Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France flying by Quebec City July 2026
In July 2026, the Patrouille de France arrives from the United States and makes a stopover in Montreal and Quebec City for the last time with its Alpha Jet twin-engine jets. These aircraft will be replaced by Pilatus PC-21s starting in 2030.
Photographing the flyover of Quebec City requires choosing between a close-up of the Alpha Jets—aircraft we will never see again—or a wide-angle shot showing the contrails in the colors of France as the pilots fly over the Quebec Bridge.
The Alpha Jets are moving quickly over the St. Lawrence River. The photographer cannot change lenses to capture both a close-up and a super-wide-angle shot in a single pass. He must choose…
A telephoto lens is ideal for capturing the details of aircraft as they fly by. The Canon EF 70-200 mm f/2.8L IS II USM will do the trick. Set to ISO 200 and mounted on a Canon 5DSR full-frame camera, it allows for significant cropping without any loss of quality when zooming in. The excellent light conditions allow for a fast shutter speed.
But every choice involves a trade-off. So, I have to forgo a high-quality super-wide-angle shot taken from the base of the bridge. It would have shown the entire metal structure along with the planes flying by. But the planes would have been too small to be identified.
The Quebec Bridge cannot be overlooked, as it is the world’s largest cantilever structure. Furthermore, the structure—which is over a century old—collapsed twice during its construction.
The Patrouille de France flying over the Québec bridge in 2026
The telephoto lens will allow for a decent photo of the Patrouille de France and the Quebec Bridge in the distance, but nothing more. Viewers will have to settle for a scene full of compromises where neither the planes nor the bridge are clearly visible. However, it did allow for some impressive close-ups of the Alpha Jets, as shown in the first photo.
Here’s a photo of Saint-Louis Street in Old Quebec before the massive influx of tourists. Nothing blocks the view of the buildings across the street.
Photography Technique
Today, the area is beautifully lit, and the few clouds add dynamism to the sky. Rather than capturing the scene around noon, it’s better to wait until dinnertime. The light remains bright, and the sun’s angle at that hour creates some nice shadows.
I’m taking advantage of a clothing sale to add some life to the photo. By framing the shot with a Canon EF 11–24 mm f/4L USM zoom lens, I can include the little multicoloured dresses in the image. We use whatever we can to improve the final result of the photographic composition.
Canon’s high-performance zoom lens allows me to capture numerous buildings while preserving all the vertical lines, without distortion.
Old Quebec buildings and virga.
Above is an alley in Old Quebec, near Saint-Louis Street, but in a different context. This is a composite photo, meaning the sky is not the original one. I had some fun using digital editing software to search for clouds with precipitation that doesn’t reach the ground (virga).
The final result creates an interesting atmosphere, though it’s a bit gloomier than the first shot. The pronounced bluish tint on the building on the right comes from adjusting the vibrance. I moved the slider a little further to the right than usual.
So, we have two very different photos: an unaltered, authentic view of Rue Saint-Louis, and a composite alleyway.
Michel Rabagliati never disappoints me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his latest book, *Y a d’la joie*. The author starts off strong with a few drawings that speak volumes about the influence of the media today. Then he lets us into his life by taking us on a tour of his neighborhood in Montreal. I particularly enjoy the true stories, as they possess an intensity I don’t find in works of fiction.
Here’s a quick aside: while reading Mr. Rabagliati’s book, I was passing through Montreal and took a few photos, including one of the city with the lilacs in bloom.
Lilacs in bloom in Montreal in the spring of 2026
And since the Montreal Canadiens were playing a game that evening that would later eliminate the Buffalo Sabres, it was a must to capture the city’s buildings lit up in red, white, and blue.
Buildings in Montreal decked out in the Montreal Canadiens’ colors during the 2026 playoffs
Now back to the book. The author presents us with an uncensored Montreal—the one you don’t see on postcards. He rightly rails against the idiots who deface the beautiful murals in his neighborhood and elsewhere in the city. Fortunately, there are still buildings where the artwork remains intact, as shown in the two photos below.
Mural on a building in Montreal 2026
Joker mural in Montreal
Mr. Rabagliati introduces us to the businesses in his neighborhood, the people who work there, and those he deals with on a regular basis. He stops by to say hello to his daughter and reminisces about the good times. I love the book’s slow pace and its human touch. His style and words remind me of the Icelandic author Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir.
In short, a superb book that lets us catch our breath a little and reconnect with life bit by bit. If you’d like to see the author in his daily life, you’ll enjoy “Y a d’la joie.”
An evening after the rain at the Station de la plage, Québec 2024
The information below applies to those interested in stand-up paddleboarding in Quebec City, from the “station de la voile” towards the “station de la plage” and the surrounding area.
Before setting out, check the general weather forecast.
Those with some aviation knowledge should check the CYQB TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) for wind estimates.
Also check the tide table (Lauzon) to see if the tide is rising or falling.
Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is mandatory. A wetsuit is strongly recommended, as the water in the St. Lawrence remains cold, even in summer. Here’s a useful rule for deciding what to wear: the water temperature plus the air temperature, compared to 37 °C. If the result is less than 37, a wetsuit is preferable. If the water is 10 °C or colder, regardless of the air temperature, a waterproof layer is essential.
For water temperature near Quebec City, click on “water temperature.”
Buoys measure the temperature. Another possible site for the winds: Windy.
Wetsuits come in various thicknesses (2, 3, or 5 mm for slightly colder conditions).
The wetsuit should fit snugly against the body to prevent air pockets from forming between the skin and the material. If you’re in saltwater, you can apply lotion to your skin under the wetsuit (since water seeps through the wetsuit and can irritate the skin).
Hypothermia: the human body can withstand a maximum of fifteen minutes in water at 5 °C.
Station de la Plage and showers in Quebec City.
The “rule of 12” is taken into account when launching a paddleboard on the river. Each hour corresponds to a more or less rapid rise or fall in water flow. On the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City, the tidal range is three metres. A tidal cycle lasts about 6 hours. During the first hour (1/12) = 1/12 of three metres = .25 metres. The tide changes by .25 metres during the first hour. The second hour (2/12) = .50 metres. The third and fourth hours: 3/12 each. Therefore, during the third and fourth hours, the tide varies by 0.75 metres each hour. The fifth hour: 2/12. Sixth hour: 1/12.
From the “station de la voile”: if the tide is falling and winds are blowing from the S, SW, W, or NW, there are two obstacles when heading west. There is a headwind component, and the person paddles against the current. Check whether the wind strength allows you to launch the board and head west first, especially if the tide is falling.
The safer approach is to exert effort at the start of the trip and coast on the return.
If you decide to head west with an incoming tide, the trip out will be very easy, but you’ll have to paddle hard on the way back.
To gauge the effort required, you can choose a reference point along the Champlain Promenade and note how far the board drifts when you’re not paddling. Then, compare that to your progress when paddling normally. For example, during a trip westward with an ebb tide (water flowing back to the sea) and winds from 250 degrees at 10 knots, I paddled for over an hour just to reach the first stone pier near the “station de la plage”. This included using the double paddle.
At the ends of the stone jetties extending into the river at the sailing and beach stations, waves come from all directions.
Kneeling on the board, you can catch higher waves and have more power to paddle.
The BBC Manila carries wind turbine blades on the St.Lawrence Seaway near Quebec City.
The river has short, long, and very long waves that mix. You may dip a few feet in the through and rise back up on the ridge when the wave is large. There are also times when you’re pushed sideways. Keep an eye on the shore to see which way you’re being carried.
To maintain your balance, keep your eyes on the horizon at all times. Alternate between twenty-minute sessions standing up and then kneeling to rest. If necessary, set up a board seat and use a double paddle while seated for a change.
You must not stray too far from the shore to avoid becoming a victim of sailboats or jet skis travelling at high speeds in areas that require more cautious navigation.
When a large ship passes offshore, two-foot waves arrive a few minutes later, gently lift you up, then continue on and crash against the banks on either side of the river. They return to the paddleboarder much later and are much weaker.
The container ship Hapag_Lloyd Quebec Express and the container ship MSC Paola are sailing around Île d’Orléans near Quebec City.
Take this opportunity to relax. Since this is a water sport, it’s normal to end up in the water from time to time.
There’s a beach near the “station de la voile.” It has few sharp rocks. However, keep an eye out and avoid going there when the tide is at its highest.
Have fun!
A paddleboarder on the St. Lawrence River, as imagined by AI.
Lovecraft style photo of a Quebec City residence near the Cap-Blanc stairway.
The Cap-Blanc Staircase, built in 1868 and the longest in Quebec City, has 398 steps leading to the Plains of Abraham. Many athletes use it every day to stay in shape. But tonight, I’m using a photography technique that makes the scene look a little less pleasant.
The camera’s tilt exaggerates the slanted lines of the old stone building near the staircase. This gives it a slightly more unsettling appearance while allowing us to see a not so inviting patch of sky.
The staircase itself, normally in very good condition, appears distorted due to the excessive use of the wide-angle lens. The result lends an even more sinister air to the scene.
To top it all off, as luck would have it, light streams from a few windows, just like in certain horror movies. Will the surprise come from the top floor or the dark rooms in the basement? Lovecraft’s versions , reimagined by François Baranger, spark the imagination.
For comparison, the photo below shows the staircase and the neighboring house as they appeared during the day, without any photographic effects.
Federal Trident sailing through the ice in front of Quebec City 2026
Days with temperatures of -25 °C and below are becoming increasingly rare in Quebec City. With the wind chill factor, the temperature today feels like -36 °C. This is a golden opportunity to try to capture the sea smoke on the St. Lawrence River.
Photography technique
Sea mist between Île d’Orléans and Quebec City, winter 2026
Night photography in these weather conditions remains difficult. The low light requires a tripod, which itself vibrates in the gusty wind. This means increasing the ISO and decreasing the depth of field to achieve a faster shutter speed, which slightly reduces image quality. In addition, using a 300 mm telephoto lens increases the risk of blurry photos. Photography is all about compromise!
Canadian Coastguard icebreaker Des Groseillers at work near Quebec City winter 2026
Above is a photo of the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Des Groseillers at work. It is not surprising to see this type of vessel in the area, as the Seaway must remain ice-free in its centre to allow ships to navigate year-round. And this year, there is ice!
Snow blower at work on Île d’Orléans in the winter of 2026
On Île d’Orléans, snow blowers don’t stop clearing snow when a vehicle approaches from the opposite direction. They blow the snow across the road with enough force that you can quickly pass under the spray without getting too much debris on your car.
House on Île d’Orléans with Mont St. Anne in the background
The sun hits the trees sideways in the late afternoon on Île d’Orléans. From the Sainte-Famille parish, you can capture the island’s houses with an interesting backdrop: the ski slopes of Mont St-Anne.
Protest in Quebec City against Iran’s mullahs
Even in freezing temperatures, citizens of Iranian origin are demonstrating in Old Quebec against the dictatorial regime of the mullahs in Iran. All this at a time when an American fleet is positioning itself for a military intervention in Iran.
Canadian Coast Guard Amundsen icebreaker on the St.Lawrence river near Quebec City 2026
The freezing weather of winter 2025-2026 in Quebec requires frequent interventions by the Canadian Coast Guard to open passages on the St. Lawrence River. In the photo above, the icebreaker Amundsen, clears the way in front of Quebec City.
This ship occasionally works in the Canadian Arctic on research projects. It also ensures a Canadian presence in Canada’s northernmost territories.
Note the helicopter parked at the rear of the ship. Other larger icebreakers are under construction at various shipyards across the country, including the one in Lévis. Some of them are intended to strengthen Canadian territorial sovereignty in the Arctic.
Ferries at work in the ice in front of Quebec City winter 2026
Ferries make their way through the ice in January 2026. They ensure the crossing for pedestrians and vehicles between Quebec City and Lévis.
Ship moving through the ice on a winter night in front of Quebec City
For this nighttime photograph, I used a Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM lens. It requires very little light and allows the photographer to take a picture of the Ocean tugboat and the merchant navy ship as they pass in front of Quebec City. I took the photo from the Dufferin Terrace and cropped it to enlarge the image.
Leaving Tadoussac, the road continues along the Côte-Nord (North Shore) and we pass through Forestville to reach Baie-Comeau and take the ferry to Matane, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River.
We arrive in Matane at dusk, just in time to set up the camera equipment on the beach. There’s no way I can take the photo above from the ferry, because a long exposure requires absolute stillness. I want to capture this beautiful September moon rising above the houses.
I miss a few shots by relying on autofocus. I quickly change my photography technique. Liveview (Live View) mode and manual focus will improve the sharpness.
Fishing boat at dusk in Matane, Quebec 2025
The next day, a boat leaves Matane just before nightfall for a fishing expedition off the St. Lawrence River. The relative calm of the waters offers interesting reflections. The low light and distance of the boat require the use of a high-quality lens, in this case the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
On the way back from Matane to Quebec City, a stop at Bic National Park allows us to take a few photos, including this fishing boat returning to port. The sailors’ departure time varies constantly depending on the river tides.
Fishing boat in the Parc national du Bic, Québec 2025
Another location well known for its beauty is the municipality of Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer. Below, the colorful houses along the beach attract the attention of tourists and contribute to the area’s reputation. I preferred to capture an overall effect by including vegetation in the foreground. The few small low cumulus clouds also add to the dynamic of the scene.
The village of Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer and its colorful houses.
One last photo shows the sunset in Berthier-sur-Mer. This area, along with the Kamouraska and Notre-Dame-du-Portage regions, regularly offers exceptional panoramas when the sun sets. So much so that some photos can look like they’ve been retouched.
I saw reds and purples so pronounced that it became obvious that the photographer would have been accused of oversaturating his shots.
Sunset at Berthier-sur-Mer en 2024.
After an excellent meal at the beach restaurant in Berthier-sur-Mer, we finally reach our final destination, the beautiful city of Quebec City.
After visiting the La Malbaie region, the Saguenay Fjord, Bagotville, and La Baie, all of which were featured in my previous blog post, we continue our journey to Saint-Gédéon, along the Lac-Saint-Jean, Alma, and then back to La Baie at nightfall.
Lac-Saint-Jean, September 2025
Lac-Saint-Jean has a circumference of 263 kilometers and covers an area of 1,003 square kilometers. When we were there, the wind was blowing moderately, and it’s easy to imagine the swells that boaters must face in the middle of this immense expanse of water. Some sources cite waves up to 4 meters high during extreme weather conditions.
Hay bales near St-Gédéon, Lac Saint-Jean 2025
In September, farmers store hay bales. Around 6 p.m. in the Saint-Gédéon region near Lac-Saint-Jean, the sun hits the field from the side, beautifully illuminating the hay still outside. An excellent opportunity for landscape photography.
Just before nightfall and our departure for Alma, we take a few shots of the wind turbines near the lake. The photographic composition requires a vertical frame.
Wind turbines at dusk in Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec 2025
In Alma, we take the opportunity to eat at the restaurant owned by Mario Tremblay, a star hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens who is now retired. It was well worth the stop! I took a photo of the restaurant entrance where you can see the hockey player in action!
Entrance to Mario Tremblay’s restaurant in Alma
The journey continues in the next article, where we stop in Tadoussac for a whale watching cruise.
