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Routes · North America

Lagos to Quebec City and Charlevoix

Lagos → Quebec City → Charlevoix

Quebec City
"Gare fluviale de Québec, Quebec city, Canada.jpg" by Wilfredor, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

A walled city & the St. Lawrence shore Best season (general guide): Jun–Oct

Quebec City and the Charlevoix coast make an easy French-speaking road trip on the St. Lawrence. This route spends three nights in the city and three in Charlevoix. From Lagos you'll connect via Europe or Montreal to Quebec City. Old Québec, the historic district, is listed by UNESCO as the only fortified city north of Mexico whose walls survive.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Quebec City: day one, Old Québec; day two, ramparts and Lower Town; day three, Montmorency Falls. Then spend days four to six in Charlevoix: day four, drive to Baie-Saint-Paul; day five, Tadoussac whale cruise; day six, river road back.

The Château Frontenac hotel rises above the Lower Town, where narrow streets lead to the river. Montmorency Falls, just outside the city, are higher than Niagara. Charlevoix, to the north-east, is a UNESCO biosphere reserve of hills dropping to the river. Baie-Saint-Paul is known for galleries and artists. At Tadoussac, where the Saguenay fjord meets the St. Lawrence, boats go out to watch whales in the marine park.

June to October is the best season.

Good to know: A car is the easiest way to explore Charlevoix. Book whale cruises ahead in summer.

Quebec City's old town is hilly, with stairs and a funicular linking the upper and lower towns. Comfortable shoes are essential. French is the main language, so a few words help, although many people in tourism speak English. The drive along the river to Charlevoix is scenic, with viewpoints along the way. In Tadoussac, the ferry across the Saguenay runs frequently. Whale cruises can be cold on the water, even in summer, so bring warm layers. Accommodation in Charlevoix includes inns and small hotels, which fill up in summer and autumn.

Local menus feature maple, cheeses and tourtière. In Charlevoix, local farms and cheese makers welcome visitors along a signposted route. Stop for lunch at a village inn on the way. Autumn colour along the river roads is a good reason to visit in late September or October.

Suggested outline

  1. Lagos

    Start

  2. Quebec City

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    North America's walled French-speaking city.

  3. Charlevoix

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Hills, art towns and whale country on the river.

    Charlevoix
    "Charlevoix I.JPG" by User:My name, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Quebec City — Arrive; Old Québec· Lagos → Quebec City (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Quebec City — Ramparts and Lower Town
  3. Day 3 · Quebec City — Montmorency Falls
  4. Day 4 · Charlevoix — Drive to Baie-Saint-Paul· Quebec City → Charlevoix (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Charlevoix — Tadoussac whale cruise
  6. Day 6 · Charlevoix — River road back
  7. Day 7 · Charlevoix — Travel home from Charlevoix· Charlevoix → Quebec City (overland), then Quebec City → Lagos (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Quebec City

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Charlevoix

Nearest airport: Quebec Search fares · Quebec ↗

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