News

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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The International Garden Festival presents Roots, an intergenerational event not to miss
Starting on June 24, 2023, the International Garden Festival will once again bring together over 60,000 nature lovers for an event focused on an artistic theme that is innovative, unifying and thought-provoking. This 24th edition of the festival, titled Roots, invites a return to what is essential by integrating the use of plant species with a low impact on the environment. With almost all the new installations being created by designers from Québec (with some from Ontario, France and Germany), the festival is even more rooted in its mission to gather and transcend generations.
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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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Panora – Loges fluviales: A new and unusual lodging option 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 and perfectly combining design, comfort and relaxation. Offering a completely self-sufficient stay, these peaceful lodges nestled at the foot of a cliff are fully equipped and include sea views, a deck with a hot tub and direct access to the beach. This is a great place for those seeking adventure or contemplation to stay at any time of the year!
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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 and interactive trails (some open at night) that will immerse visitors in the legends of the canyon and its inhabitants. New lodging options will soon be available, with the addition of about 30 new units including chalets, yurts and other glamping units.
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Attitude Nordique: A new outdoor experience to mark 5th anniversary
Located in Baie-Comeau, in Côte-Nord, Attitude Nordique offers a wide variety of guided outdoor adventures. To mark its fifth year of operation, the company is unveiling a new activity for thrill seekers. During the summer season, visitors can 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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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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Two new yurts at Domaine Tourelle sur Mer
Domaine Tourelle sur Mer offers a glamping experience in an enchanting site in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, in Gaspésie. Their new yurts have private yard areas and offer panoramic views of the sea. This is the perfect place to recharge one’s batteries in nature!
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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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