News
Inauguration of Putep ’t-awt, a new beluga-watching site in Cacouna
The Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation is inaugurating a brand-new beluga-watching site called Putep ’t-awt, which means “beluga trail” in the Wolastoqey language. Opening in June 2024, the site, which includes a digital discovery trail, features a large observation deck that will give visitors a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence Estuary, which is an essential habitat for beluga whales. The observation site is located in an exceptional setting, on a mountain considered sacred by the Wolastoqiyik people. The mountain was used for many centuries as a gathering place and navigational aid on the way to Tadoussac, a place of exchange and trade with other First Nations. This project was born of a collaboration between the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) and the Marine Mammal Observation Network (MMON), with the purpose of protecting and studying belugas. In fact, the main goal of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Expansion Project is to protect essential beluga habitat, over 60% of which currently lies outside the park’s boundaries.
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Enjoy an immersive experience at Atikuss based on hope and Indigenous pride
Atikuss is a must-see in Côte-Nord! Located in Uashat, this economuseum will transport you into the history of the Innu people. This company, whose name comes from the words atik (“caribou”) and uss (“young,” which represents hope), specializes in making traditional mukluks, known as “Boots of Hope.” In the workshop and boutique, you will meet the passionate craftswomen who design the products handcrafted on site. Purchase your own pair of mukluks or moccasins as well as various accessories made using traditional methods, with a focus on reuse, not wasting anything and giving back to the community. Discover traditional know-how and practices that have endured and evolved over time. Self-guided or guided tours as well as creative workshops are also available on site.
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Exploramer: The Smarter Seafood program celebrates its 15th anniversary
Created in 2009 by Exploramer, the Smarter Seafood program promotes marine products from the St. Lawrence that are relatively unknown to the public and certifies Québec restaurants and fish markets committed to introducing consumers to these species. Beyond the classics like crab and lobster, the St. Lawrence abounds in other treasures to be savoured (such as algae, molluscs, sea salt, etc.)—and Smarter Seafood has been campaigning for 15 years to introduce these flavours to consumers. Next time you visit the maritime regions of Québec, keep an eye out for the Smarter Seafood logo (which is a blue fork). You can then be sure that you are supporting restaurants and fish markets that are committed to the sustainable development of the St. Lawrence!
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Le Nordet launches a new outdoor school on the Gaspé Peninsula
Located between Percé and Gaspé at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, Le Nordet is an ecotourism centre offering eco-friendly accommodations, a Nordic spa in nature, sea kayaking activities along Pointe Saint-Pierre, and a café with sea views. Deeply committed to ecotourism, this company is expanding in 2024 with the launch of an outdoor school. Accessible to all, this initiative aims to enrich the knowledge of nature enthusiasts and enable travellers to take full advantage of their visit to this area. Taught by experienced adventure guides, courses are offered year-round and cover a wide range of subjects, from outdoor cooking and forest orientation to wildcrafting, winter camping and forest survival skills. At Le Nordet, you can enjoy an experience that includes relaxation and adventure while communing with nature!
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Bubble tent village at Auberge La Salicorne
A new 5-unit bubble tent village has been added this year to the lodging options offered by La Salicorne, which already included rooms in the inn and glamping units. This affordable formula is ideal for families or groups of friends. Other new features include guided tours of the Islands to discover the history of the villages and fishing-related traditions. La Salicorne offers year-round packages that include accommodations, breakfasts and dinners featuring local flavours as well as a selection of original tours and activities.
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Vieux Loup de Mer celebrates its 25 anniversary
Over the past 25 years, Vieux Loup de Mer has expanded its offer through the acquisition and restoration of old buildings. Today, they offer accommodations in 15 restored wooden chalets, which showcase the unique and historical character and charm of various traditional Québec dwellings. Recently, the owners have also opened a gourmet area in the new reception building, which offers a variety of fresh and takeout products, depending on the time of year, in collaboration with local producers and restaurants.
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150th anniversaries of the L’Étang-du-Nord and Entry Island lighthouses
To mark the 150th anniversaries of the L’Étang-du-Nord (Borgot) and Entry Island lighthouses this year, special programming will be unveiled for the summer season on June 21, 2024. Come and immerse yourself in the lighthouses of the Îles de la Madeleine, which are proud witnesses to the Islands’ history of navigation. Both lighthouses are iconic features of the region and thus of considerable heritage value. In addition to being aids to navigation, they are reference points for fishers and pleasure boaters. They also serve as landmarks in their respective villages. The symbolic value of lighthouses as guides and beacons of light is ever present in the collective imagination of the locals.
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15th anniversary of the opening to the public of the Onondaga submarine at the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site
Located on the outskirts of Rimouski in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site takes you back to the turn of the last century during the lightkeepers’ era. Explore the Onondaga submarine, which served in the Canadian Navy from 1967 to 2000 and has been open to the public since 2009. Fifteen years ago, this behemoth was towed from Halifax to Rimouski, an event so significant that it was documented by Discovery Channel’s Monster Moves. In 2022, a new interactive experience was launched for visitors wanting to learn all the secrets of Canada’s first submarine open to the public. Using a tablet, explorers of all ages can discover the submarine’s various systems as well as life on board along an outdoor interactive tour.
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The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve offers new experiences focused on the Innu Nation
Named as one of 24 places to go in 2024 by the New York Times, the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve in Côte-Nord features about 20 main islands and a string of granitic islets of rare beauty. It also boasts the largest concentration of erosion monoliths in Canada. In 2023, the Canadian government committed to creating new initiatives to sustain the Innu connection to the land and water and to ensure the transfer of know-how and culture between generations. Visitors will now be able to share this knowledge thanks to new programs offered by the reserve, such as workshops focused on spirituality and well-being led by the Nutashkuan Innu community.
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Parc national de Miguasha celebrates its 25th anniversary
Parc national de Miguasha in Nouvelle, in Gaspésie, invites you to admire fossils that date back to the Devonian Period when certain species began their transition from water to land. Included on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List, the park’s fossil site is renowned worldwide for its unusually well-preserved fossils. Visit the park to connect with your distant aquatic origins some 380 million years ago! The wide range of activities on offer at the cliff, in the exhibition rooms and in the educational laboratory give visitors of all ages the opportunity to discover (and even experience) the work of a paleontologist as well as grasp the extent to which fossils remain the best time machine available to us!
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Station de montagne sur mer de Mont-Saint-Pierre: A newly developed ecotourism destination
This new stop in the La Haute-Gaspésie sector showcases an ecotourism destination with many secrets: Mt. Saint-Pierre. Come and discover a natural amphitheatre and the many activities you can enjoy on site surrounded by spectacular scenery—and be sure to soak up the amazing view from the top of the mountain! Along the St. Lawrence and surrounded by mountains, you can delight in exploring this area via hiking trails, on a new mountain bike trail or by kayak. You can also learn about the history of this area through interactive models and immersive experiences in a variety of historic and modern buildings. This large-scale, innovative project in La Haute-Gaspésie will open in June 2024 and is expected to welcome about 12,500 visitors a year.
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Anticosti Island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence but part of the region of Côte-Nord, Anticosti Island was recently added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Covering an area of nearly 8000 km2 (3000 sq. mi.), this legendary island has long been renowned for its remarkable paleontology. Over 1440 species of fossils are found here, attracting researchers from all over the world every year. It was the study of these fossils that demonstrated that changes in climate and sea level were responsible for the first of Earth’s five major mass extinctions, some 444 million years ago. Thanks to this important recognition, many new visitor attractions are planned for the coming years.
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15th anniversary for Cindyhook, an outdoor ambassador in the Îles de la Madeleine
Since 2009, Cindyhook Sports Aventures has been offering visitors unforgettable outdoor experiences in the stunning landscapes of the Îles de la Madeleine. Whether accompanied by a guide or not, at sunrise, sunset or some other time of the day, there are many options for adventure at Cindyhook! If you would like to try a thrilling activity that makes the most of the wind on the Islands, opt for kitesurfing, windsurfing or the increasingly popular wing foiling, all of which can be enjoyed in the archipelago’s many lagoons. Soak up a unique perspective on the Islands’ coastal landscapes, geography and currents as you discover a multitude of hidden treasures! After your exertions, stop for a delicious coffee at the Hook Café and be sure to treat yourself to a souvenir from the eco-responsible gift shop.
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The International Garden Festival turns 25 under the theme of renewal
Starting on June 22, 2024, the International Garden Festival will once again bring together over 60,000 nature lovers for an event focused on an artistic theme that is an invitation to reflect on the journey thus far and to look to the future. This 25th edition of the festival, entitled “The Ecology of Possibility,” invites visitors to change the way they look at contemporary gardens and attempts to shake them up regarding the urgent need to act in the face of accelerating climate change. Founded in 2000, the festival continues to be committed to biodiversity issues while promoting gardens that are sustainable, inclusive and constantly evolving.
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Panora: Must-stay seaside pods in La Haute-Gaspésie
Located 30 minutes from Parc national de la Gaspésie in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Panora provides a new type of high-end lodging ideally situated along the shores of the St. Lawrence that perfectly combines design, comfort and relaxation. Offering a completely self-sufficient stay, these peaceful seaside pods nestled at the foot of a cliff are fully equipped and include sea views, a deck with a private hot tub and direct access to the beach. Named by Outside magazine as one of the places to stay in Québec in 2024, these unique units allow you to enjoy the region at any time of year, whether you are looking for adventure or just wanting to unwind in a beautiful environment. The company is expanding this year by also offering one-bedroom pods.
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TERFA – Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer: An expanded offer on an expanded territory
With over $5 million invested in developing this tourist attraction since summer 2022, the Terfa site in Bas-Saint-Laurent now offers new features, including a four-season service pavilion with a food court as well as interactive trails (some open at night) that will immerse visitors in the legends of the canyon and its inhabitants. The night show (in French only) has been reinvented with a new multimedia approach that includes holograms and special effects. New lodging options are now available, including cabins, yurts and other glamping units; the site will also soon offer an RV campground.
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Attitude Nordique: A new outdoor experience in magnificent Saint-Pancrace Bay
Located in Baie-Comeau, in Côte-Nord, Attitude Nordique was named one of the places to go in Québec in 2024 by Outside magazine. This outdoor company offers a wide variety of guided land, sea and wind activities. To mark its fifth year of operation, it unveiled a new activity for thrill seekers. During the summer season, visitors can now discover the St. Lawrence from the air via a zipline as well as a Nepalese bridge 50 metres (165 feet) above magnificent Saint-Pancrace Bay.
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Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse: A true digital transformation
An exciting modernization project was recently implemented at the Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse, a historic site in Gaspésie that commemorates North America’s first marine wireless telegraphy station. The permanent exhibitions now feature digital content and are more interactive; in addition, a new outdoor multimedia show will be presented on summer evenings that will delight visitors of all ages. Through images, projections and animations, visitors can discover the lives of the lightkeepers and their families as well as key events and how the lighthouse operated.
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The Islands commit to responsible and sustainable tourism
In collaboration with Québec’s Ministry of Tourism, the local community on the Îles de la Madeleine has committed to the sustainable development of its tourism industry as well as of its fragile environment in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This strategy will involve cultural, socioeconomic and especially environmental factors, with the ultimate goal of developing a four-season tourism industry at a time when the concerns of the local population during the summer months are intensifying. In order to preserve the archipelago’s natural and cultural heritage, various actions have been implemented such as promoting off-season travel, green transportation and water management. Since visitors are at the heart of this strategy, they are being asked to pledge to care for the Islands in an effort to raise their awareness and encourage their participation in these actions during their visit to the region.
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Côté Est: Mushroom tourism through a unique outdoor adventure
Visitors can discover a whole new flavour to the Kamouraska area during this new experience offered by Kim Côté from Côté Est! Accompanied by this passionate and experienced chef, they will board an all-terrain vehicle for a unique adventure in the forest to discover the mushroom treasures of the Bas-Saint-Laurent interior. This package includes an introduction to local plants and wildlife, discovery of forest products, local history and preparation of a meal that will feature mushrooms and other local forest flavours. This experience is open to small groups only and is intended for seasoned adventurers in good physical condition. Participants will have the opportunity to gather mushrooms responsibly and cook with an excellent chef in the great outdoors while trying something completely new and benefiting from exceptional expertise.
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New vessel for Croisières Baie de Gaspé
Expected for over a year, the new Croisières Baie de Gaspé boat, named Le Rocher Le Vieux, will be ready to welcome visitors as of the 2023 summer season. Accommodating up to 12 passengers, it joins the Narval III, which can accommodate 47 passengers. Croisières Baie de Gaspé has been offering whale-watching excursions with interpreter guides for over 25 years, departing from the Grande-Grave wharf in Forillon National Park in Gaspésie.
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Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park: 25th anniversary and expansion of one of the world’s best places to see whales
In March 2023, the Canadian and Québec governments announced their joint intention to begin the process of expanding the boundaries of Québec’s first marine protected area; the expansion project could quadruple the size of this park, which currently covers 1245 km2 (480 sq. mi.). Recognizing the importance of protecting the environment, wildlife, plants and natural resources found in a representative part of the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence Estuary, which are home to over 2200 species, the governments of Canada and Québec created the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park in 1998 with public support. This exceptionally diverse marine protected area offers experiences along the shore and at sea in the Côte-Nord and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions. From May to October, up to 13 species of cetaceans frequent the salt waters of the St. Lawrence, including blue whales (the largest animals on the planet) and spectacular humpbacks. Many of these whales swim all the way up to the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, near Tadoussac, to feed.
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Exploring the past with British soldiers at Fort Ingall
The new permanent exhibition at Fort Ingall in Bas-Saint-Laurent presents a human perspective on a border conflict between the United States and Canada that occurred in 1839. Visitors can meet Dr. Jean-Étienne Landry, the garrison physician, and Lieutenant Frederick Lenox Ingall, a military engineer. They can also learn about the history of the fort and the many artefacts found during archaeological digs by visiting this authentic reconstruction of a British campaign fortress built in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac. Dressed in period military and civilian clothing, the guides recreate the life that reigned within this field fortification at the time.
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Audio-guided tours at the Matamajaw fishing heritage site
Founded in 1873 in Causapscal, in Gaspésie, by businessman Lord Mount Stephen, the Matamajaw Salmon Club was one of the most famous private salmon fishing camps in the province. Matamajaw is the Mi’gmaq name for the Matapédia River. The five buildings that make up this site, all of which were recently restored, are an important part of the history of the private fishing clubs that existed in Québec in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The site now offers a new audio-guided tour to help visitors discover the history of salmon spawning in the Matapédia Valley.
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A step forward in the conservation of the Sept Îles Archipelago
Ten new areas will soon be designated as protected territories by the Government of Québec. Among them is the Sept Îles Archipelago, a natural treasure in Côte-Nord that local organizations have been working to protect for the past nine years. Over 565 million years old, the islands of the archipelago are an important bird sanctuary and contain numerous ecosystems that are representative of the region. Thanks to this designation, any further exploitation of natural resources will be prohibited throughout the archipelago. This is a great victory for recreational tourism and the environment!
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Discovering the Islands by hiking the Sentiers Entre Vents et Marées trail network
Created thanks to the efforts of a group of local hikers who were inspired by their experiences on the Camino de Santiago, the longest hiking network on the Islands is celebrating its sixth anniversary this year. Providing a physical, cultural and spiritual experience, these marked trails developed and maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers offer a complete tour of the archipelago along beach trails as well as dirt and paved roads. This unforgettable hike of over 200 km (125 mi.) is divided into 13 sections ranging from intermediate to difficult.
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