Kamouraska: Discoveries on the St. Lawrence River

Quebec Souvenirs from Saint Lawrence

Following the St. Lawrence River eastward along its southern bank leads to Kamouraska, a place that doesn't impose itself. There are no major tourist attractions here. Instead, small shops, restored houses along Route 132, and views of the water define the experience.

Kamouraska is located in Bas-Saint-Laurent, a region particularly well-suited for travelers exploring the river and not just commuting between Montreal and Quebec City. If you're looking to experience Quebec at a more relaxed pace, a stopover here might be just the right direction.

You can find an overview of possible routes and directions in the province in our guide to Quebec in CanadaThere we will show you which routes along the river are particularly suitable.

Kamouraska: Small discoveries on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River

What particularly struck us during our visit were three shops that could hardly be more different, yet fit together well: a general store with regional specialties, a soap shop with handmade products, and a bakery that reminded us of German baking.

This is exactly where true Quebec souvenirs begin for us – not as mass-produced goods, but as small discoveries.

Corner shops sell Quebec souvenirs in Kamouraska

What makes Kamouraska special is that it's a village on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Here, one house after another lines the shore, all beautifully restored. The people seem to feel at home here. They value their homes. Wooden chairs invite relaxation on the verandas, while hanging flower baskets vie for the attention of passersby.

A village that doesn't tell its stories out loud.

In the center of the village, the Église Saint-Louis, the village church, towers above the surrounding buildings. Below it is the Kamouraska Regional Museum. We only pop in briefly to find out where the three Quebec souvenir shops we plan to visit are located.

The Magasin General de Kamouraska – the village's general store – Quai des Bulles, a shop selling soaps, and the Boulangerie Niemand, the village bakery, which offers pastries just like you'd get at a bakery in Germany. We have to try them.

At Quai des Bulles there are soaps of all kinds - Quebec souvenirs to take home

Easy to find is the soap shop Quai des BullesIt is located directly opposite the museum on the Kamouraska route, near the intersection with Route 132. I climb up to the shop via one of the wooden porches.

As soon as I open the door, a fragrant blend of aromas wafts towards me. I think I detect the scent of roses. A step further, the smell is more reminiscent of the freshness of the sea. And a step further still, it smells of honey.

Handmade soaps made from herbs, sea and forest

As it turns out, Richard Gaulthier, the owner of Quai des Bulles, places great importance on using natural materials in the production of his soaps and bath salts. These include cold-pressed oils, herbs, plant extracts, natural preservatives, shea butter, and clay. Many ingredients are also sourced locally: fir or cedar oil, seaweed from the Gaspé Peninsula, wild roses, and beeswax.

From this, he handcrafts soaps for every skin type and all kinds of body care products. "Perfect," I think. "The perfect Quebec souvenir." And Petar pays patiently.

If you're interested in what lies beneath the surface of St. Lawrence, a visit to the Exploramer in the Bas-Saint-LaurentThere, the connection between the coast and the underwater world becomes visible.

Regional specialties in the Magasin General de Kamouraska – Quebec souvenirs for foodies

The next stop on our shopping tour through Kamouraska is the village shop. It's also located directly on Route 132, just west of the village church, above the river. Even from the outside, I know there's plenty to browse here.

The building exudes the charm of a small house from the first half of the 20th century. Back then, the shop was the meeting place for the villagers. Today, it's one of Kamouraska's tourist attractions, where you can buy local specialties packaged as Quebec souvenirs.

Delicacies, conversations, and a touch of the past

Gourmet products such as cheese, smoked meat and sausages, which make my mouth water at the sight of them, jams and oil creations with added herbs are available, as well as a corner where I can browse to my heart's content for a souvenir to take home among antiques from the region.

While my husband chats with the lady at the counter in halting French about life in the village, I indulge in my shopping pleasure here with gusto.

Baked goods at the Boulangerie Nobody in Kamouraska

The third store we want to visit is the hardest to find. the Bakery nobody in the center of Kamouraska. We need to ask again, as we still can't find them even after driving through the village.

And there it was! It was located across the road from the church on Route 132, hidden behind an entrance overgrown with climbing plants, which effectively concealed the bakery sign. We had already noticed the crowds of people streaming into the building.

German baking at St. Lawrence

The bakery is indeed very popular with the locals. Quebec souvenirs from the German baker are also a hit with the locals. There's a constant flow of customers.

It's understandable when you see the delicious treats being sold. There are sourdough breads, various rolls, and pies with all sorts of fillings. We opt for Danish pastries with grapes.

A culinary delight, as our picnic turns out. We only regret one thing: that we didn't buy more of them.

Why this place was more than just a stopover for us, you can read in detail in our article about Bakery at St. Lawrence.

Who would benefit from a trip to Kamouraska?

Kamouraska doesn't fit into every Quebec trip. If you only have five days traveling between Montreal and Quebec City, you probably won't have time here. In that case, the cities and their surroundings will be your main focus.

A stopover for travelers with time

The situation is different if you continue east along the St. Lawrence River. As a stopover on the way to the Gaspé Peninsula or along the south bank, this place is well-suited for a break that's more than just a quick stop. Here you can spend a few hours, browsing small shops, walking along the riverbank, and consciously slowing down.

Kamouraska is particularly enchanting in autumn. As the light changes and the forests glow in warm hues, the place becomes quieter, almost contemplative. But a visit is also worthwhile in summer, provided you have time and aren't just looking to rack up kilometers.

If you're planning a multi-night road trip through Quebec, Kamouraska fits in easily. It's less suited as a pure shopping stop and more for travelers willing to embrace small discoveries.

Stay overnight in the Bas-Saint-Laurent

If you're traveling along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River for several days, it's worth planning an overnight stay in Kamouraska or one of the surrounding coastal towns. The region is particularly suitable for travelers who don't just want to cover distance, but consciously slow down their pace.

Find accommodation in Kamouraska*

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What you need for hiking around Kamouraska

Good hiking boots are a must on every hike. There are some hiking trails in the area.
For a snack on the way you need a backpack. You can put your snack in a lunch box and accommodate everything you need for your day trip.

Travel Arrangements:

Arrival:

There are airports in Montreal and Quebec City. If you're starting your trip in Montreal or continuing along the St. Lawrence River from there, it's worth choosing your accommodation carefully. You can find our experiences here: Where to stay in Montreal?

If you would like to plan your route in more detail, you can find our detailed route description here. from Montreal to Quebec City along the King's RoadKamouraska can easily be included as a side trip if you continue towards Gaspésie.

Rental car :

Cheap car hire - book quickly and easily!

Hotels:

Accommodations in the Kamouraska* through our partner booking.com.

Do you like to travel by motorhome?

Do you want to rent a motorhome? Then you will find information and a selection in these booking options.
Check our packing list for campers to see whether you have packed everything for your motorhome tour.

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Source: On-site research with support from Bonjour Quebec. We are very grateful for their assistance. However, our opinion remains our own, as always.

A day in Kamouraska – Slow Travel on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River