What’s new in Québec – Summer 2026

New management at Vieux-Loup de Mer hotel and cottages

📍 Bas-Saint-Laurent

After 26 seasons at the helm of Vieux-Loup de Mer – Chalets Hôteliers, a complex of charming accommodations near Parc National du Bic, founders Martin and Jean-Luc have passed the torch. The new owners, Marie-Josée and Bernard, both hail from the region and plan to preserve the ethos of the cherished destination and honour the founders’ vision.

The Vieux-Loup de mer is beloved for offering accommodations with all the historic cachet of traditional Québec coastal architecture. The 15 authentic, fully equipped wooden cottages are complemented by a gourmet boutique, the Garde-Manger, which sells local delicacies and ready-to-eat meals from local chefs.

Renovations at Auberge du Mange-Grenouille: Comfort with a modern twist

📍 Bas-Saint-Laurent

A pleasant 22-room inn and restaurant with a gorgeous garden in the village of Le Bic, the Auberge du Mange-Grenouille is a popular destination for travellers seeking tranquility and timeless art de vivre. The seven garden-side rooms have been renovated in a manner that balances elegant design and modern amenities, with enhanced privacy thanks to a dedicated rear entrance leading straight to the garden.

Every stay is an opportunity to discover the Auberge’s delicious cuisine, which showcases local ingredients in lovingly prepared dishes to be savoured along with the wonderful views of the Bic islands, famed for their sunsets.

Onondaga submarine: A highly anticipated reopening

📍 Bas-Saint-Laurent

The Onondaga submarine, a decommissioned Canadian Forces submarine now open to the public, is a flagship attraction in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. After a hiatus while the vessel was raised by approximately 3 m (9 ft.) at the bow and 4 m (13 ft.) at the stern, the submarine will reopen for visitors in June 2026.

The submarine’s new position allows visitors to get a closer look at the vessel’s exterior components including its propellers, rudder, and hydrofoils. The interpretive experience has also been enhanced, with an audio-guided tour of the sub’s interior.

Since 2009, this 90 m vessel at the Pointe-au-Père maritime historic site has been among the only submarines in Canada open to public visits.

Entre l’algue et l’écorce: Gourmet dining with seasonal flair

📍 Bas-Saint-Laurent

Entre l’algue et l’écorce, a promising new gourmet destination in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, is the brainchild of two sisters, Rébecca Beaudin and chef Coralie Beaudin. In June 2025, the young entrepreneurs acquired the old convent in Saint-Mathieu-de-Rioux and turned it into an intimate six-room inn with a seasonal dining experience.

The sisters’ approach is rooted in regional ingredients, foraging, and culinary creativity. The five-course dinners offer a warm and refined experience, appreciated by local guests and European tourists – a prized market for the two sisters.

Entre l’algue et l’écorce has already built a reputation as a distinctive gourmet destination where the flavors of the region come to life in an inspiring setting.

Redford Gardens: Cultivating wonder for one hundred years

📍 Gaspésie

The Redford Gardens, born of the visionary project begun in the summer of 1926 by horticulture enthusiast Elsie Reford, are celebrating their 100th anniversary. The spectacular, tranquil gardens remain one of the Gaspé Peninsula’s premier attractions for enjoying the wonders of nature.
The gardens are home to more than 3,000 plant species and varieties arranged along paths where colors, scents, and designs blend together in exquisite harmony.

The experience is enriched by the Villa Estevan restaurant, the Le Bufton café/bistro, and the not-to-be-missed International Garden Festival, featuring landscape architects from around the world. Together, these attractions make this living open-air museum a rich experience for all tastes and all ages.

An immersive sonic journey into Gaspé Peninsula history

📍 Gaspésie

Fishing Pleasures is the permanent exhibition at the Matamajaw Fishing Heritage Site. Since 2025, the site has been telling the story of salmon fishing through the ages in an original form: two local characters swapping fishing stories.

Visitors put on headphones and embark on a veritable journey through time, discovering the fascinating history behind one of the province’s most famous private salmon fishing camps. The tour passes through multiple heritage buildings, with a fun, educational approach designed to spark the curiosity of younger visitors. Smaller children can explore this chapter of the history of Matapédia with a friendly guide, Lulu the dragonfly.

New attractions at the Bioparc de la Gaspésie

📍 Gaspésie

In 2026, a new indoor pavilion at the Biopark wildlife park will host traveling exhibitions, including its first one on bears. Among the new features on the site: an exhibition of wildlife artists, a redesigned science education trail, and an interpretation area. The Bioparc has also welcomed a new species, Arctic wolves, in a custom-designed habitat. Many of the other animals’ habitats have been refurbished and expanded, including those of otters, caribou, and Arctic foxes.

The visitor experience has also been improved with an expanded picnic area and new signage. Together, these major upgrades make the Bioparc a must-see attraction on any Gaspé Peninsula road trip.

A decade of storytelling, 500 million years of history

📍 Gaspésie

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark, a unique attraction that showcases 500 million years of geological history.

The Geopark is home to outstanding landscapes where spectacular scenery, science, culture, and nature converge. With 18 km of trails, remarkable geosites, and a suspended glass platform, the Geopark experience appeals both to nature lovers and to anyone with a scientific bent.

The highly regarded immersive multimedia exhibition, Tektonik, takes visitors on a deep dive into the geological history of the Percé area.
Ten years after its opening, the Geopark serves more than ever as a driving force for tourism and an international ambassador for Percé’s natural heritage.

Gourmande de Nature: 45 years of culinary excelllence

📍 Îles de la Madeleine

Since it was opened by Magdalen Islander Chef Johanne Vigneau some 15 years ago, Gourmande de Nature has been a one-stop-shop for foodies, inspiring curious minds and lovers of local flavours with a gourmet bistro, a boutique for top-shelf takeout and local products, and even cooking workshops.

This Magdalen Islands institution recently changed hands. New owners Emos and Anne-Christine plan to continue celebrating local products for the many people who visit the archipelago every season. Best of all, the new team can enjoy the support of the renowned chef and founder, who will stay on as executive chef to share her 45 years of experience and passion for culinary excellence.

The Échouerie Lighthouse: Saved by the community

📍 Îles de la Madeleine

After concern when it was put up for sale by its celebrity owner, the Échouerie Lighthouse, also known as the Cap Alright lighthouse, has been saved by a groundswell of community support. A crowdfunding campaign garnered 2,200 donations, including support from 80 local businesses. With the $600,000 raised, the community not only acquired the lighthouse but also set up a fund to enhance the site and secure its future.

This purchase represents a significant, promising, and even historic step for the community. It ensures the long-term preservation of the site while preventing residential development. The Îles-de-la-Madeleine Conservation Society, the lighthouse’s new owner, will be able to protect the historic building and make sure the public can always access it.

Tasty treats with the Magdalen Islands’ English-speaking community

📍 Îles de la Madeleine

Grandma’s Bakery adds a traditional touch to the Magdalen Islands’ culinary offerings with a simple, honest approach firmly rooted in local identity. The bakery serves a range of authentic creations inspired by family recipes passed down through generations.

Located in Grosse-Île, an island community where English-speaking Islanders have retained a strong foothold, the bakery is a must-visit for foodies looking for a slice of local life on their stay.

Paddling off the Islands with two new excursions

📍 Îles de la Madeleine

CindyHook, a company offering kayak rentals, yoga, an events space, and a café, is adding two new guided kayaking excursions for its 17th season. The outings offer visitors a quintessential Magdalen Islands experience: paddling along the water, slowing their pace, and fully immersing themselves in the natural surroundings.

Amid shimmering lagoons, wild islets, and endless skies, the wildlife is stunning –from terns to great blue herons – and the unique atmosphere of Île Paquet makes every outing a tranquil, enriching experience.

For the Croissant & Pagaie outings, the magic starts first thing in the morning, with calm waters, soft light, and the sounds of nature in concert to create a magical moment, accompanied by a hot coffee and local treat. There’s no better way to start another beautiful day on the Magdalen Islands.

Explore the northern coastline by sea kayak

📍 Côte-Nord

The tour operator Du Fleuve in Les Escoumins is now offering guided sea kayaking excursions. In keeping with its calm, immersive approach, the new three-hour outing gives visitors close encounters with marine wildlife, the gorgeous coastline, and the area’s unique character, just 30 minutes from the town of Tadoussac.

In pairs or small groups, this authentic experience celebrates the richness of the St. Lawrence River. With a little luck, marine mammals might even join the group over the course of the excursion.

Boreal forest immersion with Cœur Sauvage

📍 Côte-Nord

Based in the village of Sacré-Cœur, 15 minutes from Tadoussac, Cœur Sauvage offers boreal forest immersion experiences tailored to every need. From an introduction to foraging edible wild plants to nature adventures in an all-terrain vehicle, each outing with guide and owner Sylvain is rich in discoveries of the botanical treasures of the North Shore.

Nature excursions include biodiversity interpretation activities sure to delight outdoors lovers, who will also learn about the richness and fragility of natural environments.

For a longer immersion, two charmingly rustic yet well-appointed micro-cabins make for a magical stay.

Hôtellerie Côte-Nord, a thriving family business

📍 Côte-Nord

With three hotels operating under the Hôtellerie Côte-Nord banner, owners Julie Tremblay and Stéphane Laprise are committed to promoting tourism in their region. Spread across Les Bergeronnes, Les Escoumins, and Forestville, the portfolio includes the Complexe hôtelier Escoumins (37 rooms), Motel La Croisière (13 studio units), and Motel Quatre Saisons (37 rooms). Each of the properties boasts a range of amenities and services.

All hotels are open year-round, and located near several regional attractions including the village of Tadoussac, snowmobile trails, and ferries crossing the St. Lawrence River.

A stopover steeped in history on Petite Île au Marteau

📍 Côte-Nord

Accessible by boat from Havre-Saint-Pierre from June through September, Petite Île au Marteau affords a unique glimpse of the maritime history of the Mingan Archipelago.

The island’s lighthouse station can be explored with an audio guide available in three languages (French, English, and German), giving visitors an intimate sense of the daily lives of the lighthouse keepers of yore, and an understanding of the essential role lighthouses play in coastal navigation.

With a short trail to the lighthouse, the island reveals a sea-carved landscape where limestone cliffs, seabirds, and ocean winds set the scene.

quebecmaritime.ca

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