8 Most Breathtaking Towns In Quebec
Quebec is often called “la belle province,” the beautiful province, where the indigenous cultures of the Iroquois and the Algonquin, and those of France, continue to captivate newcomers within the breathtaking towns in Quebec to visit in 2025. One will feel like entering a European fairytale without needing to cross the Atlantic Ocean, as the most stunning cities in Quebec are brimming with character. From the artistic lanes of Baie-Saint-Paul to the windswept shores of Havre-Aubert, these awesome small towns offer more than scenery, as each one delivers culture, cuisine, and the charms of nature with a certain sense of joie de vivre. However you plan your vacation in this French corner of Canada, you will undoubtedly be enchanted by the most breathtaking towns in Quebec.
Baie-Saint-Paul
Within the Charlevoix region and just ten miles away from Quebec City, the awesome town of Baie-Saint-Paul captivates travelers with its cornucopia of artworks, natural sceneries, and other delights along the Saint Lawrence River. At the Musée d’art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul, one can marvel at contemporary artworks by regional and international artists in its bright, glass-fronted building. During July, visitors can watch the exciting and enthralling performances of Le Festif!, an annual festival that fills the town with music, merriment, and much more. Meanwhile, the town’s public art scene also shines on walkways and roads such as the Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, which is lined with galleries, in addition to the Pont des chars with its sweeping view of the river, the Gouffre Rapids, and the mountains beyond. With its exciting artistic atmosphere and its revolutionary airs that harken to the baroque days of France, Baie-Saint-Paul rewards visitors with sensory wealth and relaxation.
Magog
Set on the northern edge of Lake Memphremagog, the small town of Magog is a delightful fusion of lakeside leisure, history, and outdoor escapades. Visitors can stroll through Parc des Braves downtown to enjoy waterfront views. History, meanwhile, is accessible within the preserved houses and in plaques around town, among them the Alvin Head Moore House. Most importantly, you can take photographs of lovely and breathtaking destinations such as the Bleu Lavande (Blue Lavender), where blooming lavender brightens the region with flamboyant color. The combination of trails and treks and other sorts of entertaining areas just half an hour from Sherbrooke make Magog a joyous and breathtaking town in any season of the year.
Tadoussac
Where the Saguenay River pours into the Saint Lawrence, the breathtaking town of Tadoussac thrives as a renowned epicenter for marine lifestyles and historic architecture. From late May through Thanksgiving, the Petite Chapelle de Tadoussac (the Little Indian Chapel) exhibits some of the oldest wooden structures from 1747 as well as multimedia projections about New France missionary life. If you are curious about early colonial contact and indigenous culture, the Chauvin Trading Post offers interactive exhibits and artifacts related to the fur trade and Amerindian history. Whale-watching is a significant feature in Tadoussac, as several operators offer boat cruises in the Saint Lawrence during summer and early fall, while the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) provides up-to-date info on whale-sightings. There is more to see and do in nearby parks and recreational areas such as Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay and the marine environments in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Amidst all the breathtaking wonders and histories to appreciate in Tadoussac, you will want more in this fantastic little town on the Saguenay River.
Saint-Sauveur
High in the Laurentian Mountains, Saint-Sauveur is a savvy and serendipitous resort town only about 37 miles north of Montreal. When winter chills the air, the magnificent Sommet Saint-Sauveur opens for skiing and snowboarding with dozens of trails, modern lifts, and night skiing options for you to try out. For a different kind of snowy fun, the Glissades sur tube du Sommet Saint-Sauveur (Avila side) has 19 slides, four lift-rides, rafting-style runs on snow, and pathways to reach the summits of the Laurentians. Summer is also a splendid time to visit Saint-Sauveur, as regions such as Parc John-H.-Molson take you through arboreal wonderlands and outdoor havens swelling with vivacity and enchantment. Additionally, those traveling with family and children will have an adorable time in the Parc F.U.N. du Sommet Saint-Sauveur for its rides, landmarks, and other attractions to praise. In this breathtaking town founded by 12 pioneering families who fled the Rebellion of 1837 in Lower Canada when French-Canadian militias battled the British Empire, Saint-Sauveur offers an authentic and spectacular experience in the Laurentian Mountains.
Notre-Dame-du-Portage
Along the Saint Lawrence in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, the small town of Notre-Dame-du-Portage is a quiet and serene destination worth visiting this 2025. The Église de Notre-Dame-du-Portage, built in 1859, stands as a monument of timeless Gothic-Revival architecture for those eager for photographic or historic views of the town. Being one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec, you can expect to find well-preserved summer residences, grand homes, and riverside vistas that harken back to its history as a vacation spot. Meanwhile, the Riviere-du-Loup Golf Club is good for golfers to find colleagues and enthusiasts eager to test their skills in Quebec’s competitive countryside. Trails in the Grand Portage connect Notre-Dame-du-Portage to the region’s long history of indigenous travel routes and French colonial movement, for which travelers can continue to traverse at their leisure. However, you ought to be mindful of the Rocher Malin, or Evil Rock, which is said to be a hotspot for werewolves and will-o’-the-wisps. Regardless, with its many calming spots along the Saint Lawrence for recreation and meditation, Notre-Dame-du-Portage is as Gothically grand as the true Notre Dame in Paris.
Les Éboulements (Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive)
Les Éboulements, situated beside cliffside bays and within the rolling countryside in Charlevoix, enchants visitors and explorers with cultural views and vistas of the tranquil coastlines. Designated as one of Quebec’s most beautiful villages, Les Éboulements’ Parcours patrimonial des Éboulements takes you towards the working Moulin seigneurial des Éboulements, a flour mill that has remained operation since its conception in 1790 and continues to symbolize the seigneurial past of the town. From Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive you can catch ferry rides, walk the wharf, and gaze across the Saint Lawrence from lookout points that showcase the tides and reach the island of Isle-aux-Coudres. Last but not least, the Musée maritime de Charlevoix preserves ship-building history and naval heritage for those curious to know more about the history of the province. Amidst all the town's elegant wonders and historic appeals, you will find breathtaking pursuits and attractions in surplus in what many call the “Municipality of Landslides.”
Havre-Aubert (Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine)
The breathtaking small town of Havre-Aubert thrives in the heart of the Magdalen Islands, where sea, sand, and sky create a climate of beauty and majesty to behold in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Sandy Hook Beach (Plage du Sandy Hook) entreats newcomers to golden walks and the languid sunshine and hosts the annual sandcastle contest. Meanwhile, Bout du Banc Point offers one of the most dramatic views over Entry Island, the sea, and the distant shoreline of Cape Breton Island. The Musée de la Mer des Îles de la Madeleine continues to share stories of seafaring, island life, and the Acadian settlers who shaped Havre-Aubert. Along Chemin d’en Haut, traditional Acadian houses, vibrant gardens, and rolling dunes called “Demoiselles” create an ever-changing tapestry of visual delight. Cultural festivals, gallery openings, and seafood meals—especially fresh lobster and local fish—make Havre-Aubert one of the loveliest and most breathtaking small towns to visit in Quebec.
Percé
At the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, the sublime town of Percé will take your breath away. Dominated by the iconic Percé Rock (Rocher Percé) and the nearby Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, the area is rich in marine wildlife, migratory birds, geology, and sweeping cliff vistas. Boat tours to Bonaventure Island run from late spring through fall; you can see bird colonies, seals, and sometimes whales. Trails on the island lead to lookout points, beaches, and fossil-rich cliffs. Best of all, the Geopark - Pavilion Tektonik, one of Canada's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, brings you through 500 million years of geological history in a simplistic setting. Percé is perfect for lovers of landscape, the vast sweeping sea, and the coastal wilderness everyone will adore in Quebec.
Quebec's most breathtaking towns embody the province’s history, artistry, and natural majesty. The name “Quebec” comes from an Algonquin word meaning “where the river narrows,” a fitting image for a land shaped by waterways and endurance. Whether travelers are wandering the wooden aisles of Tadoussac’s oldest chapel, paddling by the shores of Lake Memphremagog, or gazing at galleries in Baie-Saint-Paul, you will not regret feeling the overwhelming grandeur and authenticity of the most breathtaking small towns to visit in Quebec. After you are done, these towns will continue to impress you with their culture, calm, and character.
