Want to experience a corner of Canada distinct from the rest of the country? Quebec is where you should go, as it is the only French-majority province in this nation, with 85% of residents claiming this language as their mother tongue.
This is only the first sign that the culture here is significantly different from the rest of Canada – the food, the nightlife, and the attitude of the locals towards life are all things you will notice on a visit to Quebec.
If you want to travel here this summer, here are several attractions you should check out during your visit.
1) Attend a comedy show at Juste Pour Rire
Want a taste of some of the best stand-up comedic talents in the world? Make an effort to get tickets to the Juste Pour Rire/Just For Laughs festival if you are visiting Montreal in July.
Playing host of the likes of Louis C.K., Seth Rogan, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jerry Seinfeld in the past, you’ll be in stitches during every performance.
After the show, you might want to continue on to Casino Montreal. To get in the mood for some serious gaming, fire up your tablet during the taxi ride over and play some online slots.
Who knows, you might be up big on the night before you even walk through the doors of Quebec’s finest real world gaming establishment!
2) Kayak/canoe in Lac Saint Jean
Quebec has no shortage of amazing waterways, but if you are really looking to get away from it all, then a trip to Lac Saint Jean in the region of Saguenay will provide you with world-class paddling opportunities and scenery, all without the crowds found in parks further to the south.
With scenic fjords, plenty of freshwater fish to go after, and vast stretches of water where you can get lost for as long as you want, you’ll find plenty to love about kayaking and canoeing in this isolated corner of Quebec.
3) Explore Old Quebec City
If you are looking for a city break that you won’t soon forget, make plans to spend a few days in Quebec City.
While it doesn’t quite have the name recognition of its more famous cousin Montreal, it has a vibe that is decidedly more European.
From the grandeur of the Chateau Frontenac to the narrow cobblestone streets of the Lower Town, you’ll find plenty of shopping, dining, and drinking opportunities to pursue during your time here.
Before leaving town, be sure to make time for a side trip out to Montmorency Falls, a spectacular waterfall that is twice as tall as Niagara Falls in Ontario.
As a natural attraction that inspires awe in most people visiting for the first time, it will enable you to end your weekend in Quebec City on a high note.
4) Visit Iles de la Madeleine
Want to experience one of the finest destinations in coastal Quebec? Board a cruise for Iles de la Madeleine.
Setting sail from Montreal, this eight-day adventure combines stops along the ever-widening St. Lawrence River with a three-day stay on Iles de la Madeleine.
Boasting a charming way of life which is made possible by its separation from the rest of the world, as well as gorgeous beaches and cliffs strung out along this narrow but relatively long archipelago, your days here will be very memorable indeed.