Let’s plan for an unforgettable highway journey by means of Québec’s maritime areas. From the dramatic coastlines of Gaspésie to the quaint villages of Bas-Saint-Laurent, this journey is full of gorgeous landscapes, wealthy cultural heritage, and infinite alternatives to attach with nature.
Whether or not you’re a historical past buff, an outside fanatic, or simply in search of a scenic escape, Québec by the ocean has one thing for everybody.
Right here is my itinerary for my Québec journey in June, full with insider suggestions and must-see spots.
Let’s hit the highway and uncover the magic of Québec!
Getting There and Round
First I’ll discover Québec Metropolis for just a few days, the place I’ll do some sightseeing. Then the journey kicks off and I’ll take a shuttle at 5:45 AM sharp to get to the Jean-Lesage Airport (YQB), the place I’ll catch one of many first flights with PAL Airways to Gaspé’s Michel-Pouliot Airport (YGP). It’s a fast hop and arrival is round 1.5 hours later. Simply in time to get a stable breakfast on the airport that retains the vitality up.
Professional tip: Ebook flights early and double-check PAL’s baggage guidelines, as they’re a bit stricter than some airways.
From Gaspé, a rental automotive is the best way to go. Route 132, the long-lasting Gaspésie Tour loop, stretches about 900 kilometers (560 miles) and presents jaw-dropping views acknowledged by Michelin and Nationwide Geographic. Roads are well-kept, however some stretches really feel distant—maintain the fuel tank full and a GPS helpful. The surroundings’s value each mile, so no rush right here.
The place to Keep
Lodging on this journey mix consolation with native appeal. Right here’s the place I’ll be crashing:
Hôtel-Motel le Mirage
This spot boasts killer views of Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island. The 67 rooms are top-notch, and the vibe is heat and welcoming—good after an extended day.
Tackle: 288 Québec 132, Percé, Quebec
Auberge sous les Arbres
A small, historic gem in downtown Gaspé, this inn mixes old-school decor with fashionable comforts. The house owners deal with you want household, which makes it particular.
Tackle: 146 Rue de la Reine, Gaspé, Quebec
Hôtel Rimouski
Proper on the St. Lawrence River, this place has 185 cozy rooms, a conference heart, and an on-site restaurant (La Brigade 225, see under for more information). It’s an awesome hub for exploring Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Tackle: 225 Boulevard René Lepage Est, Rimouski, Quebec
Auberge Comme au Premier Jour
Housed in a restored 1868 presbytery, this eco-friendly inn oozes heritage and serves up native delicacies. The family-run really feel seals the deal.
Tackle: 224 Boulevard Bégin, Saint-Pacôme, Quebec
Should-See Sights
Québec’s maritime areas are loaded with pure and cultural gems. Right here’s what’s on the listing:
Percé UNESCO World Geopark
This website dives into 500 million years of Earth’s historical past. The glass platform, perched 200 meters (660 ft) up, is a heart-pounding spotlight—skip it if heights freak you out, however the views are unreal from any angle.
Tackle: Glass Platform, Percé, Quebec
Île Bonaventure
A ship trip from Percé lands you at North America’s largest migratory chook refuge. The Northern Gannet colony is a loud spectacle, and the mountaineering trails are a blast. Finances three hours whole, together with the 60-minute boat journey out.
Tackle: Gannet colony Percé
Forillon Nationwide Park
Spanning 245 sq. kilometers, this park mixes sea, cliffs, and forests. Trails like Les Graves supply whale-watching opps, and the Grande-Grave heritage website tells fishing tales.
Tackle: 1238 Boul de Forillon, Gaspé, Quebec
Micmac Interpretation Website of Gespeg
This Migmaq village reproduction dives into First Nations historical past with guided excursions and artisan demos. Right here you possibly can expertise a hands-on take a look at native roots.
Tackle: 783 Boulevard de Pointe Navarre, Gaspé, Quebec
Station de montagne sur mer de Mont-Saint-Pierre
A more recent ecotourism spot with epic aerial views, mountaineering, biking, kayaking and even paragliding. The pure amphitheater vibe is a standout.
Tackle: Mont Saint Pierre
Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Website
Climb 128 steps up Canada’s second-tallest lighthouse for a 360° St. Lawrence panorama, then hit the Empress of Eire Museum to unpack a maritime tragedy. And you’ll board the submarine Onondaga, a 90-metre metal monster, to find the day by day lifetime of the 70 males who had been enclosed there for months.
Tackle: 1000 Rue du Phare, Rimouski, Quebec
Parc nationwide du Bic
Assume capes, bays, and islands teeming with seabirds and seals. It’s a photographer’s dream and a chill spot to unwind.
Tackle: 3382 Québec 132, Rimouski, Quebec
Putep’t-awt Belugas Statement Website
Run by the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation, this new deck presents beluga sightings and a digital path on conservation. The sacred mountain setting provides depth.
Tackle: Cacouna, Quebec
Cultural Experiences
Timing this journey round June 21’s Nationwide Indigenous Peoples Day means attainable celebrations on the Micmac Interpretation Website—suppose artisan showcases or storytelling, although it’s weather-dependent. June 24’s St. Jean vacation may spark festivities in Gaspé, too, if the skies cooperate.
Each are an opportunity to take in Québec’s vibrant “joie de vivre”.
Eating Suggestions
Meals right here is all about recent catches and native aptitude. Verify these out:
La Maison du Pêcheur
Steps from the wharf, this spot serves killer seafood and maple-fired pizzas. The in-season lobster is a must-try.
Tackle: 157 Route 132 Ouest, Percé, Quebec
Gaspé Eating places
I’ll scope out downtown choices—count on seafood-heavy menus with a regional twist. Options welcome!
La Brigade 225
Wonderful eating with a regional edge and a stable wine listing. It’s upscale however relaxed.
Tackle: Hôtel Rimouski, 225 Boulevard René Lepage Est, Quebec
Kamouraska Eateries
This picturesque village has just a few gems for native bites—good for a laid-back dinner after a day on the highway.
Tackle: Kamouraska
Sensible Ideas
- Climate: June’s a blended bag—cool mornings, heat afternoons, and sudden rain. Pack layers, a water-proof jacket, and durable sneakers. I discovered the arduous far more than as soon as: soggy socks kill the vibe.
- Language: French guidelines right here, however vacationer spots get by with English. Study “bonjour” and “merci”—it’ll earn you smiles.
- Images: Sunsets over the St. Lawrence are pure gold, and Percé Rock at dawn is a stunner. Carry a good digital camera or a charged cellphone.
- Driving: The Gaspé-to-Rimouski haul (5 hours, 385 km) is a slog. Break it up with stops like Mont-Saint-Pierre or a roadside café. Belief me, you’ll want the stretch, a superb snack and a few espresso.
The Lowdown: Challenges and Why It’s Value It
This journey isn’t flawless. The early 5:45 AM shuttle to the airport sounds brutal and I hope there can be some espresso prepared. A protracted day driving can put on you down, particularly if visitors or climate turns bitter. And if heights spook you, that tumbler platform in Percé may not be your dream place.
However right here’s the flip facet: the payoffs are huge. Gannets diving off Île Bonaventure, belugas popping up in Cacouna, and sunsets that make you overlook the highway fatigue—it’s all value it.
Take it sluggish, plan your stops, and also you’ll roll with the punches.
This highway journey by means of Québec’s maritime areas is shaping as much as be a wild trip—pure magnificence, cultural depth, and people little moments that follow you.
From rugged Gaspésie cliffs to Bas-Saint-Laurent’s sleepy villages, it’s a slice of Canada that begs to be explored.
I’m trying ahead to pack my baggage, hit the highway, and see it for myself.
For more information, take a look at Bonjour Québec and Québec Maritime.
