Chaudière-Appalaches
What to do in Chaudière-Appalaches
From the river up into the Appalachians, the region climbs gently to the highest summit in settled southern Québec. Mountains, villages, snow geese and long tables: discover it season by season — and the cottage to make your base.
Chaudière-Appalaches: the mountains right across from Québec City
On the south shore of the St. Lawrence, directly across from Québec City, the region stretches from the river up into the Appalachians. Along the shore lie Lévis, Lotbinière and Montmagny, with its islands and its snow geese; move inland and the countryside starts to roll, the Chaudière River climbs towards Beauce, and forest takes over the heights.
That is where, on the border between Bellechasse and Les Etchemins, the Massif du Sud rises to its summit, Mont Saint-Magloire (917 m) — the region's high point, recently crowned with a lookout tower. A mountain sector less than an hour from Québec City, and where most of our cottages to rent in Chaudière-Appalaches are found, summer and winter alike.
COTTAGES TO RENT IN CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES
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Cottages in Chaudière-Appalaches: explore by experience
HOLIDAYS IN CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES
Who is Chaudière-Appalaches for, and when should you go?
An accessible mountain region, quieter than its neighbours, with cottages built for large groups. The right time depends mostly on what you are after.
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With family
A family holiday in Chaudière-Appalaches: the Massif du Sud trails, the Chaudière Falls and the snow geese.
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As a couple
A small cottage with a private hot tub facing the mountain, an hour from Québec City.
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Hiking & the outdoors
Mont Saint-Magloire and its lookout tower, plus more than 55 km of mountain-bike trails.
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Large groups
Several cottages sleeping 12 to 14 around the Massif du Sud — the ideal spot for a reunion.
When to visit Chaudière-Appalaches
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Spring
Sugaring-off season, an institution in Beauce and Bellechasse.
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Summer
Hiking, mountain biking, ziplines and swimming in the lake.
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Fall
The colours seen from the summit, and the snow geese passing through Montmagny.
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Winter
Downhill skiing at the Massif du Sud, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat biking.
WHAT TO DO IN CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES
What to do in Chaudière-Appalaches: activities by season
Things to do in Chaudière-Appalaches with family, in summer as in winter. Pick a theme to see the matching activities — every place named here is real.
With family
- Parc du Massif du Sud — Saint-Philémon Trails for every level, backcountry shelters and a lookout tower at the summit.
- Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière — Lévis A 35 m waterfall and a footbridge suspended 23 m above it; free access, open year-round.
- The snow geese — Montmagny A spectacular migration stopover, celebrated each fall by the Festival de l'Oie Blanche.
- Domaine Joly-De Lotbinière — Sainte-Croix An 1851 manor house, ten gardens and more than 2,800 plant varieties beside the river.
- Grosse-Île and the Irish Memorial The former quarantine station for the port of Québec, reached by boat from Berthier-sur-Mer.
- Maple sugar season The sugar shacks of Beauce and Bellechasse, in spring.
In summer
- Mont Saint-Magloire — 917 m The highest summit in the region: 13.9 km of trail and a panoramic lookout tower.
- Mountain biking in the Massif du Sud More than 55 km of trails, from family loops to enduro.
- The Mont-Chocolat and Crête des Grives trails 8.2 km and 11.1 km: two shorter loops in the same park.
- Ziplines & treetop courses Aerial courses set up in the Parc du Massif du Sud.
- Frontenac National Park Swimming, canoeing and kayaking on Grand lac Saint-François (Sépaq).
- Grosse-Île & the Isle-aux-Grues archipelago A day on the river, between history and wide horizons.
In winter
- Downhill skiing — Station du Massif du Sud The region's ski hill, at Saint-Philémon.
- Snowshoeing & cross-country skiing — Parc du Massif du Sud A large network of winter trails through high-elevation forest.
- Ski touring & hok skiing The park is well known as a setting for supervised backcountry skiing.
- Fat biking Groomed trails for winter riding, in the heart of the massif.
- Snowmobiling to the summit Mont Saint-Magloire can be reached in winter along the trail networks.
- A cottage stay with a hot tub A private hot tub, a fireplace and a frozen lake outside the window.
COTTAGE RENTALS IN CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES
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Our cottages to rent in Chaudière-Appalaches
Eleven cottages, nearly all at the foot of the Massif du Sud, at Saint-Philémon and Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice-de-Buckland: private hot tub, mountain views and room for large groups. Details come straight from our listings — click through for availability and rates.
Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice-de-Buckland, Chaudière-Appalaches
Le Grizzly
- 1 bedroom
- 8 guests
from 272 $/night
Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice-de-Buckland, Chaudière-Appalaches
Yéti-Rama
- 1 bedroom
- 12 guests
from 325 $/night
Saint-Philémon, Chaudière-Appalaches
Chalet La Porte des Étoiles
- 1 bedroom
- 11 guests
from 295 $/night
ITINERARY
A weekend in Chaudière-Appalaches: our itinerary
A suggested three-day route starting from your cottage. The links lead to official sources.
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Day 1 — The Massif du Sud
The big day: up Mont Saint-Magloire to its lookout tower in summer, downhill skiing or snowshoeing in winter. Allow about 5 h 30 for the 13.9 km summit trail.
Parc du Massif du Sud ↗ -
Day 2 — The river and the snow geese
Head down to Montmagny: the wharf, the archipelago and, in the fall, thousands of snow geese. A crossing to Grosse-Île leaves from Berthier-sur-Mer.
Parks Canada — Grosse-Île ↗ -
Day 3 — Lévis and Lotbinière
Back west: the Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and its suspended footbridge, then the gardens of the Domaine Joly-De Lotbinière at Sainte-Croix.
Tourisme Chaudière-Appalaches ↗
WHAT TO SEE IN CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES
The essential sights of Chaudière-Appalaches
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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SAINT-PHILÉMON · BUCKLAND
The Parc du Massif du Sud
massifdusud.comThe region's great playground: three main trails (8.2 km, 11.1 km and 13.9 km), more than 55 km of mountain biking, backcountry shelters, and abundant wildlife — 43 mammal species and 131 bird species.
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PARC DU MASSIF DU SUD
Mont Saint-Magloire (917 m)
massifdusud.comThe highest summit in Chaudière-Appalaches, topped by a lookout tower some 19 m tall. On a clear day you can pick out the Laurentians to the north and Mount Katahdin, in Maine, to the south.
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SAINT-PHILÉMON
The Massif du Sud ski hill
massifdusud.netThe region's ski mountain, run separately from the regional park: downhill skiing and snowboarding in winter, mountain biking and downhill riding in summer.
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LÉVIS
The Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière
chaudiereappalaches.comA 35 m waterfall minutes from Québec City, seen from a footbridge suspended 23 m above the river. Open year-round, free access.
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ISLE-AUX-GRUES ARCHIPELAGO
Grosse-Île and the Irish Memorial
parcs.canada.caCanada's main gateway for immigration, a quarantine station from 1832 to 1937. A Celtic cross, a cemetery and period buildings; reached by boat from Berthier-sur-Mer.
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SAINTE-CROIX · LOTBINIÈRE
The Domaine Joly-De Lotbinière
domainejoly.comAn 1851 manor house beside the river, surrounded by ten gardens and more than 2,800 plant varieties — one of the finest gardens in Québec.
The 8 sectors of Chaudière-Appalaches
Tourisme Chaudière-Appalaches divides the region into eight sectors: four line the river, four reach inland into the Appalachians. Each has its own character — pick yours according to the mood you are after.
Lévis — the city, the river and the Chaudière Falls.
Lotbinière — the river villages and the Domaine Joly.
Montmagny — the islands, the archipelago and the snow geese.
L'Islet area — the coast, the maritime heritage and the backcountry.
Bellechasse — farmland, mountains and the Massif du Sud.
Les Etchemins — forests, lakes and wide open spaces to the south.
Beauce — the Chaudière River, the sugar bushes and the Beauceron spirit.
Thetford area — the hills, the mines and Lac Saint-François.
FAQ
Holidays in Chaudière-Appalaches: common questions
Where is Chaudière-Appalaches?
Chaudière-Appalaches is Québec's administrative region 12, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence, directly across from Québec City. It runs from the river up into the Appalachian mountains and is divided into eight sectors: Lévis, Lotbinière, Montmagny, the L'Islet area, Bellechasse, Les Etchemins, Beauce and the Thetford area.
When should you visit Chaudière-Appalaches?
All year round. Spring for sugaring-off season, summer for hiking and mountain biking in the Massif du Sud, fall for the colours seen from the summit and the snow geese passing through Montmagny, winter for downhill skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking.
What is there to do in Chaudière-Appalaches in winter?
Downhill skiing at the Massif du Sud ski hill in Saint-Philémon; snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat biking and ski touring in the Parc du Massif du Sud; snowmobiling up to the summit of Mont Saint-Magloire; and evenings at the cottage in a private hot tub.
What is there to do in Chaudière-Appalaches with family?
The Parc du Massif du Sud and its lookout tower; the Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière in Lévis — a 35 m waterfall, a suspended footbridge and free access; snow-goose watching at Montmagny; a visit to Grosse-Île; and the Domaine Joly-De Lotbinière at Sainte-Croix.
Can you rent a cottage in Chaudière-Appalaches with Chalets Confort?
Yes. Chalets Confort has 11 cottages to rent in Chaudière-Appalaches — among them L'Ascension, Pourquoi Pas ! and Le Skyvue at Saint-Philémon, and Yéti-Rama at Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice-de-Buckland — nearly all at the foot of the Massif du Sud, with a private hot tub and mountain views. See available cottages →
Ready to explore Chaudière-Appalaches?
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