Explore Québec by the sea: Beautiful by nature
Québec maritime is a country-sized territory in Eastern Québec that comprises five regions on the St. Lawrence River and its Estuary: Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Côte-Nord (Manicouagan and Duplessis) and Îles de la Madeleine. Sculptured over ages by the sea and the wind, the landscapes are simply stunning.
Dotted with a myriad of picturesque villages, crowned with Appalachian summits on the south side and by the Canadian Shield on the north side, it is a region of contrasting landscapes where 9, and soon to be 10, national parks showcasing all of its natural treasures.
Panoramic Routes to Discover
The Gaspésie Tour runs through the Bas-Saint-Laurent region before going all the way around the Gaspé Peninsula ─ a breathtaking seaside journey!
On the north shore, the Whale Route follows the St. Lawrence River from Tadoussac to the Labrador border ─ it is one of the world’s best whale-sighting regions!
The Îles de la Madeleine are a true haven of peace in the Gulf ─ here, living is an art form!
Explore Québec Maritime in a different manner:
For cyclists, there are Route verte and Petit Témis;
The Route bleue is a marked out maritime “road” that runs in all the regions; there are convenient launch facilities for small boats and plenty of camping sites along the coasts.
The International Appalachian Trails, the National Trail and the network of national park trails can meet the expectations of any category of hiker.
A Timeless Love Story
As early as the start of the 19th century, vacationers fell under the spell of Québec Maritime. Famous Canadians, among them Prime Ministers Sir John A. Macdonald and Louis St. Laurent, and the Molson, Reford, Price and McCormick families have all vacationed in one region or the other, enjoying a wonderful quality of life in the midst of an exuberant nature.
This quality of life endures. Last fall, the National Geographic Traveler listed the Gaspésie as one of “50 places of a lifetime” and in third place among 133 iconic places: “in excellent shape, relatively unspoiled, and likely to remain so.” In addition, eight villages are members of Québec’s Association of the Most Beautiful Villages. The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club’s listings includes two worthy members from Québec Maritime: Baie de Tadoussac and Baie des Chaleurs.
Without fail, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Côte-Nord (Manicouagan and Duplessis) and Îles de la Madeleine will fill their promise of a bountiful nature and of a rich culture inherited from Acadian, Irish, French, Scottish and Innu ancestors. Take a deep breath of vivifying sea air and enjoy the warmth of welcoming maritime people.
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