Let’s plan for an unforgettable highway journey by Québec’s maritime areas. From the dramatic coastlines of Gaspésie to the quaint villages of Bas-Saint-Laurent, this journey is filled with beautiful landscapes, wealthy cultural heritage, and countless alternatives to attach with nature.
Whether or not you’re a historical past buff, an outside fanatic, or simply on the lookout for 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 a couple of 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 power up.
Professional tip: E-book 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 provides jaw-dropping views acknowledged by Michelin and Nationwide Geographic. Roads are well-kept, however some stretches really feel distant—hold the gasoline tank full and a GPS useful. The surroundings’s price 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:
Lodge-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 Quebec 132, Percé, Quebec
Lodge Motel Le Mirage in Percé, Quebéc, Canada.
Auberge underneath timber
A small, historic gem in downtown Gaspé, this inn mixes old-school decor with fashionable comforts. The homeowners deal with you want household, which makes it particular.
Tackle: 146 rue de la Reine, Gaspé, Quebec
Inn underneath the Timber in Gaspé, Quebec, Canada.
Rimouski lodge
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 amazing hub for exploring Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Tackle: 225 boulevard René Lepage East, Rimouski, Quebec
Lodge Rimouski in Quebéc, Canada.
Auberge as on the primary day
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
Customary Room with Backyard View on the Auberge as on the primary day in Saint-Pacôme in Quebéc, Canada.
Should-See Sights
Québec’s maritime areas are loaded with pure and cultural gems. Right here’s what’s on the record:
Percé Unesco World Geopark
This web site dives into 500 million years of Earth’s historical past. The glass platform, perched 200 meters (660 toes) 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
Bonaventure Island
A ship experience from Percé lands you at North America’s largest migratory chicken refuge. The Northern Gannet colony is a loud spectacle, and the mountain climbing trails are a blast. Funds 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 web site tells fishing tales.
Tackle: 1238 Forillon bowl, Gaspé, Quebec
Sundown on the Anse-Blanchette barn in Forillon Nationwide Park, Quebéc, Canada. Photograph by Parks Canada, Mathieu Dupuis.
Micmac Interpretation Web site of Gespeg
This Migmaq village duplicate dives into First Nations historical past with guided excursions and artisan demos. Right here you may expertise a hands-on take a look at native roots.
Tackle: 783 Boulevard de Pointe Navarre, Gaspé, Quebec
Conventional village at Web site d’interpretation Micmac in Quebéc, Canada. Photograph Mathieu Dupuis.
Mont-Saint-Pierre mountain resort
A more moderen ecotourism spot with epic aerial views, mountain climbing, biking, kayaking and even paragliding. The pure amphitheater vibe is a standout.
Tackle: Mont Saint Pierre
Paragliding at mountain station on the ocean of Mont-Saint-Pierre in Quebéc, Canada.
Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Web site
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 every day lifetime of the 70 males who have been enclosed there for months.
Tackle: 1000 rue du Phare, Rimouski, Quebec
Aerial view by the Pointe-Au-Père Maritime Historical past Web site in Quebéc, Canada.
BIC Nationwide Park
Suppose capes, bays, and islands teeming with seabirds and seals. It’s a photographer’s dream and a chill spot to unwind.
Tackle: 3382 Quebec 132, Rimouski, Quebec
Hikely, the pearl and Par Nationwide in Quebéc, Canada.
Putep’t-awt Belugas Statement Web site
Run by the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation, this new deck provides beluga sightings and a digital path on conservation. The sacred mountain setting provides depth.
Tackle: Cacouna, Quebec
Putep’t belugas willlugas Statement Web site in Cacouna, Quebec, Canada. Photograph by tourisme Wahsipekuk.
Cultural Experiences
Timing this journey round June 21’s Nationwide Indigenous Peoples Day means doable celebrations on the Micmac Interpretation Web site—assume 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 fortunate to absorb Quebec’s vibrant “joie de vivre”.
Eating Suggestions
Meals right here is all about contemporary catches and native aptitude. Test these out:
The fisherman’s home
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 west, pierced, Quebec
Seafood at The Home of Fisherman in Perce, Quebec, Canada.
Gaspé Eating places
I’ll scope out downtown choices—anticipate seafood-heavy menus with a regional twist. Solutions welcome!
Brigade 225
High-quality eating with a regional edge and a stable wine record. It’s upscale however relaxed.
Tackle: Rimouski lodge, 225 boulevard René Lepage Est, Quebec
Parmesan Fondue At La Brigade 225 in RiMuSki, Quebéc, Canada.
Kamouraska Eateries
This picturesque village has a couple of gems for native bites—good for a laid-back dinner after a day on the highway.
Tackle: Kamouraska
Sensible Suggestions
Climate: June’s a blended bag—cool mornings, heat afternoons, and sudden rain. Pack layers, a water-proof jacket, and durable footwear. 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. Be taught “bonjour” and “merci”—it’ll earn you smiles.
Pictures: Sunsets over the St. Lawrence are pure gold, and Percé Rock at dawn is a stunner. Convey 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, 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 cup platform in Percé won’t be your dream place.
However right here’s the flip facet: the payoffs are large. Gannets diving off Île Bonaventure, belugas popping up in Cacouna, and sunsets that make you neglect the highway fatigue—it’s all price it.
Take it sluggish, plan your stops, and also you’ll roll with the punches.
This highway journey by Québec’s maritime areas is shaping as much as be a wild experience—pure magnificence, cultural depth, and people little moments that stick to 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 wanting ahead to pack my luggage, hit the highway, and see it for myself.
For more information, take a look at Howdy Quebec and Maritime Quebec.
I am positive you’ve got had comparable experiences I had while touring. You are in a sure place and a fellow traveler, or an area, tip you off on a little-known seaside, bar or lodging. Nice journey suggestions from different vacationers or locals at all times add one thing particular to our travels. That was the inspiration for Journey Dudes.
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I am positive you’ve got had comparable experiences I had while touring. You are in a sure place and a fellow traveler, or an area, tip you off on a little-known seaside, bar or lodging. Nice journey suggestions from different vacationers or locals at all times add one thing particular to our travels. That was the inspiration for Journey Dudes.