OVERVIEW

Those wanting the best views of Perce Rock should take this tour. Climb to strategic viewpoints and marvel at the surprising panoramas. Those interested in art and culture will be amazed by Perce’s vitality and diversity. Here, one may meet local artists and artisans or discover Perce’s rich historical and architectural heritage. Perce is an ideal place for shopping. Its many souvenir shops, art galleries, and handicraft boutiques offer a wide variety of local and regional crafts and products, certain to inspire a multitude of gifts ideas. stopping for a photo stop at a lovely 200 year old lodge that is a destination for those who love nature and the great outdoors; where one can enjoy a unique experience as well as take in the views, aromas and sounds of the sea. As you arrrive on the tip on the hill that will give us a peek at the town of Percé, Pic de L’Aurore is a photo stop where you can photograph Percé rock while still being in the calmness of nature. Visit the St-Michel church, one of the jewels of the architectural heritage of Percé. Made of local stones, its construction dates back to 1903. Located at the foot of Mont Sainte-Anne, in the heart of the village, its interior and exterior architecture is as beautiful as it is impressive.Drive by the town's popular attractions, such as the magestic Percé rock and Bonaventure island, the Charles robin historical buildings and the many shops and restaurants. You will Continue on to Côte Surprise for another opportunity to photograph the stunning shoreline. After spending a bit of free time exploring the town of Percé, you will board your coach for the journey back to your awaiting ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Climb to strategic viewpoints and marvel at the surprising panoramas.
• Enjoy picturesque Perce.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Comfortable Walking shoes and light jacket recommended.
• Weather appropriate attire

OVERVIEW

Cruise to Perce Rock and around Bonaventure Island to see its northern gannet colony and then explore Perce on your own. I’lle-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Perce National Park is an enchanting site, sculpted by time and the sea at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula. The park was created to protect the large migratory bird sanctuary, as well as nearby Perce Rock. This rocky bastion is a prolongation of the Appalachian Mountains extending into the waters of the Gulf of the St. Lawrence and has for its fortress Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock. Bonaventure Island is home to approximately 200,000 sea birds, including the island’s large colony of 120,000 northern gannets. Perce Rock, one of the world’s largest and most spectacular natural arches. It is a mass of rock and limestone over 1,400 feet /433 meters long and over 288 feet/88 meters at its highest point. The rock is a nesting place for cormorants, kittiwakes, and seagulls.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to Perce Rock and around Bonaventure Island.
• Explore Perce on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Comfortable Walking shoes and light jacket recommended.
• Weather appropriate attire.

OVERVIEW

Ride an electric bike along the inspiring Gaspé Bay waterfront and take in the gorgeous views throughout the journey. Traveling by e-bike couldn’t be easier because its battery-powered, whisper-quiet motor makes pedaling a breeze, allowing you to go farther with less effort. You will experience that firsthand by zipping along the Gaspé Peninsula on a mostly paved and relatively flat bike path. The roundtrip route is about 12 miles long, all of it wonderfully scenic. During stops, the guide will point out and describe highlights such as the breathtaking sea cliffs, sheltered coves and Forillon National Park, which blankets much of the forested peninsula across the bay. Once you reach the halfway point at Haldiman Beach, you can spend free time exploring this lengthy stretch of golden sand. Birds are prevalent, so keep an eye out for great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, and black-legged kittiwakes, all of which are commonly spotted.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip along beautiful Gaspé Bay on an e-bike that makes pedaling easier.
• Stop at scenic outlooks to admire the sea cliffs and secluded coves.
• Enjoy free time on pristine Haldiman Beach, the halfway point.
• Opt to let the electric motor power the pedaling for the entire 12-mile route.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a spectacularly scenic drive along the northern shore of the Gaspé Peninsula to the historical Pointe-à-la Renommée lighthouse. To prevent shipwrecks, which commonly occurred on the St. Lawrence Seaway, a wooden lighthouse was erected on the site in 1880. A more durable cast-iron lighthouse replaced it a few decades later and as you will discover it still stands today. To further safeguard ships, the Marconi Company – founded by Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi – built North America’s first telegraph station there to transmit wireless signals to save lives at sea. You will learn about Marconi, some of the maritime rescues and the history of the site through interactive exhibitions in the lighthouse. If you climb to the top of the beacon, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Later, you will enjoy a slice of freshly baked sugar pie, a classic Québécois dessert.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the coastal scenery on the drive to and from the Pointe-à-la Renommée lighthouse.
• Browse exhibitions that describe the historical importance of the lighthouse.
• Learn how the telegraph station built on the site saved countless lives and ships from disaster.
• Savor a slice of sugar pie, a favorite local dessert.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Zip along the coast of the forested Forillon Peninsula in a high-speed Zodiac boat and look for wildlife in the nutrient-rich waters. The open-air Zodiac is fast, stable, and able to navigate through areas other vessels can’t, so it is ideal for an adventurous cruise. Numerous species of whales live in the surrounding Gulf of Lawrence, including the blue whale, the world’s largest animal. If you spot one surfacing to exhale, it will be quite the spectacle as the spray from its blowhole can shoot 30 feet into the air. Humpback whales are also commonly seen acrobatically breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might encounter white-sided dolphins as well, a streamlined easy-to-identify cetacean with a very small beak. To enhance the experience, you will learn about the local ecology, geology and history, making for an enlightening adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race through the Gulf of Lawrence in an open-air Zodiac boat that holds just 12 passengers.
• Look for various species of whales and other marine life breaching the water’s surface.
• Learn the distinguishing characteristics and behaviors of the whales that you may spot.
• Hear fascinating facts about the local ecology and why the gulf is ideal for whale-watching.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Perched atop steep cliffs, Gaspe and Perce are breathtakingly beautiful, and the bus ride that joins the two cities is an unforgettable experience. As the bus winds slowly along the more than 62 miles (100 km) of rugged cliffs and past sweeping bays, travelers can admire the most extraordinary panoramas in Eastern Canada. The Bay of Gaspe, the cliffs of Forillon National Park, the Barachois de Malbaie (sandbar), the unique precipices along the coast in Perce and of course, its legendary rock, offer an unending feast for the eyes. This fascinating site has attracted visitors since the 1930s, when it became a popular cultural center. Artists were attracted and charmed by the colorful fishermen and the incredible beauty of the site. Over the years, Perce has acquired an enviable position within the tourism industry of the province of Quebec, being accurately described as the tourism capital of the Gaspesie region. With its magnificent landscapes and diverse activities, Perce lures ecotourism enthusiasts as well as admirers of art and culture. Perce and its surroundings inspire energy and wonder. Climb to strategic viewpoints and marvel at the surprising panoramas. Those interested in art and culture will be amazed by Perce’s vitality and diversity. Here, one may meet local artists and artisans or discover Perce’s rich historical and architectural heritage. Perce is an ideal place for shopping. Its many souvenir shops, art galleries and handicraft boutiques offer a wide variety of local and regional crafts and products, certain to inspire a multitude of gifts ideas.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the most extraordinary panoramas of Bay of Gaspe.
• Climb to strategic viewpoints and marvel at the surprising panoramas.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Comfortable Walking shoes and light jacket recommended.
• Weather appropriate attire.

OVERVIEW

Experience an exciting and informative whale-watching excursion! Perched atop steep cliffs, Forillon National Park is breathtakingly beautiful. As the bus winds slowly along the more than 62 miles (100 kms) of rugged cliffs and past sweeping bays, travelers can admire the most extraordinary panoramas in Eastern Canada. The Bay of Gaspe, the cliffs of Forillon National Park, offer an unending feast for the eyes. The waters of the Bay of Gaspe and the Gulf of the St. Lawrence are home to eight different whale species. Aboard a solid bottom zodiac, accompanied by a guide, guests may observe these giant mammals and learn about the environment in which they live. Depending on the season and the food available, the following species may be observed in the Gaspe-Perce area: blue whales (the largest mammals in the world), spectacular humpback whales, as well as fin whales, minke whales, white-sided dolphins, harbor porpoises and seals.

HIGHLIGHTS

HELPFUL HINTS

• Comfortable Walking shoes and light jacket recommended.
• Weather appropriate attire.

OVERVIEW

Explore Gaspe, its surroundings, and magnificent Forillon National Park. The town is unique, covering 606 square miles (975 square km), with 93 miles (150 km) of coastline exposed to the sea! Wherever one is in Gaspe, water – either fresh or salty – is never far away. The deep, coastal indentation is the Bay of Gaspe, a magnificent body of water sheltered by the surrounding mountains. Edged by stretches of beaches, the bay is enjoyed by swimmers, boaters, and water sports enthusiasts. A visit to Forillon National Park is an exceptional experience. The tip of the park, which was declared a Canadian National Park to preserve the wild beauty of its coast. The park also bears witness to the important cultural and historical heritage by the mark humans have left. You can explore Fort Peninsule, an old lookout and vestige of the Second World War and go back in time to when this area was bustling with economic activity with a visit to the Manoir Le Boutillier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover magnificent Gaspe and its surroundings.
• Explore Fort Peninsule, an old lookout and vestige of the Second World War

HELPFUL HINTS

• Comfortable Walking shoes and light jacket recommended.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover Gaspe's rich history on foot. Gespeg, in the native tongue of the Amerindian Mi'gmaq, means 'Land’s End' and yet, Gaspe is usually associated with the beginning of western history in North America. A highly diverse cultural mosaic, Gaspe encompasses myriad landscapes and is home to people of many origins. The landscape and daily life in each sector of the Greater Gaspe have their own unique character and color. The deep, coastal indentation is Gaspe Bay – a magnificent body of water sheltered by the surrounding mountains. Edged by stretches of sandy or pebble beaches, the bay becomes the gathering place for swimmers, boaters and those who enjoy other water sports. Following the example set by the St. Malo explorer, the Gaspe heritage walk gives you the opportunity to learn more about and appreciate the Gaspe’s historical and cultural heritage by showing you the architecture and commemorative art that speak of the past. Travel through time and rediscover Gaspe as these sites whisper their tales of the time Native peoples first inhabited the region and the moment Jacques Cartier laid claim to the land. The building also holds a historic and artistic heritage that is unique on the Gaspe Peninsula. Located across from the Christ-Roi Cathedral, this celebrated 33-feet (10-meter) granite monolith symbolizes the events of 1534 when Jacques Cartier took possession of the territory for the King of France. Enjoy your walk!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover Gaspe's rich history on foot.
• Enjoy Gaspe Bay – a magnificent body of water sheltered by the surrounding mountains.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Comfortable Walking shoes and light jacket recommended.
• Weather appropriate attire.

OVERVIEW

Embark on a journey to Forillon National Park, where nature's wonders await to be discovered. Nestled at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula, Forillon National Park stands as a testament to Canada's commitment to preserving its pristine coastal beauty. Here, time seems to stand still as you encounter geological formations dating back a staggering 450 million years. Spanning over 244 square kilometers, this natural sanctuary is a tapestry of rugged cliffs, tranquil coves, sandy beaches, and towering mountains, all harmoniously sculpted by the elements. As you explore, you'll encounter distinct rock formations, each telling a story of millennia-old transformations. The park's diverse ecosystem teems with life, from colonies of seabirds soaring overhead to elusive arctic-alpine plants clinging to the rocky terrain. But Forillon is not only a sanctuary of nature; it's also a living museum of human history.For a coastal adventure like no other, follow the Du Banc Trail, tracing the shoreline as it winds towards the majestic Forillon cliffs and the iconic Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse. Pause to reflect at the Irish Memorial, a poignant reminder of the lives lost at sea in 1847. Along the way, amenities such as restrooms, observation towers, and picnic areas ensure a comfortable and memorable journey.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn about Gaspesie’s past on informative walking tour.
• Weather appropriate attire.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Comfortable Walking shoes and light jacket recommended.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.