Ile d'Orléans

Orleans Island (or Ile d'Orleans) is a very short drive from Quebec City. You will cross a bridge from the highway and land directly amongst traditional rural living in Quebec. Be sure to drive a complete loop around the main road, Chemin Royal. You will find many shops and stands selling fresh produce, jams, jellies, preserves, wines, ciders, and so much more. We were able to buy some delicious farm fresh jam, and we were able to try samples at the shop. You will be surrounded by farmland with each farmer growing their own fruits and vegetables that are used in the products they sell. A specialty of the island are products made from blackcurrants, including wines and jams.

The Ile d'Orleans is a small island in the Saint Laurent river. It can be reached only by car (or perhaps by tour bus) along a suspension bridge, and there's only one road circling the island. It takes about two hours to complete the full loop. The special thing about this island is its strikingly Nordic landscape, very green and rural, with little wooden houses in blue, red and white, three churches and a farm. It's a typical weekend destination for residents of Quebec City, and you can visit a little vineyard or an apple orchard to pick your own. There are also some restaurants, antique stores