Tadoussac is a small, quaint, french-speaking village located on the north-eastern coast of Quebec. There is so much to do in this town and it's perfect for a relaxing getaway in the summertime with family and friends.
Location & Getting There
Tadoussac is a little more effort than most places to get to, but it's worth it for the remoteness. Being distant from the airport also means much less tourists, which is always refreshing when traveling. First, we flew into Quebec City airport. We rented a car and stayed for 2 nights in Quebec City. After that, we made the drive (about 3 hours) to Tadoussac and planted ourselves there for 4 days! Tadoussac is across the water, so you'll have to drive your car onto the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine Ferry for a short (and free!) ride to reach it. It's a beautiful, relaxing drive with several pull-offs for pictures! Don't forget to try the bleuets (Quebec wild blueberries) in the summer! We stopped by a small stand along our way to get some chocolate-covered ones for the road!
When to Go
The best time of year is in the summer months (June-September) where you will find average temperatures ranging from the high 60's to the low 70's. The climate is great, but of course can get chilly at night, so definitely pack a pair of jeans and a sweater.
Accommodations
If you're looking for more of a traditional hotel experience, then I'd recommend the classic Hotel Tadoussac. It's extremely picturesque and situated right along the coast, so the location can't be beat! If you're looking for a more unique experience, then I'd recommend trying out the "bubble" cabins. We took a drive up to check them out, and they are so cool! There are also several inns available in the town as well if those options don't suit your needs.
Things to Do
1. Whale-watching and Exploring the Fjords - This is probably what the town is best known for. There are plenty of opportunities to see the Beluga whales. One warning is they announce all of the whale sightings on the intercom in French first, so you'll here it second in English and you might miss it! (so brush up on your French words for whale before you go!). This boat ride also allows you to see the incredibly massive Fjords which is worth the ticket price alone.
2. Horseback Riding in the Canadian Mountains - We drove down about 30 minutes from Tadoussac to the horseback-riding site called Camping and Ranch du Fjord in the Baie-Sainte-Catherine region (they sadly no longer do horseback riding as of the last time I checked). We did this in the morning on our way back towards the airport since we already had to go that direction. We made a huge ascent up the mountains on our horses to a lookout point where we could take pictures and spot the waterfall. This was my first time horseback-riding and our guide was so helpful in making sure I was comfortable!
3. Climb the Sand Dunes (La Maison des Dunes) - We drove down to the parking lot and walked down the hiking trail to the beach. From the beach, we climbed up the sand dunes, I do admit that it's a lot steeper than it looks, but it's totally worth it!
4. Islet Point - This is a moderate walking trail that takes you around the tip of the coast of Tadoussac. It's easily accessible from Hotel Tadoussac as there is a path leading to it from the street. The rocks and scenery are unique and beautiful for pictures.
4. Spend an Afternoon by the Piscine (Pool) - If you're staying at Hotel Tadoussac, then you can enjoy an afternoon basking in the sun poolside. Take in the scenic views while transporting yourself to a French seaside village. It feels so vintage and perfect that it provides the quintessential summer escape.
5. Enjoy a Glass of Wine Beachfront
There are several shops right along the coastal tip of the town where you can buy gifts and food. We picked up a few nice bottles of flavored cider and some chocolates to enjoy while reading a book and taking in the ocean views.
6. Visit an Animal Observation Site
A short drive away from the main town is an adorable animal observation site. Here, you can see many familiar animals like deer, foxes, pigs, birds, and also some more unique animals like wolves, moose, and more. There are some more great views of the mountains here as well. You can walk up to the viewing point and catch a glimpse of the moose in its natural habitat!
Where to Eat
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in this town. Most of them will have English menus and delicious food. The prices and portions are average. You can't go with any of your choices, just walk along the town and choose whatever looks best! You can also grab coffee to-go from some of the cafes in the morning which is nice!
