8 Ways to Enjoy an Ile d'Orleans Day Trip From Quebec City
Updated: Oct 14
Nestled in a snug section of the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City, “The Isle of Cheese”, as I call it, is a wonderland for foodies, oenophiles, and cheesemongers alike. Ile d'Orleans offers a respite from bustling city crowds for a day trip into more tranquil shores. Read on to discover tours, stops and plans to make your day trip from Quebec City a romantic, adventure-filled, foodie fun day to remember.
Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale.
Don't Have Time to Read All This?
This is the tour you should book: Half Day Private Getaway to Ile d'Orleans
With stops to just about everywhere you'd want on the Ile d'Orleans island, you get private transportation, wine tasting, chocolate tasting, cider and more all from a reasonable $136 per person.
Click here to learn more, or continue reading for additional options and information!
The itinerary for the day includes:
First Stop: Visit Montmorency Falls
Only 10 minutes drive from Quebec City, start your day trip to Ile d'Orleans with a visit to Montmorency Falls. Here, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a morning hiking in nature all year round.
Remember that everything here is French, so it also goes by the name "Parc de la Chute-Montmorency".
You can buy your ticket for access to the falls and parking online in advance, which is recommended but not required.
For the really adventurous traveler, you can zip line across the falls or even scale the rock face for a very affordable fee around $30 Canadian per person. Most visitors just hike the many many stairs along the rock face and enjoy the views from the top, which includes a gift shop and outpost.
Other Exciting Ways to See Montmorency Falls
See the falls on a siteseeing cruise! This cruise includes a leisurely ride past Chateau Frontenac, Montmorency Falls and more. At less than $50 per person, it's a great way to get a glimpse from the water. Click here to learn more.
Get spectacular views of the falls from a cable car! Click here to learn more.
This half day tour includes admission to see the Montmorency Falls, as well as stops at a basilica and of course, Ile d'Orleans. Including transportation, this tour comes in at less than $60 per person and is a steal for 5 hours of fun! Click here to learn more.
Next Up: Cross The Pont de l'Ile Bridge to Ile D'Orleans
After the falls, it is likely you've worked up an appetite. Cross the Pont de l'Île bridge from Montmorency Falls and begin your journey around the island.
How big is the island of Ile d'Orleans?: 74 Km around
How long will it take to drive around Ile d'Orleans?: About 1 hour without stops
With stops planned in advance, you can be sure to hit at least one or two wineries, a ciderie, and a fromagerie all in one trip. If you don't really want to plan it all (or do the driving yourself), consider a pre-packaged tour for less than $40 or perhaps make a plan to drop the car and rent bikes for your day of discovery!
Active Pursuits and Tours to See the Island Without a Car
Traverse the countryside by bike with this 4 hour rental (under $40!). You'll choose from a 6 or 41 mile ride on 4 separate self-guided routes. Click here to learn more.
See the bridge and the waterway by zodiac (inflatable boat) and enjoy views of the Island from the water. Click here to learn more.
Forget bikes and boats and go sea kayaking instead! Explore the Island by your own strength on a guided sea kayak tour. Four hours for less than $60! Click here to learn more.
Must-See Foodie Experiences Around Ile d'Orleans
Click to skip ahead to the section:
Tours to take you there:
Round trip half day tour from Quebec city: with transportation and stops at all the hot spots for tastings, this tour starts at $53 and is a steal! Click here to learn more.
Take an ebike (electric bike) tour and travel 12 miles around the island for tastings with up to 7 other riders. What a great way to enjoy nature and some wine. Click here to learn more.
Visit Some Wineries
Serenity can be found at Vignoble Isle de Bacchus, the start of your tour around the 74km (one hour) loop around the island.
Offering gorgeous hillside slopes of vines you can picnic, do some wine tasting, and take in the river scenery.
Other wineries on the island include (but are not limited to):
Saint Pierre Le Vignoble
Cassis Monna & Filles
Grange
Le Seigneurie de Liret
Le Vignoble du Mitan
Be sure to check their websites in advance for seasonal closures, or look into an organized wine tour.
Suggested wine tours:
Tastings and transportation are included in this tour!
Or, compare with this tour, with similar offerings.
Go To A Ciderie and Orchard
Cideries are also popular in Canada, serving up hard ciders made from the land you see around you.
Offered primarily in champagne flutes, these fancy feeling drinks can be enjoyed on their own or as part of a cocktail.
Enjoy ciders at some of the following orchards:
Domaine Steinbach
Domaine Orleans
Domaine L'Ange Gardien
Ste-Petronille
Domaine Sainte-Famille
Note that several of these cideries also offer grape wines.
Visit a Cheese Shop
One example of a cheese shop on your route is Les Fromages de l'isle d'Orleans - full of charm and history, and of course dozens of cheeses on offer - be sure to stock up for your afternoon nibbles.
Try Some Maple Products
Maple products can be found everywhere you look in Canada, and Ile de Orleans doesn’t disappoint. From places called “cabane a sucre” or, sugar shacks, both kids and adults alike will enjoy sampling a variety of maple based products from jams to candies and of course, syrup. Some even offer pancake breakfasts or other down-home sit down meals.
Shop for Local Produce
Farm stands, produce shops and other local sellers can be easily found along your 74km drive. Bring home the best souvenirs from pate, cheese, maple products, to jams and jellies, sweets and fresh produce.
Make Your Day Trip from Quebec City an Overnighter
The scenery in Ile d'Orleans is incredibly romantic, so why not park the car, rent a bicycle and just bop around slowly - winery to winery? All that drinking is hard work, so have an afternoon nap at your B&B on the island and regroup for a romantic dinner later that evening.
Return to Quebec City
Whether the next morning after a restful stay at a B&B or later that afternoon, enjoy a few nights in Quebec City to soak in the cities' French culture and cuisine, stunning historical architecture, and cozy alley shops.
After a day touring Ile d'Orleans, biking, eating cheese and sipping on wine, you deserve a great French meal. I recommend Le Lapin Saute in the heart of Old Quebec City. Just about everything on the menu is made from rabbit, so make room for their rabbit charcuterie board!
Then, say bonne nuit to your perfect day trip enjoying Ile d'Orleans and Quebec City.
