Sarah’s Top 10 Places in Quebec City

This week, we launched the second part of a series of episodes showing our employees’ life in Quebec City. Today, Gameplay Programmer Sarah Dugloud is listing her 10 favorite spots around Quebec City. Oh, and by the way, the first eight photos are her own!

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1. PARC LINÉAIRE DE LA RIVIÈRE SAINT-CHARLES

The Parc linéaire is 32 km of trails and 8 km of bike path along the side of Saint-Charles river. The section that’s located in the heart of the city (4 minutes of walking from the river to the studio) is perfect for the morning runs and for bike rides in the afternoon. During winter, you can do cross-country skiing or even skatr on it. In short, you can enjoy the Parc linéaire all year long!

2. MARMITE FALLS

RIVIÈRE-À-PIERRE, G0A 3A0

If you drive an hour away from Quebec City, you’ll get to the Marmite Falls, which are located on a small park that is free and still little known. There’s a short path that goes around the park with short history descriptions that you can read along the trail. This park is the perfect place to enjoy a nice picnic with friends or to take a dip in the river while enjoying the sun.
There’s even a bonus for the biker: the road to get there is super cool! 

3. CAMPING MER ET MONDES

20, CHEMIN JALBERT, GRANDES-BERGERONNES, G0T 1G0

I did a lot of camping since I arrived in Quebec, but the Mer et Mondes campsite really is the best! There, you can camp on a platform perched on rock, just in front of St Lawrence River. While looking at the incredible view, there’s a good chance you see whales jumping out and in the water, just in front of your camping spot! There’s nothing more magical than that! When going there, you also have the possibility to book kayak excursions on the river during the sunrise and the sunset. You don’t want to miss that!

4. LA GASPÉSIE

Okay, I’m definitely cheating right now because I just picked a whole region of Quebec for my Top 10. But if there’s only one place you need to visit, there’s no doubt, it’s in Gaspésie you need to go! Last time I visited that region, I had the privilege to see a caribou, a moose, a black bear, a porcupine, tons of wild salmons, seals, penguins and whales. If only I saw a beaver, I would have had the total Quebec experience! In Gaspésie, the landscapes are so incredible and varied. You’ll be able to see the St Lawrence River, lots of salmon rivers and the most beautiful mountains of the province! In short, Gaspésie is a must see!

5. ROADS 381, 172, 389 AND 299 FOR BIKERS

To be honest, the roads in Quebec are not always the best for motorcycling. But some of them like Roads 381, 172, 389 and 299 are exceptions and are worth the trip. Lost in the middle of Quebec’s nature, these roads lead you to the most amazing landscapes.

6. BIC NATIONAL PARK

3382, ROAD 132 WEST, LE BIC, G0L 1B0

This park located by the St Lawrence River is awesome. You can go there to hike, to bike to go kayaking or even to go camping! The campsite is offering some really nice viewpoint of the river and its surroundings. But what I like the most is by far the sunset. Wherever you are located on the campground, you can look at the sun setting down on the other side of the river while reflecting on the water. Even the herons are there to enjoy the show!

7. STATION TOURISTIQUE STONEHAM

600, CHEMIN DU HIBOU, STONEHAM-ET-TEWKESBURY, G3C 1T3

One thing I really like about Quebec is that the ski hills are open every day till either nine or ten o’clock. There’s nothing better than skiing or snowboarding after a long day at work! Stoneham is the best place for the after-work ski, because it’s only 20 minutes away from the city. Of course, the hills here are not as big as the ones in the Alps, but they are perfect for me to practice my snowboarding skills in the snow park (it also includes lots of falls).

8. LE MONT SAINT-ANNE

2000, BOULEVARD DU BEAU PRÉ, BEAUPRÉ, G0A 1E0

It’s another ski hill perfect for the whole day like we would say in France « à la neige ». To be able to ski while looking at the amazing view of the St Lawrence River really is amazing. During summer, you can either hike or do mountain bike. There are trails for everyone, even for the beginners like me. Let me tell you that it’s pure joy to ride there and come back covered in mud (who’s still young at heart?! :D).

9. LA RUE SAINT-JOSEPH DANS LE QUARTIER SAINT-ROCH

The main street of Saint-Roch is filled with restaurants, bars, microbreweries and small stores. Whether it’s for brunching at the Pub du Parvis or at Clocher Penché, grab lunch atBols et Poké or the Bureau de Poste, or enjoy dinner at Nina Pizza or Poutineville, there’s a huge variety of different cuisines for everyone! I’m not even talking about the Croquembouche bakery and the Fromagerie des Grondines, that are both perfect for the most hungry people. At night, if you want to spend time with your friends, you can go to Korrigane, Noctem, London Jack, MacFly or Deux 22.

10. DÉLIRE ESCALADE

955, BOUL. PIERRE-BERTRAND, SUITE 150, QUEBEC CITY, G1M 2E8

At Délire, there’s a big variety of climbing walls, for all levels. Whether it’s for changing your mind after work or to spend some energy during a rainy weekend, I guarantee you won’t be bored there!

-Sarah Dugloud, Gameplay Programmer at Ubisoft Québec