Road Trip to the Gaspé Peninsula to Uncover the Best of Seaside Québec

Connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Lawrence River is a powerful source of North American history and heritage. In Québec, it also signals a special kind of magic. Flowing through Montréal and slowly opening up towards the sea, the St. Lawrence traces a journey into the region’s beating maritime heart. Travellers who follow the river east are rewarded with a rare view of the province — one filled with endlessly photographable shores, deliciously inviting Québecois towns, and quintessential seaside charm.

Along Québec’s impressive peninsula — from a drive to remember through Centre-du-Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches, and Bas-Saint-Laurent to activity-rich Gaspésie and the inviting twin towns of Gaspé and Percé — this coastal odyssey promises unexpected experiences at every turn. If you haven’t uncovered the Peninsula Path, you haven’t truly explored Québec.

Centre-du-Québec: Riverside charm and culinary delights

Moulin Michel de Gentilly, Centre-du-Québec. Photo: Phil Têtu

Camping Cap à la roche, Centre-du-Québec. Photo: Stéphanie Allard

Chaudières-Appalaches. Photo: Croisières AML / Nova Film

Once you’re able to pull yourself away from Montréal’s urban delights, Québec’s best peninsular adventures begin along the Route des Navigateurs, a breathtaking road through the Centre-du-Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches, and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions. The first leg is the gateway to the St. Lawrence seaway. Scenic Route 132 hugs the river’s shores, introducing travellers to cultural vibrancy in the form of museums, galleries, landmarks, and maritime excursions, not to mention bursts of gastronomy.

Along the route, roadside stands peddle fresh produce and specialties like artisanal cheeses and smoked seafood. When you’re not gorging on just-off-the-vine berries, stop at casse-croûtes (Québecois diners) for quick but hearty bites that’ll leave you ready to hunker down for the night. That’s one of the great joys of the Route des Navigateurs: finding memorable lodging like riverside domes and rustic yurts where you can retreat beneath the starry skies — after catching picture-perfect sunsets on the St. Lawrence, of course.

There are countless places to stop and enjoy the river on Route 132. See how many you can hit as you make your way towards Bas-Saint-Laurent. To actually get out on the water, consider a morning cruise to historic Grosse-Île, a lovely island and a spot to explore more of Québec’s heritage.

Bas-Saint-Laurent: Tides, trails, and tastes

Kamouraska, Bas-Saint-Laurent. Photo: M. Dupuis

Parc national du Bic, Bas-Saint-Laurent. Photo: A. Kismic

Canyon des Portes de l'Enfer, Bas-Saint-Laurent. Photo: Julien Gadbois

Continuing east along the peninsula, Bas-Saint-Laurent greets travellers with a landscape that’s pleasantly mellow in both its beauty and temperament. Food and culture lovers have no shortage of options here — the region is filled with local delicacies. You’ll find many of them in Kamouraska, one of the most beautiful villages in the province, with an idyllic main street and postcard-perfect 19th-century homes. For a taste of local products and culinary heritage, Côté Est is a renowned bistro that artfully showcases the region’s unique culinary identity, from sea to forest, through original discovery packages that highlight local products: seafood and fish from the St. Lawrence, regional meats, vegetables from market gardeners, and natural wines.

Another Bas-Saint-Laurent highlight is Parc national du Bic, where you can get the lay of the land from breathtaking panoramas at the Raoul-Roy Lookout or via paddling routes along the St. Lawrence’s secluded coves. Sleeping under the stars in a ready-to-camp yurt or cozy cabin is a popular choice for immersing yourself in the serene natural habitat.

Make sure to head inland to check out Terfa’s “Gates of Hell” — a plummeting canyon that gives way to exceptional hiking and a particularly memorable viewpoint from the province’s highest suspended footbridge. Or, try scouting for moose and other wildlife at nearby Duchénier Wildlife Reserve.

La Haute-Gaspésie and Matapédia: Between cliffs and clouds

Route 132, La Haute-Gaspésie. Photo: S. St-Jean

Nature Aventure, Matapédia Valley. Photo: C. Binette

La Vallée de la Framboise, Matapédia Valley. Photo: ÉCONOMUSÉE®

Entering La Haute-Gaspésie, the already striking landscape takes a turn for the dramatic. Cliffs appear on the horizon — towering rock formations that fall into the ever-widening river — while lighthouses and seaside homes dot the vista.

This area is a utopia for nature lovers, flanked by the St. Lawrence on one side and the forested peaks of the Chic-Choc Mountains on the other. Spend any amount of time hiking in Parc national de la Gaspésie and you’ll see what we mean. To make the most of your time here, there are campsites and cabins inside the park (plus the Gîte du Mont-Albert hotel for a four-star stay). Nearby, ample inns and bed and breakfasts add to the overall charm.

Make good use of your wheels to see what other outdoor adventures await in the Matapédia Valley, such as Nature Aventure, where you can pursue a full range of activities like canoeing, wildlife viewing, and even snorkeling with salmon. Guided or multi-day excursions dive deep into the 10 rivers (and then some) that punctuate this pristine pocket of wilderness.

For a gentler outing in the valley that rewards with some of the region’s sweetest flavours, La Vallée de la Framboise (aka raspberry central) beckons. Celebrate all things juicy by harvesting fruit, sampling products like jams and pies, and touring the on-site distillery for an inside look at how its trademark raspberry liqueur is made.

Gaspé and Percé: Icons, islands, and ocean encounters

Percé, Gaspésie. Photo: S. St-Jean

Photo: Camp de Base Gaspésie

Perched at the peninsula’s tip, looking out towards the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean beyond, the iconic towns of Gaspé and Percé are the embodiment of Québec’s coastal life. Days here are powered by seafood and salty breezes as you relish the small-town atmosphere.

Strolling the streets of Gaspé, you’re reminded that this is where explorer Jacques Cartier first planted a wooden cross in the name of France in 1534, unofficially bestowing Gaspé with the title of “the birthplace of Canada.” Nearby Forillon National Park’s draws take the shape of epic hikes and wildlife sightings. Let the folks at Cap Aventure, an adventure company based in Forillon, organize a sea kayaking excursion where you’ll enjoy the panoramas while paddling among seals and seabirds. Another option is to look for whales by boat on a Gaspé Bay Cruises outing.

A bit farther down the coast, the views in Percé will stop you in your tracks — the famous Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island cast an epic picture just off the coast. Outdoor options also continue on this leg of the Peninsula Path, with two national parks begging to be visited. At Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, thousands of northern gannet birds fill the skies, and boat tours around Percé Rock provide unobstructed photo opportunities.

For an exploration hub near Percé, Camp de Base Gaspésie delivers cozy accommodations (waterfront chalets, anyone?) and even more outdoor adventures (think biking, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing) if you can tear yourself away from the gourmet bistro on site.

Few simple acts are as soul-restoring as gulping fresh sea air. In these regions of Québec, your access is unlimited. From its awe-inspiring scenery and maritime heritage to its windows into French-Canadian coastal culture, a journey through peninsular Québec will have you slowing down, soaking up your surroundings, and realising you’d be hard-pressed to find a more revitalising coastal road trip anywhere.