Oceania Couleurs Du Quebec

French-speaking, thoroughly romantic and exquisitely cultured, Montreal definitely warrants a pre- or post-cruise stay. The Old Port is a hub of entertainment, while the Museum of Fine Arts is revered for its collection of more than 30,000 objects. For a respite from the vibrant city, stroll the Montreal Botanical Garden, a draw since 1931.

Situated on the river along Rue des Ursulines, picturesque Trois-Rivières is Quebec’s second oldest city. It was devastated by a fire in 1908, and the city’s few remaining historic buildings can be found in the old city. The Ursulines Museum offers a glimpse at the heritage of the city and specifically the 300-year history of the Ursulines, an order of nuns dedicated to educating young girls. The culture of the region comes alive at the Quebec Museum of Folk Culture.

Quaint Baie-Comeau is one of the mellower destinations you’ll visit on your cruise, offering a chance to experience small-town life on the north shore of Canada’s St. Lawrence River. Founded around a mill that supplied paper to the Chicago Tribune in the 1930s, the town maintains an unpretentious, working-class feel that invites you to slow down and savor the little things that make life sweet, like a pretty park or a magnificent view. You’ll have easy access to natural beauty, as the entire region is part of UNESCO’s Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve, and Le Boisé de la Pointe-Saint-Gilles nature reserve is in the heart of town.

Just off the coast of Newfoundland, the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon are France’s only territory in North America. The citizens take pride in keeping the French culture alive, and you will find French cuisine, reasonably priced wines and other goods. Tourism has begun to flourish here thanks to the mild climate and picturesque scenery. Explore the history and culture of the islands at the Arch Museum and Archives, the Heritage Museum and the Museum Archipelitude.

Trace the birth of Canada where it happened in 1864 on the waterfront in what is now Founder’s Hall. The past also comes alive along historic Great George Street. Don’t miss the Neo-Gothic St. Dunstan’s Cathedral, or the Confederation Centre of the Arts to see the original manuscript of the beloved Anne of Green Gables, which was set on Prince Edward Island.

The town of Gaspé stands on the edge of a peninsula in the Gaspésie region of eastern Quebec, famous for the immense beauty of its breathtaking national parks, picturesque mountain ranges and rugged cliffs along the dramatic coastline. Visit colorful coastal villages, take a leisurely walk in Forillon National Park, or observe the thousands of breeding birds on Bonaventure Island. The stunning Reford Gardens on the Mitis River are home to more than 3,000 species of native and exotic plants.

Head to La Baie and tour the Musée du Fjord, admire the frescoes covering every nook and corner of barber and painter Arthur Villeneuve’s home, tour a goat farm or travel the Craftsman Road to see artisans in their element creating cheeses, glass-blowing and soap-making. Don’t miss a hike through Saguenay National Park, which cradles the dramatic fjord that has enchanted travelers for centuries.

Surrounded by several miles of granite walls dating back hundreds of years, Quebec City’s fabulous Old Town exudes European character, exemplified in the iconic Château Frontenac. Another architectural gem is the fascinating Musée de la Civilisation, a treasure trove of items recreating the French-speaking city’s early days.

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