Carleton-sur-Mer
A holiday town on Chaleur Bay on the Gaspé Peninsula, with views of the bay from Mont Saint-Joseph. Nearby Miguasha National Park, with its Devonian fish fossils, is a World Heritage Site.
Carleton-sur-Mer lies on the south shore of Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula, facing Chaleur Bay across from New Brunswick. It is a holiday town known for its beaches, outdoor sports and Acadian culture. Behind the town rises Mont Saint-Joseph, and a sandbar in front encloses a lagoon. The bay's water is warmer in summer than around the Saint Lawrence estuary, earning the town the title of Quebec's seaside resort.
The areas to explore are: (1) the town and sandbar, with Mont Saint-Joseph, the Carleton sandbar beach and the lighthouse; (2) to the west, about 20 km to Miguasha National Park (a fossil World Heritage Site), and about 45 km to the Battle of Restigouche historical site; (3) to the east, about 50 km to Bonaventure, with the bio park, the Acadian Museum, rafting on the Bonaventure River and the Sainte-Élisabeth caves to the north.
June–September is best for swimming, kitesurfing, cycling and hiking. Late September to early October brings beautiful autumn colours. Winters are cold, and most attractions close. Getting there: it is about 7 hours' drive from Quebec City along Route 132, which circles the Gaspé Peninsula. VIA Rail's Chaleur Bay line has been suspended for years, so check official information. A stay of 2–3 days is suggested, as a stop on a Gaspé Peninsula road trip.
Top sights
- Miguasha National Park – A World Heritage fossil site with Devonian fish fossils about 380 million years old, documenting a key step in the evolution from fish to f…
- Mont Saint-Joseph – A hilltop about 555 metres above sea level behind Carleton, home to a small stone Chapel of Our Lady of Saint Joseph, with views over Chale…
- Banc de Carleton & Pointe Tracadigash Lighthouse – A long sandbar reaching into Chaleur Bay, with a beach on one side and a lagoon on the other, topped at its tip by a red-and-white lighthou…
- Bioparc de la Gaspésie – A zoo in Bonaventure that displays native Gaspé animals such as moose, black bears and seals across five habitats of the Gaspé Peninsula.
- Bonaventure River – A salmon river famed for its crystal-clear water, where you can canoe or kayak downstream and watch the riverbed pebbles and salmon.
- Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site – A museum commemorating the 1760 naval battle of Restigouche between England and France, displaying hull remains and artefacts recovered fro…
- Musée acadien du Québec – An Acadian history museum in Bonaventure, telling how the Acadians expelled in the 18th century put down roots along Chaleur Bay.
- Grotte de Saint-Elzéar – A limestone cave on the Gaspé Peninsula. Visitors descend a ladder roped to a guide to see stalactites and the fossil remains of ancient an…
Where to eat
- Le Marin d'eau douce – A seaside restaurant open since 1999, serving Chaleur Bay fish and seafood along with Gaspé regional dishes.
- Le Naufrageur Brewpub – A pub attached to a local craft brewery, brewing a Gose with Chaleur Bay seawater and serving seafood snacks and patio…