Visitor Information

Tourism authorities for the Québec province and its major regions and cities produce detailed and highly useful official tourist guides and websites.

Tourisme Québec, which covers the entire province, is online at www.bonjourquebec.com and can also be reached at info@bonjourquebec.com; tel. 877/266-5687 or 514/873-2015; or through the post at C.P. 979, Montréal, Québec H3C 2W3.

Tourisme Montréal, which covers the city and immediate region, is online at www.tourisme-montreal.org and can also be reached at tel. 877/266-5687 or 514/873-2015; by fax at 514/864-3838; or by mail at Ministère du Tourisme Québec, C.P. 979, Montréal, Québec H3C 2W3.

Québec City Tourism, which covers that city and its immediate region, is online at www.quebecregion.com and can also be reached at tel. 877/783-1608 or 418/641-6654; by fax at 418/641-6578; or by mail at 399 Saint-Joseph est, Québec, QC, G1K 8E2.

Montréal's central tourist office is at 1255 rue Peel, just south of rue Ste-Catherine ouest.

Québec City's central tourist office is at 835 av. Wilfrid-Laurier, just outside the wall in Upper Town.

Good city maps are available for free from the tourist offices. The best detailed street guide of Montréal is the pocket-size atlas by JDM Géo. It's published by MapArt (www.mapart.com), which also makes high-quality maps of all the local regions besides Montréal and Québec City that are mentioned in this book. They're for sale online and in shops and gas stations throughout Canada.

What's in a Name? Understanding Affiliations

Many tourist businesses in the province are members of groups that offer seals of approval. Here's a quick primer of what some memberships signify:

• Aventure Ecotourisme Québec is an association of tour operators who provide outdoor-adventure programs with a focus on environmental care and preservation. It requires stringent operational standards and is a partner of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (www.lnt.org), which educates operators and tourists about how to minimize the environmental impact of recreation. It also offers vacation planning. Sample member: The kayaking company Mer et Monde Ecotours. www.aventure-ecotourisme.qc.ca.
• Hôtellerie Champêtre is a membership group of 26 Québec inns and resorts that are big on personality and often (but not always) midrange in price. They have to have at least three (out of five possible) stars from the Québec tourist authorities. Many are housed in historic buildings or have access to a dramatic outdoors spot. Sample member: Auberge La Camarine, whose structure dates from 1750. www.hotelleriechampetre.com.
• Relais and Châteaux is a collection of high-end gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels around the world. The group is exclusive, with fewer than 500 properties in 55 countries. Members receive secret visits by reviewers and can be expelled if standards aren't met. Sample member: La Pinsonnière was one of Canada's first hostelries to be invited into the prestigious organization. www.relaischateaux.com.