15-Nights Route Des Voyageurs

Montreal

Montréal is truly an experience: old world charm, French joie de vivre and a modern style all its own. Montreal is a stunning city to visit and there is so much to see. Along the St. Lawrence River many people come to take a horse-drawn calèche ride through cobbled streets for romantic moments. Just miles away are the skyscrapers of the city as they tower above the city’s businesses and restaurants. Montreal is the world’s second largest French-speaking City. It's top ten attractions are: The Biosphere, Old Montreal, Biodome de Montreal, Musee d'Art Contemporain, Montreal Botanical Gardens, Chinatown, Notre-Dame Basilica, Insectarium, Cours Mont-Royal, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

Perce

Percé is a small village on the tip of the Gaspé peninsula in Quebec. It has a strong history of being an important fishing centre for the Mi'kmaq people and later in the 17th century, the area became the most important fishing location on the Gaspé Peninsula for the European settlers when Charles Robin, from Jersey Island constructed the infrastructure for a fishing industry. Some of the old buildings related to fishing can still be seen. However, today the area is mainly a tourist location particularly well known for the attractions of Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island.

Bonaventure Island

For naturalists, bird enthusiasts and wildlife photographers, Bonaventure Island off the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec is the perfect place to visit. The main attraction of the island is its easy viewing of thousands of Northern gannets. Throughout the years this intriguing island has also served as inspiration to numerous Canadian artists and poets.

Quebec City

Because Quebec City is Canada’s most historic city and the only walled city in North America, it was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Treasure by. Visitors are greeted by an authentic, profoundly French city. The city features winding, cobbled streets with 17th- and 18th-century stone houses and churches, graceful parks and squares, and many monuments. Great emphasis has been placed on Québec nationalism, and the city has become a symbol of glorious French heritage. Visit the oldest church in Québec, Our Lady of Victory, dating from 1688. See the cellars of Maison des Vins, where Québec Société des Alcools sells more than 1,000 kinds of rare vintage wines in a warehouse dating from 1689. See the exhibits at Civilization Museum. The most striking building is celebrated landmark Château Frontenac. Looming high above St. Lawrence, the turreted building with its slanting, copper roof is an impressive sight. Built to accommodate colonial governors, it is now a hostelry.

Trois-Rivières

Trois Rivieres, Quebec, a small city overlooking the St. Lawrence, is between Quebec City and Montreal, some 75 mi/120 km southwest of Quebec City.

Although Trois Rivieres is more than 350 years old, it has a modern feel because many of the old buildings were destroyed in a fire early in the 1900s. It is now a paper-mill city, with the typical paper-mill odor, but it has some interesting historical attractions.

Perhaps most important is the Lieu Historique National du Canada des Forges du St. Maurice (Forges of St. Maurice National Historical Site of Canada). This site depicts life in the region 1729-1883 and has actual iron forges.

The old part of Trois Rivieres, Vieux Trois Rivieres, has cafes and restaurants, a Westminster-style cathedral and several 18th-century manors and houses. The Musee des Ursulines, located in the Ursulines' Monastery, contains artwork and artifacts that were collected by the nuns. Some of them date to the 1600s.

West of town is the spectacular Parc des Chutes de Ste. Ursule, famous for its falls that unfurl in seven cascades. To the north is Parc National du Canada de la Mauricie, which offers some great scenic views and excellent fishing.

Ottawa

Ottawa is beautiful to visit and one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada. Its magnificent boulevards, exquisite gardens and regal architecture are captivating. The city is home to the country’s national monuments and museums. There is Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, National Arts Centre and National Gallery of Canada. Several museums present displays telling Canada’s heritage, such as Royal Canadian Mint, Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum, Aviation and Currency Museum and Canada Science and Technology Museum. Parliament Hill is heart of Canada’s democratic system. Stay for the Changing of the Guard ceremony or the Sound and Light Show. Enjoy a stroll along Rideau Canal, where lush gardens, impeccably groomed streets and pathways invite exploration. In winter, this waterway becomes the world’s longest ice-skating rink! Ottawa is speckled with attractive streetscapes holding many unique shops, boutiques, galleries and dining areas in their folds, all ready to discover.

Toronto

It’s been called “a city that works.” As the capital of Ontario and Canada’s largest city, Toronto has become a dynamic cosmopolitan hub known for entertainment, culture, sports, high fashion and big business. The city boasts more than 20,000 retail stores and restaurants. Yet for such a large city (current population is 4.4 million) it is miraculously clean, safe and friendly. Tourists are drawn to the charm of the Lake Ontario waterfront district, the high-rise splendor of the popular Yonge Street, and the trendy shops and quaint cafés along College Street and Queen Street. With a flourishing music and performing arts scene, Toronto is very popular with young people.