Sainte-Flavie © Nancy Guignard
Discover La Mitis, at the Gateway to Gaspésie
Here is a suggested itinerary for a 4-day road trip in the La Mitis area, in Gaspésie, in the fall. Magnificent gardens, historic village centres, natural beauty and the majestic St. Lawrence... so much to enjoy while on vacation!
Day 1 – Welcome to La Mitis: Les Murmures in Mont-Joli
Start off your vacation in La Mitis by exploring the Murmures de la Ville, a walking tour of murals, public art and heritage buildings in Mont-Joli.
Next, visit Distillerie Mitis! Discover unique spirits inspired by the La Mitis area made with local ingredients, including their flagship product, Gin Mugo, which is produced in collaboration with the Reford Gardens and was awarded a Double Gold medal in 2019 at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition. Tastings and guided tours of the distillery are also available.
Other options for activities: Ma cabane en Gaspésie (sugar shack), Le Boisé des Murmures (wooded area), heritage train station
Local flavours to try: Savour smoked and marinated fish from Poissonnerie de La Mitis in Mont-Joli.
One of the murals along the Murmures de la Ville, a walking tour of murals and public art in Mont-Joli. Photo: Gaétan Morissette
Day 2 – Sainte-Flavie and the caves in La Rédemption
Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence, the charming village of Sainte-Flavie is full of nooks and crannies to explore. Discover artisans’ workshops, art galleries, heritage homes and the presbytery, not to mention the beach, which gives you access to the breathtaking St. Lawrence!
Behind a magical wood and steel doorway, walk through the underground tunnel called Spéos de la Fée in La Rédemption and explore Québec’s deepest cave. During your guided tour, a via ferrata (a steel cable upon which you can secure yourself to climb through the cave) will allow you to descend to a depth of 46 metres (no crawling required!).
Other options for activities: Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon, hiking on Mount Saint-Pierre in La Redemption
Local flavours to try: Savour fresh fish or seafood at the Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon restaurant in Sainte-Flavie.
Métis-sur-Mer. Photo: Nancy Guignard
Day 3 – Reford Gardens and Métis-sur-Mer
Located at the confluence of the Mitis River and the St. Lawrence, the magnificent Reford Gardens combine art and nature. A national historic site of Canada, this plant paradise features 3000 species and varieties of plants. You can also enjoy a meal at the gourmet Estevan Lodge restaurant as well as at the Le Bufton restaurant or the Garden Café.
Take the time to explore Métis-sur-Mer, one of the most beautiful villages in Québec! And what could be better than savouring locally made gelato during a stroll on the beach?
Other options for activities: Les Toiles de Mer (weaving artisan), “Village Memories: Walk Our Heritage” audio tour with Heritage Lower St. Lawrence, Le Ketch microbrewery
Local flavours to try: Try the homemade gelato made with local ingredients from the Boules Glacés counter at Atelier culinaire Pierre-Olivier Ferry in Métis-sur-Mer.
Estevan Lodge, in the Reford Gardens. Photo: Marjelaine Sylvestre
Day 4 – At the confluence of the Mitis River and the St. Lawrence
Discover a beautiful natural environment as you explore the eight short hiking trails in Mitis River Park. You will be able to observe the surrounding vegetation and various species of birds.
Totaling a little over 3 km, these trails allow you to discover the park’s ecosystems in a marsh and forest and will then take you down to a wide beach along Mitis Bay. Take the time to stop and soak up the superb view of the St. Lawrence!
Other options for activities: Maurice Lamontagne Institute (marine sciences centre)
Local flavours to try: Be sure to try the honey wines made by the Vieux moulin meadery in Sainte-Flavie.
Superb fall view of the St. Lawrence from Mitis River Park. Photo: JC Lemay
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 sponsored by Tourisme Mitis.
Magnificent gardens, historic village centres, natural beauty and the majestic St. Lawrence... so much to enjoy while on vacation in the La Mitis area!
For more ideas for your fall vacation, read the following blog posts: