Capture the Moment Scenic Routes

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Scenic Routes The Gaspésie Tour The Whale Route Photos: U. Tscherter / ORES, J.-P. Huard / Sépaq, S. Larose / Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine, R. Baronet www.seeandfeel.ca Unforgettable moments Microclimate in Gaspésie IN QUÉBECMARITIME National Park As I hiked the peaks of the Chic-Choc Mountains, I found myself immersed in the Benoit Legault has travelled in and written about wonders of a world normally reserved for hardier adventurers. Surrounded by spectacular scenery on every side, I fell under the spell of Gaspésie National Park, 56 countries, 20 American states and all 10 Canadian a mesmerizing boreal land of lichen and caribou. Québec © C. Bouchard provinces. Of all the places he’s visited, © É. St-Pierre / Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent ❯ Kamouraska ❯ Percé Rock A St. Lawrence cruise maritime remains one of his favourite destinations. A Leaving behind a succession of coastal panoramas—including Percé Rock from a superb vantage point—our CTMA ferry, en route from Montréal to the Îles de la bilingual Canadian travel writer, Benoit has contributed to Madeleine, headed out into the open sea. I still cherish the moment when the St Lawrence River became too wide to see both shores. French- and English-language Canadian publications as Why are the cliffs of the Îles de la Madeleine red? well as British and French travel guidebook series. His © G. Thériault / Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine To find out, visit www.seeandfeel.ca. work has been awarded numerous writing and photo- graphy prizes. Here are a few unforgettable moments from Discovering Entry Island his trips in Québec maritime. Twelve kilometres offshore from Cap-aux-Meules in the Îles de la Madeleine, I discovered a chunk of hiking bliss: a windswept green island rising out of the sea as if © J.-P. Huard / Sépaq

© Marc Loiselle in a dream. Its name is Entry Island and it is home to fewer than two hundred English- ❯ Baie-Johan-Beetz ❯ Gaspésie National Park speaking descendants of long-ago shipwrecked Scottish mariners. Heading north For the love of Kamouraska While driving from Havre-Saint-Pierre to Natashquan, I counted only five cars travelling Of all the scenic seaside villages I’ve ever encountered, Kamouraska truly touched me. Standing in the opposite direction, one for every 30 kilometres on a ribbon of road suspended proudly on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Kamouraska is set against a backdrop of country- over the tender green tundra of the emerging northland. I was moved almost to tears side and small offshore islands. Once owned by wealthy English-Canadians and Americans, its 1920s as I beheld this phenomenal linear monument to life in the Great White North. homes now house cosy inns and art galleries. Architectural grandeur at Trois-Pistoles At sunset, I watched as golden rays of light set aglow the spires of “Our Lady of the Snow,” the colossal, neo-Gothic church in Trois-Pistoles. Built in 1888 when the town was a mere hamlet, this church rivals contemporary French and Italian churches in size and interior ornamentation. It also Forillon, stands as a testament to Québec’s intensely devout Catholic past. heaven Kayaking on the Saguenay on earth! Another day, another campground. Midway across the kilometre-wide Saguenay Fjord, our kayak instructor calmly informed us that the icy Or so I thought before I experienced waters we were paddling through were some 300 metres deep. My heart and mind began to race as Forillon National Park of Canada. As I thought about all the unknown and mysterious sea life dwelling in the depths below... I slowly drove around scouting for a site, I realized that I had come Hinterland encounters at Ferme 5 Étoiles Whale magic upon one of the most picturesque campgrounds imaginable. A coastal Near Tadoussac I met a family I will never forget—three generations working a farm in Sacré-Coeur. All my life I’ve wanted to see whales. Not just in drawings or photos, but real paradise, Forillon features giant They introduced me to life in Québec’s hinterland, to the rugged splendour of the surrounding whales, up close. So when a group of minke whales leapt up to swallow limestone cliffs, sweeping views, countryside, to the marvels of nature in winter, to hearty Québec fare and to the highest form of thousands of fish right next to me, I felt I had truly experienced the civilization: genuine, heart-warming family hospitality.. wildflower meadows and wildlife St. Lawrence. Whatever happens, this will remain one of the top 10

in abundance. © L.-P. Delisle moments of my life.

❯ © Simon Turcotte / Sépaq FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA Saguenay Fjord, Saguenay National Park © Marc Loiselle / Tourisme Manicouagan 3 TH ESCENERYCHANGESFROM uébec maritime is a vast tourist destination bordered by 3000 kilometres of coastline. It AGRICULTURALTOFORESTTOSEA. Qis made up of the regions of Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Côte-Nord (Manicouagan and Duplessis) and the Îles de la Madeleine, which are united by a common asset: the sea. The region IT’SABIGLAND,ALONGCOASTA offers a variety of scenic routes that combine driving with sea, air and train linkages. The two main CONSTANTSERIESOFCONTRASTS... ones are the Gaspésie Tour and the Whale Route.

Take the time to discover what Québec maritime has to offer—it’s a vacation destination to see and feel! © Bryan Stone ❯ Cap-Madeleine Lighthouse, Gaspésie

© É. St-Pierre / Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent © Marie Malherbe / Tourisme Duplessis Scenic Routes ❯ Le Bic ❯ Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada © Michel Bonato / Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine ❯ Îles de la Madeleine © U. Tscherter / ORES

The Gaspésie Tour The Whale Route For those who have experienced it, the Gaspésie Tour will Imagine following the whales along Route 138 and beyond, from forever be associated with vacation fun, scenic routes, the sea, Tadoussac to Natashquan and then by boat or plane all the way © VIA Rail Canada ❯ VIA Rail's train, the Chaleur, at Barachois, with Percé Rock in the background (Gaspésie) coastal villages and breathtaking mountain scenery, not to to the picturesque coastal villages on the Lower North Shore. mention the lilting accents of the region’s friendly inhabitants, Imagine that this route is dotted with the best whale-watching jagged cliffs that are home to thousands of seabirds and famous observation sites in the world as it crosses a land of extremes, Percé Rock that one never tires of admiring! Getting there where distances, rivers, forests and even the hearts of the is half the fun For us, the Gaspésie Tour is more than just a trip to Gaspésie. residents are larger than life... This is the Whale Route. In fact, it begins in Bas-Saint-Laurent, where the St. Lawrence The Whale Route starts in the majestic Saguenay Fjord, which The coastal and mountain roads of Québec maritime offer some already looks and feels like a sea—both in visitors’ eyes and in plunges into the St. Lawrence. You will be thrilled every time a enthralling views, but how about letting go of the steering wheel to the hearts of this region’s inhabitants. You will fall in love with whale leaps out of the water within metres of you, whether you appreciate this awesome geography from another perspective? Take Bas-Saint-Laurent, its islands and historical villages, its shoreline are on dry land or on water. Nearby, the village of Tadoussac your time reaching your destination and feast your eyes all along the and countryside, its lakes and forests... bustles with activity in anticipation of your arrival. way. Relax in VIA Rail comfort and enjoy the romance of the dining car. First and foremost, though, the Gaspésie Tour is a tour of the Go ferry hopping across the St. Lawrence, while keeping an eye out for From Tadoussac, the Whale Route heads east, towards the rest vast Gaspé Peninsula, a land of stunning landscapes and varied seals and whales in the waves. Take a CTMA cruise to the Îles de la of the region of Côte-Nord. Along the way, stop to visit the new flora and fauna. A network of national parks and wildlife reserves Madeleine and start unwinding the second your feet leave land. Join a and innovative Glacier Exploration Center in Baie-Comeau. both protects this unique natural environment and allows visitors Relais Nordik expedition along the Lower North Shore and explore Detour north where you can stand in awe before the largest to enjoy it. From the tip of the peninsula, if time permits, you can isolated villages not linked by any roads. See how many wonderful multiple-arch-and-buttress dam in the world. Further east, you also set off to visit the Îles de la Madeleine. Charming, exotic and ways we have to get you there without ever retracing your steps! will not want to miss the Sept-Îles Archipelago and are sure to bustling with activity, the Islands cast a spell over visitors, who be charmed by the strangely shaped monoliths in the Mingan then wish they never had to leave. The Islands are accessible via Archipelago. Immense and wild Anticosti Island is also worth a How many tonnes of rock does Percé Rock lose each year? Gaspésie by boat or plane; you can also fly there directly or drive Hint: Think big and then go to www.seeandfeel.ca for the answer. visit. Follow the whales and explore all this and more! to Prince Edward Island and take the ferry from there. © J.-S. Cloutier

© Robert Baronet ❯ La Martre Lighthouse, Gaspésie 5 Win one of two dream vacations! The Bas-Saint-Laurent region can boast the most dazzling sunsets on the planet, according to National Geographic magazine. As the skies over this dreamy landscape of islands, cliffs and tidal flats on the south shore of the St. Lawrence streak with orange and violet, take advantage of this magical moment to plan the next day’s outings. Consider some island hopping out to the seabird colonies on Îles du Pot-à-l’Eau-de-Vie (Brandy Pot Islands) or a lazy pastoral cycle © Michel Bonato / Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine around Île Verte (Green Island). Visit artisan boutiques in pretty seaside WIN A GETAWAY TO Gaspésie National Park is home to the highest peaks villages in the Kamouraska region. Kayak, cycle or hike through in Eastern Canada. With its varied topography, flora GASPÉSIE NATIONAL PARK centuries of nautical and natural history, and explore the bustling and fauna, this park offers extraordinary landscapes for hiking. Visit our website and you could win a trip for towns of Rimouski and Rivière-du-Loup. two to Gaspésie National Park including a first-class round trip on the Chaleur train, a car rental, three Fill up your senses and then, after a succulent gourmet seafood dinner, nights (double occupancy) at the Gîte du Mont-Albert, you can turn down your bed in your chalet, inn or private lighthouse and six table d’hôte dinners, six breakfasts and admission enjoy a well-deserved rest before another day of fun-filled activities... to the park. Prize is worth $2500. Enter now! www.seeandfeel.ca © J.-P. Huard / Sépaq The Gaspésie Tour begins here The windswept Îles de la Madeleine exert a magnetic WIN A CRUISE TO THE IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT attraction on all who have ever heard of them or seen ÎLES DE LA MADELEINE them in pictures. Win a ferry cruise on the St. Lawrence River and a getaway for two to this exotic archipelago by entering our online contest.The contest prize includes train travel to the port of departure, two nights at Château Madelinot on the Islands, several meals and a guided tour of the archipelago. Prize is worth $3500.

Enter now! ©❯ C. Bouchard ©❯ S. Larose www.quebecmaritime.ca/idm Notre-Dame-du-Portage Kamouraska

© CTMA Four villages to remember EXPLORE THE SCENIC ROUTES OF QUÉBEC MARITIME BY MOTORCYCLE! Discover Kamouraska, where the old-world charm of narrow winding streets lined with Discover a dream destination for your next motorcycle sturdy 18th-century houses meets fishing nets strung along the shore. You won’t want road trip. A destination where roads run alongside the to leave without trying the village specialties of smoked eel, marinated fish and fresh sea, mountains, valleys and rivers in a region dotted seafood prepared on site. with rest areas and refuelling stations. A destination with charming surprises around every corner. Summer people flock to Notre-Dame-du-Portage, a popular holiday resort. It melds Plan your next motorcycle vacation now! century-old architecture with the sensuous pleasures of Auberge du Portage’s modern- www.quebecmaritime.ca/moto day version of a Victorian health spa. © M. Loiselle / Tourisme Manicouagan

CALLING ALL OUTDOOR LOVERS! It did not take long for wealthy industrialists from Montréal to discover Cacouna once Québec maritime is an ideal destination to enjoy the Maison des Bains opened in the mid-19th century. Its elegant villas and historic outdoor activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, wind churches are a lingering symbol of a more opulent age. sports, scuba diving and more. Interested? Visit Do you know how many lighthouses line the coasts of Québec maritime? Pastoral Saint-Pacôme is reached via a gently winding road along which you can admire www.quebecmaritime.ca/freedom And how many of them are open to the public? the splendid gardens and estates of the lumber barons from the past century. Find the answers at www.seeandfeel.ca. Visit www.seeandfeel.ca/villages. © Claude Bouchard ❯ Île Verte Lighthouse © M. Laverdière

6 FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA 7 National parks Rivière-du-Loup: and marine life Try a whale-watching tour Bic National Park rises out of the St. Lawrence River in a mosaic of small islands, with Croisières AML Bas- jagged reefs and headlands. Colonies of seals bask in the sun on the shoreline. It ©❯ S. Cloutier Bic National Park is a nesting place for thousands of marine birds including the rare eider duck. “A finback at four o’clock,” calls out the tour guide on the Cavalier des Mers. All Hikers and campers should keep their cameras at the ready! eyes turn right to sight a spouting whale. Departing twice daily from Rivière-du- Saint-Laurent Loup, the Croisières AML tour boat carries tourists on a three-hour whale- Blue, minke and humpback whales return every year to feed in the nutrient-rich watching journey through the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. Known as waters of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, Québec’s first marine one of the world’s best places to discover whales, seals and marine birds, this conservation area. From Rivière-du-Loup, take a whale-watching tour and learn all park attracts nature lovers from all over the world. To see the whales at their about the park’s marine life and ecosystems. Visit the park’s islands and hike for a liveliest, participate in a sunrise or sunset whale-watching trip. day or stay overnight in an inn or fully furnished cabin, or pitch your tent on Île aux Lièvres. Experience the life of a lighthouse keeper in an overnight stay at the In need of relaxation? Pamper yourself in Rivière-du-Loup, a destination known Pot-à-l’Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse and watch the birds, whales and seals put on a show. ©❯ Société Duvetnor Pot-à-l'Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse for the quality of its health spas and resorts, or take a stroll through nature along the hiking trails and white-sand beaches of Île aux Lièvres. Visit www.croisieresaml.com or call 1-800-563-4643 Croisières AML

Ferry cruise to © and visit www.tourismeriviereduloup.ca or call 1-888-825-1981. Forestville 3 4 © R. Baronet ❯ Kamouraska 2

Ferry cruise to Saint-Siméon 1 © Robert Baronet © Carl Frigon / Tourisme Rimouski ❯ Le Bic ❯ The Walk of the Sea in Rimouski

1 2 3 4 © É. St-Pierre / Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent ❯ Kamouraska Rimouski by the sea In Rimouski, the St. Lawrence is no longer a river, it has become the sea. Rimouski is an important centre for ocean research and is also a good place to set anchor. You will discover a city with small-town friendliness and Jean Albert M. Pitre /Enviro Foto /Sépaq © © several tourist attractions worth seeing.

A WINDOW ON THE A LANDSCAPE DEFINED ONONDAGA SUBMARINE DOMAINE VALGA: NEAR Visit the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site, where you can experience life ST. LAWRENCE! BY THE SEA IN RIMOUSKI EVERYTHING BUT FAR FROM © Atelier Amboise Economuseum © Viv-Herbes © Mouton Blanc © Domaine Acer ANY BUSTLE! onboard the ONONDAGA submarine, one of the last vestiges of the Cold Located along the St. Lawrence Observe seabirds, rare flowers, Climb aboard the ONONDAGA, War. Also relive Canada’s worst maritime disaster, the sinking of the Empress River in the beautiful region of and seals sunning themselves the only submarine open to visi- Enjoy a unique aerial experience of Ireland luxury liner in 1914, just off Pointe-au-Père. Visit nearby Saint- What to bring back What to taste Bas-Saint-Laurent, the Station on the rocks. Explore the park tors in Canada, and experience in an exceptional old-growth forest. Learn the secrets of cabinet making at the Atelier Savour locally smoked fish such as eel or sturgeon, or exploratoire du Saint-Laurent is an by foot, bike or sea kayak and life as a submariner! Also visit the The aerial trails in the Forêt de Barnabé Island, Bic National Park or the Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer (“hell’s educational centre that will intro- admire breathtaking views. Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse and Maître Corbeau offer 76 challen- gate canyon”). This canyon begins with 20-metre-high falls and stretches Amboise Economuseum® in Pohénégamook, where opt for all-you-can-eat snow crab. Also sample fine duce you to all the wonders of the Visit the exhibit, participate in find out about the history of the ges and Québec’s longest zip-line. you will be charmed by their exclusive line of traditional- cheeses made with raw sheep’s milk from the Mouton St. Lawrence, including whales, discovery activities and spend Empress of Ireland, which claimed A log inn, cottages overlooking between sheer narrow cliffs to a suspension bridge. A network of walking seals, sharks and more! a night in one of our yurts or 1012 lives when it sank in 1914. the lake and exceptional scenery trails through the forest awaits you in each of these three magnificent sites. style furniture. Also visit the gardens at Viv-Herbes, a Blanc cheese factory—a unique taste found only in Huttopia tents! make this a true paradise! herbalist farm in Lejeune—you will love the products Kamouraska. Your sumptuous meal will not be Station exploratoire du Pointe-au-Père Visit www.seeandfeel.ca/rimouski or call 1-800-746-6875. Saint-Laurent Bic National Park Maritime Historic Site Domaine Valga they make with their own medicinal herbs and aromatic complete without a maple wine or other fine maple 418-867-8796 / 418-867-8882, ext. 206 1-800-665-6527 / 418-736-5035 418-724-6214 418-739-4000 ❯ Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada © Michel Laverdière flowers. product from Domaine Acer, a maple Economuseum®. www.seeandfeel.ca/romm www.parksquebec.com/bic www.shmp.qc.ca www.seeandfeel.ca/domainevalga The Gaspésie Tour FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA 9 longer treks. Depending on the trail you choose, you may Gaspésie National Park Country elegance encounter small animals or large cervids in search of food along the way. From the summit of Mt. Jacques Cartier in Gaspésie National Park, in the mountains you can see the southernmost herd of caribou in Eastern North At the end of the day, enjoy the elegance of the Gîte du America. This vast park of over 800 km2 with its 140 km of hiking of Gaspésie Mont-Albert or the cosy intimacy of one of the cabins trails protects the boreal forests, wildlife and rare tundra plants found Gaspésie At the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula, the Appalachian located near the hotel. Relax in the outdoor pool and on its mountain peaks. Accommodations are restricted to approved Mountains stand proudly, dominating the landscape as if sauna or unwind with drinks at the bar. In the dining room, The Coast, campsites, huts and cabins provided by the park and the 4-star Gîte du to say “Come and see how beautiful it is up here!” Dozens the chef will prepare you a delicious meal featuring Mont-Albert that combines comfortable rooms with gourmet cuisine. of species of birds as well as moose, caribou and rare regional products such as smoked Atlantic salmon, lamb the Valley & © J.-P. Huard / Sépaq plants have accepted this invitation and now share a or kid goat, which you can savour while recounting the Haute-Gaspésie unique and extraordinary environment. day’s highlights. You won’t regret choosing the high mountains of Gaspésie as your next vacation destination! Gaspésie National Park has developed a network of trails for hikers of all skill levels to explore these mountains. Groups can reserve the services of a park warden by Beginners will be surprised at the peaks they can reach communicating directly with the park. Ferry cruise to without getting out of breath, while those who are more Godbout Visit www.parksquebec.com/albert

6 © Louise Tanguay © S. Deschênes / Sepaq

5 TRADITION AND INNOVATION IN SEARCH OF MOOSE

Recognized as one of Observe this amazing mam- Canada’s outstanding gardens, mal in its natural habitat with a the Reford Gardens were naturalist guide in the Matane created by Elsie Reford, a Wildlife Reserve. Take advan- passionate gardener and plant tage of our packages includ- lover. The 10th edition of the ing cabin stays or plan your From sea to sky International Garden Festival own program from our à la presents contemporary carte moose observation It took over 400 million years of gardens on the theme of activities. An unforgettable earth history to shape the “Festive Gardens.” experience! Reford Gardens / Jardins de Métis Matane Wildlife Reserve Gaspé Peninsula, but the 418-775-2222 418-562-3700 www.jardinsdemetis.com www.sepaq.com/matane stunning result is three gorgeous ©❯ Claude Bouchard Tourelle

landscapes of coast, valley and 7 8 9 mountains. This region’s rugged coastline is a thrill to drive whether on two wheels or four. Mountain highs don’t get much © Mathieu Dupuis / Sépaq © Enviro Foto / Sépaq © Atelier Grand Fleuve © Jardins de l’Orme © Atkins & Frères © M. Laverdière higher than in the Chic-Chocs, which are renowned for their THE FASCINATING WORLD OF CHIC-CHOCS MOUNTAIN LODGE: GASPÉSIE NATIONAL PARK WINDMILLS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS What to bring back What to taste large moose population. This A sea of mountains in the Visit the highest vertical-axis Perched high in the mountains heart of Gaspésie! This park’s Let your senses guide you to the traditional soap-making Those who appreciate delicate and unique flavours sector lures hikers from the windmill in the world at Le and surrounded by stunning varied climates and unusual Nordais windmill park. A scenery, the Lodge invites you geomorphology attract a workshop at the Jardins de l’Orme farm, where garden will adore the products of Atkins & Frères in Mont- guided tour will give you an to enjoy a total change of pace. diversity of plant and animal flowers and herbs are transformed into beauty products Louis—the authority in the art of smoking and salting world over. Where else can you understanding of the techno- Far from civilization, recharge species unique in Québec. see majestic whales, windmills logical advances and main your batteries in an untamed The Chic-Choc Mountains with bewitching fragrances and evocative names. Take fish and seafood. In Percé, the Maison du Pêcheur players in an industry that was setting where you can expect are well known to outdoor home the exclusive santons du fleuve collection of will serve you the freshest lobster, taken directly from recently revived for this era of comfortable accommodations enthusiasts. Breathtaking

and a herd of caribou all in the Cloutier / Tourisme Gaspésie environmental protection. and refined cuisine. views guaranteed! ornamental figurines depicting traditional sea-related the restaurant’s underwater tanks just before it is occupations and trades, available at Atelier Grand Fleuve, prepared for you. For an original experience, visit the same day? Éole Cap-Chat Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge Gaspésie National Park 418-786-5719 / 418-763-9935 1-800-665-3091 1-800-665-6527 / 418-763-7494 or a unique creation by Yolande Fortin, who uses exquisite Cerf Roux de l’Est farm and take home some © Louise Tanguay / Reford Gardens © Sébastien www.eolecapchat.com www.chicchocs.com www.parksquebec.com/gaspesie ❯ Gaspésie National Park ❯ Reford Gardens batiks on silk to create astonishing works of art. delicious red deer meat for your dining pleasure. The Gaspésie Tour FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA 11 National parks Gaspé: Where it all and marine life began in 1534 Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park The Gaspé 2009 Celebrations will mark the 475th anniversary of French navigator Gaspésie Photographers will want to snap pictures of Percé’s legendary great red Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Gaspé Bay in 1534. A festive program with a home- © M. Laverdière rock. A hike on Bonaventure Island will take you to the most accessible coming theme culminating on July 24 will offer Gaspesians and visitors many Land’s End nesting spot in the world with 122,000 northern gannets and over 300,000 occasions to celebrate the French presence in North America and honour Gaspé as seabirds. Knowledgeable park wardens will tell you about the island when the Birthplace of Canada. A busy year is in store for Gaspé that will include nature it housed a fishing village. activities, music, theatre, dance and circus performances as well as many opportunities for gatherings and discussions. Forillon National Park of Canada Observe whales from the cliffs, hike through the park's diverse land We look forward to seeing you in the midst of our beautiful landscape. Come and be formations and travel back in time in a meticulously restored 19th-century a part of the festivities!

❯ Three-masted ship Belem in Gaspé Bay © RicochetDesign.com

10 11 12

11 © Ron Gannett © Oktay Kaya © Sépaq

FORILLON NATIONAL PARK WHALE-WATCHING CRUISES ONE ISLAND, ONE ROCK, ONE OF CANADA IN FORILLON PARK NATIONAL PARK 12 Carved by erosion, Forillon The largest whales in the A prolongation of the National Park offers impressive world frequent the waters of Appalachians, this rocky bastion landscapes combining Gaspé Bay and Forillon. Come includes Bonaventure Island and mountains, pebble beaches and discover this environment majestic Percé Rock. Discover bordering small coves, and while observing seven species this fascinating site during a sea steep cliffs overlooking the of whales including blue, fin, excursion to the island: both sea. A great place to observe humpback and minke whales. sides of Percé Rock, the world’s seabirds and whales. Don’t Excursions with professional largest gannet colony and miss the Grande-Grave interpreter guides. historic buildings. Ferry cruise between Montréal / Chandler Heritage Site! The now-multicultural tip of / Îles de la Madeleine Croisières Baie de Gaspé Bonaventure Island and Percé Forillon National Park 1-866-617-5500 / 418-892-5500 Rock National Park the Gaspésie region was a of Canada www.baleines-forillon.com 418-782-2240 1-888-773-8888 www.parksquebec.com/ilebonaventure

www.pc.gc.ca/Forillon © Marc Loiselle First Nations’ homeland until ❯ Bonaventure Island and Percé Rock National Park Jacques Cartier landed on its shores in 1534. The French, Percé: The pearl of Gaspésie English, Irish and Acadians Percé Rock glints like a jewel in the tidal spray, burning from amethyst to ruby followed in successive waves to twilight’s sapphire blue as the sun sweeps overhead. Inspired by this spec- to fish and farm its verdant tacular rock, the town of Percé is one of Québec’s prettiest villages. Cafés, boutiques, art galleries and studios line its streets, while codfish curing © Wazo © Gilles Côté valleys. They left their mark © R. Baronet © R. Baronet stations and gracious ancestral homes reflect its history. in the architecture, music, What to bring back What to taste Observe spouting whales and let yourself be lured to Bonaventure Island, a bird language and arts of this area. Are you looking for an original souvenir? Don’t leave Savour delicious goat cheese from Ferme Chimo lover’s paradise. Try sea kayaking by Percé Rock, diving with the seals or Visitors will revel in the this region without a piece of jewellery or decorative directly at the farm or in the best restaurants on the hiking on trails through the nearby countryside. Spectacular views await you! dramatic landscapes of object created by the Percé artist Wazo. You may also Gaspé Peninsula. If you are adventurous, you will want A few miles to the west, colourful lobster fishing boats bob in the harbour of rugged cliffs and deep coves, want to treat yourself to a painting by Gilles Côté to try Lelièvre, Lelièvre et Lemoignan Gaspé cured, a L’Anse-à-Beaufils. This charming town’s architectural heritage comes to life in

whose Gaspesian landscapes grace walls around the salted codfish dried in the sun and sea wind. To learn th the sea in all its moods and the old-fashioned general store and 19 -century fish-processing plant, which world. For a wider selection of evocative souvenirs, more about organic farming and medicinal plants while has been converted into a cultural centre. the slow rhythm of life. stop in at the La Morue Verte gift shop at the Le tasting fresh vegetables and traditional Gaspesian Boutillier Manor, a national historic site that presents condiments, visit the CIFA, an agro-ecological interpre- Percé—it all started with a red limestone rock pierced by the sea... © Sébastien Larose © Marc Loiselle ❯ Percé ❯ Forillon National Park of Canada the arts and crafts of the region. tation centre, and its beautiful gardens. Visit www.perce.info or call 418-782-5448. The Gaspésie Tour FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA 13 Miguasha National Park Chaleur Bay: One of the Travel through time and find out how vertebrates made the transition world’s most beautiful bays from water to land in the Natural History Museum at Miguasha National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site also preserves a fossil cliff Visit the Chaleur Bay region and meet a warm and friendly population whose Gaspésie where fish and plants lived some 380 million years ago! Miguasha is Basque, Norman, Breton and Jersey Island ancestry can still be discerned in considered to be the world’s most outstanding illustration of the their various accents. The area’s architectural heritage also bears witness to Devonian Period known as the “Age of Fish.” this fascinating multicultural mosaic as do the various festivals and events that

The Bay © J.-P. Sylvestre take place here against a backdrop of sea and mountains.

A stroll around this immense body of water, among the world’s most beautiful bays, will transport you to a vacation paradise where relaxation is key. A feast for the senses awaits you here. Savour an abundance of local products from the sea and the land. Admire the inventive and original creations of local artists and artisans. Feel the pulse of this region during the shows, festivals and public markets that enliven towns and villages.

STEP BACK IN TIME TREASURES OF AN UNFORGETTABLE A CHAPTER OF HISTORY AT THIS HISTORIC SITE EVERYDAY LIFE SCIENTIFIC EXPERIENCE WORTH DISCOVERING

Discover 11 unique buildings Allow yourself to be At Miguasha, educational The Battle of the Restigouche dating back to the 18th and amazed by the ordinary with activities await visitors of all National Historic Site commemo- 19th centuries, vestiges of the an exhibition of intriguing ages. At the Natural History rates the last naval battle world’s two largest Jersey domestic items: “Treasures of Museum, discover fossils, between France and England Island companies to export Everyday Life.” Encounter the fossilization and the evolution of for possession of the North dried salted cod. Interpreters architecture, culture and life on Earth with an experienced American continent. Come and Chaleur Bay was named “bay of in period costumes and history of the founders of the guide or visit the museum at discover how the fate of New demonstrations of traditional town of New Richmond. your own pace. Enjoy a France was sealed in 1760. warmth” by Jacques Cartier in crafts round out your visit. Make time for the forest trails fabulous voyage back in time! A must-see! and beach. 1534 when he arrived during a Banc-de-Pêche-de- Miguasha National Park Battle of the Restigouche Paspébiac Historic Site Gaspesian British Heritage 1-800-665-6527 / 418-794-2475 National Historic Site of Canada July heat wave. Protected by 418-752-6229 Village www.parksquebec.com/miguasha 1-888-773-8888 www.shbp.ca 418-392-4487 www.pc.gc.ca/restigouche

www.gaspesianvillage.com © Robert Baronet natural elements, this bay enjoys ❯ Bonaventure a microclimate that warms its A network of exceptional historic sites and museums recounts the waters. Dotted with many fascinating history of this region. The fossil-rich cliff at Miguasha National picturesque villages, the seaside Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals insights about the evolution Chaleur Bay region will charm of life on earth going back some 380 million years, while the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the naval you with its long inviting beaches, battle that sealed the fate of New France in 1760. © Seigneurie de l’emeu © Gospel Chapel mountainous panoramas and © Savonnerie du village red cliffs crowned by abundant In New Richmond, you can relive the era of the British pioneers, while What to bring back What to taste Bonaventure is considered the cradle of Acadian culture and is where many vegetation. The bay is also an Acadian families first found refuge in the 18th century during the Great As a souvenir of Chaleur Bay, bring back a Gaspesian Discover Canada’s only lumpfish caviar at Emerance official member of the Most Upheaval. Learn more about Acadian history at the Musée acadien du product made with fresh goat’s milk by Danielle Caviars in Paspébiac or taste a brandy and pepper Québec in Bonaventure. Beautiful Bays in the World Club, Vallée, the master soap maker at Savonnerie du emu terrine at the Seigneurie de l’Emeu in which has recognized its Village. Your skin will thank you! A visit to the region Bonaventure. Also visit BOS G. Farm, the only yak The Banc-de-Pêche-de-Paspébiac Historic Site commemorates the millennial-old indigenous culture would not be complete without a stop in Bonaventure farm in the country, and sample this meat originally importance of the fishing industry for two centuries in this region. Traditional at the Gospel Chapel or the Verre et Bulles workshop, from the Himalayas. If you have a sweet tooth, you shipbuilding, net-mending, blacksmithing and barrel-mending demonstrations and the fossil-rich Miguasha cliff. specialty boutiques where you will find original won’t want to miss the delicious berry jams made by are offered on site.

© Claude Bouchard © Robert Baronet products created by local artisans. the Conserverie de la Baie in New Richmond. ❯ Carleton Lighthouse ❯ Bonaventure The Gaspésie Tour FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA 15 Birds and seals Take your time Any of four different species of seals can be spotted basking in the and take it easy! sun on the Islands’ rocky shores. Bird watchers may be able to add as many as 250 different bird species to their life lists: some birds stay on You could drive around the Islands from Havre-Aubert to Grande-Entrée in Îles de la the Islands for a few days, others remain to nest, and a few are a day, but you would miss the action on the docks: the fishermen

© A. Richard / Tourisme IdM permanent residents. unloading their catch. Nor would you have time to browse the art shops, Madeleine visit a lighthouse, pause for a coffee and croissant, or while away an evening listening to live music. You also need time to kayak into hidden The art of living grottoes in the rust-red cliffs or spend the day basking on a sunny beach. Furthermore, the geography and location of this enchanting archipelago make it an ideal spot for wind sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and kite buggying. Even driving on the nearly traffic-free roads is a pleasure. But whatever you do, you can’t leave the Islands without first savouring their fine regional cuisine. Consult the “What to Taste” section for more details. © J.-P. Sylvestre © Michel Bonato / Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine 19 17 18 19 18

A PASSION FOR WIND WELCOME SEA AHOY! DISCOVER AND SEA SPORTS ABOARD! A UNIQUE ARCHIPELAGO

Aérosport: your passport to The CTMA Group offers you Enjoy numerous ecotourism adventure! Safe intro to two ways to get to the adventures with Vert-et-Mer kitesurfing, buggying, wake- Islands: the M/V Madeleine in the Îles de la Madeleine boarding. Guided sea kayaking ferry, with daily crossings archipelago: kayaking excur- Shaped like an elongated fish and sailing. Family & group between Prince Edward sions, expeditions to Brion packages. Canada’s first kite Island and the Islands, and a Island, exploring Entry Island, hook, this string of islands is school—over 10 years of ferry cruise on the M/V CTMA cycle touring, trekking or experience. National gold Vacancier, with weekly eco-lodging in a yurt. We held together by white sand winner of a Québec tourism departures from Montréal follow the Leave No Trace award in 2008. from June to October. principles. dunes. Steep, red sandstone Aérosport Carrefour d’Aventures CTMA Group Vert-et-Mer cliffs skirt the shore, forming a 1-866-986-6677 / 418-986-6677 1-888-986-3278 1-866-986-3555 / 418-986-3555 www.aerosport.ca www.ctma.ca www.vertetmer.com dramatic backdrop for the © Michel Bonato / Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine 300 kilometres of pristine sand beaches that ring the Islands. Getting there... Gabled houses painted every If a visit to the Islands is part of a longer trip that includes Gaspésie or the colour of the rainbow stand Atlantic provinces, you have two options: you can travel to the archipelago out like sentinels against the from Chandler, in Gaspésie, or from Souris, in Prince Edward Island, aboard a CTMA cruise ship or ferry. The advantage of these options is that you can © Les Artisans du Sable © Verrerie La Méduse © À l’Abri de la Tempête © Pascal Arseneau unbelievably blue sky. Bring take your own car, which gives you complete freedom of movement once your camera and your walking What to bring back What to taste on the Islands. shoes. Be prepared to find the Stone is transformed into sand and sand into glass. In Before dinner, savour a local beer from the À l’Abri de la If the Îles de la Madeleine are your next vacation destination, several airlines

best lobster, the best crab, © Michel Bonato / Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine the Islands, you can find alabaster sculptures by Daniel Tempête microbrewery. Next, take your pick from the and car rental companies serve the Islands. When you get there, you can also opt for a guided bus tour with a company such as Autobus Les Sillons. fabulous maritime music and Renaud, sand castles made by Les Artisans du Sable best the sea has to offer: lobster, crab, scallops, mussels a lilting French accent with an or glass objects of art made at Verrerie La Méduse. or fish. Enjoy this dish accompanied by fresh local Visit www.quebecmaritime.ca/idm or call 1-877-624-4437. Acadian beat during your stay Enjoy magical moments along the Arts and Crafts Tour vegetables, good wine and local Pied-de-Vent cheese. while visiting artists’ studios, boutiques and art galleries. Look for the Le bon goût frais des Îles (“delicious on the Islands. So much talent is tucked away on the Islands—you and fresh from the Islands”) label, a true indicator of never know what treasures you will discover! authenticity and freshness. © Sébastien Larose © M. Bonato / Tourisme IdM © M. Bonato / Tourisme IdM © Pascal Arseneau Îles de la Madeleine FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA 17 20 21 22 © N. Boisvert © M. Dupuis / Sépaq © Croisières AML M. Loiselle / Tourisme Manicouagan M. Loiselle / Tourisme Manicouagan Côte-Nord © © R. Cloutier SAGUENAY–ST. LAWRENCE THE MAJESTIC UNIQUE WHALES Manicouagan MARINE PARK SAGUENAY FJORD & FJORD CRUISE National parks and marine life Including parts of the The stunning landscapes in Encounter the giants of the sea St. Lawrence Estuary and Saguenay National Park will aboard some of the best obser- Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Saguenay Fjord, this marine make a lasting impression on vation boats in Canada. Pick This underwater wonderland—a national park and ecological phenomenon located at the park reveals its mysteries and you. Discover a land where between a cruise on a spacious immense natural bounty nature has made use of its boat or an exciting Zodiac confluence of the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence Estuary—is a feasting spot for through interpretation sites colossal forces to carve out a adventure. Exclusive Whale beluga, fin, minke and blue whales. The local biologists name the whales and wait for their and sea cruises. Experience fjord. You will be charmed by Guarantee. Entertainment for a unique adventure along both bays, coves and breathtaking children. A breathtaking esca- return to the park each summer to gorge in its nutrient-rich waters. You can observe the whales shores of the St. Lawrence! cliffs while hiking or kayaking. pade on the Saguenay Fjord! during a whale-watching cruise, kayaking excursion or from an observation point on land. Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Saguenay National Park Croisières AML Tadoussac–Baie-Ste-Catherine 1-888-773-8888 1-800-665-6527 / 418-272-1556

1-800-563-4643 © Marc Loiselle / Tourisme Manicouagan www.marinepark.qc.ca www.parksquebec.com/saguenay Saguenay National Park www.croisieresaml.com ❯ Tadoussac Outdoor lovers will adore this park. There are hiking trails along the edge of the Saguenay Fjord 23 24 25 and backpacking trails through the wilderness. Kayakers can paddle in the fjord, while naturalists and bird watchers will want to keep their binoculars at the ready! Manic-5: A memorable experience! In the life of a traveller there are sites and monuments that impress and leave their mark forever. The Daniel- Johnson Dam, which supplies the Manic-5 power station, is one of those sites. The largest multiple-arch- and-buttress dam in the world, its main arch is big enough to contain the Montréal Olympic Stadium.

WHALE-WATCHING SEA KAYAK ON THE PADDLE AMONG THE This monument to Québec engineering is much more than concrete. Nearly 13,000 people were required SAFARIS SAGUENAY FJORD ST. LAWRENCE WHALES The Whale Route begins in lovely to build this hydroelectric facility between 1959 and 1971. During that time, a temporary camp for 3500 was Tadoussac, home to Canada’s first Bring your cameras and let our The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Discover the whales of the built, and a village sprang up nearby, complete with a school, church, hospital and general store. Once on 28 experienced naturalists intro- Marine Park is one of the St. Lawrence in complete site, you can take a tour and learn about how the dam was built, its characteristics and how it works. Explore trading post and an official member duce you to these fascinating world’s prime destinations for safety with our team during a marine giants. Enjoy a cruise sea kayaking. NATIONAL GOLD sea kayaking excursion from the world of electricity and admire the staggering size of this behemoth. of the Most Beautiful Bays in the in the comfort and safety of WINNER, Tourisme Québec. Tadoussac or Les Bergeronnes. the Famille Dufour monohull Small groups, fibreglass kayaks, All our activities include marine World Club. The town’s fabulous or participate in an exciting but exceptional gastronomy, 3-hour interpretation with experienced The Daniel-Johnson Dam is located some 200 kilometres north of Baie-Comeau in the middle of the largest respectful excursion on the and 1-day excursions, 2- to guides. National silver winner UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the country, the Manicouagan-Uapiska Reserve. To get there, head panorama is at the heart of the Ferry cruise to Tadoussac III Zodiac. 5-day expeditions, family trips. 2008, Tourisme Quebec. Matane north on Route 389, a winding road surrounded by green spaces, lakes and rivers. Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Groupe Dufour Cruises Fjord en Kayak Mer et Monde Écotours 1-800-463-5250 / 418-692-0222 1-866-72-KAYAK (1-866-725-2925) 1-866-637-6663 Park. It is also one of the gateways www.dufour.ca www.fjord-en-kayak.ca www.mer-et-monde.qc.ca Visit www.seeandfeel.ca/manic5 or call 1-866-LA-MANIC (1-866-526-2642). to Saguenay National Park, which offers hiking trails with stunning 26 27 28

views of the Saguenay Fjord. Ferry cruise to Rimouski The St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf 27 provide a summer feast for 13 25 © Parks Canada / M.-J. Normandin 23 26 © ATRM / Marc Loiselle species of cetaceans. Several 22 companies located in various 24 A DEEPLY MYSTERIOUS MARINE WONDERS FOUNDED 20,000 YEARS AGO 21 ESTUARY REVEALED villages along the Whale Route 20 Join us in June 2009 to A natural headland ideal for Explore the many facets of celebrate the official opening offer whale-watching excursions marine mammal observation, the St. Lawrence marine of the Jardin des glaciers Cap-de-Bon-Désir invites visi- environment and admire the (Garden of the Glaciers) in by kayak, Zodiac or boat. Not to Ferry cruise to tors to explore the lighthouse, beauty of its flora and fauna. Baie-Comeau. Discover the Rivière-du-loup learn about the evolution of Enjoy a unique experience, Glacier Exploration Center and be missed are whale watching navigation on the St. Lawrence, Live from the St. Lawrence, its multimedia shows as well discover shoreline flora and during which you will “dive” as unique and spectacular from the shore and the many fauna, and more. Keep your along with a cameraman- scenery carved out by glaciers eyes and ears wide open! naturalist to discover the some 20,000 years ago. underwater world. interpretation centres on whales. What is the largest of the 13 species of whales that frequent the St. Lawrence? Cap-de-Bon-Désir Jardin des glaciers Hint: It’s the largest animal ever found on the planet! Interpretation and Observation Centre Marine Environment Discovery Centre 1-877-296-0182 © Hydro-Québec © Marc Loiselle / Tourisme Manicouagan © Marc Loiselle / Tourisme Manicouagan 1-888-773-8888 / 418-235-4703 1-888-773-8888 / 418-235-4703 www.jardindesglaciers.ca ❯ Pointe-des-Monts Lighthouse Visit www.seeandfeel.ca for the answer. ❯ Daniel-Johnson Dam www.marinepark.qc.ca www.marinepark.qc.ca 18 The Whale Route FIND PACKAGES ONLINE AT WWW.SEEANDFEEL.CA 19