12 Quirkiest Quebec Towns You Didn't Know Existed
As the largest province in Canada, Quebec offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a very different cultural vibe heavy with French influences. Its capital, Quebec City, is also one of the oldest European settlements in North America, with history dating back to the early 1600s, reflected in the surrounding French towns and villages.
However, Quebec’s distinct French identity is not the only thing that makes it unique. The province has plenty of offbeat destinations where historic charm meets quirkiness in unexpected ways. Here are the 12 quirkiest Quebec towns you did not know existed.
New Carlisle
Located in Quebec’s Gaspésie region on the stunning Gaspé Peninsula, New Carlisle offers a subtle touch of quirkiness you have to know about to notice. A growing collection of fire hydrants painted with colourful characters tempts in-the-know visitors to try to spot them while strolling the streets. While it might feel more like an inside town joke than an intentional attraction, the hydrants are all about fun and community.
The town’s harbor at Chaleur Bay features the sculpture of local artist Robert Jacob. Titled, “Visage des Chaleurs,” the warm, yet quirky face is carved in stone formed in glaciers approximately 450 million years ago. Known as “the lady,” the sculpture holds a place of honor on one of the sandiest sections of the town’s six-mile Gulf of St. Lawrence shoreline.
Home to the late Quebec Premier, René Levesque, the highly influential politician is honored at Espace René Levesque. Complete with his iconic bronze statue, the unique thematic interpretation park follows his contribution to the “Révolution tranquille” and strengthening of the “Québécois” identity.
Although not known for its eateries, the recently opened Café Luna has plenty of offbeat appeal with shelves of old books, random vintage items, postcards, and a comfortable mix of tables that make you feel welcome to sit and sample their tempting menu.
Val-Jalbert
You cannot find anything quirkier than a completely deserted town that lasted just 27 years as a vibrant, populated mill village. Located in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, the deserted “ghost town” of Val-Jalbert might seem more spooky than quirky. However, it is the oddball attractions related to the village that give it its offbeat charm.
Val-Jalbert’s best-kept secret is La Dompe, a bizarre treasure trove at the site of the former town dump. The forgotten area was transformed with safe paths and carefully preserved cast-offs of the town’s history. A unique installation of rusty remnants and discarded items is found amongst the lush moss and trees of the forest, creating a strangely sculptural attraction to explore.
The desolate wood houses, original post office, and convent school stand as testaments to the volatility of industry. The original general store is a lovely brick building now acting as a souvenir shop and “Café-terrasse.” You can also book a stay in the heart of the village in rooms designed in true 1920s fashion when the town was thriving.
The breathtaking Ouiatchouan Falls towers close to 250 feet above the village, made all the more majestic by the surrounding rugged Quebec landscape. You can also get a bird’s eye view from a glass lookout at the top of the falls.
Enjoy an unusual, immersive look at history at the restored mill, lunch at the Moulin restaurant, or ride the cable car into the surrounding hills.
Sainte-Flavie
As the gateway to the region of Gaspésie, Sainte-Flavie is an unassuming town that experienced a slow and steady transformation with the development of "Le Grand Rassemblement." Like no other art installation on earth, the brainchild of Marcel Gagnon features over 100 sculptures inspired by the ebb and flow of the tides of the St. Lawrence River.
Known as “The Gathering” in English, the life-sized reinforced concrete sculptures rise from the water like a lost tribe of sea people. Completely entrenched in their natural environment, they become ghostlike in the mist and fog, warmed by the golden hour of the setting sun, and luminescent by the light of the full moon. The latest addition, a collection of wooden raft sculptures, seems ready to set sail with every surge of the waves.
A town inspired by local talent, four creatives display their work at the local art gallery while the work of fellow artists and craftsmen is exhibited at the Marcel Gagnon Art Center Gallery. The center also features a restaurant with breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence, specializing in the taste of Gaspé, including mouthwatering fresh lobster and signature cocktails featuring Quebec and local spirits.
Complete your artsy experience with a stay in the lofts and former studio of Marcel Gagnon, filled with warmth, comfort, and quirky décor capturing his creative spirit.
Chelsea
Located close to Gatineau across the Ottawa River from Canada’s capital, Chelsea’s touch of quirkiness is born from the need for invention. The Carbide Willson Ruins once served as the laboratory of the mad yet genius inventor of calcium carbide processing. Although nothing more than a hollow shell today, the remnants of his lab are the only remaining witnesses to his obsessive testing, including the processing plant and towering chimney standing high above the forest trees. Set beside a cascading waterfall, the site does involve an extensive hike along a somewhat treacherous forest trail that can be quite challenging.
Chelsea is also home to the Rapides-Farmer Generating Station, which has been in operation since 1927. If the idea of a massive concrete structure does not appeal to you, it is worth the fee of admission to take in the stunning views of Chelsea and the Gatineau River.
Old Chelsea exudes charm with cozy places like Biscotti & Cie for coffee or mouthwatering pizza, The Chelsea Pub which has long been a landmark of the town as the original general store and also now rumored to be haunted, and the eclectic, artsy Motel Chelsea with its retro vibes, comfy rooms, and fine food counter, Oiseau Bleu Marché-Café.
Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!
The quirky traveler would certainly go out of their way to snap a shot of the only town sign in the world sporting double exclamation marks. It seems no one knows for certain why the founders felt it necessary to punctuate the town name. However, it makes a fun stop along the Trans-Canada Highway or while exploring Témiscouata agritourism.
It happens to be in a beautiful part of Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region, on Lake Témiscouata. The lake takes credit for the “Ha! Ha!” as when the area was chosen as the site of a Catholic mission, it presented an obstruction, which in ancient French translates into haha.
Of course, there are things to do and see here other than getting a chuckle from the town sign. ASTER Scientific Station is a museum exploring the skies and astronomy over Bas-Saint-Laurent. It features a planetarium and a 16-inch diameter telescope from which visitors can observe celestial bodies and the beauty of the night sky.
Nearby Fort Ingall is a reconstruction of an 1839 British fortification featuring eight buildings and a wooden palisade, where exhibitions include artefacts as well as military demonstrations. History buffs might enjoy a unique historical experience staying at the fort’s dormitory or campground.
Pointe-des-Cascades
Located on the Canal de Soulanges, the waterway is central to Pointe-des-Cascades and surrounding municipalities, as well as a hot spot for cyclists. However, for the offbeat traveler, it is the attraction at Lock #3 that makes this a worthy stop. The Parc des Ancres is an eclectic open-air museum featuring over 100 anchors recovered from the nearby river.
Pointe-des-Cascades is also home to the innovative Village of Locks, a quirky resort located in the former industrial building used during the canal’s construction. Boasting a fantastic view of Lake St. Louis, the Village’s large terrace is perfect for drinks and Mexican food, while the water calls to the sportier traveler who loves to keep active.
After an evening of festivities, enjoy a stay in one of their glamping-style accommodations with waterfront decks and cozy queen-size beds.
Wine lovers can take the panoramic river road to The Bourg des Cèdres vineyard. Idyllically set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, it is the perfect setting to taste local wines.
Baie-Saint-Paul
Nestled between the Laurentian Mountains and the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Baie-Saint-Paul is the Charlevoix region’s artsy little secret where you can spend an entire day indulging your inner creative self.
Carrefour Culturel Paul-Médéric offers a cultural journey from visual arts to performing arts and everything in between. The Baie-Saint-Paul Museum of Contemporary Art is a more curious experience where you will find national and international exhibitions reflecting the best of both well-known and up-and-coming contemporary talent.
Place de l’Eglise in the heart of downtown is a year-round attraction where a new cultural event or activity is always taking place. Housed in a lovely church, stop in to enjoy the “On the Edge of Silence” exhibition or go rogue and stroll the many art galleries on the charming rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Other must-see spots include the Pont des char’s views of the town and Gouffre River, browsing the awe-inspiring collection of books, art, and exhibitions at The Bibliothèque René-Richard, and visiting the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil at Place du Citoyen to see the sculpture marking the Cirque’s 25th anniversary.
Val David
Val David is the Laurentides’ hip little town bursting with off-the-wall sites from the cartoon-like Christmas tree in the swimming pool at Village du Père Noël to the offbeat main strip brimming with hippie-friendly shops, bio-vegetarian restaurants, and art galleries.
Its quirkiness is evident in the unique buildings housing local shops such as BioSattva: Alimentation Saine et Biologique, a healthy grocery store located in a former garage, or the cozy bistro Le Mouton Noir’s weather-worn, circa 1925 building overlooking the Gouffre River.
Eclectic shops like the Magasin Général have a knack for combining services, including a general goods shop with collectibles and household items, aisles of tantalizing local products, and of course, a quaint café with a menu of innovative lattes, coffees, and teas.
Les Legendes de Merlin is another offbeat shop that fancies itself a bookstore but leans into the mystical and magical. It offers a collection of unexpected items from crystals to tarot cards and books to wind chimes to help tap into your spiritual side.
Just outside town, Mervaïa Arts and Healing Estate is a unique experience offering healthy meals, shared or private accommodation, and artistic/wellness workshops all with a breathtaking view of the mountains.
Saint-Sauveur
Known for its ski hills in the Laurentian Mountains, there is more to Saint-Sauveur than first meets the eye. Offering one of the most unique wellness experiences in the world, Cristal Momentum offers specialized concerts using instruments to produce a binaural beat. The sounds and vibrations slow the brain's rhythm and induce complete relaxation.
As a ski town, Saint-Sauveur is the ideal spot for the Laurentian Ski Museum. Located in a charming red-roofed building on the Avenue de la Gare, if you love skiing, you are sure to find their unique collection of photographs, artifacts, and relics quite engaging.
Art lovers have no shortage of galleries from Galerie d’Art M.A. Béliveau to Galerie Henry Giroux. The town also tempts the taste buds of foodies with artisanal, authentic breads, pastries, and croissants at Boulangerie Artisanale Ebou, to mouthwatering innovative chocolates at Cotard Chocolatier Glacier, and local cheeses at mongers like Fromagerie Saint-Sauveur to Quebec sweets at La Nougaterie Québec.
Lac-Brome/Knowlton
A treasure in the Eastern Townships, Lac-Brome is both quirky and “quacky” with an exciting agritourism scene known for its mouthwatering “canard.” Lac Brome Farm’s charming, well-stocked boutique offers exclusive products, a duck interpretation center, and tastings every weekend.
The duck boutique is just one stop on your epicurean adventure. Farm experiences range from lamb at Hallacres Family Farm to Terroirs Tracey’s blueberry fields and 100% pure maple products at the Érablière David sugar bush to a full coffee experience at Virgin Hill Coffee Roasters.
For those who love all things quirky and vintage, the town also has a respectable antique and great-finds circuit with shops such as Antiquité Lebel Objet, Boutique Chapeau Melon, and Sykes & McGee.
Cozy up at the local Colonial Gothic B&B, Shades of Brome, for the night and wake up to a heartwarming breakfast before hitting the road.
Coaticook
Coaticook is one of 10 “Cœur Villageois” located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. This town has leaned into its “imaginary heritage,” celebrating the mythology of the Quebec forest.
Foresta Lumina is an immersive light show featuring an original soundtrack enjoyed while hiking the night forests along Coaticook’s Canyon. The experience celebrates the fictional characters of local mythology, which come to life in a nature-inspired experience that has to be seen to be believed.
Coaticook also happens to be home to one of Quebec’s largest ice cream manufacturers, Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée. Whether you cannot get enough cheese or are partial to sweeter, creamy delights, the dairy offers wondrous taste experiences from aged cheddar to goat's cheese and good old-fashioned maple walnut ice cream to gourmand creations like cherry chocolate amaretto and maple taffy and chips.
If you love sipping crafty quaffs, Microbrasserie Hop Station combines innovative flavors in brews with spicy Mexican food, along with trademark cocktails for those who prefer something less frothy. Microbrasserie Coaticook serves up Poutine, a local delicacy featuring golden fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds, along with burgers, steaks, and top-notch gastropub fare paired with their assortment of craft beers.
Tadoussac
Located on the north shore of the Saguenay Fjord at the St. Lawrence River, Tadoussac is known as a whale watching destination. However, it has a few charmingly quirky attractions steeped in history, starting with the Chauvin Trading Post.
As the first structure built in New France in 1600 and a fur-trading post, the museum is self-described as a “playful interactive exhibit,” including animal hides such as beaver, a game section for kids, and animated films.
The second is the oldest wooden church in North America, built in 1747. Known as the Little Chapel or “Indian Chapel,” you can browse period religious objects and learn about New France missionaries via a guided tour. If you are not too interested in the specific religious aspect of the site, its cheerful white clapboard exterior and iconic red roof are worth a few pictures. You might also be intrigued by the unique curved wooden ceiling if you are interested in historic architecture.
Feed your curious side at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, where you will find a 13-metre sperm whale skeleton, listen to whale songs, and, with any luck, spot beluga and minke whales frolicking in the Saguenay Fjord.
Le Bateau is a local landmark known for its authentic local cuisine, generous servings of poutine, and stunning views overlooking the water.
Conclusion
When your travels tend to veer off the beaten path, Quebec offers ample opportunities to find something quirky and less conventional. Whether you cannot resist campy local art like the fire hydrants at New Carlisle, are intrigued by the idea of an art installation created at a former village dump in Val-Jalbert, love finding new delicacies and foodie experiences in towns like Lac-Brome and Saint-Sauveur or seek new immersive experiences like Foresta Lumina at Coaticook, the less traveled roads of Quebec are calling your name.
