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 full of gorgeous landscapes, wealthy cultural heritage, and limitless alternatives to attach with nature.
Whether or not you’re a historical past buff, an out of doors 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 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: E book flights early and double-check PAL’s baggage guidelines, as they’re a bit stricter than some airways.
From Gaspé, a rental automobile is the way in which to go. Route 132, the enduring 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 gasoline tank full and a GPS helpful. 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:
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—excellent after a protracted day.
Deal with: 288 Québec 132, Percé, Quebec
Auberge sous les Arbres
A small, historic gem in downtown Gaspé, this inn mixes old-school decor with trendy comforts. The homeowners deal with you want household, which makes it particular.
Deal with: 146 Rue de la Reine, Gaspé, Quebec
Hôtel Rimouski
Proper on the St. Lawrence River, this place has 185 cozy rooms, a conference middle, and an on-site restaurant (La Brigade 225, see beneath for more information). It’s a fantastic hub for exploring Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Deal with: 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.
Deal with: 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 checklist:
Percé UNESCO World Geopark
This web site 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.
Deal with: Glass Platform, Percé, Quebec
Île Bonaventure
A ship experience from Percé lands you at North America’s largest migratory hen refuge. The Northern Gannet colony is a loud spectacle, and the mountaineering trails are a blast. Price range three hours whole, together with the 60-minute boat journey out.
Deal with: 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.
Deal with: 1238 Boul de Forillon, Gaspé, Quebec
Micmac Interpretation Web site of Gespeg
This Migmaq village reproduction dives into First Nations historical past with guided excursions and artisan demos. Right here you’ll be able to expertise a hands-on have a look at native roots.
Deal with: 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.
Deal with: Mont Saint Pierre
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 may 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.
Deal with: 1000 Rue du Phare, Rimouski, Quebec
Parc nationwide du Bic
Suppose capes, bays, and islands teeming with seabirds and seals. It’s a photographer’s dream and a chill spot to unwind.
Deal with: 3382 Québec 132, Rimouski, Quebec
Putep’t-awt Belugas Remark Web site
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.
Deal with: Cacouna, Quebec
Cultural Experiences
Timing this journey round June 21’s Nationwide Indigenous Peoples Day means potential celebrations on the Micmac Interpretation Web site—suppose artisan showcases or storytelling, although it’s weather-dependent. June 24’s St. Jean vacation would possibly 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. Test 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.
Deal with: 157 Route 132 Ouest, Percé, Quebec
Gaspé Eating places
I’ll scope out downtown choices—anticipate seafood-heavy menus with a regional twist. Strategies welcome!
La Brigade 225
High quality eating with a regional edge and a stable wine checklist. It’s upscale however relaxed.
Deal with: Hôtel Rimouski, 225 Boulevard René Lepage Est, Quebec
Kamouraska Eateries
This picturesque village has just a few gems for native bites—excellent for a laid-back dinner after a day on the highway.
Deal with: Kamouraska
Sensible Ideas
- Climate: June’s a combined bag—cool mornings, heat afternoons, and sudden rain. Pack layers, a water-resistant jacket, and durable footwear. I realized the exhausting 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. Carry a good digicam 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 great 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 will probably be some espresso prepared. An extended day driving can put on you down, particularly if visitors or climate turns bitter. And if heights spook you, that cup platform in Percé may not be your dream place.
However right here’s the flip aspect: the payoffs are large. Gannets diving off Île Bonaventure, belugas popping up in Cacouna, and sunsets that make you overlook the highway fatigue—it’s all price it.
Take it gradual, 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 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, try Bonjour Québec and Québec Maritime.
