Quebec: Quebec City and the Charlevoix

This exploration of the heart of French-speaking North America captures some of the province of
Québec’s most striking and diverse scenery and environments. The tour begins and ends in Québec
City, considered the most European city on the continent. The itinerary moves northeast, where you pass quaint villages and farms through the Charlevoix region, along the Saint Lawrence River and en route to the fascinating Saguenay fjord, rich in natural history. From Québec City, you set off to explore the Île d’Orléans, the “jewel of the Saint Lawrence,”and nearby forest preserves. The charming riverside town of La Malbaie is an ideal base for the second half of the journey through Québec’s fertile countryside. Trails in both evergreen forests and gently rolling meadows are never far from the majestic Saint Lawrence River. Villages provide a taste of the local life, with opportunities to sample homemade cheeses, and peek into galleries and local art centers. The week culminates with a walk along the Saguenay Fjord—an ancient valley more than 60 miles long, steep granite cliffs carved by retreating glaciers. This unique ecosystem where the fresh water of the Saguenay River meets the salt water of the Saint Lawrence estuary is home to rich and diverse marine life, including minke and beluga whales, which you view aboard a private boat. The fjord is surrounded by the Saguenay National Park, ensuring its preservation, and home to an extensive network of hiking and walking
trails waiting to be explored. The Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park is the first park to be co-managed by the governments of Québec and Canada.
     Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain as a fur-trading post, Québec City, with its world class
museums and dining, has been declared an UNESCO World Heritage site. The spectacular environment at the confluence of the St. Lawrence estuary and the Saguenay Fjord is joined with the excellent cuisine and warm hospitality of the Québecois to create a memorable trip, which is much closer to home than it feels.