Explore Another Side of Percé in the Fall

Here is a suggested itinerary for a 4-day road trip in and around Percé, in Gaspésie, in the fall. Strolls, discoveries and a maritime atmosphere are on the agenda!

Unforgettable moments await you in parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé at the heart of one of Québec’s most beautiful landscapes! Aboard an excursion boat (45 minutes) you will sail along the Rock and around Bonaventure Island before docking at the Bonaventure Island wharf. Keep an eye on the water and you may spot seals and whales. Once on the island, follow one of the four easy trails to within metres of the most accessible northern gannet colony in the world and enjoy an exceptional wildlife experience. Open until October 9. 

Other option for activity: The park’s Discovery Centre (on Rue du Quai), which will help you discover all the treasures found on Bonaventure Island

Local flavours to try: To add to the pleasure of your day among northern gannets, pack a picnic lunch featuring local products.

Northern gannet colony on Bonaventure Island. Photo: Ariane Aubert-Bonn, Office de tourisme du Rocher-Percé

The Percé UNESCO Global Geopark will transport you into a fascinating geological world. Starting from the reception pavilion located in the heart of Percé, explore the hiking trails on Mount Sainte-Anne and Mount Blanc and then set off to discover exceptional geological sites surrounded by colourful scenery.

Over 18 km of trails, from easy to intermediate, will lead you to a cave, a large crevice, high cliffs, a magical forest and Roland’s Table (Table à Roland) as well as to impressive lookouts and a suspended glass platform overlooking Percé at 200 metres in altitude.

Other options for activities: Tektonik multimedia experience (geological history of Percé, until October 9), scuba diving at the Club nautique de Percé (until September 30) or course in the trees at the Folies Boréales 

Local flavours to try: Pick up local products at Marché Ami to savour with a microbrew from Pub Pit Caribou in the heart of the village. Or, go the the Buvette Thérèse or the café-library Nath & compagnie.

Dizzyingly high glass platform in the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark. Photo: Roger St-Laurent

The emerald-green waters and beautiful waterfall of the Parc municipal de la Rivière Émeraude (Emerald River) are surrounded by stunning scenery. Head east on Route 132 to explore the Barachois de Malbaie, a salt marsh not far from the village of Percé. Bring your binoculars and be on the lookout for migratory birds, which are numerous in this area in September and October. Herons, ducks, geese and birds of prey are frequently observed here.

Then head to the seashore and keep your eyes peeled for beach treasures! The 7-km strip of pebbles and sand that links Coin-du-Banc to Barachois is full of shells and sand dollars.

Keep driving east to Saint-Georges-de-Malbaie, where you can enjoy a short hike on Pointe Saint-Pierre and Pointe Verte.  Enjoy treatments at the Thuya Spa (baths, massage therapy, sauna) and at Sentiers Secrets (massage therapy, energy treatments, etc.).

Other options for activities: Fatbiking on the beach, sea kayaking and fishing for striped bass at Camp de Base Gaspésie or seaside golf at Fort-Prével

Local flavours to try: If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to sample the maple products made by Côté Sucré, which are available at Marché Ami in Percé and Magasin Général Thompson in Barachois.

Barachois de Malbaie salt marsh. Photo: Mathieu Dupuis

Start your day with the historic circuit of Percé, the opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich heritage of the heritage site of Percé. The historical circuit is available free of charge in playlist format on the Tourisme Percé Youtube channel, as well as in printed format at the Percé Tourist Welcome Bureau and in PDF format on tourismeperce.ca. Take advantage of your walk to appreciate the promenade of La Grave laid out along the coast.

Continue your day with a stroll in the typical harbour of L’Anse-à-Beaufils, which will charm you with its maritime atmosphere. A few kilometres further on, at Cap-d’Espoir, stop at La Société Secrète, an artisanal distillery housed in an old Anglican church. Take the opportunity to explore the local beach, which is long and pleasant.

Other options for activities: La Vieille Usine de L’Anse-à-Beaufils (cultural centre, open until September 23), Magasin général historique authentique 1928 (authentic general store, open until October 9), photo opportunities at the Cap-d’Espoir Lighthouse. Before setting off to explore Grand Percé, download the free Anekdote application, which includes some fifty sites of historical and heritage interest geolocated from one end of Percé to the other.

Local flavours to try: Stop at Marché Nicolas in Cap-d’Espoir to stock up on local delicacies including sausages and smoked salmon.

Vielle Usine de L’Anse-à-Beaufils. Photo: Jean-Pierre Huard

Please note that this itinerary is intended for information purposes only; it is not a package. It is meant to inspire you and may be modified as you wish.

This blog post is written in partnership with Tourisme Percé.

Explore another side of Percé in the fall!

For more ideas for your fall vacation, read the following blog posts:

• Admire the Colours of Gaspé
• Experience the Pulse of Chaleur Bay in the Fall