Today and the time of an article, I leave the keyboard to Claire, freshly returned from a 2 week road trip in Eastern Canada. Claire will give us, in this article, advice to prepare your road trip in Canada but also her 2-week itinerary that she planned herself.
Claire left for 15 days, from the end of July to mid-August, two weeks during which she traveled more than 3200 km. She traveled by car and stayed mainly in Bed and Breakfasts.
Summary:
- A few tips for your 2-week road trip in Canada
- To book before or during your 2 week road trip in Canada
- 2 week itinerary in Eastern Canada
A few tips for your 2-week road trip in Canada
First of all, let's discuss the practical side of traveling to Canada with some advice and general information.
What are the main cities in Eastern Canada?
Most major cities in Canada are located in the East. The main ones are Montreal, Ottawa, the capital, Toronto or Quebec.How many flight hours separate France (Paris) from Canada (Montreal)?
The duration of a flight between Paris and Montreal is 7h50.What is the time difference between France and the east coast of Canada?
There is a 6 hour time difference between France and the east coast of Canada (and 9 hours with the west coast).What is Canada's currency?
In Canada, the currency used is the Canadian dollar. The exchange rate constantly fluctuates, but to give you a benchmark, you can consider: € 1 = $ 1,46 CADDo I need a visa to enter Canadian soil?
You do not need a visa to stay in Canada (as a visitor) but you will need to obtain an electronic travel authorization (AVE). This one costs $7 CAD. Make no mistake, many (unofficial) sites will offer to take care of your request and charge you a price well above the official rate. For your eTA application, go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/When is the best time to travel to Canada?
Difficult to answer this question. Winter and summer are very different in Canada, so are the activities to do during these two seasons. Winter will generally be cold with snow, which will make winter the ideal season for activities such as snowmobiling or dog sledding. Summer will see other types of activities such as hikes in the forest, whale watching cruises for example.
Looking for an agency specializing in Quebec?If you are looking for a travel agency, I invite you to go to Imagine Canada, an agency specializing in the creation of tailor-made trips to Quebec. It is an agency that we met during a tourism fair organized each year in different cities in France and that we had the chance to test during our stay in Quebec. I can therefore, knowingly, recommend this agency which has the great advantage of creating, with you, the itinerary that will best suit your desires. Learn more
To book before or during your 2 week road trip in Canada
Before leaving for your road trip in Eastern Canada, a few things will need to be booked. The flight, your vehicle, your hotels but also certain activities.
- Find a cheap flight: Many companies join Eastern Canada and in particular the cities of Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto or Quebec such as Air France, Air Canada or Air Transat. You can search for available flights on Budget Air, one of the most effective comparators.
- Reserve your vehicle:Renting a vehicle will be the best thing to do if you want to move freely in Canada. There are many rental companies there. Again it will be important to compare the price of different companies using a comparator. I advise you to use AirpotRentals, one of the market leaders.
- To find accommodation : In terms of accommodation, the choice is vast, whatever your budget you will find hotels, atypical accommodation, campsites or even youth hostels.
- Book your activities: Regarding activities, you can go to GetYourGuide, a site specializing in the sale of activities and excursions. You can enjoy a wide choice at the best price!
2 week itinerary in Eastern Canada
Here is the story of Claire and her 2 weeks of road trip in Eastern Canada. Detailed itinerary of 15 days of road trip in Canada:
We went to Canada and more precisely to Western Ontario and Quebec at the end of July - beginning of August 2011.
I made our own road trip by car. We traveled 3200 km in 15 days and stayed only in B&B, a very interesting concept to be closer to the inhabitants of this great country. We got to know their way of life and enjoyed with them a breakfast that was sometimes gargantuan and always very convivial.
- Day 1 and 2: From Montreal to Toronto
- Day 3 to 5: Toronto to Ottawa
- Day 6: The St. Lawrence Valley
- Day 7: Quebec
- Day 8: The coast of Beaupré
- Day 9: From Tadoussac to Saguenay: between whales and Fjord
- Day 10: Lake Saint-Jean
- Day 11: Val Jalbert
- Day 12: La Mauricie National Park
- Day 13: On the way to Montreal
- Day 14 and 15: Montreal
Day 1 and 2: From Montreal to Toronto
We landed in Montreal and left directly for Kingston (D1), then Toronto (D2). There we discovered the American city model, high modern buildings, attached to much older buildings. We walked the streets, neighborhoods (Midtown, Chinatown) and visited the Ontario Parliament.
Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit two of Toronto's must-sees, the Ontario Museum and the Ripley's Aquarium.
We also climbed to the top of the CN Tower, the city's emblem, which reveals an impressive view of the city at 346m from the belvedere and the famous glass floor (entrance $35). Then, we wanted to see the famous building which is located outside the city: Casa Loma which notably served as the setting for the “X-Men” films.
Day 3 to 5: Toronto to Ottawa
The next day we left for the border with the United States at Niagara Falls (J3)! We had not yet arrived that we could see a cloud of water vapor rising in the sky. Of course we did the mythical cruise on the Maid of the Mist bringing us to the foot of the Canadian Falls, which form the famous horseshoe. An unmissable cruise that will only cost you around twenty euros that can be booked online. The sound and power of the falls is impressive, dressed in the wonderful and indispensable blue capes, it is difficult to keep your eyes open.
Niagara Falls from TorontoIt is also possible to opt for an excursion from the city of Toronto. A day trip from Toronto including the cruise at the base of the falls. Learn more
At the end of the day we hit the road again to reach the capital of Canada, Ottawa, but before we stopped at Marmora to spend the night there. As luck would have it, we stumbled upon a gathering of old vintage cars. But Marmora is also known for its old iron mines.
After a restorative night, we took the road back to Ottawa, making a short detour to Kingston where we were able to take a cruise on the St. Lawrence around the 1000 islands.
Here again we were very close to the border with the United States, delimited at this place by the river itself. Arrived in the capital, we decided to spend the afternoon in visit the Canadian Museum of Civilization (renamed today: Canadian Museum of History). This one is very big and very interesting to understand the history of this country. The reconstructions are impressive, one would really believe to have gone back in time. The park of the Museum gives an impregnable view on the hill of the Parliament and is frequented by quantity of animals very little wild and fond of all that one can taste!
Ottawa is a very pleasant and French-speaking city, the proximity with the province of Quebec being there in particular for something.
The next day we spent the morning on Parliament Hill. We attended the changing of the guard which takes place every day of the summer between 10 am and 10:30 am, then visited the various buildings that make up the Canadian parliament: the east and center buildings, the west cannot be visited. The architecture of the buildings is magnificent and they contain a little gem: the library.
I advise you to choose a Guided tour of the city which will allow you to learn more about the history of Ottawa.
After a quick snack, we hit the road again, destination the province of Quebec. To get there we have to take the ferry from Hudson. Little anecdote and little advice, in the meantime we sympathize with two Quebecers in Harley Davidson who offer us to take pictures. Getting on the bike I literally burned my leg because of the position of the exhaust pipe, so if you ever want to ride a Harley, watch out!
Day 6: The St. Lawrence Valley
Our day begins with a visit to the city of Trois-Rivières, its cathedral and its Ursuline monastery. On this Sunday morning, the streets are very quiet. We take the road towards the Notre-Dame-Du-Cap sanctuary just 3 km away, where the hustle and bustle clearly contrasts with the atmosphere in town. The architecture of the building is impressive and imposing, octagonal in shape. We decide to go home, a mass takes place, the church is packed. In the basement, a Protestant pastor dispensed an oath on the themes of sharing and charity. Going around the garden, we come to a charming little chapel dating from the 18th century, less frequented.
Taking the road along the valley, we cross the small town of Champlain, in which an animation took place. We admired painting stalls, a classical music concert in the church, and a demonstration of how pewter spoons were made the old-fashioned way. Once unmasked "real French" because coming from the old continent, we become the attraction of the assembly. A conversation then begins on the evolution of the French language and especially of the Quebec language, inherited from the French language, without all these Anglicisms that have come to "distort" the French language. A very nice meeting and a very good time spent among the locals.
Back on the road and visit the Poulamon theme center in Saint-Anne de la Pérade. The tomcod is a small fish caught in winter by drilling a hole in the ice that has formed on the river. At this winter time of the year, the small village is transformed into an international meeting place for tomcod fishing and the small wooden huts then sprout like mushrooms on the river. Inside the center, the tradition of this fishing is explained and you can try to lift a reconstituted block of ice… impossible for me to make it rise even an inch!
We continue our journey on Route 138 towards the North and Quebec City which gives us sublime views of the St. Lawrence River.
Day 7: Quebec
We decide to spend the whole day walking the streets of the city on foot, and very quickly we notice that it is a tiring city, because the streets only go up and down… the houses of the city are very colorful and we we arrive very quickly in sight of the Château de Frontenac, the symbol of the city, a marvel overlooking the valley of the Saint-Lawrence. At the foot of the castle, we walk on the wooden Dufferin terrace and take the staircase of the Governors' promenade, ie 310 steps to reach the citadel, then the Parliament of Quebec.
The parliament of the province of Quebec is the most recent, it is “only” 125 years old since the previous ones burned down. The interior is strongly marked by the history of Quebec: the French (with the fleur-de-lys) and English (with the lions) presence. The visit is very interesting, especially the commons hall and the senate. On leaving we resume our walk in the streets of Quebec, lively, in which there are beautiful little shops, restaurants, etc. Back in front of the Château de Frontenac which we decide to visit. The guides are dressed in period clothing and step into the shoes of 19th century characters. Our guide is called Miss Charlotte, she is 17 years old and saw the opening of the hotel in 1898. She takes us through the hotel: through the elevators, the corridors, the rooms and we notice specificities particular to the establishment: a small garden of aromatic herbs, chickens, bees, which give eggs and honey for the guests of the hotel. Then we come to the ballroom, the reception rooms. The hotel has 18 floors (actually 17 because there is no 13th floor, it has been extended many times, sometimes resulting in architectural absurdities, such as three 3rd floors, or misaligned lamps in one wing from the hotel because of a not straight plot boundary.
Then, head towards the Lower Town, to discover the rue du Petit Champlain, colourful, lively and going a little further away you will find a very beautiful view of the Château Frontenac! The return is made by funicular, much appreciated after a whole day of walking.
As with Ottawa, I recommend that you opt for a guided tour of Quebec, very informative!
Day 8: The coast of Beaupré
The 1st stop of the day is at the Montmorency Falls, just 15 minutes by car from Quebec. A walk in the park allows you to approach the falls as closely as possible, to pass above and reach a staircase of 400 and a few steps to reach the foot of the falls.
2nd stage: The sanctuary of Saint-Anne de Beaupré. The sanctuary is composed of a Jerusalem cyclorama, an enormous circular building composed of a single room containing a huge canvas 110 meters long by 54 meters high representing Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. Behind the cyclorama, we discover the church of a dazzling white, very beautiful and richly decorated, in which is "the circle of prayer" in Saint-Anne, attracting a crowd come expressly. On the hill in front of the church, a life-size Stations of the Cross is represented.
3rd stage: Canyon Saint-Anne. We picnic at the entrance to the park and then follow the marked route through the park, which lasts approximately 1 hour. The views of the river and the various falls are impressive and magnificent. Several suspension bridges make it possible to cross the canyon several tens of meters high. It is also possible to do adventure circuits, including zip lines, above the canyon, in the void. The course finished, we hit the road again towards Tadoussac, 3 hours away.
The Charlevoix coast is magnificent and very hilly. At Baie de Saint-Paul we leave Route 138 to follow the Saint-Laurent River, the road offers superb views. We finally arrive in Baie Sainte-Catherine and board the Saguenay River ferry to Tadoussac. The duration of the crossing is approximately 15 minutes. When we arrived, we dropped off our things at the lodge and took advantage of the late afternoon to walk around the city and along the river to hope to see whales, unfortunately in vain… it won't be for tonight! At the restaurant in the evening, we choose a specialty: Quebec pie! a treat with a blueberry pie for dessert!!
Day 9: From Tadoussac to Saguenay: between whales and Fjord
Who says passage through Tadoussac, says cruise to admire the whales. We have chosen the zodiac formula, to be closer to the marine animals. On the other hand, the weather is not the most favorable: fog, rain and the river seems “a little” agitated… We equip ourselves with boots, overalls and an anorak. It's time to board the zodiac. Before starting the captain reads us the rules, the risks and the prohibitions and finally warns us that we are going to be sick because it is "brewing" there! We leave, and the further we get from the shore, the lower the temperature and the more the zodiac moves and splashes us. We stop a first time to scan the surface of the water. But the zodiac is still moving as much. I didn't think a river could rock a boat so much… After a few minutes we started to see a few fins protruding from the water, then a whale's rostrum, it's a magnificent sight. The boats are equipped with sonar to spot whales and communicate with each other to clarify the positions of marine mammals. We sail on the river for a good 2 hours, stopping to admire the whales and fin whales. All this without the river ceasing to agitate and move us in all directions. From time to time it was really not easy to keep calm and control yourself so as not to be sick. Then the captain decides to take us to a quieter area, in the fjord, on the Saguenay River. We then find clear and calm waters, which give color to all of us, it's very pleasant. This time, we are going to see belugas. They move together and we must respect a distance of 400 meters. Then on the rocks, we see gray seals. After 3 hours of very shaky cruising, we return. We get rid of our loaned belongings, change clothes because ours are still soaked and take the road with our rental car in the direction of Chicoutimi.
Whale Watching from QuebecIf you do not have a rental car or if you simply want to let yourself be guided for a day, it is possible to opt for an excursion to Tadoussac, in order to observe the whales there, from Quebec City. Learn more
Our first stop along the fjord is at the edge of a small cove which gives us a splendid view. We can even see belugas swimming in the Saguenay River.
Our 2nd stop at Sainte-Rose du Nord, a very beautiful little village on the edge of the fjord which again gives us a very beautiful view. A small hunger and a small sugar shack makes us take a "soft cream" (an ice cream) with maple syrup and vanilla. A true delight. Little anecdote, the place where we are was the location of a film in 2008 with Pierre Richard: "Pierre's misfortunes".
After a short break of about twenty minutes, we get back on the road and continue along the fjord. We finally arrive in Saguenay, then in Chicoutimi where we decide to go directly to the “pulp mill”: a place where wood is transformed into paper. Chicoutimi is a former industrial city that has gone into decline but is trying to become attractive and popular again. We dine in town where a festival takes place, lots of entertainment and people in the streets. We then go to our gîte, where we are welcomed by a charming hostess, and spend a restful and restorative night…
Day 10: Lake Saint-Jean
Breakfast is always a good opportunity to chat with the B&B hosts, a formula that we have chosen since the beginning of our trip and that we absolutely do not regret. Sometimes they are so copious and diversified that we are entitled to a real homemade menu and local products, a real treat! This morning we spend a little more time than expected talking with our hostess and her husband, they make us discover their property and their way of life.
Our day is devoted to touring Lac Saint-Jean. The eastern and northern parts of the lake are the smallest and most industrial we have seen on our whole trip and there is not much to visit or see worthwhile. However, on the west side, we stop for a picnic at the edge of a rather wild and magnificent waterway near Saint-Félicien. In Saint-Félicien you can stop to visit the zoo, we didn't do it but apparently it's worth the detour. We preferred to go directly to the Indian reserve of Mashteuiatsh which directly overlooks Lac Saint-Jean and visit the Native American museum of the reserve. Since 1977, the Musée amérindien de Mashteuiatsh has made us discover the magnificent history of an ancient people, the Pekuakamiulnuatsh, in particular through its exhibition halls, its documentation center, in which you can watch a documentary, its garden, or even its authentic craft shop. At the end of the day, head to Roberval and Brigitte's gîte to sleep in a room with a medieval atmosphere!
Day 11: Val Jalbert
To visit Val-Jalbert is to take a leap in time, in the past, back to 1927! Indeed, this village which vibrated happily to the rhythm of its pulp mill between 1901 and 1927 was frozen in time when the pulp mill closed in 1927, the inhabitants then left the village overnight. and left it as is. So much so that when you take the little trolleybus that takes you from the reception to the center of the village, or when you stroll through the streets, it's like being in an open-air museum.
We come across characters from the past, also frozen in their role and in their life at the time. You can therefore attend a class in the convent-school, a mass, go to the post office to have your postcard punched and sent to the old continent, etc. In the general store (the grocery store) , you can take something to eat, and above all, if it's hot, have an ice cream. But not just any ice cream… it's a cone base with a scoop of ice cream over which hot chocolate is poured! A delight, but not very practical to eat because we quickly put it everywhere! In the butcher's stall, you can dress up in period clothes and have your picture taken. The sets and photos are stunning, especially if you choose them in sepia or black and white, just be careful not to let your watch show, the only anachronistic detail that could betray the illusion. Some houses have not been restored and are therefore in a state of disrepair and significant abandonment, others on the contrary have been restored and furnished with elements found from the time. We can therefore admire the fairly modern and comfortable equipment that was found in the dwellings of the beginning of the 72th century. At the foot of the Ouiatchouan waterfall, impressive from the top of these XNUMX meters, which can be admired from several viewpoints and belvederes, including one with a glass floor, is the old mill.
Inside, rooms and exhibition spaces testify to the life of the village and its activity in 1920. From there, you can take a cable car that takes you to a higher point of view on the falls, on the Lac Saint-Jean and the surrounding countryside, but also a walk to admire the Maligne waterfall further.
After spending a good part of the day in this magnificent little village, we take the road to reach the Trou de la Fée cavern park a few kilometers away. Unfortunately due to recent falls and collapses, the management of the park informs us that we will not be able to visit the cave, nor walk on the path of the 3 falls. It doesn't matter, we decide all the same to take the path of the cave in its 1st half then to continue on the promenade of the water supply pipe. This one has the advantage of following the river and therefore of providing us with one of the most beautiful views of the old dam and the waterfall. Then, the passage is done on hooked footbridges. Hold on tight, the planks are narrow and the walkways move (suspension bridges).
The return to the visitor center is via the green corridor path. The fauna and flora are impressive, the colors magnificent, we did well to stay there and discover what we could in this park! Just when we leave the park, a storm is approaching and we have just enough time to return to the gîte to take shelter and discover our hostess from Roberval a little more.
Day 12: La Mauricie National Park
Let's continue our circuit in Canada towards Roberval, we make a first gourmet stop at the blueberry house. This little bay in Canada that we were able to discover and appreciate throughout our trip is exquisite, especially in jam. We therefore take this opportunity to make some reservations to bring back in our suitcases. Then head south to begin our return to Montreal through La Mauricie Park. We stop at Chutes-de-la-Petite-Rivière-Bostonnais Park, near La Tuque, in Haute Mauricie. An observation tower allows you to have a panorama of the Saint-Maurice River when you climb to its summit.
Fly over La Mauricie National ParkLa Mauricie Park offers sumptuous landscapes. It is possible to opt for a seaplane flight over the park, departing from Trois-rivières. Learn more
Interpretation centers teach us more about the fur trade and the wildlife present in the region. The park is also very pleasant for strolling along the river and for picnicking.
We continue our route south through the enchanting landscapes of Quebec, to reach Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc at the end of the afternoon to discover the Amerindian site of Mokotakan. It traces the Amerindian presence for more than 5000 years thanks to the reconstruction of various buildings of the 11 Aboriginal nations of Quebec. The audio-guided tour we take teaches us a lot about the lifestyles, culture, history and spirituality of these peoples.
Finally, we arrive in Shawinigan to relax and spend the night.
Day 13: On the way to Montreal
This morning it's raining, we take the road to Trois-Rivières and visit the historic site of Forges-du-Saint-Maurice. This national historic site is home to the remains of the first steel company in Canada, but also the first industrial village in the country. Established in 1, these forges operated for more than 1 years. La Grande Maison allows you to enter the particular universe of this original industrial community. The blast furnace reveals the mysteries of the manufacture of cast iron and iron. The archaeological remains bear witness to this era when the life of an entire community beat to the rhythm of intensive production.
We leave Trois-Rivières at the end of the morning to return our rented car at the Montreal airport upon our arrival. Result of 13 days of travel: 3078 kilometers covered…
We reach the center of Montreal by public transport, then reach our B&B located in the Latin Quarter east of Mount Royal Park. The end of the day is dedicated to discovering the district, which is very colorful and lively.
Day 14 and 15: Montreal
Day 14
Our day begins with a walk in Chinatown. We can't resist the urge to take a walk in the city and the underground tunnels which are very busy during the winter since they are used to move around when on the "surface" the snow is sovereign. We come out of it quite quickly since at this time of the year there is not much to see there. We continue towards old Montreal and arrive in front of the superb Notre-Dame de Montreal basilica. We walk the streets and alleys, come out on sublime squares, more or less large, but always very lively. After old Montreal, we decide to go to the former Olympic site. Indeed, the last Summer Olympics in Montreal took place in 1976 and the various buildings have been preserved and converted to accommodate different attractions. The most emblematic of the reconversions is that of the biodôme, a former velodrome, which opened in 1992, after a long phase of work. The biodome is home to thousands of living plants and animals, which it preserves and presents in compliance with rigorous ethics.
It is possible to visit this site, the observatory of the tower as well as the botanical garden.
This is surmounted by the Montreal Tower, which is the tallest inclined tower in the world, with its 165 meters and an angle of 45 degrees. In comparison, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has a tilt of only five degrees!
The end of the day is devoted to visiting the most modern part of the city. High buildings, shops, restaurants, bars, etc…
Day 15
Last day in Canada. Our plane only takes off in the evening, we can still enjoy the weather in the city of Montreal. We didn't stray too far from the lodge when we decided to take a walk through the Parc du Mont-Royal. Except that it's huge, and when you don't take the right path to access the famous viewpoint over the city, you can quickly get lost and spend a lot more time there than expected.
Strolling in this large park is still worth it, the vegetation is impressive and calm reigns there... and the view of the city is breathtaking!
This is how my trip to Canada ends, a magnificent country, where the population is very welcoming and very friendly, we who are ultimately their cousins!
