While on vacation in Matane for a few days, we took the opportunity to snap a few photos of the magnificent sunsets that are the hallmark of the area.
Sunset in Matane, Quebec, 2026
You never know what to expect, because in the evening the sky often clouds over or clears up in a matter of minutes. You have to be ready to capture the most beautiful colors, which last only a very short time—sometimes just a few seconds.
Sunset in Matane in September 2026
The entire region along the St. Lawrence River between Matane and Quebec City offers spectacular sunsets. The Kamouraska region sometimes features colors so intense that it’s hard to post them on social media without people thinking the photos have been edited and oversaturated.
Map of a 77 km bike ride in the Kamouraska region.
This intermediate-level, 77-kilometer bike route in the Bas-Saint-Laurent runs entirely on paved roads, unlike Vélo Québec’s Églantiers loop (55 km), which includes a 14-kilometer gravel section. The cycling tour follows a sort of elongated rectangle running parallel to the St. Lawrence River.
Exit for St-Pascal and Kamouraska
To get there by car, take the St-Pascal exit and head toward Kamouraska. Parking at the village church is free.
The bike route begins heading southwest, first along Route 132 toward Saint-Denis-De La Bouteillerie. Cyclists are treated to beautiful views along the way, whether of ancestral houses, flower-filled or plowed fields, farms, monadnocks, the river, or the mountains in the distance. When I was there, a massive drone controlled from the roadside was spraying crops.
Once you reach Saint-Denis-De La Bouteillerie, turn left onto Route 287 and continue toward Saint-Philippe-de-Néri. Eventually, you’ll pass under Highway 20 and reach Route 230. There, turn left again and ride along Route 230 to Saint-Alexandre-de-Kamouraska. Generally speaking, the route heads northeast.
Kamouraska fields, Summer 2026.
In Saint-Alexandre-de-Kamouraska, a left turn brings you onto Route 289, which you follow until you reach Route 132, near the river. Along the way, a long downhill stretch allows for a bit of a break and allows to reach a speed of 60 km/h. For reference, by the time you turn onto Route 289, you’ll have already covered about 50 kilometers.
Once you reach Route 132, turn left to ride along the river and head back toward Kamouraska. At this point, there are between 15 and 20 kilometers left to go. A possible stopover is the small lighthouse in Saint-André de Kamouraska.
Small lighthouse of Saint-André de Kamouraska
Throughout this hike, there are several opportunities to take a shortcut inland to reach Kamouraska more quickly. This can be helpful if you’re tired, injured, or for any other reasons.
Once you’re back in the village of Kamouraska, there are a few interesting spots worth visiting to grab a bite, pick up some unique souvenirs, and even take a walk near the beach.
The photograph shows a view of the fertile land along the St. Lawrence River in the Kamouraska region. A public observatory allows visitors to admire the panorama.
Sea kayaking on the St.Lawrence Seaway near Rivière-du-Loup
In the evening, in Rivière-du-Loup, these two kayakers enjoy the tranquility of the St. Lawrence River as they indulge in their favorite sport.
The St.Lawrence Seaway seen from Rivière-du-Loup
This HDR shot of a unit at the Auberge de la Pointe in Rivière-du-Loup features seven superimposed photos, for a total of 354 megabytes of data. This ensures that the sky is correctly exposed and that the rooms in the foreground are not completely obscured.
Ferry towards St-Siméon in the province of Québec 2023
The journey takes us to Saint-Siméon on a calm seaway. A Canon EF 11-24mm F/4 USM wide-angle zoom lens captures the scene without exaggerated distortion.
Île-aux-Lièvres and the St. Lawrence river, Québec 2023.
Auberge la Châtelaine Saint-Laurent, La Malbaie 2023.
Here’s a shot of one of the corridors of the Auberge Châtelaine, in La Malbaie. One of the reasons to stop by is the excellent breakfast included after a good night’s rest. No fat bacon or greasy potatoes here: just homemade bread and jams.
