Explore the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions in 7 days
16 May, 2024
·
By Jessica Gallant
My adventure in the Lower St. Lawrence and around the Gaspé Peninsula totally charmed me! Every kilometer I covered in the heart of these picturesque regions filled me with wonder and captivated the great nature lover that I am. After a 7-day road trip, the conclusion was clear: I would absolutely have to return to explore this part of the country further. Nevertheless, I really appreciated the itinerary I'd created for myself, which enabled me to take full advantage of the different places of interest and to balance my stopovers with my time on the road.
Here's a summary of my week-long itinerary in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions:
Day 1 - Sunset at Cacouna
Day 2 - Seafood delights in Rimouski
After enjoying a cup of coffee to the sound of birds and lapping water, I packed up my camping gear and set off for Rimouski. This pearl of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is a must-stop on any road trip to the Gaspé Peninsula. I took a few hours off to enjoy the sea air while gazing at the iconic Pointe-au-Père lighthouse, where the famous Onondaga submarine can also be seen.
Of course, I couldn't leave the region without indulging in a lobster guédille and shrimp poutine at Capitaine Homard! What a feast! Afterwards, I continued my journey to spot the fascinating statues emerging from the sea, Le Grand Rassemblement by Marcel Gagnon, a few kilometers further on. This second day finally came to an end in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, where I once again got out my camping gear to take refuge on the beach at the popular Auberge Festive Sea Shack.
Day 3 - Discovering Gaspésie National Park
After a night of inspiring conversations around the fire in the company of fellow travelers from near and far, it was time to stretch my legs! It was with great excitement that I headed for Parc national de la Gaspésie, a veritable jewel of Quebec nature.
After a quick stop at the pretty chute Sainte-Anne, I opted for the trail leading to the summit of Mont Ernest-Laforce. Relatively easy, this hike offered spectacular views of verdant valleys and awe-inspiring peaks. With my head full of beautiful landscapes, I finally returned to the Sea Shack Inn to let myself be lulled by the melodies of the chansonnier on the terrace while watching the sunset, once again spectacular.
Day 4 - Forillon National Park in all its splendour
Finally, it was time to set course for Gaspé. This stretch of Route 132 is simply magnificent, with its many twists and turns offering a variety of surprising panoramas. An eternal lover of maritime landscapes, I was more than eager to explore Forillon National Park! The Cap Bon Ami trail offered unique views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while the lookout near the parking lot allowed me to observe seals playing in the water and birds lining the rock faces. This incredible day of discovery ended with a delicious dinner of fresh lobster at a friend's house on the banks of the Dartmouth River, no less!
Day 5 - Reaching the end of the world at Percé
With the summer heat, I couldn't wait to get my feet in the water! So I headed off to the Rivière-aux-Émeraudes waterfall to get this new day in Gaspésie off to a good start. I was glad I'd arrived early to take advantage of it before the site became crowded with people.
Back behind the wheel, I finally caught a glimpse of the famous Rocher Percé in the distance, a natural monument so coveted by all. Its splendor certainly didn't disappoint, and I enjoyed strolling through the streets of Percé to admire it from different angles. The view from Cap Mont-Joli is absolutely perfect! I also fell in love with the Gaspesian pizza served at the Au vieux pêcheur restaurant, accompanied by a Pit Caribou beer - what a delight!
Days 6 and 7 - The perfect finale
With this wonderful journey drawing to a close, I continued my descent south of the peninsula to Bonaventure, where I spent a night at Cime Bonaventure before returning to the Lower St. Lawrence. Although I should have spent more time there to kayak down the river, I still enjoyed my moment of relaxation contemplating the river's limpidity. I'll definitely be back.
To complete this exciting road trip, I finally reached the town of Pohénégamook. I swapped my tent for a stay in a cottage and spoiled myself with a hearty meal at the microbrewery Le Secret des Dieux before enjoying a good ice cream in front of the local lake. I didn't catch a glimpse of the enormous beast that apparently inhabits its waters, but I quickly noticed the beauty that characterizes this little-talked-about town.
And so ended this incredible summer escapade. At the end of this 7-day road trip, one thing is certain: the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie are destinations that leave a lasting impression. With its grandiose landscapes, mouth-watering gastronomy and unforgettable adventures, I loved taking to the road in the heart of this part of the province.
By Jessica Gallant
My adventure in the Lower St. Lawrence and around the Gaspé Peninsula totally charmed me! Every kilometer I covered in the heart of these picturesque regions filled me with wonder and captivated the great nature lover that I am. After a 7-day road trip, the conclusion was clear: I would absolutely have to return to explore this part of the country further. Nevertheless, I really appreciated the itinerary I'd created for myself, which enabled me to take full advantage of the different places of interest and to balance my stopovers with my time on the road.
Here's a summary of my week-long itinerary in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions:
Day 1 - Sunset at Cacouna
Day 2 - Seafood delights in Rimouski
After enjoying a cup of coffee to the sound of birds and lapping water, I packed up my camping gear and set off for Rimouski. This pearl of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is a must-stop on any road trip to the Gaspé Peninsula. I took a few hours off to enjoy the sea air while gazing at the iconic Pointe-au-Père lighthouse, where the famous Onondaga submarine can also be seen.
Of course, I couldn't leave the region without indulging in a lobster guédille and shrimp poutine at Capitaine Homard! What a feast! Afterwards, I continued my journey to spot the fascinating statues emerging from the sea, Le Grand Rassemblement by Marcel Gagnon, a few kilometers further on. This second day finally came to an end in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, where I once again got out my camping gear to take refuge on the beach at the popular Auberge Festive Sea Shack.
Day 3 - Discovering Gaspésie National Park
After a night of inspiring conversations around the fire in the company of fellow travelers from near and far, it was time to stretch my legs! It was with great excitement that I headed for Parc national de la Gaspésie, a veritable jewel of Quebec nature.
After a quick stop at the pretty chute Sainte-Anne, I opted for the trail leading to the summit of Mont Ernest-Laforce. Relatively easy, this hike offered spectacular views of verdant valleys and awe-inspiring peaks. With my head full of beautiful landscapes, I finally returned to the Sea Shack Inn to let myself be lulled by the melodies of the chansonnier on the terrace while watching the sunset, once again spectacular.
Day 4 - Forillon National Park in all its splendour
Finally, it was time to set course for Gaspé. This stretch of Route 132 is simply magnificent, with its many twists and turns offering a variety of surprising panoramas. An eternal lover of maritime landscapes, I was more than eager to explore Forillon National Park! The Cap Bon Ami trail offered unique views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while the lookout near the parking lot allowed me to observe seals playing in the water and birds lining the rock faces. This incredible day of discovery ended with a delicious dinner of fresh lobster at a friend's house on the banks of the Dartmouth River, no less!
Day 5 - Reaching the end of the world at Percé
With the summer heat, I couldn't wait to get my feet in the water! So I headed off to the Rivière-aux-Émeraudes waterfall to get this new day in Gaspésie off to a good start. I was glad I'd arrived early to take advantage of it before the site became crowded with people.
Back behind the wheel, I finally caught a glimpse of the famous Rocher Percé in the distance, a natural monument so coveted by all. Its splendor certainly didn't disappoint, and I enjoyed strolling through the streets of Percé to admire it from different angles. The view from Cap Mont-Joli is absolutely perfect! I also fell in love with the Gaspesian pizza served at the Au vieux pêcheur restaurant, accompanied by a Pit Caribou beer - what a delight!
Days 6 and 7 - The perfect finale
With this wonderful journey drawing to a close, I continued my descent south of the peninsula to Bonaventure, where I spent a night at Cime Bonaventure before returning to the Lower St. Lawrence. Although I should have spent more time there to kayak down the river, I still enjoyed my moment of relaxation contemplating the river's limpidity. I'll definitely be back.
To complete this exciting road trip, I finally reached the town of Pohénégamook. I swapped my tent for a stay in a cottage and spoiled myself with a hearty meal at the microbrewery Le Secret des Dieux before enjoying a good ice cream in front of the local lake. I didn't catch a glimpse of the enormous beast that apparently inhabits its waters, but I quickly noticed the beauty that characterizes this little-talked-about town.
And so ended this incredible summer escapade. At the end of this 7-day road trip, one thing is certain: the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie are destinations that leave a lasting impression. With its grandiose landscapes, mouth-watering gastronomy and unforgettable adventures, I loved taking to the road in the heart of this part of the province.