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Combine the Belém Tower and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Belém Tower
&
Padrão dos Descobrimentos

The structure was built from lioz limestone and is composed of a bastion and a 30-metre (98.4 ft), four-storey tower.

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

The Belém Tower & the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is located a short walk from the Jerónimos Monastery. Putting emphasis on the environmentally conscious public transportation from Lisbon to Belém!

It’s a short distance from Lisbon which means you can make your way for a day trip. Check out video below for visuals of the Belém Tower & the Padrão dos Descobrimentos! Also, continue to read our blog for more information on this attraction.

” The 16th-century fortification located in Belém served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon “

Getting there

We talk about taking a day trip to visit Belém when in reality it’s roughly 10-15 kilometres away, so it’s really not that far. However there are a significant amount of attractions in Belém to keep you going for a full day, which is why we recommend a day trip.

We decided to explore Lisbon by public transportation because we didn’t want the hassle of finding parking, paying for parking in addition to the car rental expense. This being said, we didn’t really pay attention to accessibility by car and parking spaces.

If you’re like us and would like to travel by public transport, you’ll need to get yourself to the ‘Cais do Sodré‘ metro station, then transfer to a bus or tram. Tram # 15 gets you from Cais do Sodré to Belém and it’s included in your Lisbon Transit pass.

Check out our other blog about getting around in Lisbon and where to buy the Transit pass.

* Be mindful that many locals use this mode of transportation for their daily routine, ie get to work. With that in mind, be sure to head to the back of the tram in order to allow as many people to enter as possible.

Where to stay ?

We preferred staying in Lisbon since everything is well accessible. Our apartment was called ‘Lisbon Calling rooms and studios‘, 5-minute walk from Cais do Sodré metro station. This made it so convenient for our day trip to Belém and LX Factory !

Lisbon Calling rooms and studios

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Plan your time

Belém is roughly 25-45 minutes away from Lisbon on public transport, depending on where you’re staying. Driving to Belém from Lisbon should take roughly 15-20 minutes. As mentioned earlier, we recommend public transport because you won’t need to worry about traffic and parking. Especially since there are a few attractions in Belém.

We think you should plan a minimum of 1-2 hours visiting the Monument and Tower. However, since you came all the way to Belém, we recommend that you stay for the day as there’s more to see. More on that below.

What to do when visiting the Belém Tower & the Padrão dos Descobrimentos?

First

Once you figure out how you’ll be ‘getting there’, whether that means making your way directly from Lisbon to here or after you visit the Jerónimos Monastery. The first thing you should do to get acquainted with this destination is walk along the boardwalk.

It’s nice to see the calm water with boats plus the 25 de abril (london gate bridge look-alike) from the distance. During our visit we noticed a bunch of rental bikes and scooters along the path leading from the monument to the tower. So that could be a fun adventure!

Second

Check out the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument, which is located across the highway from the Jeronimos Monastery and right in front of the River Tagus. This is where ships departed to explore and trade with India and the Orient. It was built as a temporary beacon in the 1940s until a permanent monument erected between 1958-1960.

There are silhouettes on both sides of the monument plus a compass rose on the ground which built using various types of limestones. It appears the South African Government was responsible for gifting the construction of the square in front of the monument. It’s possible to visit inside the monument and on the upper level witness spectacular views from the Monastery, Compass Rose and the River Tagus.

Lastly

Visit the Belém Tower, located 10-15 minutes walk from the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument.

What’s cool is the ambiance surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage site. There’s a small sandy ‘beach’ where many would dip their feet (including Eli). Depending on the tide, it’s possible to get quite close to the outer Tower walls.

It’s a paid attraction which gets a lot of visitors, so we recommend to arrive first thing in the morning or plan in advance. We discovered a site called ‘Get Your Guide‘ which allows you to pre-book attractions.

Our recommendations

Firstly, we recommend that you take the public transport to Belém because it’s stress-free and very direct. The only downside we found was during rush hour, otherwise we enjoyed the ride.

Great for couples & families

If you checked our our Vlog or other blogs, you’ll come to understand there’s a lot to enjoy in Belém. Plus, you don’t need to be a big history buff to enjoy these attractions either. Simply seeing the Belém Tower structure will stimulate children’s minds and fill them with creativity as they ponder what it once looked like during its operation years.

Couples can enjoy a romantic walk along the boardwalk between the monument and tower. It’s also possible to plan a cruise on the River Tagus.

Recommended circuit

It’s tough to say exactly because there are so many ways to plan your day. We reckon that a morning visit to the Belém Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos should be optimal. Mornings present richer colours and usually fewer tourists, this way it’s easier to appreciate the scenery.

Also recommended is to visit the Jerónimos Monastery in the morning, plan a lunch in the town of Belém (on rua de Belém) then make your way to the monument and tower. Alternatively, you can do the same thing in the reverse order to mix things up a little.

A little more time

We live fast lives and often run on autopilot, preventing us from truly living the moment. Prior to visiting Portugal, I consulted a colleague of mine who is Portuguese and passionate about his country. He helped Lia and I to make this trip a reality. I recall going to see him one afternoon, where we bounced a few ideas around. He was eating an orange and commented on how tasty it was. As his focus changed from the orange to our trip, he missed out experiencing the delicious fruit. The truth is, you may visit this place, bounce from attraction to attraction only to come home and forget much of what you saw. The point is, take your time to do something special, unique, unpredictable!

Take a little more time to:

Plan an impromptu cruise on the River Tagus
Have a cocktail or drink on a waterfront patio
Pay yourself an entry ticket to see inside the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument and see the beautiful mosaic floor from up above
Sit on the boardwalk and watch the river flow
Dip your feet on the small sandy beach at the Belém Tower

What to bring / wear ?

For your day trip to Belém, we recommend very casual clothing yet something to protect you from the sun. Perhaps a thin long sleeve shirt to protect your arms and some sort of hat.

Feel free to bring a refillable bottle of water to stay hydrated and perhaps snacks to better manage your time and avoid getting hangry between attractions.

Clothing

You might want to wear comfortable running shoes or sandals (they might come in handy).

Where to eat ?

There are many restaurant options on Rua de Belém. We ate in a restaurant called Pão Pão Queijo Queijo and quite enjoyed it. They had a good variety of options and good size portions to keep you going the rest of the day.

Alternatively, check out the Pasteis de Belém for their wonderful flaky custard tarts. They also serve sandwiches, hamburgers and traditional Portuguese snacks (rissoles, bolinho de bacalhau /codfish cakes, croquette de carne).

Whichever lunch/dinner option you choose, be sure to try the Pasteis de Belém and tell us what you thought !

Other local places to visit

While visiting Belém, we recommend that you visit a few attractions in addition to the Belém Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos.

Save these spots to your list of ‘places to visit‘ in Google Maps. That way you’ll remember once you arrive onsite.

The Belém Tower
Padrão dos descobrimentos (monument near Belém tower)
Pasteis de Belém (flaky custard tart)
Cruise or boat tour on the River Tagus
The Jerónimos Monastery
LX Factory on the way back to Lisbon (shopping or drinks)

Help us help you!

We hope this blog helped you better understand the Belém Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Belém city and how to better compliment your day with other activities.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this location and we’ll gladly help you.

Also, a great way to give back is to help us by using our ‘carefully selected’ affiliates. We now have affiliates for Car Rentals (Hertz), Accommodations (Hotels.com) and Attraction planning (Get Your Guide)! This not only motivates us but allows us to carry on with our Discovering Destinations project ! Hope you enjoy, one city at a time !

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

Help renting a car with Hertz

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Plan attractions in advance with Get Your Guide

Jerónimos Monastery

One of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

We heard about the Jerónimos Monastery from a YouTube Vlog. The video wasn’t so elaborate yet managed to capture our attention which made us add it to our ‘wish list‘.

It’s a short distance from Lisbon which means you can make your way for a day trip. Check out video below for tips on how to get to Belém and glimpses inside the Monastery! Also, continue to read our blog for more information on the Jerónimos Monastery.

” The Jerónimos Monastery was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Tower of Belém, in 1983 “

Getting there

Check out our other blog about getting around in Lisbon and where to buy the Transit pass.

Where to stay ?

Lisbon Calling rooms and studios

We recommend Hotels.com

Plan your night at the Lisbon Calling rooms and studios in Lisbon City with the help of our Hotels.com affiliate link.

Remember, book 10 nights = get one free

Plan your time

We think you should plan a minimum of 1-2 hours visiting the Jerónimos Monastery. However, since you came all the way to Belém, we recommend that you stay for the day as there’s more to see. More on that below.

What to do when visiting the Jerónimos Monastery ?

First

You’ll have to decide what you want to visit at the Jerónimos Monastery. There’s the chapel (located at the far right when facing the Monastery) which you can visit for free, however you’ll notice an insanely long queue.

Second

It’s possible to purchase a day pass to see inside the monastery. Once you enter the massive front door, you’ll notice a large square corridor, a second level and a large square garden in the middle. We fell in love with it at first sight and couldn’t get over the significant details in the structure and art.

Lastly

Apparently there’s an archeological museum which you can combine along with the Monastery. However we didn’t visit it for various reasons.

Our recommendations

We recommend that you take the public transport because it’s stress-free and very direct. The only downside we found was during rush hour, otherwise we enjoyed the ride.

Great for couples & families

There’s a lot to enjoy at the Jerónimos Monastery and you don’t need to be a big history buff either. For instance, couples can enjoy the romantic architecture and paintings. Kids will surely enjoy discovering every nook and cranny, almost like a labyrinth inside the monastery.

Recommended circuit

As you enter the mini-village, you’ll notice many restaurants. Depending on your arrival time, we recommend that you grab a drink and find space on the terrace. We chose to order from ‘Cafe na Fabrica’.

We recommend that you make your way through the main entrance, and start with the first floor. This way you’ll enjoy corridors, detailed pillars, hidden rooms and centre square. Then make your way up to the second level where you’ll get a nice upper level view of the monastery, visit the souvenir shop and find a glorious view of the chapel.

A little more time

There’s a cool staircase which leads to the Monastery’s second level and souvenir shop. This work dates back to 1625, by the architect Teodósio de Frias. As depicted in the image below, the staircase is formed by two symmetrical ramps and a single box, whose frescoed vault, truly elegant, can now be fully appreciated.

On the way up the staircase, you’ll notice a large format painting was placed at the top of the ramp to the left, credited to José de Avelar Rebelo (c. 1600-1657).

What to bring / wear ?

For your day trip to Belém, we recommend very casual clothing yet something to protect you from the sun. Perhaps a thin long sleeve shirt to protect your arms and some sort of hat.

We were allowed to bring backpacks inside the monastery, so feel free to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated and perhaps snacks that way you avoid getting hangry.

Clothing

You might want to wear comfortable running shoes or sandals (they might come in handy later).

Where to eat ?

There are many restaurant options down the street, probably the same way you came in. We ate in a restaurant called Pão Pão Queijo Queijo and quite enjoyed it. They had a good variety of options and good size portions to keep you going the rest of the day.

Alternatively, you can check out the Pasteis de Belém for their wonderful flaky custard tarts. However they also serve sandwiches, hamburgers and traditional Portuguese snacks (rissoles, bolinho de bacalhau /codfish cakes, croquette de carne).

Whichever lunch/dinner option you choose, be sure to give the Pasteis de Belém a try and tell us what you thought !

Other local places to visit

While visiting Belém, we recommend that you visit a few attractions. The Jerónimos Monastery isn’t the only attraction now part of UNESCO!

Save these spots to your list of ‘places to visit‘ in Google Maps. That way you’ll remember once you arrive onsite.

The Belém tower
Padrão dos descobrimentos (monument near Belém tower)
Pasteis de Belém (flaky custard tart)
Cruise or boat tour on the River Tagus

Help us help you!

We hope this blog helped you better understand the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém city and how to better compliment your day with other activities.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this location and we’ll gladly help you.

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

Help renting a car with Hertz

Find affordable lodging with Hotels.com

Plan attractions in advance with Get Your Guide

Delicious Natas in Lisbon's Manteigaria

Delicious Natas in Lisbon

Delicious bitesize treats across Lisbon inside Manteigaria

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

Delicious Natas in Lisbon’s Manteigaria is the perfect way to kick off your trip.

Prior to visiting Portugal, we knew to expect great food and an abundance of castles. However, what’s even better is being blown away once you finally get to experience it.

Also, eating Natas is so cliché because Portugal makes so many other great desserts ! Well heck, when in Rome do like the Romans – right !?

“The Natas were created before the 18th century and started being sold after the liberal Revolution of 1820. It was none other than Catholic Monks who started selling the Pastel de Natas or Portuguese egg tarts in English.”

Getting there

Manteigaria is a bakery chain, which is why you’ll find a few of them in Lisbon.

Once in the Lisbon city centre, it’s quite easy to get around on foot. Alternatively, if you’re planning to spend 2-3 days in Lisbon, we highly recommend that you buy the transit pass. Check out our blog on getting around Lisbon!

Here are a couple of Manteigaria’s locations for you to try the Delicious Natas in Lisbon:

Rua do Loreto, Lisbon
Avenida 24 de Julho, Lisbon
Rua Augusta 195-197, Lisbon
R. de Alexandre Braga 24, Porto

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Once you're in Lisbon

As we mentioned earlier, Portugal is well known for their delicious food. Once you arrive in Lisbon, you will get that feeling of a kid in a giant candy store.

Natas were on our mind all the time and we even started trying them from different pastry shops.
Check our blog on top places to try Natas!

Other Portuguese delights to look out for in restaurants:

bacalhau assado ou com natas
(baked or creamy cod fish)
bifana
pork sandwich
sardines or any type of fish dish

Other local places to visit

You may want to consider adding some of these restaurants in Lisbon city to your list of discoveries.

Frades dos Mares (a little fancy treat)
Cruzes Credo restaurant (conveniently located)
Mimosa do Camões (very affordable lunch dishes)
Café Madragoa (chill ambiance, great light dinner and wine)

What to eat ?

Fortunately, there are few things on the menu, yet the main attraction are the Natas. Once you try these delights, you’ll want to bring more with you. Luckily they have convenient cardboard packages for take away 🙂

Was it worth the visit

Absolutely !

Manteigaria was one of our first stops in Lisbon. It was on our list of places to visit and we conveniently found it shortly after eating lunch.

We loved the taste, the crunchy & flaky crust, creamy custard and the cute pastry shop.

Our recommendations

We highly recommend that you try the Delicious Natas in Lisbon when visiting Portugal. Whether it’s from Manteigaria or another bakery doesn’t really make a difference. You can even challenge yourselves to try various one and see which one you prefer.

Usually people like to rate natas from taste, crunch, crust texture, custard taste and texture, sweetness and other subtle tastes.

Also try the Pastel de Belém

It looks very similar however has a different name. You’ll find the Belém factory in the Belém neighbourhood. It has a different taste to it and we’re actually curious which one you prefer. Hit us up on FaceBook or Instagram to let us know !

Cheers!

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

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Plan attractions in advance with Get Your Guide

Whale watching Zodiac boat ride in Les Escoumins

Whale Watching in Les Escoumins

Spend two hours on the Saint Lawrence
in a Zodiac searching for whales!

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

Our Whale watching Zodiac tour in Les Escoumins.
When in Discovering Destinations mode, we gravitate toward beautiful views and settings. Although Canada doesn’t have the long history, forts and ruins, we do have lots of nature! Luckily we have lots of nature discoveries in the large province of Quebec.

“Every summer, Whale watching Zodiac tours are sought out activities by many Canadians.”

Getting there

Les Escoumins is located in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, more specifically on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River. It’s a 30 minute drive past Tadoussac, which we consider the main touristic hub for whale watching cruises. Having already done a cruise in Tadoussac in the past, we wanted to go a little further up north hoping to see more whales :). We had also heard great things from Les Escoumins, where tourists could see whales from the shore.

This region is quite far from cities like Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, so we encourage you to break up the drive.

Estimated time from various cities

507km & 6h05 minutes from Montreal
703km & 8h03 minutes from Ottawa
253km & 3h33 minutes from Quebec City
109km & 2h55 minutes from Rivière du Loup
(with the Saint-Siméon ferry)

Where to stay ?

We stayed a few nights in Hotel Tadoussac a few years ago, however we opted for the cruise instead of the whale watching zodiac. We booked the hotel with the help of Hotels.com, which is now our new affiliate partner. As you might already know from our recommendation page, we chose Hotels.com because it’s easy to use, you get competitive rates, they price match plus have a very interesting rewards program!

Consider spending a night in Tadoussac or any of the following great places along the Saint Lawrence River and plan a Whale watching Zodiac or cruise !
(Saint Siméon, Grandes Bergeronnes, Les Escoumins)

Bear in mind, these locations are usually Motels and Bed and Breakfast. Establishments on the more simplistic scale, which is fine because you’ll spend most of your time outdoors anyway.

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Plan your time

Staying in the Côte Nord region gets you first access to the sites as tourists make their way over. Plus, if you’re coming all this way, you’ll want to spend a few nights in this region anyway!

If you’re planing a whale watching boat tour, you’ll need anywhere between 1h30 to 3h for the cruise alone. It’s possible to select from cruise ships to zodiacs. This doesn’t factor the driving time and potential traffic. Plus it’s highly recommended to arrive roughly 45-60 minutes prior to your cruise departure. As mentioned earlier, Les Escoumins is roughly 30 minutes from Tadoussac. FYI, the highway is inland, so you won’t get coastal views 🙁 we know..

Other local places to visit

You may want to consider adding some of these destinations to your list of discoveries while visiting Tadoussac/Les Escoumins.

Pointe de la Croix
Poissonnerie Les Escoumins
Kiboikoi (Qui Boit quoi)
Tadoussac village

Where to eat ?

We arrived in Les Escoumins around lunch time and a few hours before our Zodiac boat departure. The lady at the reception was kind enough to recommend a restaurant located 5-10 minutes away called Poisonnerie Les Escoumins. It’s hard to miss as you’re driving along the main highway, but feel free to add it to your GPS in case.

With ‘Poissonnerie’ in the restaurant name, you know there’s something fishy there! They have the traditional dishes like lobster rolls (guedille au homard), crab legs, calamari, etc. When in doubt, you can always ask them for the seafood poutine. Even the locals didn’t know it existed once I told them what I ordered. Simple warning, it’s a large bowl of fries topped with small shrimps, lobster, scallops and hollandaise sauce. Yep, a hearty meal ! Beware to those heading on a boat cruise shortly after.

What to do in the village ?

Les Escoumins has a small feel to it. We didn’t have much time to spend since we simply planned our zodiac boat tour. However, we did notice a cool looking spot called ‘Pointe de la Croix’ which is a kind of lookout. It was quite windy the day we visited, so we’ll recommend that you bring layers. Because even during the summertime in Canada, you need to plan for all 4 seasons!

Our recommendations

We absolutely recommend going to Les Escoumins for the boat tour. We booked in advance online and highly recommend everyone to do so. The name of the company is called Les Écumeurs.

Great for the family

We noticed many groups of families and all appeared to have a great time. Also, our guide was quite knowledgeable and interacted with everyone.

The circuit

Firstly, the boat driver / guide will explain for those who potentially get seasick to stick closer to the cabin.

The whales are usually feeding in packs closer to the middle of the Saint Lawrence River, so you can expect a good 20-30 minutes of riding in the wind. Once the boat reaches a good spot, there will be a few adjustments to various types of whales and sea creatures.

A little more time

We heard that visitors and locals were able to see whales from standing on the shore. So if you plan to stick around Les Escoumins, be sure to spend some relaxing time on the waterfront.

What to bring / wear ?

On a sunny summer day, be sure to bring comfortable shoes and also be sure to bring sunscreen and a water bottle for hydration.

Clothing

You will get properly suited once your group is about to set sail. Les Écumeurs will provide you with the waterproof gear you need (pants and jacket). The large jacket also serves as a safety floating device.

You may not already know this, but the temperature on the water is usually 5-10 degrees lower than on land. That being said, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing warm clothing. Yes, even on those warm sunny days! So forget the short shorts and the muscle shirts because you’ll freeze on the water and it’s a 2 hour ride!

The staff at Les Écumeurs will be able to give you an accurate recommendation of what you should wear on a given day.

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La Baie Saguenay et le sentier Eucher

Le Sentier Eucher

One of the most rewarding hikes we’ve completed is
Le Sentier Eucher in ‘La Baie, Saguenay’.

By Serge Larose & Elisandra Buges

Intro

Le sentier Eucher is a must see when visiting the Saguenay region !

A few years ago, we planned to discover the Saguenay / Lac St-Jean area. We started pinning places that we thought could interest us yet never got around to travelling there. Fast forward a few years and the travel restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic forcefully funnelled our choice to Ontario and Quebec destinations. Which is why our 2020 summer vacation comprised of Quebec destinations.

Our biggest challenge this year was to prioritize our selected discoveries with our allocated time. Our ambitious demeanour allowed for one extra discovery during our last morning in Saguenay. The Bed and Breakfast staff recommended a quick tour to a nearby city called ‘La Baie’ plus a hike on a trail called ‘Sentier Eucher’.

“In 1845, Eucher Gobeil, his wife Geneviève Bouchard and their eight children leave la Malbaie for Grande-Baie. After many generations the Gobeil family still own the land, yet hikers are given a right-of-way.”

Getting there

Le sentier Eucher is located roughly 4 kilometres north-east from the small town of La Baie. Coming from Saguenay, it’s possible to go directly to the trail. The fastest route from Saguenay is a 19 kilometre drive which equates to a 25 minute ride which bypasses the cute town of La Baie. Alternatively, we recommend that you plan a quick visit to La Baie. There you’ll find a large port with information for cruise tours, gorgeous waterfront views from the Saguenay river and great restaurant selection.

Where to stay ?

We stayed a few nights in a beautiful home called ‘Gite du haut des arbres‘ in the suburb of Saguenay. Our options were to stay in a generic hotel chain near the city centre or relax in this beautiful tree house type resort. Luckily we managed to book a few nights in this busy establishment and would definitely return.

On the land there are roughly 2 large houses with various room arrangements inside all of which have their own private bathroom. They usually prepare a great breakfast which we couldn’t experience because of the pandemic. However there is a shared kitchen where it’s possible to prepare your meals.

We also counted 5 bbq’s on the property to make the guests feel right at home. Additionally, the gorgeous double decks and pool facing the Saguenay river will definitely get anyone relaxing!

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Plan your time

We squeezed one last discovery on our last day in Saguenay. Actually, we gave ourselves half a day before setting to our next destination. Since we had a road trip ahead, it was imperative that we start our day with a hearty meal. This is why we reserved a breakfast table at the Bistro café Summum. Highly recommended by the way !

If you’re planing to visit La Baie, it’s possible to park the car in the city centre and walk around the water front. Le Sentier Eucher is

roughly 8 minutes away from La Baie
and 23 minutes from Saguenay

Other local places to visit

You may want to consider adding some of these destinations to your list of discoveries.

Café Bistro Summum
Sculpture Saguenay and Cruises Fjord
Les jardins baies lactées
(for fresh produce)

Where to eat ?

Le sentier Eucher is in a remote location. We noticed many hikers with snacks along the way. Should you opt to bring a snack/lunch, we urge you to bring a garbage back for your trash and left overs. Countless times we’ve seen trash along trails and it breaks our hearts to see this. We want to divulge and promote sites that we discover, and in turn we want for tourists and our followers to keep these destinations clean!

As mentioned earlier we enjoyed our experience at the Café Bistro Summum. Alternatively there’s a cornucopia of restaurants in the La Baie village!

What to do along the trail ?

At the main entrance, you’ll notice a map indicating various trails. Many of which are filled with lookouts and belvederes. In 2005, the city contracted a firm to create guard rails along the rocky cliff plus belvederes for safer lookouts.

We noticed people hiking with dogs, various family sizes enjoying the outdoors and runners/joggers challenging themselves up the mountain.

The Centennial cross is a worthy target and offers beautiful views of the Saguenay Fjord (see photo below).

Our recommendations

Le sentier Eucher is quite challenging, especially since there are few trail indications. We noticed many hikers spread across the mountain, which was good for social distancing however misleading to stick to the trail.

We recommend that you take your time and find your own path, because everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

Also good to know about multiple trails leading to the cross. At the very beginning of the trail is a fork in the road, to the left is a slow and steady path which leads up to the cross. To the right is a much harder path with steep rocky terrain, muddy and tough terrain with roots sticking out.

Great for the family

We noticed people of all ages along the trail, from kids ages 9-10 years old to senior and retired people. This is a great activity for everyone to enjoy.

Recommended circuit

Based on our experience, we feel the appropriate circuit is the following.

In order to get a good appreciation for the hike, we recommend counter clockwise loop of the sentier Eucher.

Enter le sentier Eucher
Stay right at the fork
Climb the mountain and enjoy various lookout points
Explore around the Centennial cross
Make your way back the easy way
(stick to your right as you make your way back)

A little more time

If you want to spend a little more time hiking, it’s possible to continue past the Centenary Cross along the orange and yellow paths.

What to bring / wear ?

Bring comfortable shoes with a good grip because you’ll be marching in various terrain (dirt, mud, stones, steep rocks). Also be sure to bring sunscreen, bug repellent and a water bottle for hydration.

You can also bring snacks or a lunch to reenergize. Also very important bring a plastic or garbage bag for your trash!

Clothing

We recommend that you bring layers since the Lac Saint-Jean area is a little cooler than Quebec City. You might need a long sleeve shirt in the early morning and gradually take off the layers as your blood starts flowing from the hike.

Ideally you could wear hiking type pants that turns into shorts and a breathable t-shirt or long sleeve shirt.

Helpful tools to plan your Trip

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In this Blog we will describe our Day Trip to Belém (a Lisbon District). Plus we'll also show our surprise pit-stop for a Happy Hour at the LX Factory ! Plus, check out our Professional Vlog of this Day Trip at the very end of this BLOG. Customize your Day Trip First…

Discovering Mur des je t'aime, Paris

Lovely place to discover !! Paris is well described as "The city of Love" yet often overshadowed by larger landmarks such as l'Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. After visiting all the mainstream and famous places in Paris, we were down to discovering various arrondissements. On our list was…

Countryside of São Paulo

São Paulo, the most populous city in Brazil and one of the largest populate city in the world, is not consider the hot tourist destination in Brazil, but Why not? Well, lot’s of people consider São Paulo for business purposes only, however what they don’t know is that São Paulo…