Ile d'Orleans, Quebec: The Ultimate Day Trip From Quebec City

Ile d'Orleans, Quebec is an island escape just a short drive from Quebec City. It's called the Garden of Quebec, Treasure Island and the Cradle of French Civilization in North America. There are six tiny idyllic villages within this rural landscape that's known mostly for its agriculture.

Located minutes from Quebec City, picturesque Ile d'Orleans (Orleans Island) is the perfect day trip. Spend the full day circling the island or combine it with a trip to Montmorency Falls. We also managed to squeeze in a trip to the farther flung Canyon Sainte-Anne all in the same day.

Wondering how to reach Ile d'Orleans from Quebec City? It's best if you travel by car.

Getting to Ile d'Orleans From Quebec City

We drove outside of Quebec City and across the Ile d'Orleans suspension bridge, part of Quebec Route 368 and connected to Autoroute 40. Once we crossed the bridge, we drove on the main road (Chemin Royal) that forms a loop around the island.

Some people will drive to the island, park their car, and then ride a bike around the full loop road. Riding a bike around the island takes about three hours, longer if you decide to make many stops on the way.

Need to rent a bike? You can rent bicycles for a self-guided tour of the island. Here's where to rent a regular bike or choose an electric bike.

A Brief History of Ile d'Orleans, Quebec

Ile d'Orleans was one of the first places in Quebec to be colonized by the French, giving it the title, The Cradle of French Civilization. Many French Canadians can trace their ancestry to present and past residents of the island.

Prior to colonization, the island was inhabited by Indigenous Peoples. Many people were attracted to live on the island due to its fertile soil, providing the perfect conditions for farming and agriculture.

The island remains devoted to farming and agriculture. It has become a popular destination for those interested in tasting local products and regional cuisine. As there is such a bountiful harvest there, it has been referred to as the Garden of Quebec or Quebec City's Cornucopia.

Things to Do in Ile d'Orleans, Quebec

Ile d'Orleans is divided into six municipalities, each with its own beautiful scenery, farms, parks, and local businesses. These include Sainte-Pétronille, Saint-Laurent, Saint-Jean, Saint-François, Sainte-Famille, and Saint-Pierre.

By driving along the Chemin Royal, you'll be able to explore all of the municipalities with various points of interest along the way. If you see a produce stand, a shop, a restaurant, or a particularly lovely view as you're driving, you can easily stop and spend some time there.

You don't need to enter the island with many plans, but here are some ideas and places that you may choose to explore on your journey.

Viewpoint in Sainte-Pétronille

We saw a sign noting a scenic viewpoint when we started our drive in Sainte-Pétronille. There are many spots to park the car, so we got out of the car to discover this new landscape.

There were great views of both Montmorency Falls and Quebec City from here. It also gives you an idea of the flat landscapes of Ile d'Orleans from the start of your trip.

 Try Locally Made Jam and Preserves

We saw some signs for preserves and condiments made from freshly grown produce on the island, so we had to stop to take a look. In many cases, there will be walls lined with little jars of jam and jelly. In many cases, you can try before you buy to find your favorite flavor.

We finally decided on the strawberry rhubarb jam and raspberry jam, but it was a tough decision. Justin and I could also see the farm itself, which is exactly where all the fruit is grown to create their products.

Lavender Fields and Gardens

Only open in July and August, La Seigneurie de l'Île d'Orléans is home to beautiful and fragrant lavender fields, as well as some magnificent gardens. There are enchanting flower gardens, crabapple trees, statues, a stone arched bridge, a 70 foot waterfall, the remains of a sawmill and more.

This is a lesser known spot in Ile d'Orleans and a bit of a secret garden. Their boutique also features many lavender products created from their own lavender fields. Naturally, it's also a magical place for weddings and wedding photo shoots.

Scenic Lookout In Saint-François

Saint Francois is located at the eastern most tip of Ile d'Orleans. There are some really stunning views here that are not to be missed.

Drive down Chemin du Quai and there's a small parking lot. Enjoy the views of nearby islands and the waterways. There's even an observation tower nowadays, too.

The sandy and rocky terrain of the land connected with the calmly flowing St. Lawrence River. This is where freshwater and salt water mixes together, providing a variety of habitats for an abundance of sealife.

We could see some quaint cottages and a church off in the distance. We felt very calm and relaxed here, completely absorbing our surroundings.

Try Blackcurrant Products from a Blackcurrant Farm

This particular farm we stopped at specialized in growing blackcurrants, raspberries, and asparagus. I'm not sure that it's open anymore, but there are other places to try blackcurrant products on Ile d'Orleans. Cassis Monna & Filles is the most famous one.

Blackcurrants are known as being one of the island's specialties as they are rarely grown in Canada compared to other crops. The majority of blackcurrants are grown in parts of Europe and Northern Asia.

We got to sample anything that we liked, and tried a variety of fruit wines made using blackcurrants and raspberries. Justin and I both enjoyed the blackcurrant liquor the best, named "L'Incognito."

It was 22% alcohol and could be added to white wine as an extra flavor, poured over ice cream, or sipped on its own. A bottle of that came home with us!

Pick Your Own Fruits

While Justin and I only purchased products made from the fruits of the island, there are also opportunities to pick-your-own, depending on the season. Just make sure you visit during the proper time of year when that particular fruit is in season.

Pick your own apples in September or October at Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau. Pick your own organic strawberries from late June to mid-July at the Jean-Pierre Plante Farm.

And if you don't feel like picking your own produce, there are so many farm stands in Ile d'Orleans. It's easy to come away with a wide assortment of fresh berries, freshly picked veggies and more.

Afternoon Tea at La Maison de Thé

This was not open when we visited, but I would love to visit La Maison de Thé when we return to Ile d'Orleans. This is a teahouse on the island, specializing in herbal teas and berries.

Even their food menu uses locally grown ingredients from their farm. And best of all, they have a vegan afternoon tea platter, too! Make sure you book this experience in advance as reservations are highly recommended.

Maple Syrup and Sugar Shack Experience

While the season for harvesting maple syrup takes place in the winter through the early spring, most sugar shack experiences only take place in the springtime. However, Le Relais de Pins allows visitors to have this experience all year long.

March and April are great times to visit for the full, authentic sugar shack experience. But, guests can try maple syrup all year long. They'll even pour maple syrup onto snow to create maple taffy in the middle of the summer for you!

There are all kinds of maple syrup and maple products for sale in their retail shop, too. In the summer, they are open daily from 11am to 4pm.

Helpful Tips for Visiting Ile d'Orleans

Here are a few helpful tips to know before you go to Ile d'Orleans. Feel free to drive around the island (or cycle) and see it at your own pace.

Many businesses are only open from the morning through the afternoon, so I suggest arriving early enough before things shut down for the day.

While riding a bike around the island is the perfect way to spend the day, I suggest driving to Ile d'Orleans. You could ride a bike across the bridge, but it could be a bit dangerous as the bridge is very narrow. It only really allows for one car on either side.

Feel free to drive around Chemin Royal clockwise or counter-clockwise. We drove counter-clockwise as it seemed every other car was going in the opposite direction, so it worked to our advantage that no one seemed to be around during our stops.