Eastern Townships or Charlevoix?
 

We are planning a 7 day trip, starting in Burlington Vermont on Oct 4th, driving up through Quebec. We have reservations at La Maison Drew in Magog for 2 nights. Then we were going to Quebec City for 3 nights, staying at B & B Au Petit Roi in upper town. We were to return after that.

We have been to Quebec City and Ile d'Orleans before, so we have seen the basic sights. We are interested in the fall colors and the general ombiance of Quebec City.

After reading the posts on the Charlevoix area, I am now wondering if we should spend only 1 night in Magog and 2 in Quebec City and then head up the St. Lawrence. What does the Eastern Township area have to offer besides Wineries and antiques? We don't want to rush around, but Tadoussac sounds gorgious.

Any suggestions or comments on our present plans would be appreciated.

Does anyone have an opinion about which of these should have more time?

I prefer charlevoix, but that's because I like raw nature and Charlevoix has a lot more of it. There's the sea and the rugged coast, the wild interior and still plenty of quaint villages with local food.

Drive highway 362 between Baie-St-Paul and La Malbaie, take a break at île-aux-Coudres (free ferry).

Another vote for Charlevoix. Beautiful scenery!

Both areas are beautiful in their own way. The Eastern Townships are somewhat like Northern New England - mountains, small (French speaking) villages, ski areas. The Charlevoix area is also beautiful, but quite unique, with the vast expanse of the St. Laurence always present. The areas close to the St. Laurence are quite scenic and in some cases spectacular. However head inland and you are in the north woods - boreal forest, logging trucks, and not much to see. I would try and do a night or two in both areas.

"boreal forest, logging trucks, and not much to see."

That's because you haven't been to the right places. It also depends on your interests. I love the boreal jungle!

Charlevoix, hands down. No comparaison whatsoever with Eastern Townships. Totally disagree that the inland is a "wasteland". Hautes-Gorges & Grands Jardins Parks offer gorgeous scenery. Drive from St-Siméon to Anse-St-Jean is also beautiful.

Wow - I wasn't implying that inland Charlevoix was a wasteland. It's just that for a first time visitor to the area, staying on the roads that follow the St. Laurent are more interesting and scenic. When we visited the area, we did drive some of the more inland highways for a while, and all I remember were logging trucks whizzing by, and lots and lots of forest. I suppose if one spends more time in the area there can be lots to see away from the St. Laurent.

Thanks to all of you for your input. I think we will try to adjust our schedule to get more of Charlevoix area in.

We recently came from our flat in Saint Henri Montreal, throught the Eastern Townships and down through the Coaticook Gorge and into Vermont! Wow!!...what a nice trip that was!! If anyone lives in the Eastern region of Can/US I highly recommend it. We found alot of info on the Eastern Townships at a good website with nice photos: http://www.destinationknowlton.com