When visiting Bas-Saint-Laurent, be sure to turn your eyes to the west at the end of the day since this region is renowned for beautiful sunsets! As the sun slips below the horizon, the sky turns a glorious blaze of colours. Bas-Saint-Laurent is home to many magnificent places where you can soak up all this dazzling beauty. Here are seven you won’t want to miss!

Kamouraska

A few kilometres from the gateway to Bas-Saint-Laurent and less than two hours from Québec City, the charming village of Kamouraska is one of the five most beautiful in the province according to Authentik Canada, which also asserts that you can see the world’s most beautiful sunsets here! Along Avenue Leblanc, which runs parallel to the St. Lawrence, you’ll find a beach and two wharves where you can pause and soak up the moment. Enjoy watching the sun set behind the mountains of Charlevoix, a truly unforgettable sight!

Rivière-du-Loup

Did you know that you can go on a sunset tour in the Rivière-du-Loup area? There are eight places to visit on this tour, all of which will give you a front-row seat to a spectacular show at the end of the day. For example, Parc de la Pointe is an excellent place to stop—you can also go for a stroll along the St. Lawrence here. Why not plan a getaway to follow this tour and enjoy the sunsets, which National Geographic considers to be the second most beautiful in the world (after those in Hawaii)!

Trois-Pistoles

Trois-Pistoles will also delight sunset lovers. For example, Parc récréatif de la Grève Morency, which is accessible via Chemin de la Plage in the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges sector, is a great place to watch the sun set. You can also enjoy several other activities in this park, including petanque and volleyball, as well as follow a path through coastal vegetation to the beach.

Another place to watch the sun set is from the wharf, which offers a clear view of Côte-Nord across the water. Admire beautiful reflections on the windows of the cottages nestled along the shore and be lulled by the soothing sound of the waves on the rocks.

Parc national du Bic

Parc national du Bic is full of enchanting spots where you can watch the sun set. The least well known is probably the one found at the western end of the park, near Îlet au Flacon. The sun sets over Anse à Mercier, a cove between the islet and the cliffs overlooking the estuary. You can also head to Baie du Ha! Ha!, at the heart of the park, where you can admire a clear view of the colourful sky from the beach near the campground. Further east, follow Route du Quai where the sun will slip below the horizon between the Bic Islands. If you’re up for a bit of a climb, you can head to the top of Pic Champlain to soak up the view from the highest point in the park—a sight not to be missed!

Downtown Rimouski

Rimouski is home to the Promenade de la Mer, a long boardwalk that runs along the St. Lawrence. In addition to the pedestrian walkway, this public space includes a breakwater with benches and a bike path, making this a perfect place to watch sunsets.

At the level of Avenue de la Cathédrale, in the heart of the city, you’ll find two lookouts designed to resemble ship decks: these are great spots to admire the sunset with Saint-Barnabé Island on the horizon. You can also observe great blue herons fishing here at low tide. To determine when that is, check the water level on the tide tower along the boardwalk.

The breakwater is located a few kilometres west, at the mouth of the Rimouski River. Sit on a bench and settle in to admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape. This wharf is also a good place to observe seabirds and seals under the pastel hues of the setting sun.

Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site

The Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site offers the opportunity to watch the sun set over the St. Lawrence as it reflects on the Onondaga submarine. In these moments before dusk, the sky turns orange and pink, making the hull of this former Royal Canadian Navy boat sparkle. Nearby is the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse, which marks the boundary between inland waters and the open sea. The sunsets over this sentinel are unforgettable!

Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer

To enjoy the best sunsets in Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer, you’ll have to head to the eastern end of the beach, where the boardwalk ends. The church in the distance will contrast with the colours of the sky. The long beach in front of you as well as the multi-coloured cottages on your left will add a vacation feel to this sublime setting.

Looking for more spots to see sunsets? Keep your eyes on the coast at the end of the day while you’re in Bas-Saint-Laurent. The wide horizon, brilliant reflections on the St. Lawrence and passing clouds make sunsets in this region an unforgettable sight!