Generational love of cottage living drives growth in Quebec’s recreational markets

Quebec’s recreational property market continues to show strong resilience. Even as consumers remain cautious amid economic and political uncertainty, limited inventory in this segment of the market, coupled with steady demand, is expected to keep upward pressure on property values in the year ahead.

According to the Royal LePage^® 2026 Spring Recreational Property Report, Quebec’s vacation home prices are expected to rise 4.0% in 2026,¹ reaching a median of $484,328. This growth is fueled by a meaningful shift toward choosing to invest in the Quebec landscape over cross-border travel. With 42% of recreational experts in Quebec seeing a surge in local demand, and baby boomers converting family retreats into permanent residences, the market remains remarkably resilient. A structural shortage of inventory ensures that our natural heritage remains a stable, high-demand sanctuary for generations to come.

Steady demand from buyers is about more than just numbers; it’s a reflection of how much Canadians continue to value the natural beauty available right in their own backyards. From the rugged shores of the St. Lawrence, to the quiet woods of the Laurentians, the appeal of an escape to the outdoors remains strong. 

“Although the current global climate is causing some buyers to exercise caution, Quebec’s recreational property market remains extremely resilient due to a structurally limited supply of inventory,” says Dominic St-Pierre, senior vice-president of business development, Royal LePage.

The steady strength of the Quebec countryside

Provincially, the weighted median price² of a single-family home in Quebec’s major recreational markets rose 7.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching $465,700. During the same period, waterfront properties saw a 2.4% increase to $545,600, while condominiums rose 5.8% to $378,700. The sharper rise in more affordable, non-waterfront segments suggests a wave of new entrants looking to establish their own roots in the Quebec countryside.

“Buying a vacation home is first and foremost a lifestyle choice, and the lack of new developments in sought-after areas, such as the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships or Charlevoix, keeps constant pressure on prices,” details St-Pierre. “Another factor explaining the limited inventory is the desire to carefully preserve recreational properties within families from generation to generation. This creates scarcity, maintains the market’s exclusivity and supports property values, even in times of economic uncertainty.”

Quebec vacationers increasingly choose domestic destinations

Amid ongoing economic and political tensions with the United States, many Canadians continue to respond to tariffs and “51st state” rhetoric with their wallets, shifting their spending toward domestic products, services and vacation spots. Canadian travel to the U.S. continues to decline – according to Statistics Canada, return trips to the U.S. were down 14.5 per cent in February 2026, compared to the same month in 2025.³

St-Pierre notes that many local travellers have increasingly been planning their holidays north of the border, favouring local destinations where they can avoid exchange rate fluctuations and geopolitical tensions.

According to a recent Royal LePage survey, conducted by Burson,⁴ more than half (54%) of Canadians who currently own residential property in the U.S. say they are planning to sell within the next year, among whom a majority (62%) credit the current political administration as the main reason. When asked if they plan to reinvest the proceeds of the sale of their U.S. home into the Canadian real estate market, almost one third (32%) of respondents who have recently sold or are planning to sell within the next year answered ‘yes’.

The shift toward permanent rural living 

The demographic makeup of buyers in Quebec’s recreational property market is constantly evolving, marked by a growing interest in permanent residences rather than mere seasonal holiday homes. This trend is evident in the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships and Gaspésie, where a convergence of baby boomers, pre-retirees and remote workers is quietly reshaping the regional landscape, as they settle there on a more permanent basis. 

St-Pierre continues: “This demand is driven by a diverse range of profiles, from city dwellers seeking an occasional retreat to households that now view the vacation home as a cornerstone of their lifestyle and a safe haven for their family wealth. This trend is further strengthened by the arrival of hybrid-work professionals seeking properties that combine reliable internet connectivity with the tranquillity of natural surroundings.”

In short, Quebec’s recreational market is driven by a desire for long-term investment and sustainability, gradually transforming traditional cottage markets into communities that welcome visitors all year round.

To find out more about the 17 Quebec recreational markets in the report, see below.

For an overview of recreational markets across Canada, see below.

¹Royal LePage’s forecasts are weighted medians based on a weighted model using sales in each region.

²Royal LePage’s provincial weighted median home prices are based on a weighted model using sales in each region.

³Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, February 2026, Statistics Canada, March 10, 2026

⁴Political tensions prompt U.S. property sell-off by Canadians; many plan to reinvest in domestic real estate, Royal LePage, August 2025