Winter gives way to signs of hope and planning ideas. Whether it’s a trip locally or a bucket list destination we have to make some plans. When it comes to unique accommodations in Quebec Maritime, it’s time to start making reservations for summer travel.
Update: As we slowly come out of this world pandemic, now is the time to start planning for a summer vacation in Quebec. Although there are plenty of hotels, you may want to consider staying in unique and qurciky accomodations: a lighthouse, teepee or futuristic pod may appeal to your adventerous side. Here are some great suggestions on where to stay in Quebec.
you can in other lighthouses – Unique Accommodations in Quebec Maritime
This is a great time to put preliminary plans in motion. Many locations have liberal cancellation policies so there is no need to fret. Why stay in a hotel or motel when you can try something different? Whether you chose a yurt, ready-to-camp tents/cabins, treehouses or geometric domes, you will love staying in these accommodations.
Here is an extensive list of quirky and unique accommodations in Quebec Maritime.
Yurts & Ready-to-Camp
Parc national du Bic
A cross between a tent and a cabin, a yurt is circular in shape with tent canvas enclosing the one-room space. Because the supports tie into a central ring, its skylight allows you to stargaze. The yurt is stylishly furnished and fully equipped so you can just show up and unpack without worrying about anything else. The goal is stress-free living.
There is only one provincial park in Quebec Maritime that offers a yurt experience: Parc national du Bic. Just outside of Rimouski (& three hours north of Quebec City), you will love all that this park has to offer in accommodation options.
They offer a variety of ready-to-camp options from small compact tent/cabins to campsites and RV locations.
Ten new Étoile ready-to-camp sites are now offered in the Tombolo sector of Parc national du Bic. The cube-shaped Étoile ready-to-camp is supported by a canvas-sealed wood structure. In addition to offering more height, greater capacity (6 people), and more storage, it’s perfectly integrated with the natural setting. Outdoor features include Adirondack chairs, a fire pit and picnic table.
Campers can count on the same conveniences in the kitchen as at the traditional ready-to-camp while enjoying three double beds spend a comfortable night. The kitchen is stocked with cooking utensils, a fridge and an outdoor grill. All you have to bring is the food!
Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata
Gaspésie National Park
Both Gaspésie National Park and Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata offer Huttopia tent options. These traditional ready-to-camp facilities are an excellent choice for camping enthusiasts and families who like to travel light! This type of accommodation has 2 double beds, everything you need for cooking, additional heating, lighting and a table with chairs. Outside, you will find an electric cooking device, a picnic table, 4 garden chairs and a fire pit.
Lac-Témiscouata National Park
400, chemin Vieille Route, Squatec (Quebec), G0L 4H0
Phone: 418 855-5508
Toll Free: 1 800 665-652
Gaspésie National Park
1981, Route du Parc
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts (Quebec) G4V 2E4
Phone: 418 763-7494
Forillon National Park
Located just over an hour from Perce Rock, Forillon National Park is a stunning destination in the Gaspe Peninsula. No question, you’ll want to stay for a few days to take in the views of the St. Lawrence seaway. There are wonderful lighthouses to take in along the way.
The park provides visitors with 352 campsites in four magnificent sectors of the park. If you visit but do not have all the camping gear, you can try a nature experience with a bit more comfort by staying in one of 15 oTENTik tents, 5 new Ôasis glamping units or the micrOcube.
An accommodation that resembles a water droplet and has an internal area of 6m2 Its installation on stilts and its large panoramic windows allow visitors to enjoy a unique experience. Spend the night in the canopy watching the stars. Max. 4 people (2 adults, 2 children).
MicrOcube – micro accommodations for 2 people. Its contemporary design, its wooden cover and its panoramic windows allow visitors to enjoy a uniquely comfortable experience in a natural environment. This is more like a tent with a bed, a table and chairs but NO kitchen facilities or heating. They may be a fire pit and picnic table.
If you are looking more for a glamping experience try an oTENTtik tent – part tent, part rustic cottage. Enjoy camping without having to bring along all the gear. The tents include furniture, 3 beds, heating, dishes & utensils, a small fridge, side burner, fire pit, outdoor seating. Max. 6 people.
The park also offers wilderness camping enthusiasts 3 backcountry sites, two of which are lean-to shelters where you can camp without a tent.
Visit the Parks Canada Reservation Service page or the park’s Camping section for more details to help you choose your unique accommodation in Quebec experience.
Treehouses & Bubbles
Canopée Lit
Just north of Tadoussac, in Anse-de-Roche you will find Canopée Lit, a charming combination of wooden tree houses (or cabins) or treetop “bubbles,” which are see-through domes. These spheres are blown up each spring and taken down for the winter. I’m not going to lie, it’s like staying in a huge snow globe but the views from above are spectacular!
This camp is owned by a family from France who came to the region on vacation and decided to buy a patch of forest and build these unique accommodations in Quebec Maritime. The wooden treetop cabins are 4 seasons although this camp is closed in November and April for shoulder season. Our host and owner offered us one of the best coffees in the region – yum, yum. A freshly made breakfast is served in the main lodge but you can make your own meals in the fully-equipped compact kitchen nook in the treehouses. Breakfast is included if you stay in the bubbles.
The view is worth the climb into the trees tops
Your balcony oversees the forest, with a few choice cabins providing views of the Saguenay Fjords – my suggestion is to reserve Le Dome. Included is heating, private bathroom with toilet, towels and bed linen.
Breakfasts are delivered to your door but your luggage is not. This getaway is best-suited for knapsacks or overnight bags, rolling luggage would not fare well in the forest because you are walking in! The reception area has Wi-Fi, games and books for guests to enjoy.
Plan ahead and book well in advance, as this is a very popular destination experience – July and August is peak season here so start making reservations in February! This is a very quiet, secluded and romantic choice for couples. I would not advise this for families with small children as the stairs are steep and the cabins are pretty high in the sky!
Canopée Lit
303, chemin de l’Anse-de-Roche, Sacré-Coeur (Quebec) Canada G0T 1Y0
Phone: +418-236-9544
Rustic Cottages
Vieux Loup de Mer
What set this recommendation apart is not that these are rustic cottages with a killer view, it is that this is there second home (or location). It started off with one cottage that was lovingly restored, then another was purchased but year after year, Jean-Luc and Martin have painstakingly dismantled, reassembled and restored cottages overlooking the Bay of Roses.
If you want to have a look at this whole cottage hop over to the photo gallery here. With WIFI, cable, a wood stove (and wood supplied), settle in for a cozy weekend away just a stone’s throw away from Parc national du Bic.
These traditional French Canadian houses bring with them a rich tradition and sustainability to this group of rustic cottages. The coziness and details put into decorating each is evident. I suggest you have a look at their stunning Instagram account for a better view of these terribly romantic getaway accommodations.
I’m not going to lie, this has made it to my bucketlist of unique accommodations in Quebec Maritime. Hope to see you in 2021!
Vieux Loup de Mer – Chalet Hoteliers
3250 Route 132 O, Le Bic (Rimouski), QC, G0L 1B0
Phone: 418.750.5915
Tiny Houses
Domaine Floravie
If you watch any home decorating shows you’ve heard about tiny houses. They are small homes loaded on wheels so you can move them around. The owner of Domaine Floravie built a series of 7 Tiny homes with stunning views of the St. Lawrence seaway. This eco-resort is mobile so during the summer, the homes are moved closer to the St. Lawrence River and in the fall they are moved more inland. What is most appealing are that these tiny houses are fully equipped with eco-friendly features and have been manufactured according to the principles of sustainable development and are off the grid.
All the wood used comes from local companies. The chalets are insulated with hemp wool and the energy supply is provided by solar panels. In addition, to foster eco-accountability, the water supply is limited in order to raise awareness of this valuable resource and of the importance of conserving it.
Domaine Floravie
100, Route Santerre, Rimouski, Qc, G0L 1B0
Phone : 418-736-4000
Toll free : 1 855-736-5755
Géodômes
Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux
They are futuristic pods sitting in the trees. Not sure what to expect of these unique modern cabins? Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux features a variety of lodging options including some unique suspended spheres, tree houses and log cabins, all with great views. You will love the calm and quietness of being perched overlooking the Boreal Forest. Or if you prefer, you can try the larger canvas domes. These are not perched in trees but take you right into the heart of this beautiful French Canadian region of Saguenay/Lac St. Jean.
The domes are equipped with a small kitchen, bed with bedding, plus a deck to sit and have a coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at night while you watch the beautiful night sky. I can just imagine the stars at night!
This park is a multi-activity site with a vast forest, hiking trails and 2 natural beaches right on the Saguenay fjord.
Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux
250, chemin de la Pointe-aux-Pins C.P. 1058, Saint-Fulgence, G0V 1S0
Desjardins Géodômes – Mont St. Joseph
The Desjardins géodômes are accessible from the top of Mont Saint-Joseph. Perched on the mountainside and equipped with windows offering a breathtaking view of Carleton-sur-Mer and the St. Lawrence River, the Desjardins geodomes offer a grandiose ready-to-camp experience – some would call it luxurious glamping, in a natural and intimate environment.
Experience the charm of a hotel room in a picture-postcard landscape and savour an unforgettable immersion in this unique location that is Baie-des-Chaleurs! The geodomes include two double beds on two floors (second accessible by a ladder), bedding, tableware and kitchen/baking accessories, induction hob, fridge, propane BBQ, WIFI at the reception pavilion, electrical outlets, and a deck. Washrooms & showers are adjacent to the reception pavilion.
Desjardins geodomes
837, rue de la Montagne, Carleton-sur-Mer (Quebec), G0C 1J0
418 364-2276, ext. 1
Rustic Cabin, Ready-to-Camp and Yurts
Ferme 5 Etoiles
One of the highlights of our Girl’s Getaway to Quebec was a stay Ferme 5 Etoiles. This is where we met Jacob the grey wolf and Luna the arctic wolf. There is no question this is the best option for a family. Our ‘cabins’ were very large with each room having at least two beds (double and single). The second room had three beds with two doubles and a single. This means that you can easily house a family of 5 or 6. The kitchen was fully equipped with a comfortable living room area.
You have the option of staying in a yurt, ready-to-camp, cottages or re-living a pioneer’s life in a trapper’s camp.
The Trapper’s Camp is located at the edge of the woods and facing the lakes, this authentic log cabin will make you experience the trapper’s life at the time of the «coureur des bois». Heated with a wood stove, the trapper’s cabin is the perfect place to spend a night in a friendly atmosphere with friends, family or lovers. The cabin has 2 double beds (bunk beds) and a bench where a child can sleep, an inside toilet but no shower. You have access to the shower on the main site.
This working farm has both a small petting zoo (with goats, chickens, pheasants etc.) as well as some larger animals (bison, llama and moose) for you to visit. You can read my full review of Ferme 5 Etoiles here.
Ferme 5 Etoiles.
465, route 172 Nord, Sacré-Coeur (Quebec) Canada G0T 1Y0
Phone: +418-236-4833
Replica Ship
Chalets de l’Anse Ste-Hélène
Now for something completely different. You have a choice at the Chalets de l’Anse Ste-Hélène of stand-alone chalets or a stay in a replica ship. La Grande Hermine (“The Big Weasel”) is a replica of the largest of three ships Jacques Cartier used to sail up the St. Lawrence River. The cabins have the capacity for 2, 4 or 6 people and have a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and bedroom(s). The larger cabins are two floors and can accommodate up to 6 people. Some with a beautiful view of the bay.
You can visit a teepee near the chalets or take a walk to other stand-alone teepees further down the bay. The owners hope to eventually be able to offer these as unique summer accommodations. This property is owned and operated by the Micmacs of Gesgapegiag.
La Grande Hermine has two sleeping quarters, one on each end of the boat (queen & double beds), a bathroom with a shower, a living room and a kitchenette. Wi-fi is available and an exquisite stay with breathtaking views.
Chalets de l’Anse Sainte-Hélène
892 Boulevard Perron, Maria, Quebec G0C 1Y0
Phone: (581)-886-5455
Ready-to-Camp
Percé UNESCO Global Geopark
This campsite and ready-to-camp accommodations is more about the location and the activities available than just winter camping. The Percé UNESCO Global Geopark has ready-to-camp tents which are furnished, semi-insulated and heated for a more enjoyable experience, near the Tektonik Pavilion and the entrance to the trails. You are close to the many activities including the suspended glass platform overlooking Percé Rock and Ile Bonaventure provincial park. The glass platform suspended cantilevered 200 m off a cliff of Mont Ste-Anne.
Photo Credit: Roger St-Laurent/Tourisme Gaspésie
Lighthouses
As part of my epic Lighthouse Trail, we visited a number of lighthouses (click to see a short video). Although many are simply tourist attractions, we were informed that we could stay in a lighthouse! I could not resist putting these two locations on my list of unique accommodations in Quebec Maritime!
Maisons du Phare de l’Île Verte
Photo Credit: Marc Loiselle/QuebecMaritime
Built in 1809, Maisons du Phare de l’Île Verte is a B&B located on Green Island (Île Verte) in the St. Lawrence River. Accessible by ferry on the south shore between Riviere de Loup and Trois Pistoles, reservations during high season are highly recommended. There are limited sailings each day dependent on the tide.
The B&B offers 9 rooms in two buildings: the light keeper’s house and the assistant light keeper’s house. Large groups can reserve one or both houses. You can sleep peacefully beneath a beacon that has been quietly sweeping over the St. Lawrence River for over 200 years. Each house is equipped with a full kitchen, which you can use to prepare meals, but make sure to pack your own food as there are no grocery stores, pharmacies or bank machines on the island. There are several restaurants and a fish store. The hearty breakfast will be a good start to your day of outdoor fun!
Maisons du Phare de l’Île Verte
2802, chemin du Phare, Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs, Île Verte (Quebec), G0L 1K0
Phone: 418-898-2730
Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse
Your second option is just a few kilometres north at Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse a federal heritage building located on an island offering three cosy rooms furnished in the spirit of the 19th century. This is more than a room in a lighthouse, your stay includes a one night stay, boat transfer from Riviere de Loup to and from the island, guided cruise and tour, dinner, brunch, snack and gratuities. Don’t want to stay in the lighthouse? You have other options on the larger adjacent Île aux Lièvres (Hare Island) where you can stay in a cottage, a room at the inn or use one of the 22 wilderness campsites!
Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse
200 Rue Hayward, Rivière-du-Loup, (Quebec) Canada G5R 3Y9
Phone: 418-867-1660
Toll-free: 1-877-867-1660
Tipi
Cap Aventure
One last option can be found on Île aux Lièvres (Hare Island) close to Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse at Cap Aventure. I search high and low for a tipi to add to the unique accommodations in Quebec Maritime list and here it is. This wooden tipi accommodates up to 4 people and is located at the edge of Cap-aux-Os beach.
An atypical accommodation by the beach at Cap-aux-Os. This ready-to-camp is fitted out for a family with that glamping feel. Just a few steps from the sand, the Tipi is the perfect accommodation to discover the joys of camping without having to bother with all the equipment that is usually connected to the practice. What’s included: one double and two single beds, bathrooms (shower, toilet, sink), an outdoor fire area, picnic table, parking, terrace, beach, Wi-Fi available.
I just love these quirky and unique accommodations in Quebec Maritime. I’ve stayed in some, visited others and only hope to see a few more. After extensive research with the individual establishments, the Quebec Maritime tourism board, I am comfortable recommending these properties to my readers. I encourage you to plan and dream of future travel once it is safe to travel again. GO.GO.GO. You need to see QUEBEC BY THE SEA!
Disclosure: I was a guest of the tourism boards of Quebec Maritime. I was a guest at some of these hotels where I was welcomed to enjoy the facilities. All opinions are my own and held without reservation or prejudice. I would go back to any of these establishments in a heartbeat.
More posts about Quebec Maritime
- 10+ Quirky and Unique Accommodations in Quebec Maritime
- Quebec by the Sea – The Lighthouse Trail in Quebec Maritime – Detailed Itinerary
- 6 of the Best Road Trips in Quebec Maritime
- Family Travel in Quebec Maritime – Ferme 5 Etoiles Family Farm is a must-see
- A Comprehensive Guide to Whale Watching in Tadoussac, Quebec – Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park
- International Garden Festival – Large Scale Garden Installations in the Jardin Metis/Reford Gardens
- Percé Rock in the Gaspésie Region of Quebec–#QuebecMaritime
- From Working Farms to Futuristic Pods in the woods: Your Guide to Where to stay in Quebec
- Video – FB Live of Jacob the Wolf at Ferme 5 Etoiles in Quebec Maritime
- Video – Lighthouse Trail in Quebec Maritime Part One and Part Two
Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
What a stunning set of travel opportunities. I’ve only been to Montreal, but nowhere else in Quebec, and many of these are glorious. You couldn’t pay me to camp, perhaps not even glamp, though the treetop bubbles could create a very cozy, romantic evening, I’m fairly high maintenance, so my faves are the Chalets de l’Anse Ste-Hélène and La Grande Hermine, assuming it rocks gently and there’s a REAL shower. 😉 The lighthouses might be lovely, too.
And I wish we could see inside The Oasis – water droplet shaped pods! I’m ready for my vacation!
This is amazing!! I would try everything!!!!! Im so ready for a getaway!!!
After reading this beautiful post, I feel as though I’ve been on a mini-vacation. These spots are remarkable.
I’m fascinated by the treehouse and the tiny houses. How in the world does the treehouse stay firm and solid on the tree? It’s quite beautiful, unlike any I’ve seen before. I love the smart and sustainable materials used in tiny houses as well as the configuration of space and storage. The rustic cottage reminds me of a place we used to visit for years. The perfect description is cozy.
I have to share this with friends who would absolutely love these spots. Thank you for this!
Ronni,
They are SUPER SOLID. True structures in the trees, I visited them myself. I could not believe how well it was made and suited to the PERFECT romantic weekend. The sunsets would be extraordinary. I hope one day you make it to Quebec Maritime.
I got pretty excited when I saw the title of your post, because I’ve always wanted to visit that area. Then the first place on your list is somewhere I’ve actually been, as a teenager! It was when I visited Rimouski (and Camping Bic) that I discovered the beauty of the region.
Janet, I am a devoted fan of this region. I was desparate to take my family this spring but alas I must #DreamNowTravelLater. I can wait, it is well worth it! Hope you can return!
Being that 2020 involved NO travel, it’s so much fun to think about going away. And I love all of the fabulous and unique locations you sourced. I have been fascinated by the tiny house movement for years. Secretly (well, not so secretly anymore,) I fantasize about moving into a tiny house. My husband teases me that we’d need two tiny houses to maintain the peace. Anyway, this summer, we are going to a tiny house resort, like the one you featured. Only the one we’re visiting is in upstate New York, in the Catskills. I can’t wait! And perhaps once I have that experience, I’ll know better whether full-time tiny house living is a viable option for us.
Linda, that sounds like so much fun. I also wanted to experience the tiny house vacation. I think it would be so much fun. I cannot say enough about Quebec Maritime. It is close to New York state and would be a great vacation. The Catskills is on my list. Once the border opens up again, I would love to go!