DESTINATIONS

MATAPÉDIA VALLEY The Matapédia Valley is one of the 5 natural regions of the Gaspé Peninsula. It is not bordered by the , but has many other assets such as mountains that are part of the Appalachian chain, vast forests, and lakes and rivers teeming with salmon. You will also find magnificent ancestral homes, churches, historic sites and covered bridges. The valley was settled by indigenous people more than 2500 years ago. Today, there remains only a community of a few thousand people of Aboriginal descent, grouped in isolated reserves. The name Matapédia means “place where the rivers meet” in Mi’kmaq. It is the perfect destination for anyone seeking contact with nature in its purest form.

MATAPEDIA VALLEY © Vallée_de_la_Matapédia, wikiCommons, WHAT TO DO — BATTLE OF THE 20, RUE DE L’ÉGLISE, RESTIGOUCHE ST-ALEXIS-DE-MATAPÉDIA NATIONAL 418-865-3554 HISTORIC SITE WWW.MATAPEDIAAVENTURE.COM Take a trip back in time, or more precisely, to 1760 when CHUTES À France and England were PICOT WATERFALL fighting for possession of Distance (round-trip): 2 km North American territory. Time: 45 minutes At Battle of the Restigouche Level: Easy National Historic Site it is possible to relive the last naval A short, easy 2 km hike battle between the two great (round-trip) with no European powers. For over significant inclines leads 200 years, the wreck of the to Chutes à Picot, with a Machault, a 26-gun military height of about 10 metres. sailing vessel charged with The trail begins in the forest protecting French merchant and then follows a stream ships from the British, has until it reaches the falls. It is remained under water. It is well maintained and includes SALMON FISHERMEN one of only three 18th century a footbridge and a series © wiki-Declic-commonswiki French frigates discovered to of wooden stairs. Tables date in the world. Open from and small benches are also PARC RÉGIONAL the most popular. There mid-June to mid-September, provided. It’s a nice spot to SEIGNEURIE DU are also several mountain every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m take a break, have a picnic, or LAC MATAPÉDIA bike trails, as well as lovely 40, BOULEVARD PERRON OUEST, even go for a dip at the base REGIONAL PARK sandy beaches. Guides POINTE-À-LA-CROIX of the falls. In St-André-de- Parc régional de la provide plant and animal 418-788-5676 Restigouche, turn onto 4e Seigneurie du Lac Matapédia interpretation activities WWW.PC.GC.CA/FR/LHN-NHS/QC/ Rang from Rue Principale. A is relatively unknown to during tourist season. The RISTIGOUCHE road sign indicates the path tourists, although it is home site has benches and picnic to the falls. Route du 4e rang, to a lovely network of hiking tables. SNORKELING WITH St-André-de-Restigouche trails offering stunning ROUTE SOUCY, AMQUI THE SALMON ★ ROUTE DU 4E RANG, ST-AN- views of Matapédia Lake and 418-629-2053 Here is an original way to DRÉ-DE-RESTIGOUCHE the valley. The 7 hikes are all WWW.LAMATAPEDIA.CA/PARC-RE- observe salmon: visit them of an easy to intermediate GIONAL-DE-LA-SEIGNEURIE-DU- in their natural habitat with a CHUTE À level. The Trois-Soeurs LAC-MATAPEDIA mask and snorkel! This unique PHILOMÈNE and Les Crêtes loops are experience lets you dive and WATERFALL swim among these fascinating At a height of 33 metres, fish. You will visit pools at Chute à Philomène waterfall the base of waterfalls on is another natural attraction WHERE TO EAT different rivers and small in the Matapédia area. rapids. Plan on a full day. Two trails let you admire — Departing from Adam Park. it from every angle. A RESTAURANT AUBERGE LA the two rivers meet. The Nature Aventure also offers picnic area is provided, COULÉE DOUCE ($$-$$$) dining room, complete with several other excursions, such as well as a suspended This former Brothers’ piano, offers breakfast, as canoeing or kayaking down platform overlooking the residence, located at the lunch and dinner in a warm the river with or without a falls! The site offers several confluence of the Matapédia and welcoming family guide, stand-up paddling on information and nature and Causapscal rivers, is atmosphere. The patio is the river and many options interpretation signs and is home to Auberge la Coulée open during the summer. for hiking on the Appalachian accessible at all times. You Douce since 1984. The Open every day from 7 a.m. Trail. Visit their website can also make a short stop restaurant serves excellent to 9 p.m. for more details about the in the village of Saint- regional cuisine featuring 21, RUE BOUDREAU, CAUSAPSCAL different packages available Alexandre-des-Lacs. local and regional products. 418-756-5270 from late June to late August. RANG ST-LOUIS, ST-ALEXANDRE-DES-LACS The house specialty is the WWW.LACOULEEDOUCE.COM/GAS- Every day from 8 a.m. to WWW.LAMATAPEDIA.CA/CHUTE-PHILOMENE Atlantic salmon. In fact, you TRONOMIE.PHP 6 p.m. Reservations are may see salmon fishermen necessary. in the salmon pools where *** Hours may vary ***

Hiking $ Inexppensive $$ Moderate $$$ Upscale $$$$ Fine dining ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see