History tour

Gaspésie can surprise and seduce you with its distinctiveness and diversity.

Its history began with the American Indians, who had been settled there for thousands of years and had witnessed the arrival of Vikings, Italian explorers, and Basque and Breton fishermen crossing the waters of the St. Lawrence, when in 1534, Jacques Cartier came into contact with them and "discovered" Canada in the name of the King of France.

History Circuit

There ensued a series of new arrivals, such as the French, the Acadians, the Loyalists, the Bretons and the Basques, for whom Gaspésie became a new homeland. Also came to settle were the English, the Jersey, the Irish, the Scottish and many more.

It is by thus welcoming various ethnic groups that was created in Gaspésie a wonderful mix of traditions, cultures, culinary delights and colourful accents.

The magnitude of its history is explained to you through the museums, the interpretation centres and the historical sites, thereby giving you the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the lives of the pioneers.