History and culture buffs will find a multitude of attractions in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Côte-Nord and the Îles de la Madeleine to satisfy their thirst for knowledge. Are you planning a road trip in Eastern Québec? Here are five activities we suggest you include on your itinerary.

Fort Ingall

A glimpse of what awaits you
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the 19th century in the company of British soldiers by visiting the Fort Ingall interpretation site. This authentic reconstruction of a campaign fortress built in Témiscouata in 1839 gives you the opportunity to learn all about a border conflict between Canada and the United States at that time. In addition to visiting the exhibitions with interpreter guides dressed in period military uniforms (or with the new audio guide), you can also watch musket- and cannon-firing demonstrations. If you’re over 18 years old, you can even try to fire a musket or cannon yourself. Learn how to handle a Brown Bess safely before you fire it and/or feel the shockwaves of firing a cannon!

Where to go
The fort is located in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, in the Témiscouata area (Bas-Saint-Laurent).

When to go
The site is open from late May to mid-October, but to see the soldiers and enjoy this experience to the fullest, you’ll need to plan to be there between June 24 and early September.

Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site

A glimpse of what awaits you
The Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site offered several attractions steeped in history. You can visit the Empress of Ireland Museum, which traces the tragic fate of this famous ocean liner that sank in 1914 and was rediscovered in 1964. New artefacts will be added to the exhibition in 2023, highlighting a less documented period, that of the dives to the wreck in the summer of 1914. You can also go on an audio-guided tour of the Onondaga submarine (in English, French or Spanish) and enjoy an interactive exhibition, The Superpowers of the Onondaga, both of which allow you to discover life on board this 90-metre (300-foot) behemoth as well as the complex mechanics of the ship. Finally, you can climb the second tallest lighthouse in Québec and enjoy a new interactive game focused on the surrounding maritime landscape in the lightkeeper’s house.

Where to go
The Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site is located along the water in Rimouski (Bas-Saint-Laurent).

When to go
The site is open for the whole tourist season, but you’ll want to take advantage of the quieter months of June, September and October to tour the submarine and climb the lighthouse. The Empress of Ireland Museum is open from February to November, so you may also want to visit later in the fall or even earlier in the spring.

Petite-Vallée Song Festival

A glimpse of what awaits you
The Petite-Vallée Song Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023! To mark the occasion, about 60 francophone and Indigenous musicians or bands will perform during this event, which means you could attend seven or eight shows every day! In addition to showcasing Québec songs and artists, this festival is a unique opportunity to experience friendly artistic encounters in an enchanting setting along the St. Lawrence. But that’s not all! In Petite-Vallée, the festivities last all summer long! Thus, in addition to the programming related to the song festival, the Théâtre de la Vieille Forge hosts various performances in its café venue throughout the summer: music, theatre and comedy are all on the agenda!

Where to go
The festival mainly takes place at the Théâtre de la Vieille Forge in Petite-Vallée (Gaspésie). Some shows happen in other local venues, including a fishing warehouse, the Grande-Vallée church and even a shaputuan, a large tent traditionally used by the Innu people as a gathering place.

When to go
The 40th edition of the festival will take place from July 28 to August 5, 2023. If you can’t be there at that time, you can still enjoy the atmosphere of the site by attending any of the three or four shows presented every week at the Théâtre de la Vieille Forge from June 20 to August 26, 2023.

Old Trading Post in Sept-Îles

A glimpse of what awaits you
Take a trip back in time at this interpretive site that depicts daily life in a 19th-century fur-trading post. Go on a tour of the trading post, where you’ll be greeted by guides in period costume as you soak up the atmosphere, textures and even smells of this authentic site! At the Innu encampment, discover Innu culture as well as the way of life and traditional know-how of this people. Visit the exhibitions to discover various facets of life in the trading post, the encounters between the Innu and Euro-Canadian cultures over time, a selection of artefacts as well as the history of this site, from the founding of the trading post to its reconstruction.

Where to go
The trading post is located in Sept-Îles (Côte-Nord).

When to go
The site is open all summer, until late August.

À l’Abri de la Tempête

A glimpse of what awaits you
The À l’Abri de la Tempête microbrewery welcomes you in a typical island atmosphere by the sea. Brewed using local ingredients (including wildflowers, fresh herbs and seaweed), the beers made on site are available in three ranges: the Classics (which have made this microbrewery famous), the Palabres (special beers available in limited quantities) and the Exceptional Brews (beers with an alcohol content over 11.9%). Savour them at the pub accompanied by local snacks such as smoked herring, oysters or smoked mackerel: a real treat! To learn more about the brewing process, you can watch a video available at the entrance to the microbrewery. Before you leave, be sure to visit the boutique to stock up on craft beers and purchase other souvenirs of your visit!

Where to go
The microbrewery is in L’Étang-du-Nord, on Cap aux Meules Island (Îles de la Madeleine).

When to go
The microbrewery is open year-round, but opening hours vary depending on the season. If you visit the archipelago between May and October, it’s open every day, including in the evenings!

Did these suggestions give you any ideas for your next vacation in our regions? Visit our Culture and Discoveries webpage for more activities you won’t want to miss!