Fancy a picnic in some of the most beautiful places in Québec? Go on a road trip on Route 132 along the Bas-Saint-Laurent – Gaspésie Tour! You’ll find plenty of spots to enjoy a bite to eat, and you can feast your eyes as well as your taste buds. Here are six stops to add to your itinerary as well as places to stock up on fixings for your picnics. Ready to hit the road?

Rest area in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière

The municipal rest area in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière is a must-see for anyone who loves breathtaking views. At first glance, it may look like any other rest area offering picnic tables and restrooms. However, if you investigate a little further, you’ll discover a 7.6-metre (25-foot) observation tower nearby. Just climb the steps to the top and you can soak up a unique view of the sea and the surrounding Bas-Saint-Laurent countryside. For an even more unforgettable experience, go there at sunset! After enjoying a spread of local products, the view from this tower will be the perfect end to your picnic stop.

• Foodie stops: The Le Mouton Blanc cheese factory in La Pocatière is a great place to pick up some local cheeses as well as sausages and other locally made food items. You can also treat yourself to a lobster poutine at the Chez Mag snack bar in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière.

Parc de la Pointe in Rivière-du-Loup

Looking for a quiet spot to enjoy a delicious picnic featuring local flavours? Head to Parc de la Pointe in Rivière-du-Loup. Set back a little from Route 132, this park is a great place to relax. Set out your picnic on a blanket or use one of the picnic tables overlooking the sea and enjoy the view. After a bite to eat, you can stretch your legs with a stroll along the beach, hiking trail or 5-km (3-mi.) bike and pedestrian path. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a whale or seal in the water!

• Foodie stop: Before heading to the park, make a stop in Kamouraska at the Côté Est gourmet shop, a great place to pick up products made in Québec, including terrines, rillettes, salads, sandwiches and more.

Anse-aux-Coques Beach in Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer

The picturesque village of Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer is a must-see for anyone who loves charming seaside areas. The long boardwalk along the beach is dotted with benches and picnic tables that are perfect spots to enjoy a delicious meal while admiring a view of the sea. The colourful shops nearby will make your experience all the more memorable. You’re bound to fall in love with this seaside resort village! Once you’ve enjoyed your picnic, you can dip your toes in the salty waters of the St. Lawrence or go for a stroll along the beach. Keep your eyes peeled for the large wood carvings found along the boardwalk.

• Foodie stops: The gourmet shop at Vieux Loup de Mer near Parc national du Bic, offers a variety of food items prepared with care by local food artisans and restaurants. You can also purchase local wines here. In Rimouski, be sure to stop at Pâtisseries & Gourmandises d’Olivier, a charming French-style pastry shop where you’ll find all the essentials for a morning picnic, including ham croissants and other breakfast pastries.

Saint-Yvon rest area in Cloridorme

A hidden treasure in the region, the Saint-Yvon rest area in Cloridorme is sure to please everyone. At this colourful, history-filled stop, you can enjoy your food while admiring the nearby St. Lawrence Estuary. An exhibition on site recounts the launching of a German torpedo that hit the shore near Saint-Yvon during the Second World War, an event that shook the entire region! Even though the rest area is near Route 132, you’ll feel far removed from traffic noise. And if it’s raining, you can take advantage of one of the covered tables. Be sure to also visit the boutique on site, which sells a variety of products made by local artisans.

• Foodie stop: Visit the Plein ma Valise gourmet shop located in Hôtel & Cie in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts for all your picnic fixings: fine cheeses, deli meats, salads, sandwiches, wine and more.

Haldimand Beach in Gaspé

Looking for a spot where you can picnic and go for a swim? Head to Haldimand Beach on Gaspé Bay! Offering 2 km (1.2 mi.) of fine sand, this beach is a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. Although the water may feel a bit chilly, if you’re brave enough to get in, you won’t regret it! The view of Forillon National Park only adds to the charm of this location. And if you’re lucky, you may even spot crabs or seals. This beach is well worth a visit : it’s considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the region!

• Foodie stop: The Marché des Saveurs Gaspésiennes gourmet shop in Gaspé is the best place in the area to purchase a wide range of food items made in Québec. You’ll find everything you need for your picnic here!

Parc de la Pointe-Taylor in New Richmond

For a memorable picnic, stop at Parc de la Pointe-Taylor! This park has so much to offer: a bike path that will take you along the shore or through the trees, swings where you can sit to admire the sunset, beaches where you can go for a swim, a wharf where you can dip your toes in the water as well as boat rentals. You may even want to stretch out your picnic break by spending part of your day in this enchanting spot along the shores of Chaleur Bay!

• Foodie stop: In Saint-Siméon-de-Bonaventure, Ferme Bourdages Tradition is a great place to stop to pick up picnic items. You’ll find a wide range of products made with strawberries at this farm, including jams, pies and even alcoholic beverages! They also sell fresh produce, cheese and various takeout items.

So now all you need to do is pack your blanket and picnic basket and hit the road: the treasures of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie await you! From breathtaking panoramic views to peaceful beaches and picturesque rest areas, both of these regions are brimming with perfect places to enjoy unforgettable picnics. Embark on an adventure that will delight your eyes as much as your taste buds and let yourself be charmed by the natural beauty of these idyllic spots.