Can’t-Miss Experiences in La Baie-des-Chaleurs (Avignon) in Gaspésie

Here are 5 places to visit during your stay in Avignon, the western half of the La Baie-des-Chaleurs sector in Gaspésie. Hiking trails, historic sites, exceptional fossils, water sports in the salt waters of Chaleur Bay and breathtaking panoramic views await you here.

Located only 5 km inland, Mont Saint-Joseph offers breathtaking views of Chaleur Bay and the Carleton Barachois from a 555-metre-high lookout. The regional park named after this mountain also offers mountain biking trails, a network of hiking trails with waterfalls, lodging in geodomes perched on the side of the mountain offering amazing views and a historic chapel offering an immersive digital show. 

Go sailing on a magnificent body of salt water and take in the scenery from a whole new angle with Écovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs, which offers excursions ranging in length from 1.5 hours to a full day. You have many options to choose from, including spending several hours on a liveaboard sailboat, going on a guided catamaran tour, enjoying an introduction to sailing aboard a sports dinghy or setting out on an outing aboard an adapted sailboat. Paddleboards, kayaks and other vessels are also available for rent.

Écovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs. Photo: Dominic Lapointe

Discover the origins of the first terrestrial vertebrates some 380 million years ago at Parc national de Miguasha, home to a fossil cliff included on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Visit the permanent exhibition to see several exceptional specimens! You can also go hiking, visit the fossil cliff and take part in various activities related to fossils and paleontology (including archeological digs and a treasure hunt).

Parc national de Miguasha. Photo: Tourisme Gaspésie

Step back in time to 1760 at the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site, where an exhibition recounts the last naval battle between France and Great Britain for possession of North American territory. See the remains of the Machault, an impressive 26-gun military sailing vessel charged with protecting merchant vessels from the British, along with a birchbark canoe made by Mi’gmaq artisans.

Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site. Photo: Roger St-Laurent

Observe beautiful mountain and river scenery in the Matapédia-et-les-Plateaux area from three unique lookouts along the Route des Belvédères scenic drive. In the shape of a curved wooden tunnel, the Deux-Rivières lookout in Matapédia overlooks the confluence of the Matapédia and Restigouche rivers. In Saint-André-de-Restigouche, the Coeur des Plateaux lookout offers you a 360-degree view of the surrounding area from the top of a curving tower made of wood and metal. In Saint-Alexis-de-Matapédia, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Restigouche River from the Horizon de Rêve lookout (temporarily closed).

Route des Belvédères scenic drive. Photo: La Semelle verte

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

Festival BleuBleu in Carleton-sur-Mer – June 21 to 24, 2024

Enjoy this music festival presenting about 20 shows in a variety of musical styles as well as several popular activities.

Photo: Festival BleuBleu

Festival La Virée Trad in Carleton-sur-Mer – October 11 to 13, 2024

Tap your toes to the beat of this festival featuring traditional music, song, dance and storytelling performances. The festival also hosts the largest public market in Gaspésie.

Photo: Festival La Virée Trad

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