Known as Québec Authentique, the Lanaudière and Mauricie regions offer natural beauty, quaint towns and hidden gems. You’ll find Lanaudière and Mauricie on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City. 

The Lanaudière and Mauricie regions contain two large national parks, some fifteen regional parks, and three wildlife reserves. You’ll find 30,000 lakes within the region. 

With so much to offer, there’s plenty to do on your own Québec Authentique road trip. This road trip was the perfect mix of relaxation in nature, adventure and city life. Here’s an itinerary of stops you can’t miss on your own trip: 

When To Visit Québec Authentique?

Each season brings new activities and sights to enjoy in Québec Authentique. Spring is always an amazing time to see a powerful rush of waterfalls, summer is the perfect time for swimming, paddling and enjoying the sunshine, fall will bring a vibrant blanket of colour over the region, and winter will bring activities like snowshoeing, snowmobiling and more. 

How Long To Spend in Québec Authentique?

I spent four nights and definitely could have spent more. We had an amazing trip, but as you’re out exploring, there will surely be more to add to your list next time. I recommend adding on time if you want to go at a slower pace and see more of the area.

Québec Authentique is also close enough to Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa that you could also make a quick weekend trip. 

How To Get To Québec Authentique?

Québec Authentique is the perfect road trip. I loved seeing the views of the towns and mountains as we drove through. You can also fly into Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa and then road trip over.

Our first stop glamping in Saint-Calixte was only 1 hour and 20 minutes from Montreal, 2.5 hours from Ottawa, and 3 hours from Quebec City.

Our last stop, Trois-Rivières, was only 1.2 hours from Quebec City, 1.5 hours from Montreal, and 3 hours from Ottawa. 

Québec Authentique Itinerary

Here’s a map of everywhere I visited on my trip. Below are details on each stop in the same sequence I visited that you can use for your trip. 

Go Glamping in Québec Authentique

Start your road trip at Ma yourte au cœur des collines. You’ll be nestled in the forest in a cozy yurt for the perfect nature escape. The yurts have fully equipped kitchens, compostable toilet,  a comfy bed, seating, and cute, small details like a retro-looking Bluetooth stereo. You can have the best parts of camping but with an elevated glamping experience. 

Each of the yurts is fully insulated so that you can stay here in all four seasons. The area has plenty of seasonal activities you can enjoy. 

The owner, Guy, will bring you up to your yurt on a four-wheeler through the forest. We stayed in the Kamook Yurt. What’s unique about this yurt is that it has clear side panels and a rooftop panel with incredible forest views. 

This was such a relaxing stay in nature. Book a few nights to take things at a slow pace and fully immerse yourself.

We got to the yurt on a rainy day, and it was so peaceful to sit and enjoy the views and sounds from inside. The next day we were able to enjoy the sunshine. No matter the weather, you’re sure to have a wonderful stay. This would be an incredible place to see fall colours or a cozy spot to land and watch the snowfall. 

I recommended adding the fondue and breakfast to your stay. Both were delicious gourmet meals brought to you in your yurt. The fondue consisted of local meats, vegetables, bread stuffed with cranberries and cheese, potatoes with bacon and shallots, meats from Les Museaux d’Écosse from the Laurentians region, marinated chicken breast raised with grains, and dessert. Breakfast included strawberry croissants, quiche, fresh fruit, cheese, smoothies and coffee. 

While you’re here, enjoy the trails or take a paddleboard out on the small lake. 

Go Chasing Waterfalls in Québec Authentique

The Launadiere and Mauricie regions are home to many breathtaking waterfalls. We added three to our trip itinerary. 

Parc régional des Chutes-Dorwin

Explore this 60 feet high waterfall from three different lookouts. Enjoy the views of this powerful waterfall. Enjoy the views of this powerful waterfall. It’s an easy trail and the perfect spot to enjoy a packed lunch. 

See if you can spot sorcerer Nipissingue’s head rock. Make sure to stop and learn about this legend and the main lookout. 

Parc régional de la Chute-à-Bull

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, we were blown away by this stunning waterfall! Enjoy an easy hike that passes a stream, a covered bridge and a gorgeous lookout. At the base, you’ll be greeted with a view of this stunning 18 feet high waterfall. There are 6km of trails and another lookout if you have more time. 

Natur’Eau Spa & Chalets

Relax and rejuvenate at Natur’Eau Spa & Chalets. They have a gorgeous spa with mountain views as the backdrop.

Enjoy a Nordic spa with thermal experiences, dry or wet saunas, an aromatherapy room and a bonfire. This was such a relaxing activity. I recommend blocking off a few hours for this. You can enjoy this experience all year long. 

After relaxing at the spa, retire to their unique accommodation from chalets to pods. We stayed in one of the pods. It was my first time staying in a pod, and it was the perfect cozy cabin with everything we needed. Inside you’ll find a  fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. There’s a cozy electric fire inside, or you can toast marshmallows with a bonfire outside under the stars. 

There’s wifi at reception and not at the pods, making it the perfect excuse to fully disconnect for this adventure. 

They book up quickly for weekends, so make sure to book in advance. I recommend visiting on a weekday when it’s quieter. 

La Mauricie National Park in Québec Authentique

The next day we headed out early for a big adventure in La Mauricie National Park, a Parks Canada Park. La Mauricie National Park has more than 150 lakes to explore within it. I felt like we could have spent a few days exploring this park alone. You’re greeted with a stunning drive through the winding forest to your destination. 

Our mission for the day was a canoe trip and then a hike to Waber Falls, a stunning cascading waterfall. Here are the details for this trip:

• Rent a canoe in advance here
• Park at Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc Entrance and then get your canoe at the Wapizagonke Picnic Area
• Start the canoe journey. It takes 1-2 hours to canoe to/from the hike. 
• Park your canoe at the hike starting point and then hike an hour to Waber Falls

The journey took us about 6 hours roundtrip. I recommend giving yourself extra time if you want to spend a while at the waterfall.

We were fighting against the wind on the way there, but we were determined. You’ll get amazing views of the hills lining the water on your way. We even had a loon family pop right up beside our canoe.  

Because of some beaver dams, you’ll most likely need to get out halfway through the canoe journey. It doesn’t take long to pass them, and it adds to the adventure of the trip. We wore water shoes in the canoe for this and then changed into hiking shoes on land. 

I was blown away by the view when we made it to Waber Falls. You’ll see a stunning 27-meter-high cascading waterfall. We even had the view all to ourselves for a bit. It was the perfect place to stop and have lunch while admiring the falls. After that, we made our way back. This is such an incredible day trip to experience La Mauricie National Park and see a different side of the beauty of Québec Authentique.

Some spots to add to this adventure:

• Belvédère du Passage: stunning lookout of Wapizagonke Lake
• Belvédère Île-aux-Pins: lookout of an island
• Lac Édouard: a beautiful beach

The route was well-travelled, and we came across many couples and school classes on the trail, but a friendly reminder you’re in bear country and to be bear aware 🙂 I always like to be extra safe to be alert and make noise as you go through. 

Stay in A Chalet Near La Mauricie National Park

Minutes from the park entrance, you’ll find Le 2800 du Parc. Enjoy their chalets with a stunning view of the Saint-Maurice River. The first thing that stood out to me was the red chairs with the perfect view of the water where you can watch cars drive by on the other side. 

Our chalet had a fully functioning kitchen, perfect for making some meals ourselves. I recommend bringing your own drinking water. There’s also a restaurant on-site with a cozy, rustic feel if you’d prefer to skip the dishes and enjoy some local food.

For dinner, we went to L’Olivia Table Gourmande. This restaurant and bakery are in a beautiful building, it looks like a modern, transformed barn. Walking in, you’ll first notice the cafe and pastries. The back of the restaurant offers gourmet dining. The charcuterie is a great option to share with your table and try a mix of local cheese, meats and sauces. The menu has a mix of offerings. I had to get the scallop tartare, a unique and delicious item I’d never had before.

Enjoy a menu full of seasonal and local foods. It had a warm and elegant atmosphere with the lighting and translucent wine cellar. 

When we got back after dinner, you could see hundreds of stars in the sky and a view of headlights driving on the road across the water. The spectacular moon looked more like a sunset with the brightness reflected in the clouds. I stood outside for a while, playing around with astrophotography and the view. Definitely add stargazing to your list of things to do here. 

Hydravion Aventure

We started the day early with a flight with Hydravion Aventure. It was my first time in a seaplane and the takeoff and landing were so smooth. 

Soar above the towns and enjoy the unique vantage point of La Mauricie National Park. It was cool to have experienced the park through canoe/hike from land and above. You’ll be blown away by the views. The photos don’t do it justice. 

I would definitely recommend this experience for some incredible views of Québec Authentique. Book this experience on their website here. They also have amazing prices for this experience.

The team warned us that if you’re using your phone too much in the sky, you may experience motion sickness from viewing things through a screen. I wanted to capture everything to share, but I did start to experience this a little and was grateful to the team for sharing this. Something to keep in mind if you get motion sickness sometimes too. Save your phone for the photos of La Mauricie National Park in the distance and just enjoy the ride besides that 🙂 

Trois-Rivières

Our final stop on this trip was Trois-Rivières. Did you know Trois-Rivières is Quebec’s second oldest city? It was founded in 1634. It’s also the second-oldest French-speaking city in North America.

Trois-Rivières is at the confluence of the St. Maurice River and the St. Lawrence River. It’s a modern city that still has its old-world charm.

We were in Trois-Rivières for one night. You could easily spend more here or have it as your main hub and make day trips. It’s a very walkable city so you can park your car and wander at your leisure. 

Where To Stay in Trois-Rivières

We had an amazing stay at Hôtel Oui GO!. It’s perfectly situated downtown near wonderful restaurants. It’s also neighbour to the cutest candy shop that will transport you back to your childhood, Le Brun. 

Hôtel Oui GO! won an award for its architecture. The rooms are spacious and bright. It had perfect rays of sunshine brighten the room. We also had a beautiful view of the street. What a spot to enjoy an espresso from your room’s Nespresso machine. 

Hôtel Oui GO! is right in the heart of downtown and minutes from Old Town and the Harbourfront. 

Things To Do In Trois-Rivières

Explore Old Town

I loved exploring Old Town. It feels like you’re stepping back in time while being just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll be able to admire historic buildings, visit them through the museum pass or learn about them on plaques throughout the city. Use this blog to guide your visit through the old town of spots you can’t miss. 

I went back to Old Town a few times during our visit to Trois-Rivières. It was so easy to get to, and I loved seeing the historic buildings. 

Explore the Food Scene

There are plenty of amazing restaurants and bars to catch your eye. From the patios on the main streets or Le Buck tucked away in the historic district, there are lots of wonderful spots whether you want something fancy or casual. 

Cafe Frida

This bright cafe offers a menu full of delicious vegetarian dishes. Dine inside or on their patio with views of the water. We went for brunch and got their pancakes and tostadas. Both were packed with flavour and filling. This cafe is right near the Harbourfront and is the perfect spot to start your day’s adventure.

Microbrasserie Le Temps d’une Pinte

What I loved about this stop, you don’t have to choose between beer and coffee, you can have both. It’s a wonderful brewery and cafe all in one. I’m still dreaming of the cappuccino I had here. They have a small but mighty menu full of items like their popular beef tartare. 

Le Buck

You’ll find Le Buck in the Old Town inside a building from 1757. It still holds its historic charm but with a modern twist. You can enjoy their terrace full of greenery and warm fires in the warmer months. Their menu favours seasonal products reminiscent of the neighbouring forest area. 

Some other spots I’d visit next time: 

• Épi Buvette de Quartier: works with local farms for a creative menu
• Le Pot Papilles et Cocktails: a cool patio on the main street
• Duplex Café: a hip-looking cafe known for its coffee and sandwiches
• Le Mezcal: Mexican cuisine and homemade hot sauce

Walking down the main street, there are sure to be many restaurants that catch your eye, from lively patios to laid-back spots. 

Visit A Museum 

The city is rich in history and has many museums to learn about. You can get a museum pass to visit multiple cultural attractions and historic sites. Learn more about the museum pass here. 

One of the popular stops includes the Vieille prison de Trois-Rivières, It was once Canada’s longest operating prison, opening in 1822 and closing in 1986. This experience is even more unique because the tour will be with a former inmate who experienced the jail firsthand. 

Another popular museum is Musée POP, which showcases Quebec pop culture over the years. 

We visited Borealis, which dives into the history of the paper industry in the region. The building is an industrial site that was transformed into a museum. The region has vast forests and waterways that were used to move lumber that would then be used to make paper. It was crazy to see photos of the lakes we visited covered with lumber being moved through the water. At the end of the tour is the water reservoir. Walk through the tunnels and uncover more about the history. 

See a Show At Amphithéâtre Cogeco

The amphitheatre looks like an incredible place to see a concert or show. You can still walk by it and get a picture in front of the ‘Trois-Rivières’ installation, lounge in one of the hammocks or enjoy the water views. In the warmer months, you can enjoy an outdoor show, and in the winter, you can catch a show in a more intimate cabaret-style indoor venue. View upcoming shows at Amphithéâtre Cogeco here.

I hope that helped spark some ideas for your own trip to Québec Authentique. I absolutely loved exploring and already can’t wait to go back. Feel free to leave any questions below. 

Thank you to Québec Authentique for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I hope you have as much fun exploring Québec Authentique as I did. I’d love to see your adventures. Feel free to tag me on social Instagram and Tik Tok.