I was happy that we discovered the wonderful inlet called Baie des Rôchers not far up the coast from Saint-Siméon. We didn’t visit until the last day and I wish we had found it earlier as there were quite a few photo opportunities in the cove.

When we visited, the tide was out and I would certainly like to see it at high tide.

There are quite a few walking trails that we didn’t get to explore and I can only imagine there are some great views and landscape shots to be had.

Some great news is that the coastline between Saint Siméon and Tadoussac was recently selected to become the third national park in the Charlevoix region. This will ensure that beautiful spots like the Baie des Rôchers will be protected from building and exploration and will be there to be enjoyed for future generations to come.

Baie des Rôchers, Charlevoix
ISO 100 – 70mm – f7.1 – 1/500 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Waterfall at the Baie des Rôchers
ISO 100 – 70mm – f5.6 – 5 secs

Baie des Rôchers, Charlevoix
ISO 100 – 35mm – f3.5 – 1/1250 sec

You can see in the above picture some low clouds were beginning to roll in off the Saint Lawrence and gave the scene a wonderful atmosphere. I imagine the light and conditions are continually changing and I could easily spend an entire day here. I’m thinking this would be a perfect spot to make a time-lapse on a future visit.

I thought the above scene may work well in black and white.

Baie des Rôchers, Charlevoix
ISO 100 – 35mm – f3.5 – 1/320 sec

I can’t wait to have the opportunity to return to this spot…The people owning the little chalet on the far side of the bay are certainly lucky to have the view and tranquility at their doorstep.

Île aux Coudres

Between Saint Siméon and Québec city is the town of Baie Saint-Paul. Just off the shore near Baie Sant-Paul is the small island of Île aux Coudres, accessible by ferry (which is free).

We nearly decided not to go since there was a long queue of cars waiting for the ferry, but we decided to join the line.

Despite the number of visitors, the single road that follows the island coastline wasn’t busy with traffic and we stopped at a few spots to take in the views and grab some pictures.

Île aux Coudres
ISO 100 – 170mm – f7.1 – 1/320 sec

Île aux Coudres
ISO 100 – 10mm – f7.1 – 1/640 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Île aux Coudres
ISO 100 – 10mm – f10 – 1/500 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Île aux Coudres
ISO 100 – 15mm – f5.6 – 1/500 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

The return ferry crossing was a lot quicker with hardly any queue and we had some great late afternoon light during the short (about 20 minutes) crossing.

Île aux Coudres Ferry crossing
ISO 100 – 10mm – f9 – 1/500 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

– Martin

Montréal in Pictures

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