gaspé Peninsula is an enchanting area of Quebec, best known for the iconic Percé Rock, a massive limestone formation rising dramatically from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This natural wonder is one of Quebec’s most photographed landmarks and can be admired from various vantage points along the shoreline. Visitors can also take boat tours to get up close to the rock and explore nearby Bonaventure Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise known for its colony of northern gannets.
While in this remote area of the province, Perce is one of the closest towns to stay in. With several options for hotels, restaurants, and other essential amenities, a night or two in this oceanside town is often warranted for anyone visiting the region.
For those looking to explore more of the surrounding nature, Percé is the gateway to a number of excellent hiking trails, including those in Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, where visitors can observe wildlife and enjoy panoramic ocean views at the very tip of the Gaspé Peninsula.
Saint-Sauveur
This town near the city of Laval is a popular destination for both summer and winter activities. Saint-Sauveur is famous for its top-notch ski resorts, most notably the Ski Mont Habitant which skirts the edge of town. The vibrant après-ski scene that can be found here features numerous restaurants and shops, giving you a way to warm up before or after a day on the slopes.
In warmer months, the scenic trails located within the same ski hills mean that hiking and mountain biking take over as the most popular activities in and around Saint-Sauveur. As the weather starts to get hot, the nearby Lac Saint-Sauveur provides a place for swimming and boating too.
Saint-Sauveur also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the popular Saint-Sauveur International Film Festival and a robust celebration of Christmas, in which an intricate Christmas village is constructed dowtown that is open for the whole family to explore.
Sutton
Sutton is a charming town in southeastern Quebec near the Vermont border. This community of around 4,500 residents is nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains, making it an ideal place to stay for a ski trip in the winter or a kickoff point for an adventure in the surrounding woods during the warmer months.
Dowtown Sutton is a cozy place to be and features all the amenities one could want during a visit to this somewhat remote area, like hotels and several delicious restaurants and cafes along the central Principale Nord Street. The Museum of Communications and History is another place to visit in town that showcases artifacts from the area and hosts a rotation of exhibitions.
A must-see annual event in Sutton is “Fête des Neiges,” a winter festival that celebrates all things snowy with ice sculptures, sledding, and winter markets.
Knowlton
Knowlton, located within the town of Brome Lake in the Eastern Townships, is a quaint village with some interesting historical locales and is surrounded by natural beauty. Lac Brome is clearly a huge draw to the town, as its shores mark its northern border, while the Lac-Brome Museum is housed in a heritage building that has been preserved since the 1800s and now houses several interesting exhibits. Nearby, the Réserve Naturelle Quilliams-Durrull is a wonderful wilderness preserve on the northern shore of the lake.
Knowlton hosts several community events throughout the year, including the annual Knowlton Midnight Madness, which adds a touch of Christmas spirit to the regular farmer's markets that are held weekly in town. At this event in mid-September, you can sample wines from any of the tasting booths set up by local wineries and browse through the dozens of other vendors.
Tadoussac
Tadoussac is at the intersection of the Saguenay River and St. Lawrence River, making it one of Quebec's most historically important towns, on top of being famous for its whale-watching tours in the rich water nearby. The town sits on the edge of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, where you can often spot belugas, minke whales, and humpback whales (among 10 other species that frequent the area) either from the shore or on guided boat tours. Be sure to learn more at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, where you can take a deep look into the region’s marine life and ecosystems.
The town's historical significance is notable, with its roots as one of Canada’s earliest European settlements, having been settled in 1599! The Tadoussac Chapel, built in 1747, is the oldest wooden church in Canada and a must-see for history enthusiasts. Visitors can also explore
For a nice hiker in this wild and wonderful region of Quebec, the nearby Saguenay Fjord National Park contains several striking cliffside trails and scenic vistas over the massive fjord located at the confluence of the Éternité River and the Saguenay River about a 2-hour drive north of Tadoussac.
Experience These Fun Towns in Quebec
From Montreal to the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River on the Atlantic coast, there is no shortage of whimsical places to visit in Quebec. Whether you are looking for whales around Tadoussac or walking amongst the outdoor murals of Baie-Saint-Paul, you can truly embark on a memorable trip in La Belle Province.
How many of these quirky towns have you heard of? Which ones do you think could spice up a road trip through Canad'as biggest French-speaking province?
