We started our vacation on Ile d'Orleans, just east of Quebec City. We stayed at a B&B called le Vieux Presbytère which was the residence connected to the adjoining church. Rooms were simple but clean, the staff was very pleasant and helpful.

Le Vieux Presbytère had a large back yard and grazing land stretching down to the St. Lawrence River. This land was used by their neighbour for growing buffalo and deer.

From the south-west end of Ile d'Orleans, you can see Quebec City across the river. The influence of tides was clearly visible here. In the afternoon, there were ugly mud flats to be seen on the shoreline. We returned here after dinner, and the whole area was under a few feet of water.

 

The island is mainly used for farming and tourism. We stopped at one of the many art galeries and this one had a bit of both, with barley grown in the field behind it.

Here is a beach area on the island. Again notice the mud flats in the background, which would be under water later in the day.

On the north-eastern tip of Ile d'Orleans is a 4 story wooden observation tower, which you must climb a staircase to get to the top. In the background, you can see the Mont Ste-Anne ski resort and more farmer's fields.

 

We had a wonderful dinner at Restaurant les Ancètres. It had a beautiful view of the St. Lawrence and the bridge crossing over from the mainland. We were also treated to a spectacular sunset.

The next morning, we headed east and made our first stop at Petite-Rivière-St-François. This small village is located at the bottom of le Massif ski area and driving down to it felt like you were driving down the mountain.

The main railway running to Quebec City passes through Petite-Rivière-St-François right by the river.

 

Here again, we were at low tide with the mud flats visible.

These docked boats are sitting in mud, waiting for the tide to come in.

 

Further east, we drove through the famous artist's village of Baie-St-Paul, visible in the background.

 

We stopped for a tour of the famous Manoir Richilieu, located in Point au Pic.

To get to Tadoussac, you have to take the Ferry across the Saguenay Fiord. We arrived there to find a sign telling us of a two hour wait. Here the birds blanketed the small offshore island.

A view of the lineup waiting for Ferry with the Saguenay in the background.

 

Waiting for the Ferry (there were three of them) to Tadoussac.

We finally made it onto the Ferry, after only one hour of waiting. This is a view up the Saguenay (looking west).

In Tadoussac, we stayed at the Hotel Beluga, which I would recommend. Not over-priced with breakfast included in its adjoining restaurant, where we had dinner as well. The next morning, we headed along the north shore to Baie-Ste-Marguerite.

 

We hiked out across along the shore of the bay until we reached the Saguenay.

Again we were presented with the mud flats. In the waters of the Saguenay, we could see some Beluga whales swimming. For some reason, they are attracted to this bay.

 

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