Gesgapegiag: Culture and Hospitality at the Heart of the Peninsula

As part of the web series Behind the Scenes in Gaspésie, Christine Bérubé-Martin met with Percy Carli-Jerome and Bernard Jerome, two passionate men who help showcase the hospitality and culture of their community.

Hospitality in the Mi’gmaq Community

Percy Carli-Jerome is the manager of Relais de la Cache, a must-stop for snowmobilers located at the intersection of Route 299 and Trail 595. From customer service to maintenance and even cooking, Percy is truly a jack-of-all-trades—and that’s because he loves his work. Since the Gesgapegiag community took over the business, Percy has seen the relais transform through renovations, including the addition of a restaurant and extra rooms for visitors.

Bernard Jerome, for his part, is the Cultural & Language Coordinator of the Mi’gmaq community of Gesgapegiag. For Bernard, it is essential that certain traditional practices, such as basket-making, continue. Beyond traditions, he explains that these creative moments help preserve the Mi’gmaq language. In fact, it is this language that is spoken when workgroups are active at the center. Gaspésie is home to three Mi’gmaq communities: Listiguj, Gesgapegiag, and Gespeg.

A Must-Stop and Local Discoveries

Nestled in the forest more than 100 km from the nearest gas station, Relais de la Cache ensures accessibility and safety for snowmobilers in the heart of the mountains. Thanks to the area’s heavy snowfall, it is one of the places accessible for the longest stretch of the season. Beyond the snow, these trails offer breathtaking views of the Chic-Choc Mountains while allowing riders to explore routes beyond the classic Gaspésie Grand Tour. In fact, the trail connecting Relais de la Cache to Murdochville will reopen for winter 2026. Services like Relais de la Cache, offering hot meals and fuel, are essential to make exploring these circuits possible. Call ahead to check opening hours.

In addition to managing Relais de la Cache, the Gesgapegiag community, home to 664 residents, offers a diverse range of experiences. Visitors can find year-round accommodations as well as the Mi’gmaq Handicraft CO-OP to explore local artisan creations. The interpretation center next to the Kateri Tekakwitha Mission—one of the community’s oldest sites—is also worth a visit. From late spring to early fall, the Lobster Hut serves fresh seafood.

Between essential services and cultural discoveries, the community provides a complete experience for exploring the region.

Watch the episode 3,000 km of Winding Trails to learn more about Percy Carli-Jerome and Relais de la Cache, as well as Bernard Jerome and the multicultural center.

To discover more people who help showcase the region, the web series Behind the Scenes in Gaspésie features several profiles available on our YouTube channel.

Please note that these texts have been translated by AI.