Gaspésie Tour: Family Discoveries Itinerary
Are you curious by nature? Here is a suggested itinerary for a 7-day trip around the Gaspé Peninsula that combines history, geology, culture and wildlife interpretation… enough to satisfy the curiosity of your whole family!
Day 1 – Gardens and salmon fishing
Duration of drive: 1 hour from Grand-Métis to Causapscal
Visit the Reford Gardens, a plant paradise on the shores of the St. Lawrence with more than 3,000 species and varieties of plants distributed in about fifteen gardens. Then, discover the history of the Site patrimonial de pêche Matamajaw (Matamajaw Fishing Heritage Site), which was originally the fishing camp belonging to Lord Mount Stephen.
Accommodations: In Causapscal, the Chalets La Coulée Douce cottages are specifically designed for family stays.
Other options for activities: La Vallée de la Framboise economuseum (raspberry farm), Chute à Philomène (waterfall), Centre Zoom Nature Desjardins
Family-friendly art and culture activities: Explore the Murmures de la Ville, a walking tour of about 30 murals in downtown Mont-Joli.
More lodging and activities options in La Mitis and La Matapédia.
Reford Gardens. Photo: Roger St-Laurent
Day 2 – Fossils and Acadian heritage
Duration of drive: 1.5 hours from Causapscal to Nouvelle, then 75 minutes from Nouvelle to Bonaventure
A fossil-rich site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Parc national de Miguasha will impress the whole family, while a visit to the Musée acadien du Québec may lead you to discover an Acadian ancestor!
Accommodations: In Bonaventure, Motel Grand-Pré offers units with kitchenettes, which are ideal for family stays.
Other options for activities: Écovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs (sailing), Lillojeux, Battle of the Ristigouche National Historic Site
More lodging and activities options in La Baie-des-Chaleurs (Avignon).
Parc national Miguasha. Photo: Jean-Pierre Huard
Day 3 – Local animals and ecosystems
Day and overnight in Bonaventure
Showcasing five local ecosystems and the animals that live in each, the Bioparc de la Gaspésie wildlife park is a must-see for the whole family!
Accommodations: In Bonaventure, the cottages at Les Chalets des Blés de Mer overlook the beach, with a playground on site.
Other options for activities: Ferme Bourdages Tradition (strawberry farm), Théâtre La Petite Marée
Family-friendly art and culture activities: At the Verre et Bulles studio boutique, meet artist Julie Frappier, who creates objects made of kiln-formed glass, among other things.
More lodging and activities options in La Baie-des-Chaleurs (Bonaventure).
Bioparc de la Gaspésie. Photo: Jérôme Landry
Day 4 – Interactive historical activities and multimedia experiences
Duration of drive: 30 minutes from Bonaventure to Paspébiac, then 1 hour from Paspébiac to Chandler
Relive the cod fishing era at the Paspébiac National Historic Site through performances by characters in period costume.
In Parc du Bourg de Pabos, archaeological digs have revealed the history of this seigneury. Be sure to also participate in Ura, a fascinating multimedia experience offered on site.
Accommodations: In Chandler, Motel Fraser offers units with kitchenettes as well as a family restaurant.
Other options for activities: Circuit des Bâtisseurs (founders’ walk), Vieille Usine de L’Anse-à-Beaufils (cultural centre)
Paspébiac National Historic Site. Photo: Mathieu Dupuis
Day 5 – Northern gannets and exceptional geology
Duration of drive: 45 minutes from Chandler to Percé
Explore Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, home to the most accessible northern gannet colony in the world!
Visit the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark and discover the exceptional geology of Percé via the Tektonik multimedia experience, a suspended glass platform, a zipline and hiking trails.
Accommodations: Overlooking Percé Rock, Riôtel Percé offers units with kitchenettes as well as a restaurant, an outdoor play area and evening campfires.
Other options for activities: Magasin général historique authentique 1928 (authentic general store), Camp de Base Gaspésie
More lodging and activities options in Rocher-Percé.
Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé. Photo: Jean-Pierre Huard
Day 6 – Mi’gmaq culture and local history
Duration of drive: 1 hour from Percé to Gaspé
Step back in time at the Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg by visiting a reconstructed traditional First Nations village.
The Musée de la Gaspésie offers you a virtual-reality sea fishing experience as well as a permanent exhibition and a geo-rally.
Accommodations: Overlooking Gaspé Bay, Hôtel Plante offers units with kitchenettes in the centre of Gaspé.
Other options for activities: Forillon National Park, Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse
Family-friendly art and culture activities: The guide-interpreters, dressed in period costumes, are sure to immerse you in the heart of the fascinating history of John Le Boutillier at the Centre socioculturel Manoir Le Boutillier.
More lodging and activities options in La Côte-de-Gaspé.
Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg. Photo: Marilou Levasseur
Day 7 – Marine life, gardens and farm animals
Duration of drive: 2.5 hours from Gaspé to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, then 1 hour from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to Matane
Visit Exploramer to discover the St. Lawrence through museum exhibitions, aquariums, touch pools, sea excursions and fish-harvesting activities.
In Matane, the Jardins de Doris offer you the opportunity to enjoy beautiful moments with your family among flower gardens, farm animals, fairy tale-inspired huts, a butterfly aviary and picnic areas.
Accommodations: Riôtel Matane offers units with kitchenettes as well as a restaurant, an indoor pool and breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence.
Other options for activities: Fromagerie du Littoral (cheesemaker), Parc régional de la rivière Mitis
Family-friendly art and culture activities: In Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine, visit Atelier Effet Mer, where you will find soaps and original creations by local artists.
More lodging and activities options in La Matanie and La Haute-Gaspésie.
Photo: Jardins de Doris
Please note that this itinerary is intended for information purposes only; it is not a package. It proposes a tour of the Gaspé Peninsula starting on the south side (and going counterclockwise around the region). This itinerary is meant to inspire you and may be modified as you wish.
Use this selection of activities to inspire your own itinerary around the Gaspé Peninsula! Be sure to also check out our Outdoor Adventures and Outdoor Family Fun itineraries.