Tourist GuideÎle d’Orléans and Côte-de-Beaupré: the Day Trip From Sainte-Foy

If you only make one trip outside the city during your stay, make it this one. East of Quebec City, Île d’Orléans and the Côte-de-Beaupré form a day-long loop combining landscapes, heritage and food. From Hôtel Classique, you reach it via Highway 40 East.

 

 

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Morning: the loop around Île d’Orléans

 

Île d’Orléans lies about thirty minutes from Sainte-Foy. A single bridge gives access, and chemin Royal circles the island through six villages that have kept their rural character and historic architecture.

 

The island is known for its producers: strawberries, apples, ciders, wines, cheeses, chocolate makers and sugar shacks. Plan to stop — that is the whole point. Allow two to three hours for a full loop with a few halts.

 

 

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Midday: the Route de la Nouvelle-France

 

Back on the north shore, take avenue Royale (Route 360), also known as the Route de la Nouvelle-France. This fifty-kilometre road links Old Québec to the Côte-de-Beaupré and follows the path once used by residents bringing their harvests into the city.

 

It crosses four centuries of history: 18th- and 19th-century homes, two-hundred-year-old churches and historic family farms. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited roads in North America.

 

 

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Afternoon: the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine

 

About forty minutes from the hotel, the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine is the oldest pilgrimage site in North America, founded in 1658. The present basilica — its mosaics, stained glass and vaulting — impresses even visitors with little interest in religious heritage.

 

 

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On the way back

 

Montmorency Falls Park sits directly on your return route. If you have not yet seen the falls, late afternoon is the ideal moment: the light is at its best and the crowds have thinned.

 

 

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Practical tips for the day

 

Start early: the full loop easily takes six to eight hours with stops. Fill the tank before leaving Sainte-Foy, carry some cash for roadside producer stands, and check opening hours — many island businesses close in the off-season.

 

Back at the hotel, free parking and the indoor pool make a welcome end to a long day on the road.

 

 

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Don't miss

• Chemin Royal and the full loop of Île d’Orléans through its six villages
• Island producers: strawberries, ciders, wines, cheeses and chocolate makers
• Avenue Royale (Route 360) and its 18th- and 19th-century homes
• The Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica, founded in 1658
• A stop at Montmorency Falls on the way back

 

Practical info

• Access to Île d’Orléans: Highway 40 East, then the Île d’Orléans bridge
• Route de la Nouvelle-France: avenue Royale (Route 360), about 50 km
• Allow 6 to 8 hours for the full loop with stops
• Many island businesses close or reduce hours off-season
• About 30 minutes to the island, 40 minutes to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

 

Plan your route: quebec-cite.com | cotedebeaupre.com