Quebec, the call of nature

As symbolized by its geographical position (between Ottawa and Quebec City), Montreal seems to be a unique link between the European continent and the New World. A cosmopolitan city, Montreal has succeeded in building skyscrapers harmoniously alongside its monuments of Victorian architecture. In the heart of the province of Quebec, the city is an island where the inhabitants seem to have come together to embrace a certain art of living.

Inaugurated by a Stevie Wonder concert during the 30th edition of the Montreal Jazz Festival, today the Place des Festivals is the meeting place for everyone who likes to go out in Montreal. Not far from the water jets in the square you will find the Musée d'art contemporain, as well as numerous performance spaces, bars and restaurants.

Picture a Romanesque-style chapel, medieval cellars and vineyards laid out over eighteen terraces. You are in the Chapelle Sainte-Agnès estate, at the heart of the Missisquoi Valley. It is one of the country's finest producers of ice wine, wine that is made from grapes hand-picked in the middle of winter, when the temperature hovers around -10°C. Also located in the Eastern Townships is superb organic vineyard Le Clos Saragnat, whose sweet wines are both subtle and refined.

Founded in 1912 by Benedictine monks who had left France, the monastery of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac is today home to about forty monks. Raised to an abbey in 1952, the site enjoys an exceptional location near to Lake Memphremagog. At vespers, the magnificent sound of Gregorian chant fills the air. The abbey boasts a cheese dairy, an orchard and a cider mill, and sells its produce in its shop, including an excellent blue cheese called Ermite.

At the heart of Quebec City's Old Port, the first impression is that of standing at the foot of an enormous cliff. Before you towers a gigantic screen, 600 metres wide and 30 metres high, installed on the Bunge grain silos. Created by Robert Lepage and Ex Machina, the Image Mill is a magical show which recounts four centuries of the city's history. To get the best view of the projection, head for the area between the Marché du Vieux-Port and Dalhousie Street, to the north of Quai Saint-André.

Thanks to its fertile soil, this island is known as the “garden of Quebec”. Stop and admire the skyline of the neighbouring city but, above all, enjoy the country air and the bucolic atmosphere opposite Montmorency Falls. Along the way you can sample some maple products or the apples grown on this idyllic island (the “Savoir-faire île d'Orléans” logo identifies local products).

Come to the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, at the entrance to the lake, to observe the biggest mammals on earth. Each year, they return here to feed, between salt water and fresh water. It's impossible to describe the precise moment when you see their tails emerge from the water.