Looking for your next winter road trip? Follow our complete itinerary through the magnificent coastal landscapes of Gaspésie to (re)discover the beauty of this idyllic region under the snow! You’ll find accommodations, activities, restaurants and cafés recommendations to help you plan your next romantic getaway in the heart of the snowy Gaspésie panoramas!
In collaboration with Tourisme Gaspésie, we slow traveled around the region to soak up its magical atmosphere and its soothing natural spaces. Here are the highlights of our stay to make it easier to organize yours!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Matane
If you arrive in Matane around lunch or dinner time, stop at La Fabrique, the perfect pub for a comforting meal and local beers for all tastes, including more than 25 on tap. Whether you opt for their mussels or one of their famous burgers, it’s a must in the region!
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Then, for a relaxing night by the water, we recommend staying at Riôtel Matane, in one of their Ocean rooms or suites. The next day, you can brunch to the sound of the waves, relax around the outdoor fireplaces or dive into the hotel’s pretty indoor pool before continuing on your way.
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Haute-Gaspésie
Then head to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to try Couleur Chocolat’s delicious creations. Both inventive and inspired by the terroir, their fine chocolates have been the pride of the region since the company was founded in 2008. We particularly liked their passion fruit bar as well as the strawberry and maple bar, real delights! You’re sure to find a treat that you’ll like among their many artisanal and gourmet products.
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Then, for a good coffee, quality matcha or a tasty lunch, Chez Poisson is where you have to stop! We loved their different grilled cheeses, especially the one with homemade blueberry coulis and caramelized onions, perfectly balanced. Foodies should also stop by Atkins & Frères, a must on the gourmet tour of Gaspésie and a reference in terms of smoked fish and seafood.
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To complete your visit to Haute-Gaspésie, add a winter hike in Gaspésie National Park to your itinerary. Whether you choose the Ste-Anne Fall trail or the Lac aux Américains trail, you’ll be treated to stunning landscapes. If you spend the night in the area, there’s no better place to stay than at Panora Loges. Located directly on the water, their sublime river lodges are fully equipped and even have private spas for even more relaxing moments. This gorgeous gem is also one of our favourite accommodations in Quebec!
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Gaspé
By following Route 132 towards Gaspé, you can stop for a stroll on the Penouille Beach trail in the heart of Forillon National Park. Stretching over 4 km, this walk is accessible to all and will take you through Penouille Beach by taking a paved path and a wooden footbridge. We also suggest stopping at Haldimand Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Quebec, located less than 8 km from Gaspé. From there, you’ll have access to magnificent viewpoints of Forillon Park that are well worth the detour.
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During your visit to Gaspé and its surroundings, you’ll find several gourmet addresses to stock up on provisions. We recommend, among others, stopping at Oh les pains, a café and bakery offering delicious pastries including the best croissants and chocolatines in the region. It’s also the perfect place to warm up with a good sandwich and a hot beverage after a hike in Forillon.
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Just a few steps away, you’ll also find Bistro-Bar Le Brise Bise, a city institution since 1986, where you can enjoy a seafood meal or a classic fish and chips accompanied by a local beer. Speaking of microbreweries, we also suggest stopping by Au Frontibus to taste some of their brewed creations while enjoying a view of the water. On our side, we particularly liked their IPA as well as their blonde beer made with mushrooms harvested in Gaspésie.
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The Gaspé Peninsula is also full of excellent distilleries, including O’Dwyer, which showcases local ingredients. You won’t go wrong trying their products, including their classic Radoune gin, made from four wild mushrooms, or the Darmouth, a unique amaretto made with local herbs and plants such as lichen, moss and raspberry.
Percé
Perfectly located between Gaspé and Percé, Nordet is an eco-friendly and cozy accommodation that will certainly appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. In our case, we opted for the studio, equipped with a full kitchen and a complete bathroom as well as a comfortable queen bed and a gorgeous view of the sea.
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It’s also at Nordet that you’ll find Thuya Spa, the first Nordic spa on the Gaspé Peninsula! With hot and cold baths, a hammam, a sauna as well as outdoor and indoor relaxation areas, it’s the perfect place to relax with your SO.
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Just like the accommodation, Thuya Spa follows eco-responsible practices, including the use of bromine rather than chlorine and cedar pools rather than concrete, giving it an even warmer look at the same time.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Surrounded by nature, Nordet’s environment is blessed with a rich biodiversity that you can easily explore on snowshoes or on foot during the winter. The walk to the Tourbière is one of the highlights of our getaway, as is the hike along Pointe Verte’s trails, where you’ll discover a magnificient coastal forest, also very important for nature conservation.
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Offering exceptional views of the St. Lawrence, you can also observe seabirds, seals and enjoy breathtaking landscapes of the Rocher Percé, another nice surprise of this idyllic hike. Whether for its comfort, its magnificent spa or its spectacular natural spaces, Nordet must absolutely be on the itinerary of your winter getaway in Gaspésie.
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Once you arrive in Percé, it’s impossible not to be charmed by Nath & Compagnie café-bookstore, the ideal place to read while enjoying a hot beverage and pastries. We absolutely loved their matcha latte (one of the best we’ve ever had) and their cortado, as well as the atmosphere and cozy decor! A real gem to visit in Percé! The owners also have a gourmet restaurant a few steps away, Maison Black Whale, where you can enjoy creative dishes showcasing gaspesian cuisine.
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We also recommend that you take advantage of your time in Percé to stroll through the city’s historical circuit. This audio-guided walking tour, which includes more than 35 places of interest, will allow you to learn more about the city’s past while enjoying its iconic landscapes under the snow. Among the highlights of the circuit, Promenade de la Grave will give you the opportunity to admire the famous Rocher Percé from all angles.
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If you want to extend your walks along the water, Coin-du-Banc beach is another place to remember to enjoy the sea breeze during your next stay in Gaspésie.
Baie-des-Chaleurs
A true institution of Baie-des-Chaleurs, you absolutely must stop by the Brûlerie du Quai during your winter road trip in Gaspésie. As they’re master roasters, you’ll have the opportunity to taste high-quality coffees, carefully prepared to give you energy before hitting the road again. We also suggest tasting the delicious chocolate confections from Chaleur B, available directly on site, for a little sweet break.
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A few minutes’ walk away, you can enjoy a nice sea view during a walk to Pointe Tracadigash and admire the Carleton-sur-Mer Lighthouse. It’s also an excellent place to admire stunning gaspesian sunsets.
For a bite to eat during your getaway to Baie-des-Chaleurs, we recommend a stop at Auberge du Marchand restaurant. Offering a menu that changes according to the seasons and the chefs’ inspirations, you can taste delicious comfort food like a 3-way squash risotto or the candied cod fillet that literally melts in your mouth. In addition to being an accommodation and a restaurant, Auberge du Marchand also has a grocery section allowing you to purchase several regional specialties.
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Mitis
To end your romantic winter getaway in Gaspésie, we suggest stopping in the Mitis region. After a day of driving and seeing fabulous landscapes in the Baie-des-Chaleurs, stop at the Le Gaspésiana in Sainte-Flavie. With its ideal location along the St. Lawrence, you can wake up to the sound of the waves or have breakfast while admiring the view from their restaurant Au goût du large.
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A few minutes’ walk away, you can continue to admire the region’s beautiful panoramas from the Sainte-Flavie wharf and the promenade of Place Clément-Chouinard.
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Before heading back home, we recommend two final stops. First, the Mont-Joli fresco circuit, which will allow you to wander around more than thirty murals highlighting the history of the city and its roots.
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Finally, we suggest a spirits tasting at Distillerie Mitis. The team on site will be happy to tell you about their incredible products inspired by the Mitis River and the region’s terroir. Among their products, we recommend their Frimas vodka flavored with sea buckthorn fruits as well as Entaille, a maple liqueur that will become your new favorite go-to for your festive coffees.
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This was our third trip to Gaspésie, but our first during winter and certainly not the last, as we were struck by the landscapes’ beauty and their soothing atmosphere! If Gaspésie wasn’t already on your winter bucket list, we hope we’ve made you want to explore this sublime area differently during the low season.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
*This article was written following a press trip with Tourisme Gaspésie. It’s based on our own experience and authentic opinions.
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