Côte-de-Beaupré

Getting your bearings along the Côte-de-Beaupré

The Côte-de-Beaupré is the 50-km stretch of the Saint-Laurent’s north shore between Quebec City and the Cap-Tourmente wildlife reserve. Route 138, which runs the length of it, is one of the most scenically complete drives within a day-trip range of any major Canadian city: the river is visible for most of the route, the Laurentian escarpment rises behind the agricultural strip, and the sites accumulate naturally as you drive east.

Most visitors come for three things: Montmorency Falls (15 km from Old Quebec), the Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (45 km), and Canyon Sainte-Anne (1 km from the basilica). These three sites can be combined in a full day from Quebec City — either independently with a car, or on an organised tour that handles the transport.

Montmorency Falls

The Chute Montmorency is the most-visited waterfall in Quebec and the one that most surprises visitors who have already been to Niagara: at 83 metres, Montmorency is 30 metres taller than Niagara. The difference is width — Niagara is wider — but the vertical scale of Montmorency, seen from the suspension bridge at the top or from the cable car, is arresting.

The falls are on the Montmorency River, which drains the Laurentian plateau and drops into the Saint-Laurent at this point. The surrounding Parc de la Chute-Montmorency (managed by Parks Québec) has several access points:

Bottom of the falls: Walk along the base of the cliff from the parking area near the river mouth. The spray zone is significant in high water (spring melt). Free access to the base area.

Cable car: The cable car ascends 100 metres to the top of the falls in 3 minutes. Views are clear on the ascent. At the top, a suspension bridge crosses the river directly above the falls — the experience of standing on the bridge with water rushing beneath is the best single moment at the site.

Stairs: 487 steps from bottom to top as an alternative to the cable car. The physical experience is part of the appeal for some visitors; others find it gruelling after a day of Old Quebec walking.

The Montmorency Falls with cable car tourGYG ↗ includes transport from Quebec City and cable car access — the most practical option if you do not have a car.

The Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans half-day tourGYG ↗ combines both sites in 3–4 hours, which is the most efficient way to see the north shore’s two most popular day trips without a car.

Winter note: In January and February, the spray from the falls freezes into a distinctive cone formation at the base — the “sugarloaf” — that can reach 30 metres in height. It becomes a de facto climbing wall for ice climbers. The falls in winter, seen from the suspension bridge, are one of the most dramatically cold-weather landscapes within reach of Quebec City.

Practical notes for Montmorency Falls

• Cable car: approximately 19 CAD round-trip (check current rates; prices increase in peak summer)
• Parking at the base: 15–20 CAD (avoid peak midday if possible)
• The suspension bridge at the top is exposed to significant wind and spray — a light jacket is useful even in summer
• The zipline that crosses above the falls (seasonal) is a separate operation

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

The Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is the most visited pilgrimage site in Canada, drawing over a million visitors annually. The current basilica dates to 1923 (the fifth church on the site since 1658) and has a scale that is surprising given the small town around it: 91 metres long, with twin towers and a nave that seats 1,800. The crutches and medical appliances left by those claiming miraculous cures form one of the more unusual interior displays in any Canadian church.

The pilgrimage centre has operated continuously since 1658, when a sailor (reportedly cured of illness after praying to Saint Anne during a storm on the Saint-Laurent) left offerings at the original chapel. The Novena to Saint Anne (late July) brings crowds of 50,000–100,000 over five days.

Visitor practicalities: Free entry to the basilica. Parking 10 CAD near the shrine. Guided tours available (small donation). The interior is genuinely impressive regardless of religious interest — the mosaics, the votive offerings, and the scale of the space are worth the stop.

The private tour from Quebec City to Montmorency and Sainte-Anne-de-BeaupréGYG ↗ covers both sites in 4 hours and handles all logistics, including the commentary that contextualises the pilgrimage history.

Canyon Sainte-Anne

Canyon Sainte-Anne is 1 km from the basilica and entirely different in character — a 74-metre waterfall in a narrow gorge, accessible via three suspension bridges at different heights. The three bridges give you successively closer views of the canyon walls and the falls, with the lowest bridge at the level of the Saint-Anne River.

Canyon Sainte-Anne park admissionGYG ↗ (approximately 20 CAD) includes access to all three bridges and the canyon trail. Allow 90 minutes. The bridges are exposed and the canyon is often significantly cooler than the surrounding area — bring a jacket.

The combination of the basilica (1 km) and the canyon makes sense logistically: park once, visit both on foot.

The scenic drive on Route 138

Beyond Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Route 138 continues to Cap-Tourmente National Wildlife Area (58 km from Quebec City) — one of the best places in eastern Canada to see snow geese during the spring and fall migrations (April and October–November). The reserve is free to enter and has a network of dyke trails through the wetlands.

The mountain visible from the shore between Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and Cap-Tourmente is Mont-Sainte-Anne — a major ski area in winter and mountain bike destination in summer. See the Mont-Sainte-Anne guide for details.

How to cover Côte-de-Beaupré from Quebec City

Half-day (3–4 hours): Montmorency Falls + Île d’Orléans combined. Take the organised half-day tour or drive yourself (30-minute drive, free parking at the falls costs extra).

Full day: Montmorency Falls (morning) → Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (lunch) → Canyon Sainte-Anne (afternoon) → return via Route 138 scenic. About 90 km total driving, 7–8 hours with stops.

For independent drivers: Route 138 east from Quebec City past Beauport and through Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is straightforward. The road signs for each site are clear.

For planning context, see day trips from Quebec City and the Quebec City 3-day itinerary.

The Montmorency Falls guide covers the falls in more detail if that is the specific focus. For the broader Capitale-Nationale region, see the Quebec City guide.