Fran

Unfortunately, we may have to postpone a trip to France that we have planned for two weeks in early September. I was thinking that maybe we would go to Quebec for a week: spend a couple of days in Quebec City and then rent a car and drive to some quaint little villages and stay in inns or b&b's. Can anyone suggest an itinerary?

jetsetter

Quebec City is spectacular. You will not be disappointed if you wish to feel the French influence. Spend a few days -3 at most in Quebec and the surrounding area-Montmorency Falls are just a 10 minute drive away(waterfalls-higher than Niagara). Then drive along the not so scenic route towards Montreal---where I live...Party the night away here-as nightlife is nothing else in Canada. Try Crescent Street for the clubs and pubs or St. Laurent Blvd(a.k.k the Main) for spotting any famous movie stars and chill at a club lounge. Old MOntreal is Great for walking and taking in the day at the Old POrt. Lots of cute restaurants and cafes. Then on to Ottawa-Canada's boring capital...nevertheless might as well visit it since you're so close by. Quebec City to Montreal is at most a 3hr drive..Mtl-Ottawa is at most a 1.5-2 hr drive. <BR><BR>Good Luck<BR>Jetsetter from Mtl!

Fran

Thank you, Jetsetter. Any suggestions for quaint villages/rural areas to visit after a few days in Quebec City?

Lous

Hey Jetsetter, Fran said she wanted a taste of France not England! Ottawa? Really...<BR><BR>Fran: When in Quebec City, you can easily go to Ile d'Orl&eacute;ans. Nice French colonial villages there. Then for a trip from Quebec City, do the south shore of the St-Lawrence first (that way you'll be saving desert for last). Take route 132 east. Stop for one night in Kamouraska or St-Andr&eacute; and then drive up to Le Bic (one night). See the Parc national du Bic.<BR>Come back towards Rivi&egrave;re-du-Loup and take a mid-afternoon ferry to St-Sim&eacute;on. (Check schedule at www.travrdlstsim.com/e/horaire/index.htm)<BR><BR>From St-Sim&eacute;on take route 170 ouest. Stop in Anse St-Jean for a beautiful village and great view of the Saguenay fjord.<BR>Continue to Chicoutimi (1 night). Don't miss the museum at the Vieille Pulperie.<BR><BR>From Chicoutimi return via the North Shore of the Saguenay (Route 172 east) Stop at Ste-Rose-du-Nord. (one night) Don't miss a cruise on the Saguenay fjord aboard "La Marjolaine" Two cruises per day from Ste-Rose-du-Nord.<BR><BR>From Ste-Rose-du-Nord head towards Tadoussac on Route 172 east. The road follows the valley of the Ste-Marguerite river. At Tadoussac, take the ferry towards Baie Ste-Catherine (free). Take 138 west to La Malbaie, then 362 West to Baie-St-Paul. Stop in Baie St-Paul, an artists' mecca (one night).<BR><BR>Places to stay & eat:<BR><BR>Kamouraska: Auberge Foin de Mer. Right on the St-L. Beautiful view. (www.aubergefoindemer.com)<BR><BR>Le Bic: Auberge du Mange-grenouille. Very nice decoration & fabulous food.<BR>(www.aubergedumangegrenouille.qc.ca)<BR>< BR>Chicoutimi: Auberge des Gouverneurs. Modern, but convenient on blvd Talbot. www.gouverneur.com/chicoutimi/accueil.html). Excellent restaurant nearby is Le Deauville. La Cuisine on rue Racine in Old Chicoutimi is also excellent.<BR><BR>Ste-Rose-du-Nord: G&icirc;te Le Presbyt&egrave;re. is also an excellent restaurant. No web site.<BR><BR>Baie St-Paul: La Corbi&egrave;re. 10 mins outside of town, but very nice. (www.lacorbiere.com). A good bistro in Baie St-Paul: Le St-Pub on rue St-Jean-Baptiste.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR>

Louis

<BR>Fran:<BR><BR>Here's a great resource for planning your trip: <BR><BR>www.beauxvillages.qc.ca/anglais/accueil_a.html<BR><BR>This is the web site of the "Association des plus beaux vllages du Qu&eacute;bec". (Nicest villages Association). You will find many downriver from Quebec City.