That’s it, you’ve decided to have an intimate wedding or an elopement in Quebec! But now, you find that the idea of ​​getting married at the courthouse lacks romance. Like a lot! You still want to make your wedding day a memorable one. A day that allows you to experience significant moments between you two or with a few people very close to you. So you are looking for exceptional intimate wedding or elopement location ideas in Quebec to exchange your vows surrounded by beautiful nature, preferably by the water or on top of a mountain. Even cooler, if it’s on an island in the open sea!

Keep reading! Because we have been travelling around Quebec for years planning and photographing intimate weddings and elopements year-roud. We are fascinated by the St Lawrence River, its maritime landscapes, its mountains and its wide open spaces. Quebec is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for us … So we have plenty of ideas for your intimate wedding in nature in Quebec.

Here are 6 favorite locations that offer the perfect setting for an exceptional intimate wedding or elopement and where the water, the river or the sea are never far away. And even if you have decided to elope, that does not mean that you have to forget about the festivities, on the contrary! We have therefore added suggestions for having drinks, a great meal and cool sleeping arrangements, so that your wedding day is epic, festive and romantic!

Here are our favorite elopement locations ideas in Quebec!

• Kamouraska
• Charlevoix
• Bic National Park
• Gaspésie
• Mingan Archipelago
• Magdalen Islands

Kamouraska

You don’t have to go far from the big city centers to get away from it all and find elopement location ideas in Quebec. Kamouraska is an exceptional region which has its own unique identity. If you are looking for a romantic and bucolic location to exchange your wedding vows, this is the place. From the sunsets (which many claim to be the most beautiful in the world), to the St. Lawrence River which asserts its maritime character, to the Charlevoix mountains in the background… And that’s not to mention the cabourons (small hills) which offer fairly easy hiking opportunities and breathtaking views.

Traveling the back roads of Kamouraska in the grazing light of the end of the day will always remain for us the perfect symbol of summer …

Elopement locations ideas in Quebec – photos from Kamouraska region

How to get to Kamouraska?

Kamouraska region is located about 1 hour 30 minutes from Quebec City and 4 hours from Montreal by Autoroute 20. Do not hesitate to take the side roads or those that indicate cul-de-sac, that’s where you can often find the best views!

Where to drink and eat in Kamouraska?

It is the perfect place for epicurean lovers who want to celebrate their intimate wedding in nature in Quebec, since everything is nearby for a feast. You can start the festivities with a pint or two at La Tête d’Allumette, a microbrewery with a luminous riverside terrace. Then, have a great meal at Bistro Côté Est, which offers a menu featuring local products, a must for a tête-à-tête between newlyweds. If you want to eat quickly and go on an adventure straight away, Chez Mag is a foodies snack-bar. And finally, Poissonnerie Lauzier offers an unpretentious menu with local flavors for lovers of fish and seafood.

Where to sleep in Kamouraska?

A little research on AirBnB will convince you of the multitude of accommodation offers in Kamouraska. L’Auberge Le 112, La Maison aux Coquillages and Auberge des Aboiteaux each offer beautiful rooms with a view of the river or the foreshore. It’s possible to book some of them as “country houses”, so you can have the place to yourself. Super convenient if you want to have your intimate wedding surrounded by just a few close friends and family. And that’s without mentioning the unusual accommodation at Les Perchoirs du Cirque!

What if you are more of the camping style? La Sebka offers an extraordinary experience with the possibility of pitching your tent a few meters from the riverbank. A campfire, the sound of the waves and the sun setting in the mountains in the distance… It’s hard to beat that kind of a wedding night!

What to do in Kamouraska?

There’s a wide range of activities to choose from. Several scenic bike trails, some along the river, allow you to discover the region’s magnificent landscapes. There are also kayak trips and easy hikes. Or how about mushroom picking, cocktail hour on a farm or a visit to a vineyard? In summer, Cirque de la Pointe Sèche also offers spectators an artistic immersion in a majestic natural setting. And finally, in the mood for something really fun? The Grand Labyrinthe de Kamouraska takes you around in circles from July to October every year!

Want to see what it could look like? Click here to see more intimate wedding and elopement photos at Kamouraska.

Charlevoix

Charlevoix needs no introduction. As one the most popular elopement location ideas in Quebec, it’s a destination that offers couples looking to get married a host of attractions. Riverside landscapes, accessible beaches, mountain peaks offering breathtaking views. Isle-aux-Coudres can only be reached by boat, so you can finally take the time to breathe at a different tempo. Its proximity to Quebec City also makes it easier to retain the services of certain wedding vendors.

It’s a beautiful intimate wedding or elopement location in all seasons. No matter how adventurous you are, there’s always a place to connect with the breathtaking panorama. While it’s possible to hike for miles and miles and reach breathtaking vistas, it’s really not mandatory. Whether it’s for your first look or your wedding ceremony, we know of several easily accessible spots that will leave you breathless.

Elopement locations ideas in Quebec – photos from Kamouraska region

How to get to Charlevoix ?

Charlevoix is located 1 hour from Quebec and 4 hours drive from Montreal via Highway 40 and Route 138.

Where to drink/eat and sleep in Charlevoix ?

There are many fine restaurants in the area, including Camp Boule Buvette des Montagnes, Les Labours, Bistro de l’Estran, Chez Truchon and Les Faux Bergers. And as it’s also a superb destination for agrotourism, there are plenty of culinary discoveries to be made to put together a memorable picnic.

All types of accommodation are represented. Our favorites are Les Hauts Refuges and Momentôm (for glamping), Teracea (prestige chalets), Réflexion Charlevoix (mirrored chalets!), Hôtel & Spa le Saint-Germain Charlevoix and ÖBois Charlevoix. We could add more, but the list would never end LOL

What to do in Charlevoix ?

Here are some ideas for activities to do in Charlevoix :

• Hiking in the Grands-Jardins National Park or the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park
• Helicopter ride with Héli-Charlevoix
• Via ferrata at Palissades de Charlevoix
• Mountain biking or alpine skiing (depending on the season) in the Massif de Charlevoix
• Dog sled or sea kayak excursion (depending on the season) with Bosco Charlevoix

Want to see what it could look like? Click here to see more intimate wedding and elopement photos in Charlevoix.

Bic National Park

We could not pass over the Bic National Park. It is a must see in Quebec. Raw nature and islets easily accessible at low tide… Vertiginous cliffs and a cape with a jagged silhouette recognizable among all! Perfect for an epic and easily accessible elopement, summer or winter. Yes! Because getting married by the sea in winter is crazy and your wedding photos will be gorgeous!

This is a place that we particularly suggest to couples who are insearch of elopement location ideas in Quebec and want it to be easy to access without compromising the majestic side of their wedding photos. And by ease of access, we mean that very often you can park, get out of your car and have this breathtaking vista at your feet or just a few minutes walk . When we lived in Rimouski, we went there every week, sometimes even several times a week. We have photographed many intimate weddings and elopements in this wonderful location. This is Josée’s favorite national park in Quebec 😉 If you are more contemplative than sporty, this is the place for you.

ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS IDEAS IN QUEBEC – PHOTOS FROM Bic National Park

How to get to Bic National Park?

Located just before Rimouski, the Park is accessible by Route 132 in just 3 hours from Quebec City or 5 hours 30 minutes from Montreal.

Where to eat and drink near Bic National Park?

A few years ago, we were regulars at the artisanal microbrewery Le Bien, Le Malt in Rimouski… An often changing and always surprising beer card. We still remember the Noctambule, that is to say! Please tell us if it made a comeback on the menu 😉

When it comes to good dining, we suggest La Réserve Bistro, Arlequin, Le Narval, Les Affamés or Chez Saint-Pierre, whose reputation has spread far beyond our borders.

Where to sleep near Bic National Park?

Let’s put it like this: we are blown away by the aesthetics of Le Refuge du Vieux Loup de Mer. The owners of the estate are buying ancestral houses and rebuilding them piece by piece on their immense land located by the river. Watch out for serious #cabinporn!

Another exceptional accommodation, Domaine Floravie offers unusual and ecological mini-chalets along the river.

It’s also possible to book a cabin directly in the park with Sépaq. Chalet EXP & Écho, yurt… Ready-to-camp as well as traditional campsites, there’s really everything to make you happy.

What to do in Bic National Park ?

Here are some ideas for activities to do in Bic and the surrounding area :

• Kayak excursion with Aventure Archipel
• Hiking and observing the park’s wildlife
• Visit a lighthouse and a submarine at the Pointe-au-père Maritime Historic Site
• Horse riding with Les Écuries du Pont d’Or
• Climbing on rock or ice with Riki Bloc
• Classical music concert on the Îles du Bic

Want to see what it could look like? Click here to see more intimate wedding and elopement photos in Bic National Park and surrounding areas.

Gaspésie

Are you hesitating between getting married on top of a mountain or by the sea? What if we told you that it is possible to do both, on the same day? Haute-Gaspésie is our favorite region throughout the entire Gaspé peninsula. Here the river is an ocean and the cliffs that flow into the sea are spectacular. It’s epic, wild and awe-inspiring. But it is also here that some of the highest mountains in Quebec are found, in the Gaspésie National Park and the Chic-Chocs Wildlife Reserve.

Because it is possible to combine sea and mountain here, it allows you to experience the best of both worlds, and to obtain a wide range of landscapes for your wedding photos. Imagine exchanging your wedding vows at the top of one of the many mountains of the Gaspésie National Park and ending the day with a picnic and a breathtaking sunset couple session on the seashore…

Of course, you can decide to get married at the top of the park’s jewel, Mont Albert (870 m vertical drop). You will need to be in excellent physical condition. But as there are many hiking trails in the park, it is also possible to choose an easy or intermediate hike, and still have the impression of being in a sea of mountains or finding yourself contemplating a glacial cirque. No matter your physical condition, you will not be left out.

ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS IDEAS IN QUEBEC – PHOTOS FROM Gaspésie

How to get to Haute-Gaspésie?

No point beating around the bush, Haute-Gaspésie is far from Montreal or Quebec, respectively about 7 or 5 hours drive following Route 132. But if you plan to combine that to a road trip, it’s one of the most perfect intimate wedding or elopement location ideas in Quebec!

Where to eat, drink and sleep in Haute-Gaspésie?

In bulk, we suggest:

• Le Malbord – a friendly microbrewery
• Le Littoral Bistro Gourmand & Auberge – a terrace with a view of the sea
• Gîte du Mont Albert – catering and accommodation within Gaspésie National Park
• Auberge de Montagne des Chic-Chocs – a total immersion experience in a wilderness area accessible only by the hotel’s transportation service
• Camping in Gaspésie National Park (several sectors and sites for trailers or tents)
• Panora Loges fluviales – modern chalets directly on the beach

What to do in Haute-Gaspésie ?

This is Quebec’s all-season hiking paradise! From short, easy strolls leading to magnificent views, to long, multi-day hikes allowing you to connect deeply with nature, as well as summits that can be reached after just a few kilometers of climbing. It’s also a popular destination for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. Why not book a safari expedition in the Chic-Chocs or a paragliding flight in Mont-Saint-Pierre?

Want to see what it could look like? ? Click here to see other intimate wedding and elopement photos in Gaspésie.

Mingan Archipelago

If feeling alone in the world in a breathtaking landscape is the epitome of happiness for you, the Mingan Archipelago will be the perfect location for you. During your visit, it is possible to dock on several islands and explore them on foot or, on the contrary, choose to explore an island more in depth by camping there (with your own tent or a ready-to-camp solution). This last option is one we warmly recommend: there is nothing like the feeling of having an island of your own, of being alone in the middle of the sea and exchanging your wedding vows in the greatest privacy possible.

With limestone landscapes sculpted by the sea, each island has its own personality, and the monoliths for which the archipelago is famous are completely different from one island to another. Several even have their own little nickname: Le Sorcier, Le Zoo, Le Château, La Montagnaise, La Dame de Niapiskau, and “ the flower pots”… Everything here can fuel your imagination.

It is a place that is completely out of the ordinary and it is perfect for adventurer couples who are searching for intimate wedding or elopement location ideas in Quebec.

ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS IDEAS IN QUEBEC – PHOTOS FROM Mingan Archipelago

How to get to Mingan Archipelago?

Mingan Archipelago is a group of islands located on the North Shore (Côte-Nord region) off Havre-Saint-Pierre. if you’re still reading this, you have understood that the further we advance in this blog post, the further we travel away from Montreal and Quebec. It is necessary to count a little less than 1200 km from Montreal to reach Havre-Saint-Pierre. It goes without saying that choosing to elope in the Mingan Archipelago is a great adventure and that we strongly advise you to take the opportunity to have a road trip and discover the great region of the Côte-Nord. It is without a doubt our favorite region in Quebec! We could make a completely separate article because we have so much to say about it as on of our favorite elopement location ideas in Quebec !

The various islands that make up the archipelago are accessible by cruise ship or water taxi from two locations: Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Where to eat, drink and sleep in Minganie?

When it comes to having a drink, frankly, there’s really no other option than to bring your own beverage to the seashore while watching the waves crash on the rocks. But if you’re like us, this is still your go-to option anyway 😉 Take the opportunity to go to the Puyjalon Brewery/Distillery, where you can discover beautiful products.

As for catering, we suggest La Promenade or Restaurant Chez Julie (where the seafood pizza is so good that aunt Marie-Paule told us she had it fly to Sept-Iles – more than 200 km from there LOL).

For sleepovers on the Archipelago, Utopia campsites and tents are managed by Parc Canada. There is also the possibility of sleeping in a lighthouse on Île aux Perroquets. On the mainland, there are Les Chalets Minganie and Résidence La Chicoutée. For our part, each time we have been to Mingan, we choose Gîte Dupuis. Okay, it’s not fancy at all and very kitsch (it’s Patrick’s favorite!) The bedrooms are in the basement with a private entrance. But since the lady who operates these lodgings often accommodates temporary workers, she provides travelers with an equipped kitchen as well as a washer and dryer. Believe us, after having camped self-sufficiently for 4 days on an island, you just feel like taking a long and steaming shower and doing a load of laundry!

What to do in Mingan Archipelago ?

You really go to the Mingan Archipelago to discover its islands. Whether it’s a boat trip with Loiselle, Les Excursions du Phare or Services maritimes Boréal, a few days’ kayaking with Noryak Aventures or a hike around the islands. Whether you want to spend a few hours or a few days, you won’t want to leave!

Want to see what it could look like? Click here to see other intimate wedding and elopement photos in the Mingan Archipelago and Côte-Nord in general.

Magdalen Islands

We saved the best for last! The Magdalen Islands were the very first trip we took together. We’ve now been there 6 times. That’s probably why they hold such special meaning for us. The first time we went there, we understood the feeling that the old-time sailors must have had when one of them shouted “Land ahoy”! And every time since that very first time, when the red flanks of Entry Island begin to rise on the horizon, we feel the same emotion: a magical sense of accomplishment and wonder. It’s like we’ve finally arrived in paradise!

Once you set foot in the archipelago, you quickly realize that you’re in another world unlike anywhere else in the province of Quebec. Red sandstone cliffs sculpted by the sea, fine sandy beaches stretching to infinity, round and bare hills offering 360-degree views. Here, everything is at its best for an intimate wedding in nature in Quebec! Romanticism, raw landscapes, plenitude and vast panoramas where the sea is omnipresent.

Getting married in the Magdalen Islands is like having a destination wedding on Quebec soil.

ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS IDEAS IN QUEBEC – PHOTOS FROM Magdalen Islands

How to get to the Magdalen Islands?

We won’t hide the fact that accessing this elopement location ideas in Quebec requires a little more logistics than usual. A little before Rivière-du-Loup in Quebec, branch off towards New Brunswick, which you have to cross entirely before taking the Confederation Bridge to reach Prince Edward Island. Then embark at Souris in the CTMA ferry to the islands. From Montreal, it takes about 13 hours of driving plus 5 hours of ferry. That said, it’s also possible to get there very quickly by plane 🙂

Where to eat and drink on the Magdalen Islands?

Magdalen Islands are a must-see destination for lovers of the sea culinary terroir. Fish, seafood, molluscs, but also cheeses and charcuteries. Several artisan decline them in all possible ways and it is a real pleasure to discover the islands through the palate. One thinks among others of the many fishmongers of the island, the Fumoir d’Antan, Gourmande de nature, the Café de la Grave, the artisanal microbrewery À l’Abri de la tempête, and the Fromagerie du Pied-De-Vent. Enough to have a splendid wedding picnic!

There are also several good restaurants, including Chez Denis à François, Millerand, Café de la Grave, Domaine du Vieux Couvent and Le Vent du Large.

Where to sleep on the Magdalen Islands?

If you have a huge budget or if you just want to dream a little, take a look at the website of Les Rochers. You will be amazed! But since we are also realistic, we advise you to search for accommodation on the Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine portal, which lists all the accommodation offers (hotel, motel, campsite, tourist homes, lodges, etc.) available according to the dates you specify. It’s a super handy search tool that will save you a lot of time. You can also take a tour on AirBnB since the Madelinots (the name given to the inhabitants) traditionally rent their houses to tourists during the summer period. This is the way we recommend because it allows you to really take the pulse of the Islands!

What to do in Magdalen Islands ?

In bulk, we suggest:

• Learn the rudiments of kite surfing with Plein Vent
• Shellfishing in the lagoons
• Swimming and lounging (there are 300 km of beaches!)
• Hiking on the Entre Vents et Marées trail
• Kite flying (you can even buy one at the Boutique Au Gré du Vent – it makes a great souvenir)
• Cave tours in isothermal clothing

Want to see what it could look like? To see the photos of Camila & Nicolas’s intimate elopement-style wedding and adventures with us click here.

We hope these elopement location ideas in Quebec have managed to inspire you to organize your intimate wedding in nature? If you feel like digging deeper into your research, we still have plenty of other suggestions for you, so don’t hesitate to contact us 🙂