8 ways to experience culture in all its forms
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Visiting Québec also means discovering what sets us apart: our culture. It thrives on stage, at the dinner table, in museums, at festivals, in interpretation centres and in multimedia projections. Here are eight places where you can discover part of our cultural heritage, travelling with purpose and embracing sustainable tourism practices.
A guided tour of Old Québec
Anyone would recognize the streets of Old Québec, but behind the facades of its architectural treasures lie a thousand and one lesser-known stories. To discover these stories, take a guided walking tour of this historic area. You can choose between a classic city tour or a themed guided tour through the city of Québec most charming neighbourhoods. Fun, educational and eco-friendly!
A gourmet outing in Charlevoix
As part of a circular economy initiative, Famille Migneron de Charlevoix is the first Canadian cheese maker to distill its own whey. At its distillery and vineyard, this agri-food company gives whey and grape marc a second life, turning them into unique spirits sold under the Charlevoyou label. Are you taking a trip to the Charlevoix region? Be sure to stop by to get some exclusive products and visit this enchanting place.
A visit to blueberry country
ÉCONOMUSÉE® de la confiturière: wild blueberries preserve the artisanal expertise behind the processing of this small fruit that’s the pride of an entire region. For visitors, it’s an opportunity to learn about jam making and discover the history of wild blueberries. And, of course, enjoy all the delicious blueberry products on offer!
Délices du Lac-Saint-Jean and its ÉCONOMUSÉE® add to the many attractions of the new Tour du Lac Saint-Jean tourist route, helping to promote the region’s local products to travellers from near and far.
A moment of rest and relaxation in the city
A peaceful haven in the heart of the city of Québec, the Monastère des Augustines has been carrying out its social mission for nearly four centuries. Today, the heritage site continues this tradition through its accommodation offerings and original wellness-focused program. In this place steeped in history, you can stay in an authentic or modern room, attend a meditative concert or yoga session, go on a spiritual retreat or visit an exhibition of some 50,000 artifacts retracing the history of these nuns dedicated to healing body and soul.
An artistic and poetic outdoor tour
Starting this summer, the Cité Mémoire circuit is coming to the Charlevoix region to celebrate its heritage and history. The new attraction–spanning some 2,000 km²–features more than seventy points of interest, five outdoor multimedia projections, augmented reality experiences and a podcast. A fun and poetic artistic project created by Michel Lemieux and Michel Marc Bouchard that really comes to life after dark.
A tour of the northern pantry
In Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, the Zone Boréale initiative invites you to sample the flavours of north through agritourism. Pick your own produce, visit local markets, try regional specialties fresh from the farm, spend the night on a farm, do some gardening in a local greenhouse, or go out to a restaurant–these are just some of the ways you can connect with the people who feed Québec on your next foodie getaway.
A trip to a distillery
In Lanaudière, Distillerie Grand Dérangement is challenging conventions by offering certified organic spirits made from grain to bottle. According to Ecocert records, its popular SAGA Grand Gin was the first Québec gin to be certified organic. Visitors to the distillery’s ÉCONOMUSÉE® can immerse themselves in the history of artisanal distillation and learn about the founding of the village of Saint-Jacques, where the distillery is located. A historical epic that takes visitors on a journey from the Great Upheaval in Acadia in 1755 to the Roaring Twenties.
A long bike trip
The beautiful Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region is fortunate to have two official cycling routes: the Véloroute des Bleuets (256 km) and the Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay (400 km). Travelling along these routes allows you to see the region in all its glory, passing through picturesque villages as you go. Museums, old mills, local artisans, historic sites, cheese shops and microbreweries: you’ll want to stop everywhere! By its very nature, cycle touring is a way to travel at a slower pace and really immerse yourself in the places you visit. All this with an almost zero carbon footprint!