The hidden beauties of Gaspésie

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Montreal

  

  Arrival at Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport. Pick up your car and drive to your downtown hotel, where you will stay for two nights. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city at your own pace and start enjoying the attractions of this great metropolis.

• day 2

  Montreal

  

  Large metropolis and economic center of Quebec, Montreal is known for its dynamic urban life, its shops, and its historical heritage. During your stay, visit the historic district of Old Montreal, or go up to the top of Mount Royal Park, where a panoramic view of the city awaits you. Discover the Plateau Mont-Royal or one of the many green spaces, such as Maisonneuve Park, dominated by the iconic tower of the Olympic Stadium. With its gastronomy, you are sure to enjoy yourself.

• day 3

  Montreal - Kamouraska (400 km)

  

  Bas-Saint-Laurent is an ideal region for cycling or walking, and for enjoying the great Canadian outdoors. The large Kamouraska region offers you a string of pretty, colorful villages, with the magnificent Saint Lawrence River as a backdrop. Breathe in the sought-after salty air of this region of the World Good Times Reserve, Bas-Saint-Laurent. Learn how to make maple syrup, discover the region's maritime history, go on an expedition on the river, walk through unique gardens and parks, and explore the picturesque villages. An authentic region awaits you.

• day 4

  Kamouraska - Rimouski (150 km)

  

  Between Quebec City and Rimouski, you follow Route 132: "the Route of the Navigators"! This road runs along the St. Lawrence River and allows you to discover attractions and panoramas linked to maritime heritage, as well as the inhabitants of these villages rich in history, among the most beautiful in Quebec. From Rivière-du-Loup, the river becomes a "sea" and the lighthouses, one of which is the oldest on the St. Lawrence, stand there. Regional capital of Bas-Saint-Laurent, Rimouski is a dynamic city with many attractions. You can visit the Pointe-au-Père maritime historic site, the Rimouski regional museum, Beauséjour Park, as well as the canyon of the Gates of Hell on the Rimouski River, to discover by kayak or canoe!

• day 5

  Rimouski and Bic National Park

  

  Located on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River and covering an area of 33.2 square kilometers, Bic National Park awaits you with its headlands, bays, coves, islands, and mountains that create an exceptional landscape. Thousands of seabirds come to nest here and rare plants bloom on the rocky headlands. To your great amazement, near the shore, seals bask in the sun. The many activities and services offered by the park guarantee you an unforgettable stay!

• day 6

  Rimouski - Baie des Chaleurs (300 km)

  

  Today, you truly enter Gaspésie, a long peninsula jutting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with a rugged landscape but striking beauty. Boasting some of the most beautiful panoramas in Quebec, and even in Canada, it encompasses many parks and reserves. The forests, beaches, cliffs, and meadows form a vast wildlife and plant corridor unique in the world. However, you will approach it by crossing the Matapédia Valley, a beautiful river winding for over 70 km, renowned for sport salmon fishing. Accommodation in Baie-des-Chaleurs.

• day 7

  Baie des Chaleurs - Percé (150 km)

  

  From the Baie-des-Chaleurs, which owes its name to Jacques Cartier, who landed there in 1534 during a July heatwave, you will head towards Percé. In Bonaventure, you can visit the Gaspésie Wildlife Garden. There, you will learn a little more about Canadian wildlife and its ways of life. On the way, visit the historic site of the Banc-de-Pêche de Paspébiac. Witness to two centuries of history recounting the great epic of fishing in Gaspésie, this site stands majestically with its eleven period buildings. Still imbued with that seaside smell, the walls share their stories and the animation staff brings to life the great adventure of the two most important Jersey fishing companies of the 18th and 19th centuries.

• day 8

  Percé - Gaspé (60 km)

  

  You can take advantage of the day to soak up Gaspé life and discover the secrets of Percé: a gathering of fishermen on the wharf, a plunge of gannets fond of fish, a local craft shop full of finds, the majestic Percé Rock, a tourist emblem of Quebec. You will board a cruise that will allow you to admire Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island up close, the largest marine animal sanctuary in North America.

• day 9

  Gaspé

  

  This morning, you will head towards Forillon National Park, located at the tip of the peninsula. Its magnificent landscapes of sea, cliffs, and mountains stretch over 244 km2. It is home to a fairly diverse fauna: foxes, bears, moose, porcupines, and several other mammals. More than 200 species of birds are recorded there. Notably, thousands of seabirds come to nest on its cliffs every summer. From the park's pebble beaches, it is not uncommon to spot seals.

• day 10

  Gaspé - Sainte-Anne-des-Monts (200 km)

  Your route to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, running along the gulf, is one of the most beautiful in the province. You will find postcard images there. Gateway to the majestic Gaspésie National Park, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Quebec's driftwood capital, will charm you with its landscapes and its sunsets over the St. Lawrence that will leave you speechless. On the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts wharf, you can visit the Exploramer site. The aquarium, the maritime museum, and the sea excursions will allow you to discover the marine environment of the St. Lawrence.

• day 11

  Gaspésie National Park

  

  Day dedicated to the Gaspésie Park, a true sea of mountains, located in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula. The park protects an exceptional wilderness that varies according to altitude. The Chic-Chocs mountain range, the ultimate extension of the Appalachians, rises here with peaks reaching over 1000 meters. Its different climates and geomorphology, which set it apart, attract a diversity of living species unique in Quebec, including the woodland caribou.

• day 12

  Sainte-Anne-des-Monts - Tadoussac (280 km)

  

  Today, you will cross the St. Lawrence River from Rimouski to Forestville, on the north shore. Then continue towards Tadoussac, the official site of the first fur trading post in Canada and a charming little village with red roofs.

• day 13

  Tadoussac - Quebec (215 km)

  

  In Tadoussac, you will have the chance to go whale watching by taking a cruise by boat or zodiac. This more maneuverable means of transport allows you to get as close as possible to the marine mammals. Then head to the Charlevoix region, which combines nature and culture. On the way, feel free to stop at the many viewpoints along the river and in the many villages full of a very special charm. Also stop at Montmorency Falls Park, the last stop before arriving in Quebec City.

• day 14

  Quebec

  

  The only fortified city in North America, Quebec has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Quebec invites you, from atop its imposing ramparts, to travel back through the centuries: the Château Frontenac, the Battlefields Park of the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, the Petit Champlain district, not to mention the many museums and restaurants in the city! Outside the city, the traditional Huron site in Wendake is also a must-see attraction to trace the history of the First Nations.

• day 15

  Quebec - Montreal (270 km)

  

  Between Quebec City and Montreal, enjoy a typical sugar shack meal or stop in Trois-Rivières. In the late afternoon, arrive at Montreal airport where you will return your rental vehicle before boarding your return flight to France. Arrival in France the following morning.