To reach this region, my partner and I drove 400 miles outside the city along the south shore of the lower Saint Lawrence River, nicknamed “Bas-du-Fleuve.”
It’s in this area that the river widens into a gulf that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The water is vast — a mix of fresh and saltwater — and breathtakingly beautiful.
The drive from Montreal to Bas-du-Fleuve takes roughly six hours if you go straight and take the largest highway.
It’s a little longer if you opt for the slower, more scenic route and make stops along the way like we did. Trust me, it’s worth it.
The drive gets especially pretty after Quebec City, where the views of the water begin.
The area is known for its fresh fish, local meats and cheeses (hello, cheese curds), and craft beer. So, we made stops at Tête d’Allumette, a microbrewery with a beautiful terrace overlooking the river, a smoked fish store called Marché Des Trois Fumoirs, and a specialty cheese store called Fromagerie des Basques to stock up on local goodies.
We eventually arrived at Motel de la Mer, which looks out at the river, where we all stayed in an apartment-style accommodation.
