Great American Railroad Journeys (2016)

Episode Overview

Michael Portillo journeys through Quebec with his 19th-century Appleton’s Guide to Canada in hand. He travels along the stunning Charlevoix train route, which runs beside the majestic St. Lawrence River, heading to La Malbaie. His guide leads him to the impressive basilica at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, where he encounters crutches left behind by those who have been healed and meets contemporary visitors seeking miracles. The Train de Charlevoix, originally meant for pilgrims, now carries tourists to the scenic Murray lakes. Michael explores elegant 19th-century homes that once attracted the elite. He then takes to the skies in a seaplane, soaring over the Laurentian Mountains before landing on a secluded lake to fish for his dinner.