9 Whimsical Towns in Quebec

Quebec, the “Europe of North America” whose lingua franca of French-Canadian is slightly different from its progenitor in France, is lauded as “la belle province” (the beautiful province) in Canada. In a land where the Iroquois and Algonquin continue to thrive, tourists all over can admire the Quebecois and Francophone heritage of this Canadian province in the most whimsical small towns in Quebec. With Baie-Saint-Paul’s artistic flare, Havre-Aubert’s island wonders, and Magog’s magnificent destinations, these whimsical towns in Quebec will enchant you like a fine whiff of wine or the scent of baked baguettes. However you intend to proceed in Quebec, let your whimsical fascination lead you to this province’s best small towns worth visiting this year.

Baie-Saint-Paul

On the Saint Lawrence River and less than ten miles north of Quebec City, travelers will fall in love with Baie-Saint-Paul’s whimsical atmosphere and attractions. One can marvel at the masterful artistry of local illustrator René Richard at the Maison René Richard in addition to more modern aesthetics at the Baie-Saint-Paul Museum of Contemporary Art. You can immerse yourself in faithful splendor when touring the Little Franciscan Sisters of Mary, or you can ogle over the bountiful wheel of cheeses at the Cheese Economuseum. And from July 17 - 20 every year, the townsfolk celebrate Le Festif (The Festive), an astonishing series of musical events in downtown Baie-Saint-Paul. For exploration, you can always take a boat to the nearby island of Isle-aux-Coudres with its La Madone de L'Isle aux Coudres historic landmark, or you can simply rest up in riveting establishments like the Hotel Baie-Saint-Paul, the Hôtel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix, or Aux portes du soleil.

Magog

Although the town of Magog shares its name with land of Magog in the Bible which was ruled Gog—the tribal prince of the Meshech and Tubal who attempted to conquer Israel but was thwarted by God—you need not worry about John’s Revelation on Gog and Magog in this small town in Quebec. Lounging on the northern tip of the narrow Lake Memphremagog, Magog will leave you agog to see its various historical banners on Parc des Braves which highlight the historical significance of the marked location, such as the Alvin Head Moore House, the Saint Luke Church, and the Weavers’ Quarter. You can go strolling along the lazy flows of the Rivière aux Cerises and the Magog River, or perhaps skiing and snowboarding in winter when the Magog Snow Festival fills the town with light and laughter. Finally, should you ever get exhausted from all the trekking, you can certainly settle down in warm lodgings like the Dans les bras de Memphré or the Hôtel Versō.

Tadoussac

At the conflux where the Riviere Saguenay merges with the Saint Lawrence River lounges the peaceful village of Tadoussac. Only about two hours away from Baie-Saint-Paul, Tadoussac is one of the best destinations for visitors to watch and wait for whales. Those charting through the Saint Lawrence River can spend up to two to three hours admiring over two to three of these majestic marine mammals, specifically over the summer from May to October. A more specific time to actually see these languid leviathans is undetermined, but the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) certainly has more information for you to peruse.

For more definite tourist attractions, you ought to go see the Chauvin Trading Post, a reconstruction of the first establishment erected in New France in the 1600s with all sorts of Amerindian artefacts. Most of all, you can visit the Little Chapel or Indian Chapel, the oldest wooden church in North America since 1747. If you want to go out more, then you should definitely go trekking through the Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay and Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. But if you are looking to relax, then look to Le Roupillon or Hôtel Tadoussac for a good night’s respite.

Saint-Sauveur

High up in the Laurentian Mountains and about 37 miles from the city of Montreal lies the saintly and savvy town of Saint-Sauveur. The town was actually built by 12 pioneering families who were fleeing from the Rebellion of 1837 in Lower Canada as French-Canadian militias rose against the British Empire. After finally eking out a peaceful existence in the Laurentian Mountains, the townsfolk of Saint Sauveur have prospered and turned their home into a beloved resort and snow retreat for those wanting to go skiing and snowboarding in the Pays-d'en-Haut.

Newcomers can find enjoyment in fun amusement parks such as the Parc F.U.N. du Sommet Saint-Sauveur. Meanwhile, you can begin your snowy adventures at the Ski Sommet Olympia for thrilling escapades whether in winter or in any season. And if you are enthusiastic to reach the Laurentian Mountains’ top, then take the Glissades sur tube Sommet Saint-Sauveur, which are basically four lifts that go all the way to Saint-Sauveur’s mountains. No need to feel unwelcome in Saint-Sauveur, especially when you are staying at either Le Relais St-Denis, Chimo Refuges Hébergement Insolite, or Le Petit Clocher Gîte Touristique B & B.

Notre-Dame-du-Portage

In the Bas-Saint-Laurent region beside the Saint Lawrence River, the small town of Notre-Dame-du-Portage, sadly, does not have much connection to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Nonetheless, you might be interested in seeing a handful of historic and cultural attractions in this region that formerly belonged to the Native American peoples of the Maliseet, Micmac, Abenaki, and Montagnais. Travelers can traverse the Grand-Portage trail, also known as the “Portage du Témiscouata,” which is one of many waterways and dirt roads more commonly known as "canoeists' portage.” These routes have been used by both the early Native Americans and French immigrants traveling between Acadia and Quebec.

Since Notre-Dame-du-Portage was a popular waystation for visitors from New Brunswick, one can admire the Anglican church of Notre-Dame-du-Portage that has been around since 1859. Those who are more superstitious than faithful might steer clear from the Rocher Malin, or Evil Rock, said to be a hotspot for local werewolves and will-o’-the-wisps. If you are curious to see more from Notre-Dame-du-Portage, you can always book a room in fine abodes like the Chute Couette & Cafe B&B.

Les Éboulements (Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive)

Les Éboulements, also known as Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, has often been called the “Municipality of Landslides.” This does not mean that every now and then, a landslide occurs that threaten entire houses and landscapes. Instead, the town got its moniker when a violent earthquake in the year 1663 generated a landslide that sank into the Saint Lawrence River and created the current point where the Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive wharf is located. Since then, there has been nothing so drastic of late.

As a close neighbor to Baie-Saint-Paul, Les Éboulements shares a few cultural and natural amenities with the nearby town, but it certainly promotes its own unique brand of tourism with sites such as the Tunnel Train Charlevoix, Lookout Point, and Point de vue magnifique. The Seigneurial Mill of Les Éboulements continues to be one of the oldest operational flour mills from the year 1790. Meanwhile, the Musée maritime de Charlevoix showcases a historic shipyard that built many a schooner. Lastly, the ancestors of the Tremblays of America—the lords of Sales-Laterrière and the ladies of Kamouraska—can be found interred in the town’s cemetery in addition to Bishop Félix Antoine Savard, writer and founder of the Saint-Gilles paper mill.

Havre-Aubert (Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine)

On the island of Île du Havre Aubert—part of the Magdalen Islands archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence—the humble village of Havre-Aubert entertains travelers to the splendors of the island chain of Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine. When the Acadians first began establishing cantons throughout the islands in Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, they found the area surrounding what would soon be Havre-Aubert to be the most forested region in the archipelago. Today, one can traipse through the wooded habitats neighboring Havre-Aubert or admire the seaside views of the area at places like the Dune du Sandy Hook and Bout du Banc.

To learn all about the town’s beginnings and the development of the other cantons, you can head over to the Musée de la Mer des Îles de la Madeleine (Magdalen Islands Sea Museum). Travel through the soft rounded hills known locally as Demoiselles and gawk at the traditional houses lining the Chemin d'en Haut, and get to know more about Havre-Aubert’s cultural scenery at La Grave Heritage Site. If you ever get exhausted from all the traveling, you can refreshen and recharge in lodgings such as the Chez Denis à François.

Percé

Gasp at the many spectacles in the Gaspé Peninsula, particularly the spectacular small town of Percé. Whether you are admiring the Gulf of Saint Lawrence from the suspended platforms at the Geopark—one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada—and the Emerald River or seeing great whales from Bonaventure Island, you will undoubtedly fall in love with some of Percé’s riveting landmarks. Sample world-winning local beers, stand atop the historic lighthouse of Phare Cap-d'Espoir, and take photographs of remarkable rock formations as seen in the Cap Mont Joli. Scrutinize the old railway tracks of the Plage de Bridgeville, soak in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence from several beachside areas like Sandy beach of Coin du Banc, and gallivant through scenic natural parks like the Chute De La Riviere portage. Last but not least, make sure you book a room in accommodating establishments like the Motel En route vers l'infini, Riôtel Percé‎, or Chalets La Plage.

Stanstead

On the US-Canada border beside the American state of Vermont, the small village of Stanstead stands as a proud and endearing gateway to all the possible wonders awaiting in Quebec. Composed of three unified villages of Stanstead, Rock Island, and Beebe since 1995, this small border town has accommodated travelers with lush lodgings like Auberge Stanstead. Between the beautiful parks and landscapes to the east as seen in Parc Harold F. Baldwin (Mont Pinacle) and the majestic Lake Memphremagog to the west, you will find all sorts of outdoor terrain for you to traverse. Stanstead is an especially floral haven for those interested in flowery wonders, and the town was recently awarded Four Florets which makes Stanstead “Excellent. Outstanding horticultural beautification in most areas.” For tourists originating from Vermont, Stanstead can be your first memorable point in a marvelous trip throughout Quebec’s whimsical towns.

With Quebec City being the oldest city in Canada since the 1600s and the province of Quebec being the largest of all the others, travelers will be interested to know that the word “Quebec” is far from being a French word. Rather, it is Algonquin meaning “where the river narrows” as an allusion to the straight and narrow Saint Lawrence River for which you can find some of the most whimsical towns in Quebec worth visiting. You need not fear landslides in the Municipality of Landslides in Les Éboulements, nor will you feel so overwhelmed by the winding routes at Notre-Dame-du-Portage. Instead, you will feel jubilant and enlightened from all the Quebecois culture to be enjoyed in Quebec.