Quebec is home to Canada's 'best preserved' ghost town and it's a road trip from Montreal

If you’ve ever wanted to step back in time, there’s a fascinating place in Quebec where history feels frozen, and it's just a road trip away from Montreal.

Just a few hours from the city, you can visit a ghost town set in the middle of a forest that, once thriving, was left abandoned, with crumbling houses and vacant buildings now all that remain.

Found on the banks of the Ouiatchouan River in Quebec is the historic village of Val-Jalbert.

The village was founded through the establishment of a pulp and paper mill in 1901. By the early 1920s, comfort was the hallmark of life in Val-Jalbert, and the modern village was the envy of the area.

However, when production at the mill was permanently suspended in 1927, the village inhabitants deserted the site. It was abandoned within a few years and became a ghost village, sitting idle for decades.

Revived in the 1960s, the ghost town is now a national historic site, popular with tourists. It's often referred to as Canada's "best-preserved ghost town," thanks to its authenticity and the preservation of its built environment.

The village now serves as an open-air museum where visitors can feel as though they've stepped into the past and explore original period buildings. The site is home to over 90 buildings, including a convent school, a general store and a post office.

You can also visit the pulp mill, where you'll find a variety of period objects used by the workers and be able to see the steps and techniques involved in producing the pulp used to make paper.

Hop aboard a 1920s-style red trolleybus for a guided tour of the main points of interest in the village. You can also walk along the Ouiatchouan River, stroll the streets of the village or enjoy a drink at the Café-terrasse in the general store.

The site also features many natural elements to explore, including the Ouiatchouan River and its waterfalls, the river canyon, the forest, and a network of roads and trails.

The picturesque Ouiatchouan Falls rise from the river above the village. Standing 72 metres high, the falls are considered one of the largest in North America and are even taller than Niagara Falls.

The falls can be admired from a glass platform in the village that offers a great view of the heart of the waterfall.

If you want to stay longer, the village also offers a variety of lodging, including accommodations in period houses and camping.

For food, there's the Restaurant du Moulin, which offers a four-course menu with local ingredients in a beautiful setting.

Tickets to visit the village can be purchased online. The ticket applies to daily visits until October 13, 2025, though the village is also open into the winter season.

The site is a bit of a trek from Montreal at, about 4 and a half hours. However, with its spectacular natural setting and incredibly well-preserved village, Val-Jalbert offers a rare chance to walk through a stunning living time capsule.

Along the way, you can also explore the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, known for its stunning wilderness, cycling routes and blueberries.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.