Bas-Saint-Laurent
What to do in Bas-Saint-Laurent
The river turns into a sea, the villages line up along the shore and, further inland, the great lakes of Témiscouata take over. Discover the region season by season — and the cottage to make your base.
Bas-Saint-Laurent, where the river becomes a sea
On the south shore of the St. Lawrence estuary, downstream from Québec City, Bas-Saint-Laurent stretches along hundreds of kilometres of coast. Here the water is salt, the tides run strong, seals bask on the rocks and whales come up the river in summer. The villages — Kamouraska, Notre-Dame-du-Portage, Cacouna — line up facing the open water, and the region is famous for its sunsets.
But Bas-Saint-Laurent is not only the river. Head inland and you reach the Témiscouata and its great lakes, a country of forest, beaches and snowmobiling. Between the two, a former railway line turned cycling trail links Rivière-du-Loup to New Brunswick. Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent divides the region into six quite distinct destinations — plenty of variety for a cottage stay in Bas-Saint-Laurent, summer and winter alike.
COTTAGES TO RENT IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT
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Cottages in Bas-Saint-Laurent: explore by experience
HOLIDAYS IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT
Who is Bas-Saint-Laurent for, and when should you go?
Two regions in one: the river on one side, the lakes and forest on the other. The right time depends mostly on what you are after.
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With family
A family holiday in Bas-Saint-Laurent: the seals at Bic, the submarine at Pointe-au-Père and the Témiscouata beaches.
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As a couple
A small cottage facing the river, a private hot tub and sunsets — the simplest getaway in Québec.
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Cycling & the outdoors
The Petit Témis, the trails at Bic and Lac-Témiscouata, the Canyon des Portes de l'Enfer.
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With friends & large groups
Our largest cottages in Québec are here: up to 16 people on the shore of Lac Pohénégamook.
When to visit Bas-Saint-Laurent
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Spring
Sugaring-off season, the lakes thawing and the migrating birds returning.
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Summer
Whales, Témiscouata beaches, cycling and long evenings facing the river.
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Fall
Colour over the Notre Dame Mountains and low light on the estuary.
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Winter
Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and a hot tub under falling snow.
WHAT TO DO IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT
What to do in Bas-Saint-Laurent: activities by season
Things to do in Bas-Saint-Laurent with family, in summer as in winter. Pick a theme to see the matching activities — every place named here is real.
With family
- Bic National Park Headlands, coves and islands, with seals basking close to shore (Sépaq).
- Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site — Rimouski The Empress of Ireland museum, the submarine Onondaga and Canada's second-tallest lighthouse.
- Lac Pohénégamook beach Swimming and camping on the lakeshore, in the Témiscouata.
- Cycling the Petit Témis A car-free stone-dust trail with gentle grades.
- The Rivière-du-Loup — Saint-Siméon ferry crossing Crossing the estuary, with a fair chance of spotting whales.
- The river villages Kamouraska, Notre-Dame-du-Portage and Cacouna, among the prettiest villages in Québec.
In summer
- Whale and seal watching The St. Lawrence estuary, one of Québec's great watching grounds.
- Île aux Lièvres & the Pot à l'Eau-de-Vie islands Boat trips out to the islands off Rivière-du-Loup (Société Duvetnor).
- Canyon des Portes de l'Enfer — Saint-Narcisse-de-Rimouski Québec's highest suspension footbridge, 63 m above the river.
- Lac-Témiscouata National Park Kayaking, canoeing and more than 38 km of trails, on land inhabited for 10,000 years.
- The Île Verte lighthouse The first lighthouse ever built on the St. Lawrence; guided visits in summer.
- Sea kayaking & cycling in Bic National Park 25 km of trails and 15 km of cycling path facing the estuary.
In winter
- Downhill skiing — Parc du Mont-Comi The region's ski hill, at Saint-Donat-de-Rimouski.
- Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing — Bic National Park The frozen shoreline, on groomed trails (Sépaq).
- Snowshoeing — Lac-Témiscouata National Park Nearly 12 km of winter trails, from mid-December to March.
- Snowmobiling in the Témiscouata A well-known sector, linked to Québec's major trail networks.
- Ice fishing on the lakes A winter tradition still going strong in the Témiscouata.
- A cottage stay with a hot tub A private hot tub, a fireplace and a frozen lake outside the window.
COTTAGE RENTALS IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT
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Our cottages to rent in Bas-Saint-Laurent
Twenty-one cottages across the region: on the shore of Lac Pohénégamook in the Témiscouata, and facing the river at Rivière-du-Loup, Notre-Dame-du-Portage and Cacouna. Details come straight from our listings — click through for availability and rates.
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ITINERARY
A weekend in Bas-Saint-Laurent: our itinerary
A suggested three-day route starting from your cottage. The links lead to official sources.
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Day 1 — The river villages
Follow Route 132: Kamouraska and its old houses, Notre-Dame-du-Portage and its sunsets, Cacouna. Finish at the Rivière-du-Loup wharf.
Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent ↗ -
Day 2 — The Témiscouata and its lakes
Head inland: Lac-Témiscouata National Park for hiking and kayaking, then a stretch of the Petit Témis by bike along the lake.
Sépaq — Lac-Témiscouata ↗ -
Day 3 — Bic and Pointe-au-Père
A maritime day towards Rimouski: the coves and seals of Bic National Park in the morning, the submarine Onondaga and the Empress of Ireland museum in the afternoon.
Sépaq — Bic National Park ↗
WHAT TO SEE IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT
The essential sights of Bas-Saint-Laurent
Places we have checked, and that keep their appeal year after year. Each card links to the official source so you can plan your visit.
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SÉPAQ · NEAR RIMOUSKI
Bic National Park
sepaq.comHeadlands, coves and islands in the maritime estuary, where seals bask close to shore. 25 km of trails, 15 km of cycling path and sea kayaking; open in winter.
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RIMOUSKI · POINTE-AU-PÈRE
Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site
bassaintlaurent.caThe museum of the Empress of Ireland, Canada's worst maritime disaster; the 90 m submarine Onondaga, which you can go inside; and Canada's second-tallest lighthouse.
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SÉPAQ · TÉMISCOUATA
Lac-Témiscouata National Park
sepaq.comThe region's largest lake, on land people have used for 10,000 years. More than 38 km of trails, kayaking, canoeing and fishing; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
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FROM RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP TO EDMUNDSTON
The Petit Témis
tourismetemiscouata.qc.caA 134 km interprovincial linear park on a former railway line, stone-dust surfaced and gently graded (4 % maximum), running along Lac Témiscouata all the way to New Brunswick.
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SAINT-NARCISSE-DE-RIMOUSKI
The Canyon des Portes de l'Enfer
bassaintlaurent.caQuébec's highest suspension footbridge, 63 m above the Rimouski River, with walls rising to 90 m, the Grand Sault waterfall and more than 20 km of trails. Open May to October.
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L'ISLE-VERTE
The Île Verte lighthouse
phareileverte.comBuilt between 1806 and 1809, it is the very first lighthouse raised on the St. Lawrence. You get there by ferry, and in summer a guide will take you up to the lantern.
The 6 destinations of Bas-Saint-Laurent
Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent divides the region into six destinations: five follow the river from west to east, and a sixth reaches inland. Each has its own character — pick yours according to the mood you are after.
Kamouraska — heritage villages, local food and sunsets.
Rivière-du-Loup — the crossroads town, the ferry and the islands.
Les Basques — Trois-Pistoles, Île aux Basques and the open water.
Témiscouata — the great lakes, the national park and the Petit Témis.
Rimouski — the city, Bic National Park and Pointe-au-Père.
La Mitis — the eastern tip of the region, gardens and seashore.
FAQ
Holidays in Bas-Saint-Laurent: common questions
Where is Bas-Saint-Laurent?
Bas-Saint-Laurent is Québec's administrative region 01, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence estuary, downstream from Québec City. Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent divides it into six destinations: Kamouraska, Rivière-du-Loup, Les Basques, Témiscouata, Rimouski and La Mitis.
When should you visit Bas-Saint-Laurent?
All year round. Summer for the whales, the Témiscouata beaches, cycling the Petit Témis and sunsets over the river; fall for the colours and the hiking; winter for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing; spring for sugaring-off season.
What is there to do in Bas-Saint-Laurent in winter?
Downhill skiing at Parc du Mont-Comi in Saint-Donat-de-Rimouski; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Bic and Lac-Témiscouata national parks; snowmobiling on the Témiscouata's major networks; ice fishing on the lakes; and evenings at the cottage in a private hot tub.
What is there to do in Bas-Saint-Laurent with family?
Bic National Park and its seals; the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site with the submarine Onondaga and the Empress of Ireland museum; the beach at Lac Pohénégamook; cycling the Petit Témis; and the ferry crossing between Rivière-du-Loup and Saint-Siméon.
Can you rent a cottage in Bas-Saint-Laurent with Chalets Confort?
Yes. Chalets Confort has 21 cottages to rent in Bas-Saint-Laurent — among them Chalet du Rivage and Le Pomerleau on the shore of Lac Pohénégamook, Chalet L'Intemporel at Notre-Dame-du-Portage and Chalet L'Ancrage at Rivière-du-Loup. See available cottages →
Ready to explore Bas-Saint-Laurent?
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