Quebec City Attractions in Beaupre Quebec
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One half-hour outside of Quebec City is Beaupre Quebec. It is an area rich in rural charm and rugged wilderness. Crisscrossed by mountains, forests, farmland, and the St. Lawrence River, Beaupre is where the Quebecois go to play outdoors. Read on to learn about 10 Quebec City attractions in nearby Beaupre, Canada.
Not to be missed heritage sites in the Beaupre region include the Shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupre and Ile d’Orleans (Orleans Island). Outdoor highlights include Montmorency Falls, Canyon Sainte Anne, and Mont Sainte Anne. Not all of the best Quebec City attractions are within city limits. Find these Beaupre Quebec hidden gems just a short drive away.
WHERE IS BEAUPRE QUEBEC
Beaupre is a Canadian municipality in the province of Quebec that is part of the La Cote-de-Beaupre region. The area is noted for its many waterfalls, gorges, and family farms. Established as a French colony in the 1700s, the municipality’s name comes from the French words’ “beau” and “pre,” meaning beautiful meadow.
The Cote-de-Beaupre region is about a 30 minute drive from Quebec City along Route 138. Beaupre’s proximity to Quebec City gives the Quebecois access to world-class skiing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, and other outdoor pursuits.
HOW TO GET TO BEAUPRE QUEBEC
Due to the rural nature of Beaupre, most travelers drive personal vehicles to the region. To reach Beuapre from Quebec City, drive to Route 138. Then, head east to reach the destinations outlined in this article. Click here to investigate car rentals in Canada.
QUEBEC CITY TOURS TO BEAUPRE QUEBEC
For visitors that do not have access to a private vehicle, a Quebec City tour that includes transportation is a great way to visit the Cote de Beaupre region. Consider these well-reviewed tours of Quebec City attractions in the Beaupre Quebec region:
QUEBEC CITY HOTELS
This list of Quebec City hotels includes accommodations with parking, and easy access to Route 138. We have also included one hotel from the Cote de Beaupre region - should you choose to spend a night or two in the area:
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (have stayed here; love this hotel!)
QUEBEC CITY WEATHER & BEST TIME TO GO
Quebec City and Beaupre Quebec are beautiful locations to visit any time of year. In general, winters are characterized by freezing temperatures and lots of snow. Summers are warm and sunny with bountiful foliage that morphs into a blaze of color in the autumn. Spring tends to be is cool, wet, and muddy.
The winter season is the best time to visit for skiing and snow sports. Summer and autumn are the best time to visit for hiking, biking, and general sightseeing. Take care when traveling in the spring as many outdoor sites are closed, businesses are busy refurbishing, and black flies abound.
10 QUEBEC CITY ATTRACTIONS FOUND IN BEAUPRE QUEBEC
Shrine of St Anne de Beaupre
The Basilica of St Anne de Beaupre is a Catholic shrine dedicated to Saint Anne, a healer and the grandmother of Jesus. The Quebec City attraction is located about 22-miles (34km) outside of the city on the banks of the St Lawrence River. For over 350 years, pilgrims have been trekking to the site to honor its patron saint.
The beautiful St Anne de Beaupre campus welcomes over a million visitors a year. The Basilica is the focal point of the shrine with intricate mosaics, majestic sculptures, and gorgeous stained-glass windows. Other things to see include the Memorial Chapel, the Way of the Cross, and the Scala Santa. There is free parking at the shrine, or you can take the Crosieres AML ferry along the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City to get to the shrine.
Croisiers AML Ferry (Quebec City to St Anne de Beaupre)
Hop aboard the Coisieres AML shuttle and take a round-trip ferry ride between the Port of Quebec Harbor and the St Anne de Beaupre dock. While cruising along the St Lawrence River glide under bridges, by small towns, and vast swaths of farmland.
Disembark and tour the Shrine of St Anne de Beaupre. Ferries leave Quebec City twice each morning; fares begin around $10.00.
Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls (Parc de la Chute – Montmorency) is a 272-foot waterfall on the Montmorency River. The Quebec City attraction, which is 100-feet higher than Niagara Falls, is 9-miles (13 km) outside of the city. To see the waterfall up close, the park maintains a system of suspension bridges and stairs that run along the falls. You can also ride a cable car over the falls, go zip lining, or rock climbing onsite.
Montmorency Falls is about 15 minutes outside of Quebec City. Popular ways to get to the falls include car, bus (a number of bus routes run near the park), bike (a bike path runs between Quebec City and the park), or on a tour. Many tour companies bundle a trip to Montmorency Falls with other things to do:
Mont Sainte Anne
Mont Sainte Anne is a year round resort that specializes in outdoor sports. Located in the Laurentian Mountains, the summit sits about 25-miles (40 km) outside of Quebec City. In the summer, outdoor enthusiasts can mountain bike, golf, hike, disc golf, go canyoning, and ride a gondola to the 2634’ summit. In winter, there is downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and ice canyoning. Sports equipment can be rented onsite.
Ile d’Orleans
Ile d’Orleans is a pastoral island that is situated in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. Located about 10-miles (16 km) from Quebec City, day trips to Ile d’Orleans are popular. The island’s nearly 7,000 residents come from a long line of farmers and fishermen. The island is dotted with dairy, fruit, and vegetable farms.
The Ile d'Orleans is home to 6 small towns that have churches, marinas, wineries, farm stands, restaurants, and crafts shops to explore. The approximately 34km x 8km island has one main road that runs around the perimeter, making it a great afternoon road trip.
Canyon Sainte Anne
Canyon Sainte Anne is a deep gorge that features a spectacular series of cliffs and waterfalls. This Quebec City attraction brings you into the dense forests of Beaupre. Still, the park is located only about 26-miles (42 km) outside of Quebec City.
The attraction is open annually from May until October At the park, visitors can hike a series of trails and suspension bridges that loop above the churning waterfalls. Onsite there is also an “Air Canyon” ride that brings riders out over the falls. There are hiking trails, viewing platforms, a playground, and a restaurant at the attraction.
Marie Helene Premont Bike Trail
Biking enthusiasts will not want to miss the 55 kilometer Marie Helene Premont bike trail. The trail begins at the Montmorency Falls Visitor Center (9-miles outside of Quebec City), and ends at the Cap-Tourmente Wildlife Area or the bottom of Mont Sainte Anne. The bicycle path runs past rural landscapes, heritage sites, and local attractions.
Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is a wildlife preserve that was established in 1978 to protect native bird species. The preserve is located about 31 miles (50km) from Quebec City. The area is home to about 180 species of birds and 30 mammal species. Popular activities in the park include birding, hiking, picnicking, and exploring the exhibits at the interpretive center.
Golf le Grand Vallon
Golfers will love the Le Grand Vallon 4 star course located at the base of Mont Sainte Anne. Situated about 26-miles (42 km) from Quebec City, the course is about a 30 minute drive from the city. The course is 6,618 yards long with 40 sand traps and 4 lakes. The public course accepts walk-ins, but golfers are encouraged to book ahead.
Sentiere des Caps Trail Hiking
The Sentiere des Caps is an outdoor area located in Charlevoix that is a popular hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing destination. The area is located about 32-miles (52 km) outside of Quebec City. Trails include easy, moderate, and difficult treks. The 3.9-mile Trail B of the Caps de Charlevoix trail is generally considered an easy trail appropriate for most ages with great views of the St. Lawrence River.
Goodbye, and see you later, eh? Laura and Randy
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