A weekend in Gaspé

Explore the spectacular coastal landscapes of Land’s End, with winding roads and steep cliffs, for a weekend! This trip, punctuated by marine and cultural treasures, will take you to the “end of the world”, in the wild beauty of Forillon National Park.

Here is a suggested itinerary* for your stay. Rule number 1: once in the car, get into vacation mode and enjoy the scenery! Heading east, 6 hours from Montréal or 3.5 hours from Quebec City, Mont-Joli welcomes you in Gaspésie. Here, no more highways… Take Route 132, towards Matane.

Day 1

11:30 a.m.: Food supplies in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Stop at Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, at the Délices de la Mer. This fish market and delicatessen also has a lunch counter where you can stock up on sandwiches and a good coffee. You will be ready to enjoy the 250 kilometres that separate you from Gaspé.

12:30 p.m.: Picnic near L’Anse-Pleureuse
At L’Anse-Pleureuse, leave Route 132 and turn off on Route 198 towards Murdochville. At the intersection, on your right, you will see a roadside rest area with unexpected scenery. In front of the turquoise lake, take a deep breath. You will instantly switch to ‘Gaspésie mode’ to enjoy your picnic.

1 p.m.: Direction Murdochville
On the way to Murdochville, admire the mountains surrounding the village. You’ll understand why this is THE wilderness ski destination in Eastern North America! Note for the calendar: return during the winter to have an incredible experience.

2:30 p.m.: Direction Gaspé
Continue on the 198 through the forest, before emerging near the Gaspé Bay. Then choose from two historic places. The Musée de la Gaspésie will introduce you to Gaspesian heritage with the permanent exhibition “Gaspésie … A Grand Journey!“. Also not to be missed: the virtual reality movie that will take you aboard the Gaspésienne n^o 20 (a cod fishing boat) with two friendly fishermen, and two GeoRallye circuits that will take you through the town in a treasure hunt.

Another option: visit the Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg to discover the world of the Mi’kmaq through the four seasons. The guided tour and permanent exhibition tell the traditions of this Indigenous community, its deep knowledge of the environment and shows the daily life of its ancestors by different interpretive objects and tools. A shop offers various art objects made by the Mi’kmaq.

6:30 p.m.: Dinner in Gaspé
After you have checked in at the hotel, take the direction of TÉTÛ Taverne Gaspésienne, the restaurant of the Hotel des Commandants. Inspired to put on the menu a large quantity of local products, the chef offers you many delicacies inspired by the Gaspesian terroir.

8:30 p.m.: Promenade in Gaspé
What’s better than a stroll in the heart of Gaspé after a hearty meal? Walk along Rue de la Reine and head for the Birthplace of Canada Historic Site, a beautiful public square with the Jacques-Cartier cross and the starting point of the promenade of the same name. On foot or by car, you can also cross the bay to admire the illuminated town reflected in the water.

Day 2

9 a.m.: Destination Forillon
Grab a lunch and a good coffee in town before heading to Forillon National Park. Whether on a hike on Mont Saint-Alban from Petit-Gaspé Beach or Cap Bon-Ami, where you will find the lookout “Bout du monde (end of the world)”, there are a multitude of points of interest to discover! Replenish yourself with a picnic, admiring the cliffs that flow into the sea and create the reputation of the place.

1 p.m.: Come to the sea!
There are several options for you: a whale-watching cruise, a sea kayaking excursion to see the seals or snorkeling to play with them. Guaranteed pleasure!

5 p.m.: Happy Hour and Dinner at Brise-Bise
Back in town, go to Bistro-Bar Le Brise Bise. Fish and seafood are featured… even in the famous shrimp poutine. Depending on the desired mood, opt for the resto-pub on the ground floor or the dining room upstairs. The pub regularly presents shows, serves gaspesian microbrewery beers, and evenings are always pleasant!

Day 3

9 a.m.: Breakfast in Gaspé or L’Anse-au-Griffon
For breakfast, you can stay in downtown Gaspé and brunch at the Auberge William Wakeham, a historic home with the charm of yesteryear. You can also get on the road earlier in the day and stop for breakfast at the Café de l’Anse at the Centre culturel Le Griffon. This former refrigerated warehouse, located in L’Anse-au-Griffon offers breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence.

10:30 a.m.: Historical stop
Head to Manoir LeBoutillier in L’Anse-au-Griffon to discover the work of John Le Boutillier, a businessman who used to work in the processing and sale of dried and salted cod. Visit his exchange and trading house, then drop by the local shop and tearoom.

11:30 a.m.: The lighthouse route
On the way back home, imprint in your memories the cliffs, the sea, and the villages in the hollow of the coves. You will come across several lighthouses, including the huge red one at the Pointe-à-la-Renommée historic site.

Want to know more about the range of fall activities offered in the Gaspé sector and elsewhere in Gaspésie? Plan your stay at tourisme-gaspesie.com.

* This itinerary is only a suggestion. It is not a package and is not for sale. It was designed based on businesses open in the fall, but whose schedules may vary. Before taking the road, book your accommodation and check the schedules of the businesses where you want to go. Have a great stay in Gaspésie!