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Explore Coastal Kamouraska over A Weekend on Your Way to Sainte-Luce!

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EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL COASTAL ST. LAWRENCE!

A cluster of islands in the St. Lawrence, a park by the river and another neighboring a lake... discover the richness of local nature and history. We begin our journey in Kamouraska to marvel at the genius of the local artisans and admire the majestic St. Lawrence River at our own leisurely pace!

DAY 1

Stop #1: Some Say Life's Best Pleasures Are Also Its Tastiest

Some say life's best pleasures are also its tastiest. Are you feeling hungry? You're in luck. How about a crab guedille at Poissonnerie Lauzier's Le Bistro de la mer? Or maybe you'd rather savour a sandwich at the ever-pleasant café Chez Casgrain. Still not convinced? Just wait until you discover the marvels of Bistro Côté-Est. Please, be our guests!

Stop #2: Photo Break

Why not snap a picture of the little lighthouse at Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, which stands between the dike and the jetty that once led to the town's pier? It truly is charming.

Stop #3: Time to Quench Your Thirst!

Tête d’allumette is just the microbrewery you need. Brewed over wood fires, their beers are given such delightful names as Tête carrée, Blanche Tête et les 7 grains, and Tête dans le Scieau. It's got everything you need to satisfy your thirst before you resume your journey.

Stop#4: Salty Air Works Up an Appetite!

Should you stop at Notre-Dame-du-Portage, you'll catch yourself humming O Sole Mio as you peruse the wide array of fine pizzas on offer at Pizzéria des Battures, whose oven was made in Italy! If you instead choose to drive on to Rivière-du-Loup, a spellbinding culinary experience awaits you at Le Saint-Patrice Resto, an eminent regional institution.

Stop#5: A Bit of a Stroll! 

Ashort stroll is exactly what the doctor ordered after such a wonderful mealand it's just the right time of day to boot! At our latitudes, the sun is quite the night owl. Why not stop to watch it dip below the horizon on the beach in Notre-Dame-du-Portage or at the parc de la Pointe in Rivière-du-Loup?

Stop#6: Time to Rest

Regardless of where you chose to stay the night, it'll soon be time for you to lay down. If you're in Notre-Dame-du-Portage, go to the seaside to rest your weary head at the old timey, yet magnificentAuberge du Portage, or at the centennial Auberge sur mer. If you're in Rivière-du-Loup, find the celebrated Auberge de la Pointe at the very tip of the city.

L'Amuse-Bouche
Phare Saint-André
Microbrasserie Tête d’allumette
Auberge de la Pointe
Auberge du Portage
Auberge sur mer
L'Amuse-Bouche
Phare Saint-André
Microbrasserie Tête d’allumette
Auberge de la Pointe
Auberge du Portage
Auberge sur mer

DAY 2

Stop #7: A Quick Stop at parc côtier Kiskotuk

In the Maliseet language, kiskotuk means "barren land at low tide". An apt name for the last salt marsh in the Estuary of the St. Lawrence! Bring your binoculars to better observe the marine and terrestrial wildlife that swoops in to say hi.

Stop #8: Cruising to an Island!

Head directly to the pier in Trois-Pistoles to catch the ferry over to the parc naturel et historique de l'Île-aux-Basques, found on a heavenly island dedicated to the preservation of its natural and historical highlights. Maybe one day, you'll return for a stay in one of the many cabins available for rent!

Stop #9: How About Some Cheese?

Once you've returned to the mainland, head over to Fromagerie des Basques to grab a bite at Resto chez kwick kwick, which offers a whole array of poutines (of course!) as well as many other local delicacies that will undoubtedly please your palate.

Stop#10: Finally, Here's the Bic!

Visit parc national du Bic and hike up to the shoreline for seal watching. Two species of this marine mammal share the haul-outs within the park: common seals, who dwell in the Estuary of the St. Lawrence year-round, and grey seals, who join their cousins around mid-July.

Stop#11: It's Dinner Time!

Such a lovely day certainly works up an appetite! Two oustanding restaurants await you at the Bic: the renowned Chez Saint-Pierre and the famous Mange-Grenouille. These two gems of local gastronomy spotlight the local growers and artisans in their delectable cuisine, which is nothing short of an ode to the best flavors of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

Stop#12: Sunset

The sun goes out quite late this far up north, so why not head to the pier after dinner for a sea kayak ride? You'll paddle in the harbor of Aventures Archipel just in time for an unforgettable sunset! The beauty of the summer twilight melds with a chorus of waves and seabirds.

Stop#13: Lovely Bedtime

Can you hear the siren song of sleep? Head back to Mange-Grenouille for a good night's rest in your cozy bedroom, or try out yet another memorable experience by staying the night inside an autonomous, eco-friendly mini-house right on the shoreline at Domaine Floravie. There, it's just you and the vast expanse of the St. Lawrence.

Parc côtier Kiskotuk
Aventures Archipel
Ile aux Basques
Le Mange-Grenouille
Domaine Floravie
Parc national du Bic
Parc côtier Kiskotuk
Aventures Archipel
Ile aux Basques
Le Mange-Grenouille
Domaine Floravie
Parc national du Bic

DAY 3

Stop #14: Stroll about in Rimouski

After breaking fast on a Breton crepe at Crêpe Chignon, go to Promenade de la mer to relax against a railing designed just like a ship's, then walk over to the Rimouski breakwater to snap a few selfies that are sure to impress!

Stop #15: Enter a Submarine

You've never set foot inside a submarine!? Today's the big day! Head over to the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père to explore the Onondaga, which travelled the waters of the Atlantic from 1967 to 2000, then visit a museum dedicated to the sinking of the Empress of Ireland off Pointe-au-Père in 1914. While you're here, why not climb the 128 steps to the top of the second-tallest lighthouse in Canada? The incredible 360-degree panorama will make your head spin!

Stop #16: Gin Tasting

Follow in the footsteps of any self-respecting lighthouse keeper or sailor on leave by enjoying a bit of gin at the nearby Distillerie du St. Laurent. There's no better way to cure seasickness once you're back on land! On top of its renowned St. Laurent, Citrus and Vieux branded gins, this distillery also offers a maple spirit aged 1 year, a three-grain whisky aged 3 years, and a rye whisky aged 3 years. May your waters be calm and your winds, favourable!

Stop#17: Drinking Whets the Appetite!

Just a few steps away is L'Appât buvette, a new restaurant where evening menu items are available either as full meals or as tapasa fantastic option for those looking to try a little bit of everything!

Stop#18: Final Goodbyes

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Before you head home again, bid the St. Lawrence farewell by dipping your toes at the Sainte-Luce beach, where you can witness another one of those magical sunsets seen nowhere but here in Bas-Saint-Laurent!

Crêpe Chignon
Promenade de la mer
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père
Sainte-Luce
Brise lame - Rimouski
Crêpe Chignon
Promenade de la mer
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père
Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père
Sainte-Luce
Brise lame - Rimouski

Follow the blue signs below to stay the course along the Route des Navigateurs.