Positioned at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula, Gaspe overlooks the Gulf of St Lawrence and is an outdoor lover’s paradise thanks to nearby Forillon National Park, flower-strewn fields and picturesque beaches backed by dramatic cliffs. The cosy city also has a main shopping and dining strip, along with historic structures, a local museum and cultural festivals.
Things to do in Gaspé
Experience some of Canada’s best coastal scenery at Forillon National Park, where you can learn more about natural life through interpretation sites and enter an underground tunnel to see an ancient cannon. Keep an eye out for native wildlife, such as whales, seals, red foxes, black bears and moose.
Need a beach break? Head to one of the sandy beaches on the Gaspe Peninsula, such as Haldimand Beach, where you can go fishing, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. Don’t miss seeing the Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse, a well-preserved lighthouse where you can learn about the former keepers and maritime radiotelegraphy.
Stroll down Rue de la Reine, Gaspe’s main shopping and dining strip where cocktail bars and waterside restaurants sit alongside jewellers and fashion boutiques. Duck into Bar La Voute for cocktails and live music or enjoy cold beer and hearty pub food at Brise Bise. You can also shop for unique jewellery at Bijouterie Joncas Enr or clothing and toys in the Place Jacques Cartier shopping mall.
Discover more about the local history at the Musée de la Gaspésie, which features ancient indigenous tools and weapons, along with model ships and stone carvings. Alternatively, you can tour a recreated tribal village while learning about the region’s ancient history at Site d'Interprétation micmac de Gespeg.
Getting around Gaspé
Gaspe is about a 10-minute drive from Michel-Pouliot Gaspé Airport, which has flights to Quebec City and Montreal. It is also serviced by VIA Rail trains and the Orléans Express intercity bus. You can walk around most of the city or use a hire car to venture further afield.