Vacation In Gaspesie
More and more people are discovering the magic of Gaspesie, an eastern region of Québec, Canada with cascading mountains, pristine lakes and rivers, and a seaside dotted with small fishing villages. Handsome stone cottages and boutiques-filled streets make this an unforgettable place to spend a summer holiday.
Have you ever wondered about what vacationing in Gaspesie is like? I bet a lot of you have. It is my contention that most people haven’t heard of this destination, but should know about it. Gaspesie is a region in Quebec, and in Canada for that matter. It is on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and includes some of Eastern Ontario’s most beautiful beach spots, as well as Gatineau Park and the Laurentian Mountains.
Gaspesie, part of the province of Quebec, is an ideal vacation spot in Canada. Aside from a relaxing environment and hospitable people, small villages and large cities alike offer a wide range of things to do during your stay.
Gaspesie is one of the many regions of Quebec. It is located in the Lower St Lawrence, the Gaspé Peninsula and the Appalachians. It is known for its hotels and accommodations, adventure tourism, and winter sports. These types of tourism are flourishing because of everything it has to offer.
A Gaspe road trip is one of the ultimate Canadian vacations you can take in your lifetime. The Gaspe Peninsula is teeming with natural wonders and outdoor adventures, including an abundance of wildlife sightings. A road trip of Gaspesie, Quebec will create many amazing travel memories that you’ll be thinking about for years to come.
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Justin and I took a Gaspe road trip for seven days, which was enough time to visit Tadoussac and the entire Gaspe Peninsula. It’s possible to spend weeks in Gaspesie and not see everything. With one week in Gaspesie, we managed to explore a national park, visit many lighthouses, take a whale watching zodiac tour, go sea kayaking alongside curious seals, go hiking, and so much more.
Here is a brief rundown of the destinations that you’ll visit on this road trip of the Gaspe Peninsula, driving roundtrip from Quebec City. We start the trip in Tadoussac, which technically is not part of Gaspesie, but is a must visit place nevertheless. Then, we take the ferry across to the Gaspe Peninsula to make a full circle of Gaspesie. While there are many stops along the way, here are some highlights:
- Tadoussac and Saguenay-Saint-Laurent Marine Park
- The Lighthouse Trail
- Forillon National Park
- Percé
- Bonaventure Island
- Matapedia Valley
Gaspe Road Trip Map and Itinerary
This handy Gaspe road trip map will help you plan your journey. You can access the map here. Feel free to save it to your Google account and reference it when you’re plotting out your trip. I’ve added every road side stop, hotel, restaurant, cafe, attraction and activity to this map. Read about each stop in more detail in this travel blog post.
Getting Around the Gaspé Peninsula
There are a couple of ways to get to Gaspesie. Many people drive from parts of Canada and the USA to the Gaspe Peninsula, even if it takes several hours to get to the first stop. Justin and I flew from Toronto to Quebec City. Then, we picked up a rental car at the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport. Find the best rates on flights to Quebec City with Skyscanner.
If you’re flying and picking up a rental car, I recommend comparing the prices online ahead of time to make sure you get the best deal. We love booking our rental cars through Discover Cars and always find the best prices. Compare car rental prices here.
Gaspe Road Trip Day 1: Quebec City to Tadoussac
You’ve arrived in Quebec City, picked up your rental car, and ready to hit the road. The drive from Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine is about three hours. When you reach Baie-Sainte-Catherine, you will take a ferry across to Tadoussac. This ferry crosses the entrance of the Saguenay Fjord, so you can expect to see some really impressive scenery.
Ferry Between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac
The ferry between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac operates all year long, 24 hours a day, and it is free to use. Drive your car straight onto the ferry for this 10 minute crossing. Enjoy the stunning views of the Saguenay fjord and the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park on the way.
The ferry makes regular crossings every 20 minutes (or every 30 minutes overnight). You don’t need to make any special plans to arrive for the ferry at a certain time, and you don’t need a ticket. Here is the ferry schedule if you’d like to see more information.
Where to Stay in Tadoussac: Hotel Tadoussac
Hotel Tadoussac is an iconic accommodation in the middle of town. It’s the most dominant building whether you’re admiring Tadoussac by land or by sea. It’s a wonderful place to call home for a couple of nights, and I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else.
Plan to stay at Hotel Tadoussac for two nights. The rooms are clean and comfortable with views overlooking Tadoussac Bay. There’s complimentary Wi-Fi and an on-site restaurant. The location can’t be beat. You can leave your car behind at the hotel and walk anywhere in town.
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Dinner at Hotel Tadoussac
After a long day of flying and driving, we stayed in at the hotel this evening. Thankfully, there’s an amazing restaurant right on site. While the restaurant caters to all diets, there are a few vegan items right on the menu that are clearly marked.