We did say Thistle was docked in Montréal for almost a month!
During that time we decided 😇 to take a few side trips.
Our first side trip we rented a 🚘car and drove along the Saint Lawrence River from Montréal to Tadoussac. This road trip is considered one of Quebec’s most scenic adventures. The trip 💯% lived up to our expectations! We took our time (over a week) meandering to Tadoussac and then drove back to Montréal in three days. Our time aboard Thistle is wonderful, but have to say, playing hookie was very romantic 🥰 and lots of fun❗️
The second side trip was a surprise 🎉 (You will need to see the pictures 🥳below :).
Montréal to Tadoussac 472.1 km (but we took lots of side trips).
Our stops were:
Trios Rivers
Quebec City
Montmorency Falls
Saint Anne de Beaupre
Baie Saint Paul
Saint Irene
La Malbaie
Tadoussac
Trois Rivers is between Montréal and Quebec City. It is the second oldest city in Quebec.
The city’s name, is French for ‘three rivers’, it is named for the fact the Saint-Maurice River
has three mouths at the Saint Lawrence River.
We were surprised to see a huge new Amphitheater right along the River?
It has seating capacity for 3,500 covered seats and 5,500 places on the grass!
The historic section of Trois Rivers is charming, with beautiful reminders of times gone by.
The town has some unique restaurants.
For lunch we shared a sandwich and soup at Le Sacristain (originally an old church).
A Farm to Table dinner at Le Buck (a renovated 18th century building) was spectacular!
We were happy that we decided to take
our folding bikes 🚲in the rental car, and enjoyed a nice ride along the River front.
On to beautiful Quebec City.
Our view of the iconic Chateau Frontenac.
💝
Summer flowers 🌼 around Quebec City.
Quebec City is the official Capitol of the Provenance of Quebec.
A City full of history and oozing French European charm.
Many sidewalk cafes and fortress walls still surround the city.
Sea Buckthorn Berries ...🟠
Admittedly we have been living on a boat, but had never heard of Sea Buckhorn?
Well, they are “in seasons” here and accompany many food dishes as garnish, sauce or jam.
Our favorite was Sea Buckthorn gelato.
The berries are described as:
The latest taste treat sensation, tart, sort of like orange with hints of mango and pineapple.
Full of nutritional and medicinal benefits, vitamin C, carotenoids and other good stuff!
The berries look like a bunch of bright orange 🍇 grapes.
By luck we were in Quebec City for the annual Bordeaux 🍷 wine festival.
🥂 Cheers !!!
Next stop Montmorency Falls.
Not as wide...but at 83 meters taller than Niagara Falls!
Smiling under the Rainbow 🌈
On to Saint Anne de Beaupre Basilica.
Thousands of people flock here for the apparent healing powers of the chapel.
Stunning...
The town of Baie Saint Paul is the Birthplace of Cirque du Soleil.
In the early 1980’s Gilles Ste-Croix took to the towns streets
with his troupe of 🤹🏻♂️jugglers, 💃🏼dancers and 🎹musicians.
The rest is history!
Today the town is full of artists and craftsmen.
Saint Irene was a favorite stop.
We stayed in a rustic farm house bed and breakfast...with a bright RED roof.
Folklore says the roofs were painted bright RED to guide fishermen home.
🎪
La Malbaien was our next stop.
It is home to Manoir Richelieu one of Canada’s top Fairmount Railway 🚞 hotels.
Finally we arrived in 🚣🏻♀️Tadoussac.
This historic town was first settled by European’s in the early 1500’s and became the country’s first trading post in the1600’s.
The stately Tadoussac Hotel.
Tadoussac small boat harbor.
There is a huge tidal difference in Tadoussac.
If you are ever in Tadoussac...we splurged on one of the best dinners ever.
5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Chez Mathilde”
Shared the Chefs tasting menu of the night.
Everything was sourced locally.
Not fancy just 💚CrAzY good.
Tadoussac is one of the world’s 🌎 prime whale watching destinations.
The town is located at the mouth of the Saguenay River,
where the Saguenay River drains into the Saint Lawrence River.
This mix of Atlantic Ocean and inland freshwaters cultivates an optimal
environment to host a large number of marine animals.
Including: fin, minke, blue and beluga 🐳whales.
Lots of BIG Whale “tales” (yes, pun intended)🛎✔️
We were a little hesitant to go on a whale watching tour boat...
(not worried about safety, just tooooooo touristy?)
Sooooooooo happy 😁😆we decided to whale watch in Tadoussac!
We have considered a future DECL (Down East Circle Loop).
After viewing this part of the Saint Lawrence River by land, we are not as keen?
Because it’s very remote, rugged area with towns and marinas very few and far between.
We loved ♥️ our road trip ... it was a perfect way to visit this picturesque part of 🇨🇦 Canada.
Back aboard Thistle in Montréal for a surprise 🎇 fireworks show!
Happy #34 ………♥️LOVE🍾❗️
The next morning we flew from Montréal to ☀️California.
To help celebrate Greg’s Mom’s Big 🎂 Birthday,
(Greg, Sister, Mom and Great Nephew).
Back aboard Thistle after a very fun long weekend in California...
Our last day in Montréal:
We provisioned at Marche Atwater and enjoyed a bowl
of French Onion soup for dinner at our favorite old Port Cafe.
♥️
Weather permitting we will push of the dock tomorrow morning and
head up the Saint Lawrence River towards Sorel and the Chambly Canal.
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