The most beautiful part of the village consists of a series of village houses located on one side of the main road, forming a homogeneous alignment facing the river. A vast panorama of the majestic river unfolds along the entire route. A particular feature of this alignment is the angle at which the facades of the houses are designed to ensure a broader perspective of the river’s beauty.

The present village forms a charming, green, and shaded ensemble that includes numerous buildings of heritage interest, including old hotels, grand villas, the presbytery from 1836, the church and its magnificent interior dating back to 1830, and well-preserved ancestral homes. In the center of the village, Quai Street descends towards a small park that showcases specimens of small 19th-century houses and an Indigenous art boutique called «Matuweskewin».

Located in the rich agricultural plain about thirty kilometers downstream from Montreal, Calixa-Lavallée is representative of the settlement of the territory from the 17th to the 19th century, with several ancient agricultural ensembles of great interest. The Beauce Range connects the village of Calixa-Lavallée to Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, another village classified among the most beautiful villages in Quebec. One should admire the exceptional concentration of very well-preserved 18th-century stone houses.

Located on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River, a few kilometers east of La Malbaie, this village nucleus overlooks the river and offers a vast panorama of the southern shore of the Saint Lawrence. The site is absolutely majestic.  The real estate stock is diversified both in terms of the periods of its construction and the types of buildings present: old farmhouses, village houses, villas, holiday homes, and small cottages.

The listed site of Place de l’Église forms an exceptional ensemble: a monumental church (1754-63), an old well dating from 1799, a rectory from 1849, a cemetery, and a shaded park. This is where the old Chemin-du-Roy (18th century) begins. The Vieux-Chemin, this narrow, shaded street at the edge of the cape, is dotted with old houses of indefinable charm in every season. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful streets in Canada, nothing less. It should be explored slowly on foot to discover its entire heritage trail along the river.

The village boasts over 200 heritage buildings, including the imposing church, classified as a historic monument, which contains several paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The area surrounding this church offers a wide range of exceptionally preserved architectural specimens. The municipality has also buried the electrical wires in the heart of the village core, making the landscape free of any visual irritants.

The mill, built in 1839, still stands as a testament to the village’s history. Abram Freligh, a New Yorker of German origin, lends his name to the village that runs along the American border. A heritage of Loyalist influence, significant, original, and very well preserved, unfolds before us. Brick mingles with wood: the rebuilt Anglican church (1880), the Catholic church (1885), the presbytery (1887), the convent (1914), and the former Joseph Lansberg general store (1879).

To choose Isle-aux-Coudres is to root yourself in the wild beauty of the St. Lawrence.

It’s to live to the rhythm of the tides,
to let yourself be carried by the seasons and the spirit of the people.

It’s to embrace insularity and become part of a caring community,
where living memory meets a thrilling future.

It’s to dwell within a horizon — and to feel at home there.

In addition to its rich architectural and historical heritage, Kamouraska never fails to marvel with the beauty, diversity, harmony, and serenity of its landscapes. Nearby, from the summits of the mountains at Coton and Cabouron, one is captivated by an agricultural, village, maritime, and mountainous panorama. In addition to its very beautiful traditional houses, Kamouraska offers visits to its museum and art center, cultural and artistic activities, as well as a host of local products and services.

It is mentioned in the Register of Ristigouche: 1759-1795, Baie des Chaleurs and Acadie, the marriage of “Aubin Bon fils de Jean Bon and Louise Chicoine… avec Elizabeth Cannors” on August 24, 1793. The origin of the name remains a mystery to this day. It is worth noting that the approval of the toponym “L’Anse-à-Beaufils” was the first decision of the brand-new Commission de géographie, the ancestor of the Commission de toponymie du Québec. The cultural life of this small hamlet is bustling, thanks in part to the presence of LA VIELLE USINE which hosts various activities worthy of big cities during the tourist season.

The village offers numerous lookouts, a marina, sea kayaking, and both short and long hiking and horseback riding trails. In October, there is a painting symposium. The incredible views from the lookouts at Anse à la Tabatière, the great waterfall, and Montagne Blanche are well worth the visit. The covered bridge, the former 1,000-dollar bill, and many other anecdotes contribute to the village’s exceptional history.

A land of sailors that once had its own naval school and now houses the imposing Quebec Maritime Museum recognized worldwide, L’Islet-sur-Mer offers a beautiful succession of houses with traditional architecture, their lands caressed by the tides. The Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Secours Church (1770-1882) and the small Saint-Joseph-Secours-des-Marins chapel are classified as historical monuments. In the eastern part of the village, Quai Street leads to a small natural cove that serves as a shelter for small boats.

Nestled in the heart of a 100km-wide meteorite crater, dating back 300 million years, the municipality of Les Éboulements is closely linked to the mountain. Several cultural attractions enrich the area. In Les Éboulements, visitors can explore the seigneurial mill dating back to 1790, still in operation today, and follow the heritage trail of the Seigneurie; many artists have chosen to settle here and open their studios to art enthusiasts.

Granted as a seigneury in 1672, it boasts magnificent old stone houses forming a classified ensemble, and the early 19th-century church, along with the presbytery, cemetery, and convent, forms a magnificent complex that constitutes the village core. A visit to the Portage Mill (1816), now a concert hall and picnic area in an enchanting site on the Oak River, is a must. A few kilometers east of the village, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, the Joly-de Lotbinière Manor (1851), former residence of a Quebec prime minister.

A few kilometers east of the magnificent Reford Gardens, at the gateway to the Gaspé Peninsula and in a maritime landscape with stunning sunsets, Métis-sur-Mer was, in the 19th century, a renowned resort for English-speaking aristocrats. They built opulent villas there, showcasing a variety of architectural styles, and the presence of three chapels testifies to this cultural diversity. Founded by Scots in 1850, Petit-Métis became a municipality in 1897, then changed its name to Métis-sur-Mer (or Métis Beach).

Perched on three levels of marine terraces overlooking the St. Lawrence River since the deglaciation, this agricultural village, the capital of “sweet corn,” boasts several listed 18th-century buildings, remarkable for their age and variety, particularly on Rue des Érables, considered the village’s heritage heart. The church has undergone significant renovations since 2010 to accommodate a smaller place of worship while maintaining a community focus that serves as a model for many of Quebec’s most beautiful villages. The imposing baldachin has been preserved in its original design, along with sculptures by François Baillargé and several paintings by Antoine Plamondon (1804-1895), who also served as mayor of Neuville.

Homes and a few shops are arranged along a narrow shore or on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, forming a vast amphitheater where, here and there, amid dense forest cover, the white splashes of luxurious residences stand out. From the village, a wide panorama opens onto Lake Massawippi, a vast body of water oriented in the same direction as the Appalachian Mountains.

The presbytery has been transformed into a meeting place and pizzeria to combine pleasure with utility, the Auberge du Portage and Auberge-sur-Mer, and numerous guesthouses dotted along the River and Mountain roads, welcoming tourists thirsty for salty air, relaxation, and sunsets.

Formerly a small fishing village located at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, Percé offers original built heritage set against an exceptional maritime panorama: the Percé Rock, resembling a huge ship stranded near the shore, surrounded by birds, with steep capes on either side, and nearby, Bonaventure Island, now a Quebec national park, serving as a summer refuge for over 250,000 migratory birds, including 120,000 Northern Gannets. The PERCÉ GEOPARK is another must-see attraction, and for the more adventurous, there’s also the suspended glass platform offering a breathtaking panorama of Percé.

The municipality owes its name to the existence of a mountainous point located southwest of La Malbaie. It all began with the seigneury of La Malbaie, whose boundaries stretched from Les Éboulements to Saint-Siméon. La Malbaie attained city status in 1958, but in the 1990s, a municipal integration process brought it back to its original size with the merger of several entities, including Pointe-au-Pic in 1995. Pointe-au-Pic thus appears today, despite a merger, as an entity that had its own historical and administrative identity for several decades.

Founded in the early 19th century by a Scotsman, Neil McLaren, the village holds a rich history. In 1893, McLaren’s son built the white wooden chapel, still standing near the rocks at the water’s edge. This chapel is arguably one of the most photographed buildings among our designated villages. A small road descends from the top of the cliffs, allowing visitors to slowly discover the quaint hamlet, scattered houses blending with the landscape. One can walk along the rocks from the small dock to the chapel (which is private but accessible).

The lower part of the village, known as Les Fonds de Saint-Antoine, is a collection of villas and chalets along the St. Lawrence River. Here, one can witness the majestic procession of ships, while the river marsh provides a place for walks in harmony with the river. The upper part of the village welcomed its first settlers around 1680 and showcases beautiful examples of traditional residences in various styles (including three seigneurial manors). At the eastern entrance to the parish, a calvary and a beautiful octagonal barn of American influence can be observed, a very rare feature in Quebec.

Located on the banks of the Richelieu River, this village reminds us of our French roots both through the tranquility of its agricultural landscape and its traditionally preserved habitat. The imposing church with two steeples dates back to 1914, and the presbytery, now the Maison de la Culture, dates back to 1882. The village center offers a variety of heritage homes from the 18th and 19th centuries, constructed of stone and wood. The village has managed to maintain its rural environment, which over the years has attracted artists and artisans to settle here.

Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu, a municipality founded in 1740, where a significant part of our history unfolded. On November 23, 1837, the Patriots defeated the British army at St-Denis, a unique victory that helped make this village the cradle of democracy in Canada. The local identity is marked by these historical events. A unique museum, the Maison nationale des Patriotes, is dedicated to them and offers a wide range of guided tours of both the museum and the village center.

The village’s core is very small and could almost be compared to a hamlet. The historical real estate stock is limited to a few traditional houses, mainly with gable roofs. The church (a historic monument), an old schoolhouse (a historic monument), and a beautiful stone house in the neoclassical style form the essence of the parish center.

Trapped between the river and the heights, the village offers an oasis of rest and music. Founded in 1840, it showcases modest colonization architecture, enriched by the more affluent villas of French-Canadian vacationers. The village’s heart reveals breathtaking changes in elevation!  At the heart of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, Saint-Irénée offers an impressive combination of natural and cultural phenomena conducive to powerful aesthetic emotions.

In the heart of the historic district, Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans spreads along the Saint Lawrence River with charming houses that have witnessed generations of sailors being born and dying (often at sea) since the beginning of New France.

Formerly a schooner village, now merged with Les Éboulements, this village community offers a unique maritime experience with the Charlevoix Maritime Museum. Through its schooners, buildings, and exhibits, the museum tells the rich maritime history of the Charlevoix region. The Santons de Charlevoix, where artisans craft small hand-painted terracotta figurines, and the Papeterie Saint-Gilles, a globally recognized museum producing luxury paper using traditional methods, are also worth a visit to better appreciate the local cultural wealth.

The village features beautiful rows of traditional houses, many of which are classified as historic, and an 1860 church accompanied by a presbytery that has been transformed into a chocolate shop and an entrepreneurial center for young people. There is also a convent and, a little further, a procession chapel. At the edge of the village, at the foot of a small waterfall, a former mill from 1715 has been converted into a restaurant popular with tourists.

Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu is a rural and peaceful village located along the banks of the Richelieu River, in the center of a fertile plain that is home to other labeled villages, all located within 60 kilometers of downtown Montreal. The official name of Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu was adopted in 1980, replacing the designation of Saint-Marc-de-Cournoyer used since 1855, the date of incorporation of the Cournoyer seigneury. The first fief granted in the name of Louis XIV to Mr. Jacques Hertel de Cournoyer dates back to March 1, 1695.

The old Saint-Michel presents a remarkable ensemble of white wooden houses in various neoclassical styles of the 19th century, with their flowered galleries, balustrades, entrance porches, rolled-up roofs, dormer windows, and a variety of decorative elements.  Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse boasts an exceptional architectural heritage. In addition to the convent and the church, the presbytery (1739) and the Notre-Dame de Lourdes Chapel (1879) are unique. The Benoît Lacroix Library (1850), the heritage circuit, artist workshops, agricultural lands and their old houses, the nearby Beaumont golf course, and summer theater make it a bustling village full of activities.

This village constitutes a remarkable ensemble of architectural homogeneity, earning it the label of one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec. Particularly noteworthy are the presence of the Lanaudière Manor built in 1767, the mill of the Hospital Sisters, and the classified house of Dr. Côté. Furthermore, the deconsecrated church has become a community center for the benefit of citizens who can now gather there for any occasion conducive to cultural exchanges.

The village’s historical real estate mainly consists of cottages with gable roofs typical of the first half of the 19th century and Second Empire-style houses. Additionally, several very old stone houses are scattered throughout its territory, standing out in the built landscape. The parish center includes the church (a historic monument), begun in 1743, the cemetery with its chapel of the dead, and the presbytery with its beautiful yellow and brown facade. A little to the west is a charming procession chapel, a small building constructed in the early 19th century.

By the 19th century, the microclimate at the tip of the island had attracted bourgeois from Quebec City, who turned it into a vacation spot. Often English-speaking, they gave the new village a distinctive character, with a golf course—the oldest in America—an admirably preserved Anglican chapel, and architecture unusual for the island (including the studio of painter Horatio Walker) and the sumptuous Porteous estate with its Italian gardens.

The houses seem to blend with the landscape, as if they were brought down by an avalanche, creating a charming little disorder. From Rue de la Montagne, you can access the trails leading to the Platform, which offers an extraordinary panorama: the agricultural valley, the winding road, the village, the line of cliffs, and the Saguenay Fjord stretching for dozens of kilometers.

Jacques Cartier anchored here in 1535, followed by Pierre Chauvin in 1599, who established the first fur trading post, and then Samuel de Champlain in 1603. Visitors can hike the fjord’s cliffs on short or long trails, slide down the dunes—a delight for children—go sea kayaking, biking, or golfing, and watch whales and belugas by boat or even from the shore. Attractions include the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, the 1747 Indian Chapel, the dunes area, and the Chauvin trading post.

This village-like settlement corresponds to the ancient part of the Huron village established in 1697. The most striking element of the site is undoubtedly the Kabir-Kouba waterfall and the winding course of the Saint-Charles River, dotted with rocks and lined with trees that runs alongside the village. By its proximity to the river, one can easily imagine the interest this site may have represented to an Indigenous population eager to establish a permanent settlement at the end of the 17th century.