After being cooped up all winter, many of us are craving a new destination to get excited about. With travel limited outside of the province, this is a great time to explore beautiful Quebec — and Gaspésie is one of the most popular places to do that.
Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
Gaspésie, known as the "Quebec maritime" offers diverse landscapes — from the countryside to the mountains to the sea. Whatever your interests, you'll have plenty to choose from, but here are eight things you shouldn't skip.
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Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé
Price: $9 plus boat fare
Address: 4, rue du Quai, Percé, QC
Why You Need To Go: The famous Percé Rock is an emblem of Gaspésie — so you can't leave without snapping a photo of it. Fifteen kilometres of trails, accessible only by boat, will take you through meadows, fields, evergreen forests and the impressive Northern Gannet colony.
Forillon National Park
Price: $5.70 or $7.90 depending on the season
Address: 1501, boul. de Forillon, Gaspé, QC
Why You Need To Go: This breathtaking park is located on the northeast tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. During your hikes, you will be able to observe wildlife and maybe even see some seals, which have colonies on the park's shores.
Reford Gardens (Jardins de Métis)
Price: $22
Address: 200, QC-132, Price, QC
Why You Need To Go: Take a tour of the different historic gardens and stop at the restaurant for fresh food, directly from the garden to the plate.
Chaleur Bay
Price: Varies depending on activities
Address: Baie-des-Chaleurs, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
Why You Need To Go: This seaside region in Gaspésie will enchant you with its beaches and its warm climate. Jacques Cartier named it in 1534, on a hot day, and the name suits it very well! Fifteen small towns are part of this region and each has something different to offer. Water activities should be on the agenda.
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Sainte-Flavie
Price: Varies depending on activities
Address: Sainte-Flavie, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
Why You Need To Go: Sainte-Flavie is the first town you will see when you arrive in Gaspésie: it is known as "the gateway." Stroll along the Route des Arts for local galleries and boutiques with magnificent works for sale to the public. There's also a beach where you can watch beautiful sunsets.
Cap-Chat
Price: Varies depending on activities
Address: Cap-Chat, QC
Why You Need To Go: Amidst a picturesque landscape, you can see the tallest vertical axis wind turbine in the world. Le Nordais wind farm, one of the largest in North America, is very impressive and certainly worth a visit.
Parc national de la Gaspésie
Price: $9
Address: 1981, route du Parc, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC
Why You Need To Go: This is where you'll find the famous Chic-Choc Mountains. Located in the centre of Gaspésie, this park will give you a 360-degree view of many natural wonders and also offers nautical activities like boat rentals.
La Martre Lighthouse
Price: Free
Address: 10, av. du Phare, La Martre, QC
Why You Need To Go: The most Instagrammable spot in the region! People visit this lighthouse, operational since 1906, for its beauty and the magnificent views that the place offers. Between the mountains and the sea, you can take a moment to breathe in the fresh, maritime air of the Gaspé.
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