Before describing our circuit in Quebec, here is the post to give you some practical points from our experience, in order to organize your trip to this beautiful province of Canada:aka, Quebec!
Duration:3 and a half weeks (Quebec/Quebec), via Gaspésie in particular.
Season:Summer 2019
How to get to Canada?
By plane, of course (thanks eZa). We chose Air Transat (again, since I had already traveled for my part with this company last year for a blogtrip in New Brunswick, I remained faithful to it). The tickets were booked 5 months before from memory for our departure on July 31. I had it for 825 euros per person round trip to Paris / Quebec in a direct flight. Air Transat adorably offered us Option Plus, which allowed us to choose our seats:on the emergency exits for adults. The children, too young, had to be placed behind or in front of us. Another big advantage of the Option Plus :2 pieces of luggage included per person (instead of one), the comfort kit (including a perfect cover for the night flight) and priority access to check-in, boarding and baggage reception (good there clearly , given the length of customs, in fact, we didn't really have the opportunity to show off in the way we get our suitcases first). Note that in Montreal, on the other hand, you also have priority at security checks thanks to this option.
No delays, neither on the way there nor on the way back, the crew was adorable and fun (long live Quebecers), I was delighted again.
How to get around Canada?
Arriving in Quebec, we picked up a rental car (we had booked with Avis so as not to quote them) at the airport. We ended up with a huge SUV, we had a good laugh but in the end it was fun to be able to throw our suitcases and our travel bulk in the trunk without worrying about the space!
Others choose the clearly more economical solution of the motorhome. I send you for this to read Marie Perarnau who was there at the same time as us with her family (6 in all).
At first, we struggled a bit with the signs, the traffic lights placed AFTER the crossroads, the possibility of turning right even if it was red coughed coughed, but we had a good laugh. STOP signs are called ARRET over there and you can find them everywhere! Priority therefore goes to the first to arrive. It's quite strange but you get used to it very quickly. In any case us, after 3500 km we were perfect. AH AH AH
For gas stations, take a good look at which side your tank is on as the "hoses" are not long enough to go around the vehicles. Finally, you are often served. Ah and the price of petrol… a treat for us French.
Purchases in Canada (shopping):consider taxes and tips
In Canada, prices are displayed excluding taxes and duty. Taxes are added to the price of most purchases. Think about it, especially warn your children / teenagers who would like to buy stuff with their money:there will be "surprises" at the checkout compared to the prices displayed.
Tips/tips :in restaurants and bars, you must leave a tip not included in the bill which represents approximately 15% of the amount. Often, on the ticket you are given the amount and you just have to make a choice. Please note, if you pay by credit card, the tip can be added in % or in $, if you choose %, it will be calculated on the price including tax and not excluding tax. In short, it's a blow to take but it requires a lot of calculation.
Going as a family in July/August to Quebec: should you book accommodation in advance . A big YES. In any case, in New Brunswick and the Gaspé, there isn't that much accommodation, so if you don't want to spend your day looking for a motel for the evening, knowing that the distances are quickly immense and that you incidentally have children to manage, it is better to reserve these busy periods well in advance. Besides, I had to give up having certain hotels when I booked in March.
I'm going on a summer roadtrip to Quebec, what do I pack? A little bit of everything. Especially if you go up well to the North, it is still "fresh", let's say you can go from 15° to 25° without worry in the same day. So, you need long, short (but clearly not the little summer dress either eh), a sweatshirt and a wind / rain jacket always available (see our bazaar in the trunk of the car). Where I was really surprised was that I thought I could have our laundry washed in hotels. In fact, with one exception (namely in Quebec when we arrived so totally useless), the service was not offered. So I looked for laundromats each time and honestly, there aren't a lot of them. I found one in Percé, one in Matane and finally in an outfitter at the end of my stay. On the campsite where we had a chalet on the shores of Lac St Jean, I could also have used their laundromat. So long live the Marseille soap to do a little extra cleaning.
When it comes to medication, there are Jean Coutus everywhere! AH AH AH Jean Coutu being a somewhat… special pharmacy since you can also buy a lottery ticket, shoe polish and clothespins among other choices. To visit absolutely once in any case. All that to say that we are light at this level.
For mosquitoes , we will forget the organic and the natural for a few days, eh, and we will buy our repellent in Canada when we arrive. They have what it takes. Honestly, we weren't that bothered, I expected worse. But indeed, we do not see them however while hiking in the parks, we are clearly eaten. AH AH AH
For hikes In fact, I had bought Decathlon pants/shorts for the children (some of them on Vinted used – I sell them myself by the way) and I mainly invested in good pairs of shoes. For the P’tit Grand, I ordered on the internet, the FashionChaussure website, this pair from the super brand TEVA. I am delighted, as for the site, I did not expect such fast delivery and I was very well advised (and returns are possible of course).
The jet lag. It's 6 a.m. It took me 3 days to get used to it on the way there (I was nosediving in my dinner). The return was much more difficult. I had been warned, I did not believe it, but after a sleepless night of not being able to fall asleep, I took melatonin to reset myself.
The Quebecois.
So that's the most fun part. We loved that accent. I do not hide from you that we experienced some funny / embarrassing situations, where we did not understand much about the speech of our interlocutors but we loved it!!
Some examples :
– it's to go/it's on the spot:"on the spot" doesn't mean anything to them, you have to say "it's for here"
- "it's complete":at the end of the order for example, you will be told "is it complete? which of course means "that's it?" »
– “pet”:the little one was asked by a guide if he wanted to pet the dogs… of course, it is a question of stroking them.
- if you are offered to "drop off", it's just a matter of dropping you off somewhere eh, not throwing you violently or firing you. AH AH AH
Most heard expression I think:"it won't be long ” when there are 5 free tables, that you have reserved but you still have to wait a good 10 minutes to get your table.
There everything is cool, not one word higher than the other (only 2 "tabernacles" heard!!), it's quiet strength, the sweetness of life, you can feel it immediately. From the airport, the smiles, even from the control services, you can hardly be seen looking for something, they help you. We talk to you, we start the discussion. This made a big impression on the children who themselves noticed a lot of differences (in a good way) with our Parisian life.
That's it, I think I've covered it, if you have any questions, don't hesitate. Anything to add, please feel free. I'll write the rest very soon, I promise. Time to cover 25 school books.
