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Quebec’s vibrant culture, storied history and renowned food and beverage scene make it unique in Canada. With more than 1.6 million square kilometres of stunning landscape offering endless outdoor adventures, it’s the ideal province to explore as the snow melts. Here are five not-to-be-missed areas to experience this spring.

Montreal

Discover some of Montreal’s 120 energetic, diverse communities. Stroll Old Montreal’s famed cobblestone streets, bike through Mount Royal Park’s wooded trails or soak up some of the 700 acres of greenspace at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Here, you’ll get a glorious view of the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the world’s first ‘connected’ bridge, covered with dazzling LED lights that change with the seasons.

Take in a dramatic sound and light show at the Basilica du Notre Dame or enjoy a ‘5 à 7’ cocktail cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Sample some of Montreal’s farm-to-fork delights at one of the city’s year-round markets where everything from smoked meat to ice wine is on offer. Or take a walking food tour to savour authentic treats from Chinatown to The Main.

Quebec City

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Quebec City offers European flair, 400-year-old colonial architecture and many cultural hotspots to see in this historic walled city. Shop on some of North America’s oldest streets in Old Quebec, find hidden courtyards and marvel at the Plains of Abraham. Or enjoy a stunning view of the city from the Observatoire de la Capitale.

Quebec boasts more than 150 microbreweries and 100 wineries – the first beer was brewed right in Quebec City in 1668 – so there’s plenty of locally crafted beer to sample.

Mont-Tremblant

Tucked into the Laurentian Mountains about an hour north of Montreal, Mont-Tremblant offers everything from year-round mountain activities to the serenity of outdoor Nordic-inspired spas. Here, you can ski until April under bright blue skies, and then enjoy the dynamic ‘après ski’ festivities in the village.

This area is perfect for enjoying sweet treats and a gourmet meal at an authentic ‘cabane à sucre’ or sugar shack where you’ll experience the traditional French-Canadian way to make maple syrup – and sample taffy on snow.

Eastern Townships

To appreciate this south-eastern region’s natural beauty, head to the Parc écologique Jean-Paul-Ferland, where you’ll see wetlands and waterfalls while hiking or mountain-biking on the trails. The area features dozens of lakes and rivers where water lovers can go fishing, boating, swimming and water-skiing. The Townships also boasts the highest concentration of golf courses in the province.

Celebrate some of the region’s 21 finest vineyards along a Wine Route in the Brome-Missisquoi by sampling a select few, and nibble your way through the Cheesemaker’s Circuit, which features 15 stops. At night, don’t miss Foresta Lumina in Coaticook, a multimedia forest experience with music, lights and video projections.

Charlevoix

Located about an hour east of Quebec City, Charlevoix is known for its lush forests and rolling hills along the St. Lawrence River. Here, you’ll see sea and sky blending for majestic views. Visit the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see wildlife along the water including caribou and eagles. The eastern part of Charlevoix is home to Eastern Canada’s only protected marine environment.

Visit charming, picturesque villages and follow the Flavour Trail to experience field-to-fork adventures and artisanal products including organic meat, pickled mushrooms and award-winning cheese.

If you’re looking to buy a home in any of those beautiful areas, browse our extraordinary properties for sale in Quebec. 

 

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