Can’t-Miss Experiences in La Matanie in Gaspésie

Here are 5 places to visit during your stay in La Matanie in Gaspésie. Enjoy discovering beautiful sites as you walk or bike along the water, encounter a variety of plant and wildlife species, and go fishing in a river, on a lake or at sea.

Right in downtown Matane, go for a stroll or bike ride along the Matane River on the 0.6-km Promenade des Capitaines boardwalk. You can also walk or bike another 1.8 km to 10 km along the La Balade trail (William-Price bike path) towards Parc des Îles, a park that offers a swimmable beach, a water play area and mini golf, along with kayak, pedal boat and bike rentals.

La Promenade des Capitaines boardwalk. Photo: Dany Vachon

Located along the Matane River, these gardens showcase an incredible horticultural collection. As well as admiring magnificent rock gardens and plant beds, you can watch birds from a 9-metre (30-foot) observation tower as well as visit a butterfly aviary and a little farm, where you can see goats, peacocks, emus and other animals. Several unusual installations also await you at these gardens, including sundials, a giant chess set and little houses inspired by classic tales.

Listen to the interpreter guides at this salmon observation centre as they explain the migratory odyssey of these fascinating fish. You’ll also be able to observe salmon and visit an exhibition about the Matane River and its dam. Accessible from downtown Matane, this river is 101 km long and has 79 pools. If you’re interested in salmon fishing or taking fly-fishing lessons, please contact the ZEC de la Rivière-Matane.

Visitors observing salmon at the observation centre. Photo: Zec rivière Matane

Hop on a boat in Matane with captains and guides from Destination Haute-Mer for an adventure fishing for mackerel, striped bass, cod and other groundfish in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Several packages are available and include fishing gear. You can also opt for a marine mammal observation package.

Photo: Destination Haute-Mer

Fill up on fresh air in the kingdom of moose! Located at the edge of the Chic-Choc Mountains, this wildlife reserve  covers an area of 1275 km² and boasts a network of over 100 km of hiking trails. The reserve also includes a section of the International Appalachian Trail, which extends for 650 km in Québec, from Matapédia all the way to Cap Gaspé. You can also enjoy fat biking, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in the reserve as well as go river or lake fishing for Atlantic salmon, brook trout and lake trout.

Réserve faunique de Matane. Photo: Sandra Ramsay

Make the most of your stay by participating in some of the events taking place in La Matanie.

PHOS in Matane – May 17 to June 16, 2024

This event focused on photographic and digital arts features exhibitions, shows, workshops, artistic encounters and public performances.

Festival Country de Matane in Matane – June 27 to August 15, 2024

This country music festival presents country Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 9 pm on the Promenade des Capitaines boardwalk. Artists, musicians and a country dance school will provide entertainment every Thursday evening on the banks of the Matane River.

To help you plan your stay, find out more about the 8 sectors of Gaspésie!