DESTINATIONS BAIE-DES- CHALEURS ★ Baie-des-Chaleurs or Chaleur Bay boasts a surprising diversity of vegetation and wildlife; stunning unspoiled ocean, mountain and river landscapes; a unique cultural heritage and, true to its name, the warmest water in Gaspésie! The region has retained a rich and diverse culture: you will find that every village has its own particular accent, local festival and cultural traditions! BANC-DE-PÊCHE-DE-PASPÉBIAC HISTORIC SITE © Québec maritime, Marc Loiselle / Loizo.com WHAT TO DO — MIGUASHA FOSSIL PARK ★ History and nature lovers won’t want to miss Miguasha fossil site, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 in recognition of its wealth of well-preserved fossils and their importance in understanding a page from the story of evolution. Visitors of all ages will enjoy discovering the fascinating world of fossils and paleontology. A visit of the site takes about an hour and a half. Open from the MIGUASHA FOSSIL PARK © Québec maritime, Jean-Guy Lavoie end of April to early June and all the month of October: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Early June to early October: daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 231 ROUTE DE MIGUASHA OUEST, NOUVELLE / 418-794-2475 WWW.SEPAQ.COM/PQ/MIG BONAVENTURE RIVER CANOE RUN ★★★ The Bonaventure River begins at Bonaventure Lake in the Appalachian mountain chain and flows over a distance of 126 kilometres before emptying into Baie-des- Chaleurs. It is considered to be BONAVENTURE CANOE RUN one of the clearest and © Quebec maritime, Claude Bouchard most pristine rivers in the world. Canoeing down the crystal-clear Bonaventure River is a unique opportunity to discover the nature and wildlife of Gaspésie in a stunning natural setting. This activity is accessible for the whole family (aged 4 and over), for beginners and experts alike. All necessary equipment is provided. Different types of excursions are possible, lasting from 2 hours to 2 days. Late May to early September. CIME AVENTURES : 200 ATHANASE-ARSENAULT, BONAVENTURE / 418-534-2333 WWW.CIMEAVENTURES.COM LOBSTER CAGES © Québec maritime, Steve Deschênes ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see DESTINATIONS BARACHOIS BEACH © Emmanuel HUYBRECHTS CARLETON-SUR- soft sand make it a favourite of the few mountains in Québec exhibits will help you better MER BEACH ★ destination for locals and that is accessible by car. understand the importance and Carleton-sur-Mer is one of visitors alike. Late June to early While you are there, you can take characteristics of Québec’s few places in Québec where September. a guided tour of the oratory and large Acadian community. Open you can swim comfortably in 499, PERRON BLVD, CARLETON enjoy some of the 30 kilometres daily from late June to early the ocean, without getting too WWW.CARLETONSURMER.COM of hiking trails. Open from October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More cold! The warm ocean currents mid-June to Thanksgiving (2nd limited schedule in low season. that enter the bay from the HIKING ON MONT Monday in October). 95 AVENUE PORT-ROYAL, Gulf of St. Lawrence result in SAINT-JOSEPH ★ 837, RUE DE LA MONTAGNE, BONAVENTURE / 418-534-4000 some of the warmest saltwater Mont Saint-Joseph is one of CARLETON-SUR-MER WWW.MUSEEACADIEN.COM on the Atlantic coast north the highest points in Baie-des- WWW.MONTSAINTJOSEPH.COM of the state of Virginia. There Chaleurs. At 555 metres above BANC-DE-PÊCHE- are several beaches in the sea level, the summit offers a MUSÉE ACADIEN DE-PASPÉBIAC area, depending what you are spectacular view ★ ★ of the sea, QUÉBEC ★ HISTORIC SITE ★ looking for. The most popular all the way to the New Brunswick Discover the region’s culture, Located on the edge of Chaleur of these is the municipal beach, coast. With the Oratoire Notre- history and ethnology at this Bay, Banc-de-pêche-de-Paspébiac right in the heart of Carleton- Dame-du-Mont-Saint-Joseph, a fascinating museum located in was named a National Historic Site sur-mer. Its warm water, easy former pilgrimage destination, the heart of Baie-des-Chaleurs. of Canada in 2001 because of its access, bathroom facilities and perched on its summit, this is one Its temporary and permanent social, economic and historical Hiking ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see importance to the country’s cod fishing industry. The architecture of the 11 buildings, built between 1783 and 1900, bear witness to more than 250 years of history. You are sure to encounter some real Paspéyas, descendants of the village’s original settlers! There is also a restaurant on the site. The site is open daily from early June to early October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 76 RUE DU BANC, PASPÉBIAC 418-752-6229 WWW.SHBP.CA LE MALIN BEACH ★ Another way to enjoy the clear waters of the Bonaventure River is at Le Malin, about 6 km from Route 132. The Le Malin force R2 rapid borders a pebble/sandy beach. It’s a great spot for a family outing! Life jackets are available, fee of charge. Open from late June to late September. 144, ROUTE DU CLUB, BONAVENTURE / 418-751-4883 CHILDREN ON THE BEACH WWW.LEMALINBONAVENTURE.COM © iStockPhoto, Ryan J. Lane ORATORY NOTRE-DAME-DU-MONT-ST-JOSEPH © WikiMédia, Emmanuel Huybrechts Family ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see DESTINATIONS CARLETON-SUR-MER © WikiMédia, Darkioto WHERE TO EAT — 1 BRÛLERIE DU QUAI ($) in-house every day! La Pétrie is crobrewery is a great little 7 BISTRO LE BOUT This small coffee roaster opened a great place for a light meal or place to sample a wide variety D’LIGNE ($$-$$$) its doors in 2005 and quickly just a good cup of coffee. The of craft beers and regional Your hosts Alain and Suzanne established its reputation for bakery offers a wide variety of products. It also serves good will be happy to welcome you high quality fresh-roasted breads and pastries baked with food in a friendly atmosphere. to their bistro with its superb coffee, artisan chocolates and unbleached organic flour, as well The name «Naufrageur» (mea- view of Baie-des-Chaleurs. The outstanding customer service. In as a breakfast and lunch menu ning «ship wrecker») refers to menu offers a wide variety of addition, it enjoys an idyllic set- of fresh salads, soups and sand- the pirates who would move French and Québec cuisine, ting between the mountains and wiches. The friendly, colourful the lights indicating reefs in with an emphasis on fish and the sea, with a magnificent view decor even includes a kids’ play Baie-des-Chaleurs in order seafood specialties. Friendly of Baie-des-Chaleurs. The cafe area. Open Wednesday-Friday to make ships run aground… bistro ambiance. Open 7 days a does not serve food, but you can from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Satur- Several of the Naufrageur’s week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., in bring your own lunch and eat it day from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beers bear the names of ships high season. on the terrace. Open daily from 128 AVENUE GRAND-PRÉ that were wrecked in the re- 445 BLVD. PERRON, MARIA 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 9 BONAVENTURE / 418-534-3445 gion. Open daily from 2 p.m. 418-759-3661 p.m. during the summer. WWW.BOULANGERIEARTISANALE- to 10 p.m. 200 RUE DU QUAI, CARLETON LAPETRIE.COM B586 BOULEVARD PERRON, CAR- 8 LE CAFÉ ACADIEN 418-364-6788 LETON-SUR-MER / 418-364-5440 ($$-$$$) WWW.BRULERIEDUQUAI.COM 4 POISSONNERIE WWW.LENAUFRAGEUR.COM This local favourite serves a DU PÊCHEUR ($$) variety of breakfasts to suit all 2 CASSE-CROÛTE This unique establishment 6 LE SAINT-HONORÉ tastes. For lunch, enjoy a good MAM’ZELLE MARIA ($) offers a fishmonger’s and a ($$-$$$) soup, a sandwich with salad, If you are looking for a quick meal restaurant under the same roof, This small gem of a restaurant, or try the house specialties, on the go, Mam’zelle Maria’s is the with a friendly, down-to-earth which seats only 24, is a local homemade smoked salmon or place for you. This charming snack atmosphere. The menu features favourite. Run by co-owners Gaspé fish cakes. The dinner bar serves hamburgers, poutine fish and seafood prepared with from Auvergne, France, you menu offers simple, tasty dishes and several seafood special- the freshest of ingredients: can enjoy French specialties prepared from local products ties, in addition to the the best Coquilles St. Jacques, fish soup, such as Tartiflette as well as and seafood such as braised homemade soft ice cream in the mousse, quiche, pâtés and dishes inspired by the Gaspé meats and grilled fish. Be sure to province ;-) A real institution in the much more. You can even bring region. A good selection of try the salt cod brandade or the region since 1954! Open daily from your own wine! Dinner reserva- appetizers, salads and main pan-seared scallops! Children’s 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m from March. tions are recommended. Open courses, complete with a menu available. Open daily 597 BLVD. PERRON EST, MARIA daily from May-September, chalkboard menu. Open Tues- from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., June to 418-759-3739 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed day-Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to September. WWW.MAMZELLEMARIA.COM on Monday. 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.