Admire the Colours of La Côte-de-Gaspé in the Fall

Here is a suggested itinerary for a 4-day road trip in La Côte-de-Gaspé, in Gaspésie, in the fall. Hiking, whale watching and maritime history are on the agenda!

Fourteen lighthouses dot the coast of Gaspésie, three of which are in the Gaspé area. The Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse is accessible via a narrow unpaved road between Cloridorme and L’Anse-à-Valleau. Don’t miss visiting this exceptionally beautiful site! Open until September 27, 2024. Next, keep driving along Route 132 towards the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse, which is the tallest in Canada. 

Want to stretch your legs? There is nothing better than going for a walk in a park! Head to L’Anse-aux-Amérindiens, in Forillon National Park, and follow the 4-km trail that will take you to Land’s End, where the Cap-Gaspé Lighthouse is located. On the way back, be sure to visit the heritage buildings in the Grande-Grave sector. 

Other options for activities: Carricks Monument, Cap-des-Rosiers Beach, interpretation centre in Forillon National Park

Local flavours to try: Northern shrimp are available from the processing plants in Rivière-au-Renard.

Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse. Photo: Jean-Pierre Huard

Forillon National Park is home to beautiful scenery and vistas. In the early morning, put on your hiking boots and head to the observation tower along the Mont-Saint-Alban trail from Petit-Gaspé (5.4 km there and back, 2.5 hours) or Cap-Bon-Ami (3.6 km there and back, 2 hours). From the top of the tower, you can admire one of the most beautiful views of the cliffs and can even see Percé Rock on a clear day!

In the afternoon, discover local fishing history by visiting Manoir Le Boutillier. This historic site will plunge you into the heart of the 1850s, at a time when fishing was the main economic activity in this area. Open until October 14, 2024.

Other options for activities: La Maison aux Lilas de l’Anse, Griffon Aventure

Local flavours to try: Savour a good meal featuring local flavours at Resto-Pub La Révolte, à Rivière-au-Renard..

Spectacular view from the Mont-Saint-Alban tower in Forillon National Park. Photo: Roger St-Laurent

Gaspé Bay is a great place to observe a variety of marine mammals. Head to Grande-Grave for a 2-hour excursion with Les Croisières Baie de Gaspé and meet the cetaceans and seals that inhabit this ecosystem. Open until October 28, 2024.

Fall is also an ideal time of year to see the many moose that live in Forillon National Park. Participate in a moose-watching activity to see these animals in their natural habitat. This 7-km hike in the woods is guaranteed to lead to unforgettable discoveries!

Other options for activities: Sea kayaking with Cap Aventure (until October 14, 2024)

Local flavours to try: Don’t miss the spices, dried mushrooms and other forest delicacies from Gaspésie Sauvage, which are available in most grocery stores.

Whale-watching excursion in Gaspé Bay. Photo: Mathieu Dupuis

The name Gaspé comes from the Mi’gmaq word Gespeg, which means “where the land ends.” Visit the Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg to learn more about the traditional way of life of the Mi’gmaq Nation in the 17th century and enjoy an authentic and unique experience! Open until October 4, 2024.

Next, head towards the centre of Gaspé and stop at the Musée de la Gaspésie to visit the various exhibitions as well as the Gaspésienne no. 20, a historic cod fishing boat.

Then walk along the Promenade Jacques-Cartier boardwalk to the Berceau du Canada site and discover the history of the settlement of Gaspé. To cap off your day, enjoy the multimedia show A Tale of Time and Tides at sunset on this site. 

Local flavours to try: Look for fish and seafood on the menu at Bar-Bistro Le Brise-Bise.

Birthplace of Canada Historic Site on the shores of Gaspé Bay. Photo: Jacques Gratton

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 Destination Gaspé.

Admire the colours of Gaspé this fall!

For more ideas for your fall vacation, read the following blog posts:

• Explore Another Side of Percé in the Fall
• Experience the Pulse of La Baie-des-Chaleurs in the Fall