8 great spots to admire the starry sky

Located in Notre-Dame-des-Bois, Parc national du Mont-Mégantic is a popular stargazing spot in Québec. It’s home to the ASTROLab, a science museum and discovery centre that offers a fascinating journey into astronomy and nature for the whole family.

For three weekends in July, this establishment, located in the heart of the first International Dark Sky Reserve, hosts the Mont-Mégantic Popular Astronomy Festival.

Daytime activities

To make the most of your stay as you wait for nightfall, we recommend exploring the many scenic hiking trails in the area.

Located in Sutton, also in the Eastern Townships, Au Diable Vert « Station de montagne » offers no less than an outdoor planetarium and its ObservÉtoiles. Recently certified as a Dark Sky Preserve, this site features heated seating and will be having guided shows with augmented reality headsets this summer! This allows participants to see the real night sky with a digital overlay of the constellations, including the names of stars and planets, to make the experience even more magical.

Daytime activities

Many outdoor activities are available on site to keep you busy, such as kayaking, hiking and the VéloVolant, which lets you soar through the treetops.

Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton (yes, Sutton again!) offers a unique blend of photography, hiking and astronomy. Grab your camera or your cell phone and learn how to photograph the night sky with the help of an expert who will guide you on this unique nighttime journey.

Daytime activities

The park’s 52 km of hiking trails allow you to plan outdoor excursions ranging from two hours to two days! The site also offers educational activities and workshops on local flora and fauna.

Located about ten kilometres from the Mont-Tremblant village, Domaine Saint-Bernard offers astronomy evenings every Friday (in English) and Saturday (in French) in collaboration with the Club d’astronomie de Mont-Tremblant. Each presentation lasts 2.5 hours and will delight nature lovers and stargazers alike.

Daytime activities

This ecotourism hub stretches across 1,500 acres of protected nature and features many outdoor activities year-round. Nature discovery workshops; Xplore orienteering courses; hiking, cycling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails; a beach and watercraft rentals: plenty to keep you busy until sunset!

Far away from light pollution, Observatoire du Mont-Cosmos (in French only) in Saint-Elzéar-de-Beauce is perfect for amateur astronomers. Observation evenings are held in the summer, bringing together novice and expert astronomy enthusiasts alike, eager to explore the night sky and marvel at the planets, nearby galaxies, nebulae and star clusters that can be seen. Visitors can now use the new equipment installed at the observatory this summer for an enhanced experience!

Daytime activities

Hiking trails, lookout points, an observation tower and an adventure course are also available to visitors while waiting for nightfall.

The Charlevoix observatory and impact structure in La Malbaie take you on a journey into the meteorite origins of this charming region. It’s an opportunity to stargaze while discovering spectacular samples of impactites. In the summer, astronomy evenings are held regardless of the weather thanks to the high-tech instruments available on site.

Daytime activities

This interpretation centre offers guided tours, hiking trails, discovery activities and educational workshops on the geological history of Charlevoix.

At Planétarium de Saint-Félicien (in French only), the goal is to make astronomy accessible to everyone, young and old alike. With an inflatable dome that puts visitors at the centre of the celestial world, a virtual reality tour of the International Space Station, exhibitions and several telescopes, this place has everything to satisfy budding astronomers.

Daytime activities

While you’re in the area, why not visit the renowned Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien, have a picnic in Parc de la Chute-à-Michel or indulge in some agritourism at Fromagerie au Pays des Bleuets! (in French only)

You can’t see the stars directly here (making it the perfect outing for a rainy or winter day!), but you can embark on a unique, cosmic journey through the universe. Science, art and poetry connect space and life at the Planétarium – Space for Life. There are films about black holes and planets, as well as various astronomy exhibitions.

Other activities

If you like visiting these types of places, you may want to consider extending your stay, as there are several other Space for Life museum attractions in the area, including the Biodôme, the Biosphère, the Jardin botanique and the Insectarium.