When our readers go to the beach

Fine sand, refreshing swimming, charming landscapes, activities for young and old… there is no shortage of beautiful beaches in the Belle Province. Which are the most popular with our readership? The latter threw himself into the water by indicating (or not!) his favorite places to throw in the towel. This way, the (re) discoveries…

Sylvain Sarrazin
The Press

Îles-de-la-Madeleine: distant, but magical

The palm undoubtedly goes to the beaches of the Magdalen Islands, particularly acclaimed by our readers (“If you haven’t seen that, you haven’t seen anything”, sums up Pierre Dépatie), like that of Sandy Hook , in the shape of a hook and offering “an unobstructed view of Entry Island”, points out Yves Lamarche.

The Islands are also home to Anne-Marie Parent’s favorite beach, whose opinion is invaluable, since the independent journalist has just published The beaches of Quebec, co-signed with Sylvie Rivard, where a hundred sandy places have been combed through. His choice: the Dune du Sud, lined with red cliffs and caves that can be visited at low tide. In addition to its beauty, its extent of 22 km seduced her. “I love it for its immensity, the endless horizons: following it back and forth on foot would take about 10 hours. You can also go kayaking there and discover the Islands seen from the water,” explains Ms.^me parent.

Gaspésie: between beaches and repairs

The vast expanses of Gaspésie are also among the favourites, including those of Coin-du-Banc and Cap-aux-Os, but especially the sandy strip of Haldimand, in Gaspé. Our reader Paul Lemay particularly likes “the splendid view of the coast from Forillon Park”. The aerial photos do not prove him wrong!

And while some stretch out on the Gaspé coast for pleasure, for others it’s a bit of a forced summer, as evidenced by Hélène Johnson, a reader who suffered a mechanical glitch on her motorhome during a tour of the peninsula. She and her spouse were sentenced to admire the beach in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts for five days. “It’s not secret, but to break down, it’s a perfect place. Being a ‘prisoner’ there, it’s my favorite beach for the moment”, she confides to us.

From the city to the beach

The beaches near major urban centers were rarely mentioned. However, there are great options for those who do not want to travel hundreds of kilometers to spread out their towel. In addition to the great classics (Cap–Saint-Jacques, Oka – renamed “Okapulco” by some…), the author Anne-Marie Parent points out several original options in the Montreal area, including the Berge aux Quatre-Vents in Laval (swimming is not yet officially authorized there) or the Îles-de-Saint-Timothée Regional Park, in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. “You can play SUP polo there, a kind of water polo on a paddle board,” says the one who also likes the RécréoParc in Sainte-Catherine, on the South Shore. “It’s long enough, safe, suitable for children and the water is clean. But it’s quite popular and you have to get there early. » An opinion reinforced by that of our reader Cindy Ross: « An artificial lake, clean water, space not to be on top of each other, and strict regulations which ensure unequaled cleanliness. »

Other favourites, a little further afield: Île Saint-Quentin, in Trois-Rivières, or in the opposite direction, Lac Simon, in Outaouais – a recurring reference in the messages collected by The Press. Finally, many of our readers from the Capitale-Nationale have said that they appreciate Beauport Bay for a moment of relaxation.

Classics in the parks

Among the SEPAQ beaches scattered throughout the province, those of Mont-Tremblant and Orford conquer the hearts of visitors. “I love the SEPAQ beaches, because the clientele is respectful of the environment, it’s family, the atmosphere is not party, but rather family traditions”, justifies Marie-Michèle Cyr, who has a weakness for the Stukely sector in Orford, very exotic.

Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is making waves

For visitors and residents alike, the surroundings of Lac Saint-Jean are particularly charming. Among the many places of relaxation indicated, the name of Saint-Henri-de-Taillon came up very often. “The beach (unsupervised) in the Les Amiaux sector of the Pointe-Taillon National Park… what a marvel! When you leave your ready-to-camp accommodation, a staircase takes you down to the beach and you have the impression of being in the South, the beach is so long and beautiful! “, raves Nathalie Lapierre. Vauvert beach has also been cited on several occasions, praised for its waves and its shallow, clean and not very cool waters.

Longing for the lengths of the Côte-Nord

When it comes to beaches, the Côte-Nord is popular! The immense expanses bordering the west and east of Sept-Îles seem particularly prized for the infinite spaces they offer their guests. Port-Cartier was also pointed out as a point of interest. “My favorite is Rochelois beach, with the view of a shipwreck in the distance which encourages us to imagine marine stories of all kinds, it intrigues the youngest”, specifies Joël Chevarie.

Secrets buried in the sand

Intimate beaches are like mushroom spots: to enjoy them, you have to keep the name quiet. Thus, several readers have made our mouths water, while being careful not to reveal their little paradise. “I know a very beautiful one, but sorry, I keep it for me”, launches this reader. No stones will be thrown at him, nor even a grain of sand! However, Anne-Marie Parent revealed a well-kept secret to us: the beaches of Kiamika Park, in the Laurentians. “It’s mind-blowing, there are tongues of sand, it’s like being in the South Seas, one of the areas is even called the beach area of ​​Cuba. » Anxious about overtourism, rest assured, the places are vast, with a body of water of 60 km^⁠2, according to the local tourist office. The paradise of our reader Daniel Marquis? A remote beach in Charlevoix where Denys Arcand would have shot scenes. “It deserves… two hours of canoeing from the main chalet of the Hautes-Gorges National Park. Fine sand, a barely fresh river, a heavenly setting. The magic reaches its climax at night during a full moon, the reflection in the river of the blessed star creates a setting that will remain etched in my memory forever,” he confides.