I love Île d’Orléans, it’s one of my favourite escapes from Quebec City, an ideal day trip, but also a charming getaway destination for a quiet food and wine-filled weekend. This small island (only 75 km in circumference) is one of the first places I take out-of-town friends and family – after they have explored Old Quebec.
Île d’Orléans was one of the places I visited on my first trip to Quebec City in 2013. A year later, I was living in Old Quebec and visiting the island whenever I had access to a car. I have since lost count of how many times I have driven its roads, how many photos I’ve taken, or the number of times I have licked melted chocolate and ice cream from my fingers.
I can close my eyes and see the quaint villages in my mind, the colourful roofs, and the hauntingly beautiful fall colours. I have a routine on the island, and places I visit whenever I go there – all of which can be found in this guide.
In many ways, Île d’Orléans is the lifeblood of the Quebec City region. The produce from its farms supports several restaurants in the region and adorns the tables of many locals. In the summer, the strawberries are juicy and plump.
Wandering around the wineries dotting the north side of the island, along with the cideries and microbrewery, is a tasty adventure. Casse-crôute (snack shacks), and restaurants are spread around the island for when you need a nibble or a gourmet sit-down kind of meal.
While Île d’Orléans is a can’t-miss for foodies, it’s also home to museums and artisan boutiques. You can go kayaking, or cycle your way around the island. In spring, the sugaring-off season for maple syrup is in full swing and cabanes à sucre (sugar shacks) are filled with people, lively music, delicious food, and all things maple.
I spend a lot of time in Île d’Orléans, believe me when I say it is an affordable must-see destination near Quebec City.
Why should I buy this guide?
This is one of the more popular questions I am asked about my digital travel guide to Île d’Orléans. As some have pointed out, there are free destination guides available at the tourist information centre on the island (near the traffic light). An insider’s guide to Île d’Orléans is a personal love letter, of sorts. This guide is filled with insights and tips, and the places I have included are ones I visit often. There are no rules, no need to be a member of a tourism board to be included in this guide.
The benefits of buying an insider’s guide to Île d’Orléans include:
• an interactive guide that works on your phone or iPad.
• this digital travel guide will be updated every 6 months (January and July).
• you will be notified by email when an updated version is available for download.
• honest reviews and insights on places to visit, where to eat, shop, and sleep.
• my personal guarantee that nobody has paid to be included in this guide.
A wee peek inside…
What do those cool icons mean?
accessible
café
dessert
j’adore
casse-croûte
winery
point of interest
restaurant
brewery/ cidrerie
artisanal shop
vegetarian
Travel guide reviews …
would you like to submit a review or send feedback/tips?
email me at pam@urbanguidequebec.com.
Ce guide est essentiel pour tous les voyageurs qui désirent visiter la merveilleuse Île d’Orléans! Idéal pour votre première excursion à l’île ou tous ceux et celles qui souhaitent en apprendre plus à son sujet. Le guide est complet et nous fait découvrir certaines places que même les voyageurs plus aguerris n’ont peut-être jamais vu!!! Je le recommande fortement.
Patrick Dubé
MacNaughtan’s colourful guide to Île d’Orléans is a must-have for savvy travelers planning a trip to Quebec. The online guide is easy to access on a road trip, full of fascinating historical facts, easy-to-read maps, insider tips and eye-popping illustrations. Flip through the pages on your eReader and you’ll find yourself drooling over the French-speaking island’s world-renowned cider, bakeries and quaint architecture.
Andrew Dobson
This book is all you need! It is well thought out, from the history of this small island to all the best things to see, do and taste. Pamela really took her time to write out the itineraries so that you can get the best of your trip. She’s got her favs in an easy-to-read format. I need one of these for all my trips. Thank you Pamela!!
Viji Bahadur
Photographers will appreciate the amount of images included in this guide to Île d’Orléans. Those who enjoy checking things off lists, will find the included printable to be very handy. From cost ranges related to where to eat and where to stay, to the information that there are EV charging stations available and handy French phrases to know, there isn’t a detail missing from this guide. This is clearly just the start of what will be an incredible series.
Kirsten Alana
kirstenalana.com
As someone who’s visited Orleans twice, I learned so much more from Pam’s Orleans Guide. I never knew about half of the local eateries — nor did I realize immersive experiences I could have by spending a night on Orleans. The details on the food producers, the wine producers, the cassis – makers. Generally, I find Isle d’Orleans is glossed over or treated as a P.S. on Guides to Quebec City. But Pam, for whom Isle d’Orlean is practically her backyard for much of the year, has made me realize what a truly authentic — and full — Quebecois experience I can have by unearthing the secrets and shining a light on the nooks and crannies of this traditional Quebecois Island.
Doug O’Neill
Buy your copy of an insider’s guide to île d’orléans – digital travel guide!
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