Itinerary to Discover La Baie-des-Chaleurs (Avignon) in Gaspésie

Here’s a suggested four-day itinerary to explore the Avignon area in the La Baie-des-Chaleurs sector, which stretches from the impressive mountains and rivers of Matapédia-et-les-Plateaux to the peaceful seaside in Maria.

Once you arrive in Mont-Joli, head towards Amqui. Drive east along the south side of the Gaspé Peninsula to reach the La Baie-des-Chaleurs sector. It will take you about 2.5 hours to drive all the way to Carleton-sur-Mer.

Drop your luggage at the lodging establishment of your choice in or near Carleton-sur-Mer and then go browse the boutiques in the centre of town.

Next, visit Quai des Bulles, an artisanal soap maker, where you’ll find a wide variety of locally made soaps and body products. A few minutes down the road, you’ll come across Le Serpent à Plumes, a boutique offering eclectic and distinctive products selected by the owner, including household items, games, clothing, jewellery and other finds from here and elsewhere. Once you’ve finished shopping, head to the beach at Parc des Horizons for a dip or a stroll along the water.

Boardwalk along the sea in Carleton-sur-Mer. Photo: Dany Vachon

Next, drive a little further along the coast to Maria. This stretch of road, which runs along the Maria sand bank, is magnificent! Along the way, you’ll find a rest area with access to Plage des Goélands (Gull Beach), where you can go for a dip. In the middle of town, go for a stroll in Parc du Vieux-Quai, which offers shows and exhibitions in the summer as well as access to the beach. Have lunch at Auberge du Marchand, which specializes in dishes made with local fish, seafood and lamb, and then shop in their specialty food corner.

Giant frame in Maria. Photo: Tourisme Gaspésie

Treat yourself to dinner at a restaurant such as Pub St-Joseph Carleton, which offers a varied menu (grilled dishes, pizza, seafood pasta, etc.) in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. If you’re looking for something more upscale, opt for the Le Marin d’Eau Douce, where you can enjoy flavourful fish, seafood and meat dishes in a cozy atmosphere.

After dinner, head to Quai des Arts, a cultural centre in Carleton-sur-Mer offering exhibitions, theatre and musical performances. Operating within the centre, Théâtre À Tour de Rôle stages original productions, readings and other activities.

Quai des Arts cultural centre. Photo: Dany Vachon

A variety of outdoor activities are offered on local rivers, at sea or in the forest in this sector of Gaspésie. For a river or mountain expedition, Nature Aventure in Matapédia offers guided canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and hiking packages.

Canoeing excursion. Photo: Nature Aventure

If you’d rather go golfing, you’ll be delighted to discover the 18-hole course at Golf Carleton-sur-Mer, a renowned golf club located in a superb seaside setting.

After your day in the great outdoors, enjoy a refreshing beer at the Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur brewpub, which offers live entertainment and an outdoor patio with a fireplace.

Microbrasserie le Naufrageur. Photo: Dany Vachon

To get your last day off to a good start, head to the La Mie Véritable bakery and let your nose guide your decisions… The delicious aromas of coffee, pastries and freshly baked bread are bound to make your mouth water! Next, head back to Maria to stock up on honey and mead at the Rucher des Framboisiers.

Head next to [ÈST] Éco-cabines where you can enjoy a spa experience, including a hammam (steam bath), dry sauna, hot and cold pools as well as relaxation areas. Holistic treatments and massage therapy are also available on site. Finally, La Yoga Shala offers outdoor yoga, conscious breathing and meditation classes near the Carleton-sur-Mer-Lighthouse in the summer, for a complete wellness experience.

La Mie Véritable bakery. Photo: Dany Vachon

Be sure to also read our blog post about can’t-miss experiences in Avignon so you don’t miss anything during your visit!

To extend your stay, find out more about the 8 sectors of Gaspésie.

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