Classic Gaspésie

Recommended activities for your free day in Montreal: a walking tour of the city’s Old Port, or bike rental to explore the extensive cycling paths and the Formula 1 circuit. You may visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or the Montreal Botanical Garden and Biodome, or enjoy shopping in the boutique and shopping mall district along St. Catherine Street.

You follow the course of the St. Lawrence River. Trois-Rivières is a historic city in Québec, located halfway between Montréal and Québec City, where the Saint-Maurice River divides into three channels at its mouth into the St Lawrence, giving the city its name. Among the oldest cities in North America, it preserves a charming historic centre with streets rich in period buildings, cafés and a lively cultural atmosphere, enlivened by festivals such as the poetry festival. The picturesque riverfront offers scenic walks over the St Lawrence. The city boasts a rich industrial heritage linked to paper and iron production, recounted in its museums and historic sites, such as the old Forges du Saint-Maurice ironworks. A convenient stop along the itinerary between Québec's two great cities, Trois-Rivières combines history, culture and riverside atmospheres, a pleasant pause in the heart of the Francophone province. Québec City, capital of the eponymous province, is the most European city in North America, the only one north of Mexico to have kept its fortified walls, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a promontory above the St Lawrence River, it is dominated by the unmistakable silhouette of the Château Frontenac, a sumptuous hotel towering over Vieux-Québec. The cobbled streets of the old town, divided into Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville, enchant with their stone houses, boutiques, cafés and Francophone atmosphere, especially magical under winter snow. The Petit-Champlain district, among the oldest on the continent, and Place Royale preserve the charm of New France. The Terrasse Dufferin offers scenic walks over the river, while the gastronomy celebrates Québec cuisine. Romantic, historic and uniquely characterful, Québec City is a city to be explored on foot, among fortifications, alleys and old-world atmospheres.

Saint-Jean-Port-Joli spreads along the south shore of the St Lawrence in Québec, famed across the country as the capital of wood carving and art crafts. Its workshops, galleries and museums hold a unique sculptural tradition, while the riverfront offers spectacular estuary sunsets. Among culture, creativity and waterscapes, the village enchants lovers of art and tranquillity. Saint-Jean-Port-Joli is the capital of craftsmanship on the shores of the St Lawrence. Matane, a picturesque town on the Gaspé Peninsula coast, is renowned for its abundance of salmon and stunning scenery. Parc des Îles offers a peaceful spot to relax and explore, while the promenade along the St. Lawrence River provides breathtaking views. Enjoy freshly caught seafood in local restaurants and experience the warm hospitality of the region.

Gaspé is the main town of the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Québec, facing the bay of the same name where the St Lawrence River opens towards the ocean. Considered the birthplace of Canada, since the explorer Jacques Cartier landed here in 1534, it preserves a strong bond with history and the sea. The town is the gateway to the spectacular Forillon National Park, at the tip of the peninsula, where sheer cliffs over the sea, forests and rugged coasts host rich wildlife, from seals to seabirds, and is ideal for hiking and whale watching. The culture of the Mi'kmaq First Nations is alive in the region. Between history, cliffs and wild nature, Gaspé is a fascinating base for exploring the grandiose landscapes of the Gaspé Peninsula, one of the most evocative corners of maritime Québec.

Percé is one of Québec's most spectacular villages, located at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, facing the Gulf of St Lawrence. Its symbol is the famous Rocher Percé, an imposing rock formation pierced by a natural arch that rises from the sea right in front of the village, one of the most iconic landscapes in eastern Canada. Just offshore, Île Bonaventure hosts one of the world's largest gannet colonies, reachable by boat for an unforgettable nature excursion. The village offers a charming seafront, fresh-fish restaurants and an authentic maritime atmosphere. The area is ideal for hiking, whale watching and discovering coastal nature. Between spectacular rocks, seabird colonies and sea, Percé is a fascinating and unforgettable destination, a jewel of the wild Gaspé Peninsula.

Carleton-sur-Mer is a charming seaside resort on the Gaspé Peninsula, stretched along the southern coast facing the Baie des Chaleurs, whose unusually warm waters make it a renowned holiday destination. Set at the foot of Mont Saint-Joseph, from whose summit a magnificent view over the bay unfolds, it offers beaches, a marina and a pleasant promenade. The town is also famous for its wellness, with spa centres facing the sea. The surroundings invite hiking, kitesurfing and nature watching. Mild climate, sea and mountain make Carleton-sur-Mer one of the sunniest pearls of the Gaspé, where you can relax to the gentle rhythm of the Québec coast.

Rivière-du-Loup is a lively town in Québec, facing the southern shore of the St Lawrence estuary, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. An important crossroads, it is the departure point of the ferry that crosses the river towards the Côte-Nord. The town offers a charming centre, a picturesque waterfall in the heart of the settlement and scenic parks overlooking the wide estuary, from which you can enjoy splendid sunsets and from where boat excursions set off for whale watching among the river's islands. The area is also famous for its rural landscapes, farms and terroir products. Nearby stretch parks and trails ideal for hiking. Maritime and welcoming, Rivière-du-Loup is a pleasant stop along the St Lawrence coast, an ideal base for discovering the natural beauty and flavours of the Bas-Saint-Laurent.