The 4 best day trips from Québec City

20.02.2024 - 17:55 / lonelyplanet.com

As the oldest fortified city north of Mexico, Québec City and its 400-year-old vieux ville (old town) attract throngs of visitors year-round.

But the fun doesn't stop at the city limits – there are lots of delightful day trips to be had when you want to escape the crowds.

The roaring 83-meter (272ft) Chute Montmorency waterfall and vineyard hop on Île d’Orléans is just a half-hour away, or visit the Huron-Wendat First Nations reserves at Wendake for an illuminated night walk presented by renowned interactive light exhibitor, Moment Factory.

But if you drive a little further, you’ll find cute artsy towns, pristine UNESCO-recognized nature preserves, and one of the most important Catholic sites in North America (so important that Pope Francis paid a visit in 2022).

After your phone is filled with photos of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, try these fun day trips within a two-hour drive from the French-Canadian capital.

Travel time: 30 minutes

A short drive up the Saint Lawrence coast from Québec City, Côte de Beaupré is one of the most important Catholic sites not only in Québec but in all of North America.

Pilgrims have been making the trek to the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine for more than 350 years, and in 2022, one of those devoted pilgrims was Pope Francis himself. We recommend making your own pilgrimage to check out the spectacular 100-meter-tall (330ft) basilica, which might just be the prettiest church in Canada.

While you’re there, grab a coffee at Café Apollo and take a little walk around this colorful town before meandering down Rue du Sanctuaire to Quai de la Paix for a tranquil view of the Saint Lawrence River.

Before or after your visit to the shrine, stop in at Atelier Paré, a workshop and sculpture garden devoted to Alphonse Paré, one of Québec’s most beloved artists. Two former apprentices of the sculptor, Françoise Lavoie and Scott Kingsland, took over the workshop after Paré died and their passion for the late artist’s work is infectious — ask about Paré’s depictions of guilt-ridden scenes from Catholic legends.

Before or after a visit to Atelier Paré, grab a snack at Boulangerie Chez Marie. The bakery is set in a nearly 400-year-old stone house and it uses an oven that was built back in 1860.

How to get to Côte de Beaupré from Québec City: Drive northeast on Route 138 (Boulevard de Sainte-Anne) until you get to the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré basilica. Atelier Paré is on Royal Avenue, a windy civilian road running parallel to the main drag that’s a slower and much prettier drive.

Travel time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Driving over the strikingly green Charlevoix hills and first laying eyes on Baie-St-Paul is nothing short of breathtaking. Thousands of birds line this arc-shaped bay on the St Lawrence