The many roads that wind through Québec by the Sea offer visitors a multitude of road trip options as well as access to spectacular views. One thing’s for sure, regardless of the itinerary you choose, you’ll find lots to feast your eyes on in our regions! Here’s a glimpse of the scenery you can expect to see along seven of our regions’ roads.

Bas-Saint-Laurent

In Bas-Saint-Laurent, Route 132 runs alongside the St. Lawrence Estuary from La Pocatière to Sainte-Luce. During your road trip in this region, you’ll have many opportunities to admire the sea, islands and farmland, as well as monadnocks and beaches along the coast. You’ll also drive through charming villages, including those in the Kamouraska area, and bustling cities such as Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski.

From Rimouski, Route 232 will take you inland towards the Témiscouata area. This drive goes through the Notre-Dame Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian chain, via rolling rural landscapes dotted with fields, farms, forests and lakes as well as picturesque villages. Several breathtaking views of the largest lake in the region await you in the area around Lake Témiscouata.

Gaspésie

In Gaspésie, Route 132 hugs the coast, forming an 885-km (550-mi.) panoramic loop around the Gaspé Peninsula that will take you through a wide range of landscapes. First, the Matapédia Valley will charm you with its agricultural scenery, rivers and covered bridges. In the La Baie-des-Chaleurs sector, you’ll skirt sandy beaches and pass through seaside towns and villages before reaching the Percé area where you can admire legendary Percé Rock, the region’s most iconic natural landmark. In Gaspé, the sheer cliffs and views of the sea as far as the eye can see will make you feel like you’re at the edge of the world! Finally, the north shore of the peninsula will take you from village to village and lighthouse to lighthouse on a spectacular drive between sea and mountains.

Bisecting the peninsula from north to south, Route 299 takes you through amazing mountain and forest scenery. Between Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and New Richmond, you can admire the impressive Chic-Choc Mountains in Parc national de la Gaspésie and follow the Sainte-Anne and Cascapédia rivers. Nature’s bounty awaits you in this environment that invites contemplation. As you drive, keep your eyes peeled: you may be lucky enough to encounter a moose or black bear along the way!

Côte-Nord

On the north shore of the St. Lawrence, Route 138 stretches for nearly 845 km (525 mi.) from Tadoussac all the way to Kegaska. Travelling eastward, you’ll pass through varied landscapes. First, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Tadoussac Bay and the St. Lawrence Estuary in the Tadoussac area. Take advantage of a seaside sstop to scan the horizon: you may spot whales just a few metres from the shore! Your drive will then take you through the boreal forest, crossing lakes and rivers along the way, to several industrial towns, including Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles. From this point on, the landscape becomes wilder, with long pebble beaches and stunted forests. The final stretch to Kegaska offers a peaceful atmosphere, with scenery featuring tundra and coastal cliffs.

Want to venture further north? Follow Route 389 from Baie-Comeau towards the Labrador border. This road will plunge into the heart of pristine and striking landscapes featuring majestic forests and tumultuous rivers with impressive hydroelectric dams. You’ll also have the opportunity to drive along the Manicouagan Reservoir and can admire views of this impact crater that’s known as the “Eye of Quebec.” As you continue northward, the boreal forest will slowly give way to vast expanses of tundra and rolling hills. Your final destination is Fermont, a town protected from prevailing northern winds by a 1.3-km (4300-foot) windscreen structure known as the Wall.

Îles de la Madeleine

The archipelago’s only main road, Route 199, will take you from one end of the Îles de la Madeleine to the other, from Havre-Aubert to Grande-Entrée. Along this 85-km (55-mi.) road, you can admire the region’s typical landscapes: red sandstone cliffs, lush green hills, sandy beaches, small fishing harbours, brightly coloured houses and more. Built on narrow sand dunes between the islands, this road offers a drive between inland waters and the open sea, for a totally authentic island experience!

Have you explored any of these roads in Québec by the Sea? Have we inspired you to add any to your bucket list? Start planning your road trip in our regions now!