In the fall of 2009, the national Geographic Society designated the Gaspésie as the third most beautiful destination in the world after the Norwegian fjords and the Kootenay and Yoho national parks in British Columbia. This evaluation, from a committee composed of 437 experts, is based on six criteria: the environmental quality, the social and culture integrity, the tourism managemant quality, the condition of buildings and archeological sites, the aesthetics and the futur potential of the destination.

Gaspésie is therefore rightly designated as a recognized and sought-after destination in Québec's tourism history. Long renowned for the beauty of its commanding natural landscapes, the region attracts visitors from all four corners of the world. Initially valued by burgesses for the salmon fishing and the wide expanse of its resorts, it is rapidly becoming a first-class Québec travel destination. It stands out thanks to its uniqueness and its size.

Located on the south side of the St. Lawrence, this peninsula, with its rugged but breathtaking landform, is the continuation of the Appalachian range. Caressed by the waves of both the estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it is literally chiselled by multiple clear and fish-filled streams. It encompasses many parks and reserves, and its forests, beaches, cliffs and meadows form an immense sanctuary for fauna and flora. It is a true Garden of Eden, where one can absorb the natural beauty of the environment...

A Little History
Gaspésie can surprise and seduce you with its distinctiveness and diversity. Its history began with the Amerindians, who had been settled there for thousands of years and had witnessed the arrival of Vikings, Italian explorers, and Basque and Breton fishermen crossing the waters of the St. Lawrence, when in 1534, Jacques Cartier came into contact with them and "discovered" Canada in the name of the King of France.

There ensued a series of new arrivals, such as the French, the Acadians, the Loyalists, the Bretons and the Basques, for whom Gaspésie became a new homeland. Also came to settle were the English, the Jersey, the Irish, the Scottish and many more. It is by thus welcoming various ethnic groups that was created in Gaspésie a wonderful mix of traditions, cultures, culinary delights and colourful accents. The magnitude of its history is explained to you through the museums, the interpretation centres and the historical sites, thereby giving you the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the lives of the pioneers.

Photo: François Rivard

 

Culture

Other places, such as art galleries, artist or artisan-designer workshops, handicraft, art trade or souvenir shops, theatres and show halls, demonstrate the extent to which the region is animated by rich cultural expression. You will meet talented, creative, ingenious and, above all, fascinating people who will not hesitate to share, not only their artistic approach, but their legends, songs, stories and anecdotes, always presented with large characteristic smile. Cultural activities, festivities and public celebrations are in the spotlight and attract visitors. In Gaspésie, the culture is as vast as the sea!

Smell the Flowers 
The Reford Gardens, listed among the most splendid gardens of the world, benefit from a particular microclimate, and are spread out over 90 hectares. A must-see for horticulture enthusiasts, these big gardens display magnificent designs through various creations in which more than 3,000 plant species and varieties make up a veritable masterpiece overflowing with colour and harmoniously presented.

Priceless...
To see the parks of Gaspésie is to have a magnificent view today of what is, and will be, heritage. To explore them leaves you with memories of happiness and enchanting places.

The Parc national de la Gaspésie, covering an area of 802 km², presents some of the highest peaks in eastern Canada as well as spectacular landscapes. A herd of caribou has taken over the high plateaus, where flora and vegetation similar to that of the tundra grow. The park gathers several particular elements: its jagged terrain creates deep ravines and cliffs; depending on the altitude you are standing at, you can find yourself in the midst of either a boreal forest or a sub-alpine forest; aside from the caribou, you will find there the highest moose density in Québec, as well as white-tailed deer. In this sea of mountains, you are sure to live a wonderful experience.

The head of the Gaspé Peninsula constitutes the end of the Appalachians, and contains a large quantity of fauna and flora. The tip of Forillon, which was made into a national park of Canada in order to preserve the wild beauty of its coast, reveals various geological formations and phenomena sometimes dating back to up to 450 million years.

This territory, whose many features call for discovery, covers nearly 244 km², and benefits from an exceptional microclimate that is much appreciated by hikers, both on the trails and the beaches. Here, the land joins with the sea, and from this union are born pebble beaches, dizzying cliffs, small coves, rocky capes and fine sand beaches.

Evidently, the Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé is an enchanting site; the red cliffs of the island reflect the fascinating Rocher Percé, an unshakable mass of rock and limestone that belongs to the geological heritage of Gaspésie. Excursions to the rock and on the island offer a moving experience; enjoy the birds by the thousands, the fields of wildflowers, the ancestral houses dispersed randomly, and lose yourself in the gaze of an infinite blue sea.

Some information about Bonaventure Island: located at 2 kilometres, 3,5 kilometres wide, it is over 310 millions years old and made of conglomerate of sandstone, limestone and siltstone. Some information about Percé Rock: Its shoreline stretches 200 metres in length, the hole is 20 metres high, the obelisk stands 45 metres high, it weighs 5 millions tonnes, loses 300 tonnes of rock every year. It is 375 millions years old and made of limestone with calcite veining. It holds 150 species of fossils (brachiopods, trilobites, Percé dalminites, marine worms, corals). The famous rock's appearance has changed many times. Champlain mentioned only one arch in 1603, in 1760, an English officer drew a picture of Percé Rock with its double arches. One of the rock's arches collapsed in 1845.

Containing an extraordinary paleontological site along the shore, the Parc national de Miguasha, of universal importance, benefits from an international reputation, and is part of UNESCO's world heritage. The multiple species of fish, spores, plants, and fossilized invertebrates encrusted in the renowned cliffs reflect 370 million years of history. At Miguasha, the testimony of the past rises to the surface.

Hunting and Fishing
An alluring paradise for several generations of hunters and fishers, Gaspésie contains twenty or so superb and renowned salmon rivers, outfitting operations, ZECs, and a considerable quantity of hunting destinations, as beautiful as they are plentiful. Trout fishing, open-sea fishing and ice fishing are also enticing. The gorgeous Matapédia Valley is a prime destination for hunting and fishing; in fact, one of its rivers is known worldwide for its high-quality salmon.

A visit of the Matapédia Valley will leave you calm and peaceful, for its brightness, its bodies of water and its fauna make it a literally touching sight. It is an example of a still-wild beauty, and no one can resist the magnificence and the vastness of its Matapédia Lake.

A White Garden of Eden

In the midst of these spectacular winter panoramas, 2,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails can be found, along which about twenty clubs maintain stopover facilities. Many amenities are available all along the route. Whether you prefer snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding or ice fishing, you will fully enjoy your stay, because from this land of ice and snow, great warmth always radiates...

Well-known for their hospitality and generosity, Gaspesians exude a certain "joie de vivre" and are always prepared to welcome you: from numerous tourist attractions, to many types of accommodation to choose from, regional cuisine or gourmet meals to savour, and a range of activities and sports for every season of the year.  All this is waiting for you!

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For more information about ecosystems, click here.
To know more about history of the region.
Click here to know more about geological formations of the Gaspésie.