Five days around Montreal
 

End August, I will be spending some time in Montreal. I have 4-5 days that are free, and was planning to go and visit Québec (city), by car. Would anyone have a recommendation regarding places to visit on the way to and back from Québec?
Thank you for your help!
Pierre (from Switzerland)

Hello Pierre,

It's only 3 hours drive more or less from Montréal to Québec. The main autoroutes don't have much in the way of stopping points in between of significant interest, so most people don't stop.

Trois-Rivières is one of Canada's oldest cities and while much was destroyed in an early 20th century fire, I enjoyed meandering rue des Ursulines and a few nearby streets that were untouched. The main drag, Rue des Forges, had a lively energy when I went.

Drummondville is mostly sprawl but there is a pleasant enough 3 x 3 block area with a pleasantly grassed public square, several cafes and some old churches.

Mont-Saint-Hilaire (quite near Montreal) is an elevated wooded area with lake, a pleasant place to go for a hike.

I've heard good things about le Chemin du Roy between Trois-Rivières and Québec, but I've never taken it.

Have a great trip! Daniel

Am I right in understanding that you have an additional 4-5 days "after" you are finished with Montreal and you're looking for suggestions for this much time? In that case, I might suggest that you go straight to Quebec City, stay maybe 3 nights in the "Vieux Quebec" district, use one of those day to take a scenic driving day-trip up the St. Lawrence River throught the Charlevoix Region. There are some good cheeseries, nice scenery and charming small towns for a lunch stop or even an overnight, e.g. Baie Saint Paul or La Malbaie. This uses up 3 or 4 nights. Then cross the river and drive through the Eastern Townships, spending your last night in either the small but charming village of North Hatley or larger more bustling Magog nicely set on a lake (there is a famous Monastery/Cheesery just outside of town). You could then return to Montreal for, presumably, your flight home.

Le Chemin du Roy is a beautiful scenic route. We take it often when driving to Québec for the beautiful villages, craft shops, pâtisseries and scenery!

I also recommend Le chemin du Roy . there are different places where you can get on it from the highway, so you do not have to drive the whole route.

Hey..Do yourself a favor and take the train. It is fantastic. Let's you get on and off in the hearts of both cities.