Home to two national parks, fascinating wildlife species and a rich historical and cultural heritage, the Gaspé and Percé areas at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula are well worth visiting for a few days. Both towns and their surrounding areas offer a multitude of activities to enjoy and attractions to discover, including the impressive Forillon cliffs in Gaspé and the region’s most iconic natural landmark, Percé Rock, in Percé. Here are five good reasons to visit the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula during your next vacation in Québec!

1. Observe a wide variety of wildlife species

Both the Gaspé and Percé areas offer many opportunities to observe wildlife species in their natural habitats, including marine mammals, thousands of birds and even moose! While you may be lucky enough to encounter porcupines, moose or black bears along hiking trails, particularly in Forillon National Park, you can also participate in wildlife-watching activities. In Percé, you’ll want to go on a boat trip with Les Bateliers de Percé or Croisières Julien Cloutier to visit Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, which is home to the world’s most accessible northern gannet colony, found on Bonaventure Island. You may even spot marine mammals during your trip! To admire the great whales found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, head to Gaspé for a guided excursion with Croisières Baie de Gaspé or Cap Aventure. The latter also offers sea kayaking excursions to see the seals.

2. Admire the scenery from another angle during sea activities

In addition to seal-watching excursions, Cap Aventure also offers other types of sea kayaking outings to discover Forillon from the water. You can also go sea kayaking in the Percé area: Le Nordet offers guided excursions ranging from 2 hours to 3 days while Camp de Base Gaspésie offers a 4-hour expedition. You can also go stand-up paddleboarding at Camp de Base Gaspésie: you won’t want to miss their sunset excursion! From the surface of the water, you can admire the scenery at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula from a completely different perspective. If you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush, head to Griffon Aventure for a canyoning activity on a course forged over thousands of years!

3. Hike through spectacular landscapes

Offering a network of trails through the forest and along the sea, Forillon National Park provides a vast natural playground for hiking enthusiasts of all levels. Beginners will want to walk the La Taïga trail on the Penouille sandspit or the boardwalk starting from the Visitor Information and Discovery Centre in the park’s North Area. If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, you can take on the Mont-Saint-Alban or Les Crêtes trail, to name only a few of your options: since the park boasts 125 km (75 mi.) of trails, you’ll have many more to choose from! In the Percé area, explore the 18-km (11-mi.) trail network in the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark to discover 23 geosites—be sure to stop at the various lookouts along the way to admire the surrounding scenery. One view you won’t want to miss is from the geopark’s suspended glass platform, which juts out from the side of a cliff 200 metres (660 feet) above the town! In addition, Bonaventure Island, which is part of the territory covered by the geopark, offers four trails that will take you through meadows, fields and wooded areas and will provide access to amazing views of the sea as well as the famous northern gannet colony.

4. Dive into local history

History buffs are also in for a treat since the Gaspé and Percé areas are home to many heritage and interpretation sites. The Birthplace of Canada invites you to discover the village of Gaspé as it was in 1900 by visiting reconstructed buildings brought to life by interpreters in period costume. If you’re interested in the history of cod fishing, stop at Manoir Le Boutillier, a mansion once owned by John Le Boutillier, a major cod importer, who used it as a residence and office. You can also learn more about the history of this fishery at Grande-Grave and on Bonaventure Island. Are you curious about the daily lives of today’s fishers? Enjoy the brand-new 4D experience offered by Cap au Large: an immersive film accompanied by fun multimedia effects, including moving seats, wind and drizzle! To find out more about the fascinating Mi’gmaq culture, visit the Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll learn all about the Mi’gmaq occupation of this region as well as the history and culture of this First Nation. Finally, you can admire or visit several lighthouses at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula including the Cap-Gaspé Lighthouse, Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse and Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse (where you can also discover the history of North America’s first maritime radio station).

5. Savour the flavours of the sea

After a day of cultural or outdoor activities, foodies will be delighted by the many restaurants in the Gaspé and Percé areas. Since fishing is one of the most important economic activities in this corner of the world, you can expect to find dishes made with the freshest fish and seafood on nearly every menu. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy lobster or other regional specialties at La Maison du Pêcheur, a seafood restaurant by the water that offers breathtaking views of Percé Rock. Be sure to book your table in advance!

As a bonus…

Both the Gaspé and Percé areas are bustling with activity and host several events throughout the year, including Festival Musique du Bout du Monde, which is sure to please music lovers, and Événements Gaspesia, which offers a series of racing events that are bound to delight sports enthusiasts!

So, what do you think? Will you include the Gaspé and Percé areas in your road trip along the Bas-Saint-Laurent – Gaspésie Tour? Plan your stay and book your accommodations now!