Gaspé & Forillon

A small town and Forillon National Park at the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, with the Land's End headland trail, Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse, the historic fishing village of Grande-Grave, and whales and seals to spot.

Gaspé lies at the eastern tip of Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula, where French navigator Jacques Cartier landed in North America in 1534 – earning it the title "Cradle of Canada". The town itself is small, with the Musée de la Gaspésie and a wooden cathedral. The main attraction is Forillon National Park, northeast of town: the Land's End trail leads to the Cap Gaspé Lighthouse, Cap Bon-Ami and Mont Saint-Alban overlook sea cliffs and the bay, Grande-Grave preserves a 19th-century fishing village, and the Penouille sand spit on the north shore is great for families to paddle. In summer, whale-watching cruises from the Grande-Grave wharf regularly see humpback whales, along with seals and seabirds along the way. The best time to visit is Jun–Sep; fall colours peak from late September to early October, and most facilities close in winter. You can fly into Gaspé Airport (connecting via Montreal or Quebec City), but most visitors drive the loop around the peninsula on Route 132, about 9–10 hours from Quebec City. Plan to stay 2–3 days, easily combined with Percé Rock, about an hour's drive south. A Parks Canada pass is required for the park; it's windy and cool by the sea, so bring a jacket even in summer.

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