A Bas-Saint-Laurent and Charlevoix Quebec weekend road trip
Quebec City provides reason enough for a visit on its own. But if you have access to a car during your stay and want to explore more of Quebecois life on the St. Lawrence River, check out this Charlevoix Quebec weekend road trip, which also passes through Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent and Chaudière-Appalaches regions. The countryside that surrounds Quebec’s capital city is impressively scenic and interwoven with history.
This easy loop takes you into Quebec’s Charlevoix region, across the St. Lawrence River on a ferry, and back to Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River’s southern shore. Ferry crossings are essential to life in much of Canada, making this quick side trip a great way to enjoy this unique and scenic experience.
We’ve driven through these two regions in Quebec many times. The road trip that inspired this article was hosted by Chevrolet Canada. Have questions about planning your Chaudière-Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Charlevoix Quebec weekend road trip? Join our Facebook community!
A Chaudière-Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Charlevoix Quebec weekend road trip: What to know before you go
The map above outlines a short road trip loop through Charlevoix, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Chaudière-Appalaches that begins and ends in Quebec City. If you drive this loop without stopping, it takes roughly six hours to complete, including the boarding and crossing time for the ferry. It’s best to dedicate at least two days to this drive, though it is possible to complete it in a single day if you’re short on time.
We completed the loop by driving into Charlevoix first, then taking a ferry across the river to Bas-Saint-Laurent and Chaudière-Appalaches. The destinations outlined below are presented in that order as you’ll encounter them in a clockwise direction.
We highly recommend checking the ferry schedule to determine the best route for your timing. If a ferry departure from the south shore is timed more conveniently for you, you may wish to complete the loop in the opposite direction. In this case, you’ll drive counterclockwise and encounter these destinations in the opposite order, so start at the bottom of this page and work your way to the top.
If you have more time, there are several longer drives you can also complete in a loop. In addition to the ferry between Saint-Siméon and Rivière-du-Loup, there’s another ferry between Les Escoumins on the north shore and Trois-Pistoles on the south shore. You’ll need four to five days for this route, which takes you through the village of Tadoussac, Quebec’s top whale watching destination.
For an even longer route, you can travel to the Baie-Comeau-Matane ferry, which makes a great connection to Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula.
Explore the rich history and culture of Quebec City
Quebec City is one of the oldest colonial settlements in Canada. It’s also the only city remaining in North America north of Mexico that has in-tact city walls. This rich history and culture makes it a fascinating destination to explore.
For history buffs, summer is the ideal time to visit Quebec City. This is when Parks Canada’s national historic sites are open, which provides the best opportunities to delve into the details.
Discover Quebec’s historic capital by visiting Quebec City in summer >
If you’ll be in Quebec City outside the summer months, you can still complete this loop. The ferry between Saint-Siméon and Rivière-du-Loup runs from mid-April to early January. We recommend working more flexibility into your plans during the winter months in case of inclement weather.
Discover the ultimate Canadian road trip by visiting Quebec City in winter >
While you’re in Quebec City, consider adding a side trip to Wendake, Canada’s only Huron-Wendat community, to connect with Indigenous culture. During a winter visit to Quebec City, don’t miss the amazing Hôtel de Glace, a massive hotel made entirely of snow and ice!
Visit Île d’Orléans and Montmorency Falls
As you depart Old Quebec City, pass through the historic city walls and join Autoroute 440. It’s a short 10-minute drive to reach Route 368, which crosses the bridge to Île d’Orléans and completes a circuit around the island.
Île d’Orléans is often referred to as the farm of Quebec. Its fertile farmlands have given way to farms stands, wineries, cideries, and cheese producers, among other sights. This scenic and pastoral island is worthy of a day or weekend road trip of its own!
If you’re looking for a quick stopover, turn right after you cross the bridge and head for the Chocolaterie de l’Île-d’Orléans. This popular spot on the island’s western tip is filled with shelves piled high with delectable Belgian chocolate delights. During the summer, sit in the sun with a chocolate-dipped soft-serve ice cream cone, or take a walk to the shore to catch a unique view across the river back into Quebec City.
As you return across the bridge, you’ll see a waterfall right in front of you. Continue straight instead of rejoining Autoroute 440 to visit Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. At 83 metres tall, Montmorency Falls is the centrepiece of this Quebec provincial park and is 30 metres tall than Niagara Falls! A small entry fee gives you access to scenic boardwalks, a cable car, zipline, or via ferrata to see the falls up close, depending on the season.
Head into the hills of Charlevoix
Shortly after you return to the highway, Autoroute 440 ends and joins Quebec Route 138. This scenic route follows the north shore of the St. Lawrence River for more than 1,000 kilometres to the road’s end in the village of Kegashka, deep in the Côte-Nord region.
Route 138 provides a rewarding drive, even for shorter trips. In the winter, the stretch from Montmorency Falls to Baie-Saint-Paul is packed with adventurers seeking out the region’s ski hills. In the warmer months, it provides a leisurely drive highlighted by awe-inspiring scenery. The city of Baie-Saint-Paul is itself famous as an artists’ hub with postcard-perfect architecture and vibrant shops and galleries.
Just past Baie-Saint-Paul, Route 138 takes a short excursion inland. To stay on the shore, turn onto Route 362 instead. This section of highway provides some of the most idyllic vistas anywhere along the route.
If you decide to make a weekend out of your trip, check out Répère Boréal. This modern take on glamping was created by two brothers who inherited this land from their father and completed his dream of building a campground on the site. You’ll stay deep in the forest in one of the unique cabins, each with electricity and fully equipped kitchens. All overnight stays include access to the on-side outdoor Nordic spa. You may even be greeted by the friendly cat, chickens, or goats!
Cross the river at the Saint-Siméon-Rivière-du-Loup ferry
Whether you make a day trip or a weekend of it, taking a ferry across the St. Lawrence River is a unique experience. To locals, this is an essential service that saves hours of driving time. To visitors, it’s a glimpse into the Quebecois way of life, where the St. Lawrence River provides a cultural centrepiece.
The first ferry that crosses the St. Lawrence River east of Quebec City runs between Saint-Siméon in Charlevoix on the river’s north shore, and Rivière-du-Loup in Bas-Saint-Laurent on the south shore.
If your timing allows for it on your way to the ferry, stop in at the Fromagerie Saint-Fidèle. This is one of Charlevoix’s most iconic cheese producers. You’ll find a variety of cheeses, local wines, and other treats and snacks. For a true Quebecois experience, pick up some fresh cheese curds and eat them warm straight out of the bag. It’s a cheese lover’s dream!
The ferry crossing from Saint-Siméon to Rivière-du-Loup takes roughly an hour and 10 minutes. Depending on the season, there are two to four crossings per day between April and early January. Be sure to check the Saint-Siméon to Rivière-du-Loup ferry schedule carefully. Morning crossings are the best option for those who stay in Charlevoix overnight, while the final crossings of the day are often the best choice for a day trip. When you reach your destination, it takes roughly two hours of driving without stops to return to Quebec City.
Reservations are not accepted for cars on this ferry, so be sure to arrive for your chosen crossing time as early as you can. We arrived 90 minutes before departure, and it wasn’t long afterward the line-up was closed. If you miss the ferry, it will take just as long to wait for the next one as it does to drive all the way around to Rivière-du-Loup!
There is a fare for each person and each vehicle to board the ferry. Electric vehicles cross for free, which saves some money. You’ll find a snack bar, washrooms, and and a small gift shop on board, along with plenty of indoor seating. It can get chilly out on the water, so be sure to dress in layers if you’d like to spend some time on the outdoor decks and snap some photos.
Rivière-du-Loup is a hub on the south shore of the St. Lawrence
Many residents of Ontario and Quebec pass through Rivière-du-Loup frequently on their travels. This city marks the junction point between Autoroute 20 with Autoroute 85, where drivers bound for Atlantic Canada turn south toward New Brunswick. To the east of Rivière-du-Loup, the road trip loop around the Gaspé Peninsula begins.
To complete this short Chaudière-Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Charlevoix Quebec weekend road trip loop, head west from Rivière-du-Loup to return to Quebec City. If you’re short on time, you can get on Autoroute 20 and follow the Trans-Canada Highway, which takes just over two hours. If you have more time, explore the towns and villages along the river by following Quebec Route 132.
Exploring the sights of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Chaudière-Appalaches
As you drive across the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, you’ll encounter numerous picturesque towns and villages. West of Rivière-du-Loup, the village of Kamouraska has a beach, a pier, and a scenic main street.
Once you pass through La Pocatière, you’ll leave the Bas-Saint-Laurent region and enter Chaudière-Appalaches. Our first stop here was for lunch, a fresh poké bowl at La Marina, a waterfront restaurant and bar in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. The city of Montmagny has a very nice waterfall visible from several parks just off Route 132.
For a very special summer day trip exploring this region’s history, take the pedestrian ferry from the village of Berthier-sur-Mer to Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site. This isolated island in the St. Lawrence River was once an immigration quarantine station. This full-day excursion is a fascinating way to learn about what immigrants endured to arrive in Canada in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Learn more about planning a visit to Grosse-Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site >
Just across the river from Quebec City in the city of Lévis, you’ll find another chance to explore this area’s fascinating history at Lévis Forts National Historic Site. This was the last British fortification built on Canadian soil, established in the late 19th century to protect Quebec City from American invasion. This site lets you explore the last remaining structure in great detail by climbing the walls and descending into the tunnels.
To return to Old Quebec from Lévis, there are two routes to choose from. The standard option is to drive across the Pierre-Laporte Bridge on Autoroute 73. This is direct but can be very busy, especially during rush hour. Locals who work in Quebec City and live in Lévis prefer to take the ferry, which can be boarded by pedestrians and vehicles. For a small fee, you can skip the bridge traffic and be dropped off directly in lower Quebec City.
Explore more road trips in Quebec >
