Why go
Drive when the destination is Montmorency Falls, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Mont-Sainte-Anne or Canyon Sainte-Anne. For a central sightseeing day, park once and continue on foot. Winter weather and temporary street restrictions require an up-to-date conditions check. Check conditions before every regional outing.
The full story
The strongest reason to have a car is access beyond the centre. Route 138 follows the Beaupré Coast toward the falls, shrine, mountain and canyon, making those stops easier to combine. Inside Old Québec, a car becomes a constraint: streets are narrow, grades are steep, and parking separates you from the places you came to see. Use a legal public garage or accommodation parking and leave the vehicle there. Winter changes the calculation. Snow removal, ice, parking restrictions and reduced visibility can affect even short drives. Check provincial road conditions and municipal parking notices rather than relying on a static plan. Never stop on bridge approaches or busy roads for photographs. Build extra time around rush hours and major public events.
Useful to know
- Park once for Old Québec and walk between central sights.
- Check Québec 511 and local parking restrictions before winter or excursion driving.