Message Invalid character found in the request target [/leaders-tour/episode/yves-francois-blanchet-speaks-with-reporters-in-sainte-anne-des-monts?id\u003d65af992b-ba96-4870-ba3a-1dcef72c6828 ] The valid characters are defined in RFC 7230 and RFC 3986 Description The server cannot or will not process the request due to something that is perceived to be a client error (e.g. Note The full stack trace of the root cause is available in the server logs GASPÉ – The Eastern Shores School Board and the Chic Chocs School Service Centre will be the third in Quebec to offer the Construction Equipment Operator course at the start of the 2025 school year The two organizations have obtained approval from the Quebec government to offer this training which has been available since 2019 in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts through the Chic-Chocs in partnership with the Navigateurs School Service Centre in Lévis and since 2021 by Eastern Shores in New Carlisle in collaboration with the Littoral School Service Centre on the North Shore “It’s a very attractive program for our youth and it’s a program that’s in high demand given the shortage of personnel in the construction sector,” says the interim director of the Chic-Chocs  “It’s excellent news for our school board because it’s a permanent card The demand is there to graduate many young people who won’t have to leave the region to take the training Companies are also asking us to train young people,” says Denise Simoneau the training was only offered in Quebec City or the South Shore of Montreal about sixty young people have been waiting to access the training.  “It could go to about twenty young people per cohort,” says Ms The training is offered at the Anchor in New Carlisle.  “We’re not limited.” With a permanent card we can offer training on the North Shore because we have a very large territory,” says the director of Eastern Shores.  This is a project that has been in the Chic-Chocs’ plans for about fifteen years for Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.  “This is a project that everyone in Haute-Gaspésie has dreamed of The partnership with the Centre de services scolaire des Navigateurs allowed the Centre de services scolaire des Chic-Chocs to develop expertise which had provided training with provisional authorization to develop expertise with this program,” says Ms Infrastructure such as a school construction site is already in place but machinery will have to be purchased from the Chic-Chocs.  There will be purchases to be made in terms of machinery Having the infrastructure will reduce the cost of implementation,” notes Ms who could not yet quantify the investments required.  We just got the information that we have the program,” added the interim director.  This first partnership between the two entities could lead to other collaborations.  it helps us offer more programs and see how we can work together,” said Ms We could start with our current programs and see what could be done,” noted Ms “I am very happy for the young people in the region who are interested in a career in construction The collaboration between the parties deserves to be highlighted,” said Gaspé Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Stéphane Sainte-Croix.  is also pleased with the continuation of the course in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts He notes that the course had been requested for several years the challenge of housing for future students remains.  The MRC supports the Centre de services scolaire des Chic-Chocs in finding solutions “They must continue to put pressure on their (Education) ministry We must renovate the old residences in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts that are abandoned This could create housing for future students,” notes the prefect.  Copyright © 2025 | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme each with its own distinctive charm and natural allure these destinations invite you to fully embrace Quebec's breathtaking wilderness and tranquil retreats Along the shores of the St. Lawrence River and surrounded by the rolling Charlevoix hills Baie-Saint-Paul is known for its breathtaking landscapes and pristine natural beauty This charming town is framed by lush forests and rugged hills that captivate visitors year-round the nearby Grands-Jardins National Park draws outdoor enthusiasts with its diverse trails and panoramic views of the Laurentian Mountains The town’s riverbanks provide scenic spots for kayaking and canoeing where gentle waters invite a tranquil exploration of the surrounding wilderness Baie-Saint-Paul transforms with fiery colors blanketing the hillsides and even black bears in their natural habitat especially in the park areas around the town as snow-covered forests and frosted trails offer ideal terrain for cross-country skiing Saint-Sauveur is a picturesque mountain town renowned for its stunning natural landscapes that shift with each season With the Laurentian Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop hikers can explore trails like Mont Saint-Sauveur and Sentier du Sommet These routes lead through thick pine forests and offer stunning vistas with some trails reaching panoramic viewpoints where valleys and the glistening Lac des Becs-Scie can be seen below Saint-Sauveur transforms into a vibrant red with the colorful foliage blanketing the slopes of the Laurentians For those looking to capture this autumn splendor the Chemin du Lac-Millette trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys creating an enchanting landscape ideal for snowshoeing and winter hiking Rivière à Simon and Chute de la Rivière-du-Nord adding a magical element to the snow-covered wilderness Tadoussac is a stunning coastal town at the St Lawrence River meeting point and the Saguenay Fjord Tadoussac offers a pristine escape into Quebec's natural splendor The Saguenay Fjord is one of the region’s defining features with deep blue waters flanked by steep cliffs and old-growth forests Summer visitors can enjoy kayaking on the fjord or embark on boat tours to admire the striking cliffs from the water The area's natural beauty also extends to the nearby dunes and tidal flats Tadoussac is known for its incredible wildlife viewing For a closer connection with the landscape the Sentier de la Pointe-de-l’Islet trail offers cliffside paths with panoramic views over the fjord creating a memorable experience for visitors at all times of the year is surrounded by a captivating landscape of mountains and the sparkling waters of Lake Memphremagog The town’s lakeside location amplifies its natural charm clear waters inviting visitors for activities like kayaking Hiking trails such as Sentier des Crêtes and Piste de la Boucle des Trois Monts in nearby Mont-Orford provide diverse routes through dense woodlands and rugged rocky outcrops with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding hills creating a stunning seasonal transformation Winter transforms Magog into a snow-covered haven ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along the lake Mont-Orford National Park adds to the allure with more challenging trails that reward hikers with sweeping vistas over Quebec’s winter landscape—an ideal spot for adventurers seeking to embrace the season's quiet beauty Also tucked within the idyllic Eastern Townships Lac-Brome is a lakeside village known for its tranquil beauty The calm waters of Brome Lake invite visitors to swim or simply enjoy the peace of the shoreline and forests that burst into brilliant colors during autumn creates a charming rural landscape that shifts beautifully with the seasons trails like the Sentier de la Montagne offer scenic routes through maple and birch forests where hikers can catch glimpses of local wildlife in their natural habitat Lac-Brome becomes a snowy haven for outdoor enthusiasts with trails such as Sentier des Cerfs providing excellent routes for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along the lake and through serene Another scenic town in the Eastern Townships is Knowlton and scenic waterways that lend a distinct New England charm The surrounding countryside is filled with lakes and dense woodlands that provide endless opportunities for exploration like Sentier des Écossais and Parc des Montagnards wind through forests of towering pines and provide occasional lookout points where hikers can enjoy expansive views of the hills and valleys and orange sea as the hills come alive with color drawing nature enthusiasts to the area’s trails with the town’s trails becoming snowy pathways perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the Eastern Townships in every season Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, nestled between the Chic-Choc Mountains and the Gulf of St. Lawrence offers a stunning blend of mountainous terrain and coastal vistas that epitomize the wild beauty of Quebec’s Gaspésie region Serving as a gateway to Gaspésie National Park presenting one of the most unique environments in eastern Canada Mont Albert and Mont Jacques-Cartier stand as iconic peaks with trails like the Sentier des Monts Albert and Sentier des Caps offering routes to breathtaking lookouts and alpine meadows where visitors may even spot herds of caribou The coastline around Sainte-Anne-des-Monts includes trails such as Sentier de la Rivière Sainte-Anne which winds along rugged cliffs and wind-swept beaches Snow blankets the rugged peaks and frozen rivers of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts in winter creating ideal conditions for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing through the crisp Famed for its iconic rock formation, Percé is a captivating coastal town on the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. The massive Percé Rock, standing proudly in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is the town’s signature landmark rising dramatically from the water with its natural arch visible from shore Percé’s rugged coastline and towering cliffs make it an ideal location for those who seek a deep connection with nature Boat tours allow visitors to view the rock up close and explore the nearby Île-Bonaventure which hosts a bustling colony of Northern Gannets Percé’s coastal trails offer cliffside paths where the powerful ocean waves crashing below provide a breathtaking backdrop the cliffs are adorned with a blanket of vibrant colors enhancing the town’s already stunning scenery In the scenic foothills of the Appalachians with nearby lakes like Lake Mohawk adding to the town's allure Rolling hills provide sweeping views of the Appalachian range setting the stage for outdoor adventures that range from leisurely to challenging One of the highlights for nature enthusiasts is Parc d'Environnement Naturel de Sutton which features an array of trails that weave through thick forests and past moss-covered boulders Trails such as the Round Top Trail offer rewarding climbs and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys perfect for taking in Sutton's natural splendor Sutton’s landscape transforms into a brilliant display of colors as the trees blanket the hillsides in vibrant reds becomes a sought-after spot for snow sports Skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of its varied runs Nestled by Lake Taureau in the Lanaudière region Saint-Michel-des-Saints offers unspoiled natural beauty with a rugged Surrounded by forested hills and bordered by the vast expanse of Lake Taureau this town is an ideal retreat for those seeking an escape into nature The lake’s vast shoreline invites kayaking while secluded beaches and hidden coves provide quiet spots for relaxation Surrounding trails like the Sentier National and Chute-aux-Rats Trail wind through thick woodlands guiding hikers past ancient trees and through secluded groves where moose Saint-Michel-des-Saints transforms into a pristine winter landscape Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along the lake’s edge offer a great way to experience the area’s beauty the frozen lake provides ice fishing and winter picnics in a quiet These ten scenic towns reveal Quebec's rich natural diversity offering landscapes that captivate in every season Each destination promises a memorable encounter with nature—whether through mountain trails these towns invite visitors to experience Quebec’s beauty in all its forms consider these gems as gateways to unforgettable outdoor adventures where each season offers its own unique perspective on Quebec's pristine wilderness photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Sign In Register MONTREAL — More than 1,500 soldiers hit the ground Monday to help Quebecers deal with "historic" flooding that has caused widespread damage and evacuations and sparked a desperate search for a man and a toddler whose vehicle swerved off a waterlogged road into a surging river Quebec Provincial Police spokeswoman Helene Nepton said late Monday that the body of Mike Gagnon was recovered about 500 metres from where a strong current pulled the car toward the Sainte-Anne River in eastern Quebec on Sunday A two-year-old girl who was also in the car has not yet been found A ground and air search will resume early Tuesday to try to find her A woman who was also in the car saved herself after all three fell into the water when the vehicle flipped He said the man was trying to help people who were trapped in the area The search continued as Quebec's public security minister said water levels across the province would peak between Monday and Wednesday Authorities expect the water to start receding by mid-week "What's encouraging is that the water levels will stop climbing," Coiteux told a news conference in Montreal "The water levels in the flooded areas should start going down Wednesday Heavy rains and melting snowpack across Quebec have so far flooded 2,429 residences in the province forcing the evacuation of 1,520 people in almost 150 municipalities "We're talking about historic levels of water," said Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel "We haven't seen this in more than 55 years." National Defence said some 1,650 soldiers were expected to be helping in the flood effort by the end of the day Monday along with aircraft and a dozen boats, were aiding communities across Quebec several of which were under states of emergency including Montreal and its northern suburbs "We are being ready to be responsive in any form or shape that is required to meet the task," said Brig.-Gen that we're going to be able to answer the call from civil security "More than 90 per cent of all the troops are on the front lines working with firefighters police officers and volunteers helping people." Premier Philippe Couillard toured Quyon, a Quebec town that borders the Ottawa River and applauded the sense of solidarity community and volunteering in the community "We might be in the week where the water will progressively begin to drop but there's still a lot of work before us to deal with flooding after the water has receded," he said "People are worried about what will happen to their homes." Couillard was also asked if the Canadian Forces weren't called in quickly enough "Some people elsewhere in Quebec thought we were too fast because they didn't see what was happening here," he said The premier also urged Quebecers to donate to help flood victims after an announcement by the Canadian Red Cross it is setting up a relief fund The provincial government is contributing $500,000 and the City of Montreal is intending to kick in $250,000 The Quebec legislature will not sit on Tuesday allowing members to stay in their respective ridings an extra day while Montreal's agglomeration council will vote to extend the state of emergency in the area by five days The federal government has asked employees who work in Gatineau to avoid travelling to their offices on Tuesday for a second day in a row The advisory applies to workers who normally travel to work via interprovincial bridges or work in federal buildings in Gatineau Some parts of eastern Ontario were also hit hard by flooding and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the federal government was responding to a request from the Ontario government for "additional flood mitigation resources." Goodale noted the request did not include military help some parts of New Brunswick recorded more than 150 millimetres of rain after a nearly 36-hour non-stop downpour And while the deluge tapered off early Sunday two men remained missing as flooding continued to plague the province's Interior Jeannine-Marie St-Jacques uses an increment borer to pull a sample from a tree along the Sainte-Anne River in Quebec's Gaspésie National Park Quebec tree rings dating back nearly 200 years indicate snowpack in the Gaspésie mountains has declined considerably in recent decades Concordia University researchers suggest in a study that could give further insight into dwindling caribou herds and hydro energy forecasts extending by more than 100 years the records otherwise kept by local weather stations and river gauges It underlines how climate change has already reshaped the region “This reconstruction may prove useful for wildlife fisheries and hydroelectric reservoir management,” said the study published in Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies By studying the tree rings in the Sainte-Anne River basin the researchers say they observed a climate-change linked decline in extreme spring river flows and snowpack levels since 1937 and it didn’t take much global warming to push it to where we've lost the extreme snowpacks the mountains used to have,” said Jeannine-Marie St-Jacques the study’s co-author and an associate professor at Concordia University in Montreal offer more long-term context for the “highly endangered” caribou population on the Gaspé Peninsula The population has collapsed since the 1950s from estimates as high as 1,500 to 34 Habitat degradation from logging is considered the caribou’s most pressing threat but declining snowpack adds to their problems Caribou breed in the alpine and deep snowpack can offer protection from predators there’s easier access for predators to get up there early in the spring when the fawns are more vulnerable,” said Alexandre Pace the study’s lead author and a PhD candidate at Concordia The longer timeline of spring river flows can also help inform energy forecasts for Quebec’s multi-billion-dollar hydroelectricity industry Similar tree ring studies have been done in the Potomac but none have looked at the area along the Atlantic Seaboard north of the Hudson to Churchill Falls Pace and St-Jacques ventured in the summers of 2017 2018 and 2019 to the Gaspésie National Park The 70-kilometre Sainte-Anne River runs through the park Rings are a well-known way to figure out a tree’s age But they also hold clues scientists use to reconstruct the climate of the past estimating temperatures and precipitation over a tree’s lifetime Thinner rings indicate a deeper snowpack that took longer to melt and delayed the start of the tree’s growing season indicate an early melt and longer growing season But the snowpack is also closely related to how much water flows through the area’s Sainte-Anne River Pace and St-Jacques modelled the relationship between tree ring thickness and streamflow in May compiled by river gauges and other instruments in recent decades Once they figured out how they were related they could then apply what they found to centuries-old tree rings to come up with a streamflow timeline dating back 1822 It’s particularly useful in an area such as the Gaspé Peninsula where gauges and weather stations only started collecting reliable data in the mid-20th century The researchers compared their results to other U.S tree-ring studies done along the Atlantic Seaboard and found several coincident periods of drought “These reconstructions … really give us a clearer picture of what our climate used to be like and understand the context of climate change,” said Pace The study of the past climate through natural records is known as paleoclimatology and can include investigations of lake sediments tiny bubbles trapped in Antarctic ice cores can offer a window into the carbon dioxide composition of Earth’s atmosphere more than 800,000 years ago scientists can see how the level of heat-trapping CO2 began a vertiginous climb when humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels and now sit at levels never before seen in human history Tree studies establish unbroken climate timelines by comparing ring patterns to consecutively older and older samples A 2022 study used tree rings to reconstruct storm flow on South Carolina’s Santee River dating back more than 1,000 years says he’s working on an 800-year cedar ring chronology of southern Quebec underlines another important reason to preserve old-growth forests “They are potentially these natural archives beyond just their ecosystem services and their beauty.” Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. 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Renew a Subscription | Change My Address A rare East Coast ski-to-sea moment for the author Two crullers and a large coffee from Tim Horton’s isn’t the best fuel for a day spent climbing couloirs and my growling stomach echoes that notion as I dangle from a temporary ice-axe anchor My friend Alix and I stand in the shadow of a 20-vertical-foot wall three quarters of the way up the 600-foot Legends Couloir in the Madeleine Mines region of Québec’s Chic-Choc Mountains to make the call if we’ll ascend farther up the chute that’s topped with a sizeable and stubborn cornice I’am a little nervous hanging from the 40-degree slope which continues to sluff to our left as we slowly work through layers of windslab It’s a common hazard in this region of the flat-topped Chic-Chocs which sits about 20 miles inland from the shores of the St where wind speeds have clocked 112 miles per hour holding out a handful of green semi-frozen cubes thinking that I’d rather wait for the crab dinner we’re planning to acquire from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts fishermen who brave the icy seaway for a few weeks every April to haul in thousands of pounds of money-making sea creatures For most of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts’ existence fishing has been the lifeblood of its 7,000 residents Six hours north of Québec City and nestled between windswept capes at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula Sainte-Anne-des-Monts provides safe harbor for fishermen who spend their days battling the frigid running from Québec’s Île d’Orléans to where it ultimately disperses into the Gulf of St Their spring hauls typically include shrimp and queen crab—also known as snow crab eastern cousin to Alaska’s behemoth crustaceans—which we’re planning to enjoy tonight a vast French-speaking province exists with a distinct old-world feel the Chic-Choc Mountains boast above-tree-line skiing not otherwise readily found in the Northeast encompasses 25 peaks taller than 3,000 feet in its 802 square kilometers (roughly 500 square miles) Alix Klein hunts for powder in the Madeline Mines’ “S Couloir.” [Photo] Dana Allen I learned about the period in the spring that skiers refer to as “Corn and Crabs,” when the snow-crab fishing season coincides with corn in the mountains I’d been eyeing some bigger couloirs just outside the park and knew springtime would offer a chance to find them in skiable condition—and to partake in some traditional Québécois cuisine To help with travel arrangements, I’d looked to Canadian-certified guide Stéphane Gagnon, owner of Ski Chic-Chocs, which is based out of the Parc national de la Gaspésie visitor center because it’s when the coast and the mountains join together,” Gagnon explains “The fishermen create a buzz on the coast with boats on the water town is awakening from the winter deep freeze and the skiing is usually at its max snow coverage with relatively good stability.” crab fishermen cast lines of a different kind skiing corn amid feasts of fresh crab hinges on one fickle thing—East Coast weather which is notoriously temperamental in the Gaspésie where “lake effect” storms draw moisture from the St Lawrence and can dump feet of snow inland but sometimes instead bring rain So in spite of a potentially volatile forecast I made the 10-hour drive north to learn more about the area’s economy as it evolves from fishing-based industry to one embracing growing recreational opportunities And Gagnon is the ideal person to guide not only in the mountains moving from Montreal to the Gaspé Peninsula to work for Avalanche Québec the region’s avy forecasting and observation organization he started Ski Chic-Chocs—the primary guiding outfit within the park But the initial draw to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts was not just mountain life “The first time I came here was in the mid ’80s; I was surfing along the coast,” Gagnon says I sailed to the Magdalene Islands (215 kilometers from the Gaspé Peninsula).” His relationship with water isn’t just for sport however: Gagnon previously worked as a diver doing underwater work on the cement piers in Tourelle “It was something I did to pay the bills in the summertime,” he says The fishermen of Tourelle bring in their haul. [Photo] Dana Allen I think about St-Laurent’s words and regret that her shop was closed the morning of our couloir mission—Tim Horton’s pastries don’t hold a candle to hers. But when Gagnon helps us put together a traditional Gaspésie snow-crab dinner after we’ve retreated from the Legends Couloir due to the unmovable, looming five-foot cornice formed by those high-speed St. Lawrence winds, my regrets about breakfast fade. He explains that we’re lucky to have arrived when we did despite variable conditions, as the crab season ran shorter than usual this year. “The quotas go up and down, and this year most of them [crabbers] met their quotas early in April,” Gagnon says. “Crabbers are the fortunate ones—permits can cost millions of dollars, but even so, they’re all taken. They’re just sold from one fisherman to another, so getting a crab permit is like winning the lottery.” The crab walk in the Madeleine Mines. [Photo] Dana Allen I ask Gagnon if he ever considered crab fishing, but he shakes his head. “I used to go out with a few friends,” he says, “but skiing is easier.” So we choose to enjoy the fruit of someone else’s labor, cooking crab over an outdoor burner in Gagnon’s yard, which lies 10 feet from the water’s edge where chunks of ice collect like layers in sedimentary rock. Whether frozen or liquid, water serves as both inspiration and an economic driver for the community in the Gaspésie. “The water has always been part of the regional heritage here, and having the coast and the mountains, it gives you the possibility to do anything, to dream about adventure,” Gagnon says. And with people like him and St-Laurent capitalizing on this region’s abundant natural resources, the future of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts as a foodie destination with a skiing habit looks bright.  Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. DOUG STOUP: THE ICEMANFrom playing NCAA soccer to a successful modeling and acting career to being the top polar explorer of his time, Doug Stoup is an enigma. Host Adam Howard recently journeyed to Antarctica with Stoup and their conversation ranges from Doug’s personal training of A-list Hollywood actors to near death experiences; adventures with Doug Coombs; and taking novice skiers to the South Pole. Listen Now » resorts with a little about each individual policy—where and when skinning is allowed whether or not it’s free during operating hours and the link directly to the resort’s guidelines View our resort skinning policies guide » Though we send brand invites for our annual Gear Test Week in February and have finalized submissions weeks … [Read More...] Montreal-based Videotron has announced the expansion of its wireless service area to include the Gaspésie and Côte-Nord regions as well as a stronger presence in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region Residents in communities such as Sept-Îles and Rimouski can now subscribe to Videotron’s wireless plans “We are proud to bring Videotron’s exceptional service and innovative competitively priced plans to even more Quebecers,” said Pierre Karl Péladeau “As we continue expanding our telecommunications services across Canada our commitment to fostering competition for the benefit of Quebecers remains stronger than ever as this new regional rollout clearly demonstrates.” Videotron says this expansion is made possible through agreements under the CRTC’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) regime. Videotron has also opened new retail outlets in Sept-Îles ensuring local residents can easily access its services Below you can see all the new communities in Quebec that now have Videotron wireless service: Be one of the first to try our new activity feed Short Approaches and Bullet Ice in the Wilds of Quebec or seeing the occasional blue whale breach while swinging your tools it can be hard to believe that North America—in this case especially with just a five-minute approach only the sound of the occasional car heading to the town of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts interrupts the crackling ice floating by en route to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence More than 150 ice climbs from one to four pitches line the 125-mile stretch of Highway 132 between Sainte-Anne-Des-Monts and Gaspé Thirty-four miles past Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is the village of Mont-Saint-Pierre the epicenter of the region’s ice climbing The village’s namesake mountain (elevation: 1,348 feet) rises out of the river and provides the backdrop for the east side of the mile-wide bay sedimentary cliffs rising from the west side of the bay are home to some of the region’s earliest and hardest ice routes Most of the ice routes in Gaspésie are north facing the strong winds and coastal environment whip the ice into gravity-defying tentacle formations Despite the quality and convenience of climbs like Meduse (WI4; 200 feet) and Corneille (WI5+; 250 feet) a climb with a “whopping” 45-minute approach “It’s not a big population center—for years I was the only local climber,” says Association of Canadian Mountain Guides apprentice alpine guide Sebastian Taborszky During the 15 years that Taborszky lived in the region he might only see another car parked for the ice a few times a year he would leave notes on the visiting climbers’ windshields offering to house and feed them The remoteness becomes more evident on the drive east from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to Mont-Saint-Pierre Lawrence River dominates the north side of the road while sedimentary folds form sea cliffs along the south side numerous signs warn of a unique concoction of hazards: rogue waves and avalanches and waves crash over the asphalt when storms bear down from the east or northeast a particularly vicious avalanche cycle cut off access and power to Mont-Saint-Pierre for several days the ice climbs’ proximity to the car means that “après-climb” is a real thing in Gaspésie the center for amenities in the region and a town with a population of 7,000 government workers and distilleries have sprouted and prospered,” says the veteran Quebec climber and first ascentionist Bernard Mailhot “The locals are rightfully proud of their territory The area’s remoteness has never kept climbers away It all began in 1980 when Louis Dionne and Pierre-Édouard Gagnon climbed the most prominent piece of ice towering above Mont-Saint-Pierre: Corneille wind-sculpted WI5+ that stretches to 265 feet and was one of Quebec’s hardest ice climbs at the time Gian-Carlo Grassi and Philippe Pibarot climbed L’Épée de Jade (WI6; 330 feet) The early 1990s also saw the development of routes like Méduse (WI4; 200 feet) Named after the Gorgon from Greek mythology the climb sports gravity-defying cauliflowers and tentacles sculpted by the coastal weather the route requires overhanging moves to surmount its sometimes-unstable tentacles the Quebec ice-climbing guidebook author Stephane Lapierre had one of its tentacles collapse after an errant ice-tool swing which wasn’t part of the collapsed feature caught him five feet from the ground—he’d taken an 80-footer which was left hanging on the lip of a ridiculously large overhang,” Lapierre recalls one of the delicate formations broke off Méduse as my climbing partner John Rothwell and I flicked the rope to keep it from snaking through the tentacles for my girlfriend landing her in the Sainte-Anne-Des-Monts hospital with compartment syndrome after taking the impact squarely on her leg and the photographer Jean-Pierre Danvoye presented a slideshow in Montreal with photos of area classics like La Cigarette Bleue and Le Cannelloni du Curé set to ambient Doors and Pink Floyd songs Between the slideshow and a new climbing guidebook by Lapierre Mailhot and other climbers from Montreal and Quebec rallied to nab more first ascents they’d occasionally do marathon weekend sessions blazing 2,000 kilometers round-trip from Montreal to Percé for 200 meters of ice—“An inefficient ratio of 1 centimeter climbed per kilometer driven,” Mailhot jokes and Patrice Beaudet climbed six new routes near the village of L’Anse-Pleureuse and Phillippe Pibarot claimed eight first ascents Not only were they able to establish all these FAs but because the classics typically have short approaches and are densely clustered climbers were able to link several in a day One of Mailhot’s favorite memories is climbing L’Épée de Jade and La Cigarette Bleue in a short day in 1996 with Charles Laliberté In today’s world of queues for popular ice climbs most of which are picked out early season in a few short days offering steep ice and short approaches sans mandatory alpine starts to be the first party on the route and the beauty of the sea and mountain scenery will not disappoint those who brave the long drive and notoriously adventurous road to reach Quebec’s treasure trove of frozen seeps This article was published more than 13 years ago committed suicide after leaving a note about the bullying she endured Friends and family of a 15-year-old girl who killed herself after being apparently bullied by classmates gathered in Granby She told her mother in a suicide note that she couldn't endure the physical and psychological abuse any longer Meanwhile a group in Montreal held an anti-bullying rally in an East End park The rally was organized by a local mother whose own son was also bullied at school It had already been planned before organizers learned of Raymond's suicide Organizer Isabelle Marchand said they decided to dedicate the rally to her memory "We need to raise awareness about this issue together," she said "I've organized this rally along with my son but we can't change things alone." Marchand said it's crucial that teachers and school administrators work with parents to eliminate bullying Raymond's death has sparked outrage in Quebec and fuelled debate across the country about how to deal with the problem Her mother Chantal Larose has called for tougher laws to discourage bullying The recent suicide of 15-year-old Jamie Hubley a boy who was targeted as an openly gay student at his Ottawa school Hubley's death helped drive the Ontario government to introduce new anti-bullying legislation Editorial code of conduct Taux d'occupation et temps d'attente dans les urgences du Québec en fonction du nombre de personnes sur place qui attendent pour voir un médecin et du nombre de patients sur civière Les résultats sont présentés pour chaque établissement dans l'ensemble des régions du Québec et mis à jour chaque heure En plus d'effectuer une recherche de médecins de famille et de groupes de médecine de famille (GMF) par ville ou région Index Santé met à votre disposition une carte interactive pour trouver rapidement un GMF près chez vous Les informations du site Index Santé ne peuvent être interprétées comme un diagnostic et ne remplacent pas les informations que pourrait vous fournir un professionnel de la santé Contactez un médecin si vous avez des doutes sur votre santé First “discovered” in 1534 by French explorer Jacques Cartier the Gaspé Peninsula and its rugged coastline and sleepy fishing villages offer a Northeastern ice mecca with unusual accents had been an ice climber and arrived in winter he would have donned crampons and put ashore immediately the Gaspé has drawn traveling climbing talents such as Guy Lacelle and Margo Talbot to put up beautiful classics along with Canadian locals such as Bernard Mailhot A climate warmed by ocean waters provides appealing climbing all around the shores of the peninsula but the Gaspé’s northern shoreline has the largest collection of ice routes most of them with wonderful views of the St This article describes climbs in a region from Sainte- Anne-des-Monts eastward to Mont-Saint-Pierre and then continuing southeast to Percé at the very tip of the peninsula Approaches are pleasantly short in many cases One incident during a moonlit ascent of Corbeau (WI6+) illustrates just how short When my partner’s headlamp got knocked off as he followed the crux pitch above the roadside near Mont-Saint-Pierre a passing motorist saw the lamp start its sickening tumble down the dark cliff Thinking a climber was falling to his death the driver almost slid his car off the road while screeching to an abrupt stop We soon heard the horrified Canadian shouting out in panicked French as the light continued a slow spiral slide down the snow slopes leading to the road After a few minutes of shouting in poorly pronounced French we managed to calm the man and assure his shaken passenger that we were not in need of a rescue carefully reaching the belay on the windless night we rappelled off the top of the steep column bathed in the soft light of a full moon rising over the St We found the town of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to have the best selection of accommodations and services close to climbing in the area The main road through this region is squeezed between mountains and the sea with a smattering of shorter ice routes near the road along the steep hillsides two routes are very popular and form each year La Cigarette Bleue (WI4+) rises a little more than halfway toward the town Riviere-à-Claude along the coastal road steep column drips out of the streambed above it and it can’t be missed if you keep your eyes peeled out the hillside window offers a fierce-looking 200-foot moderate with aptly named windblown formations guidebook author Stéphane Lapierre experienced a bad fall when a huge structure of ice collapsed obvious routes strike a path up the 1,500-foot northwest face of the mountain just east of town offering mostly moderate climbing but with an added commitment level and a wide variety of conditions through the season Pins and drive-in hooks like Spectres are a good idea because ice is often thin A smattering of frozen turf can provide the only gear on these 8- to 10-pitch routes; expect some bare rock recent heavy snowfalls can make for treacherous avalanche conditions and should be taken into consideration these long routes are well worth undertaking for their views of the waterway below and their alpine ambience one can descend from V-threads after climbing the first pitch of each route The first pitches of many of these climbs were originally done solo by Guy Lacelle Le Corridor Saint-Pierre Classique (II WI3 M2) is the first gully from the north It starts in an easy couloir following snow then crosses over and follows an arête to the summit (III WI2+ M2 R) is the best and easiest of the longer routes wide-open gully climbing and a spectacular view from the top this can be easy or tenuous depending on conditions follow your chosen path of least resistance Le Pilier des Croulants (IV M4 R) starts at a nice double-flow in a huge dihedral and continues up rocky steps and ice then follows the exposed arête near the top The final 165-foot pitch is rated M3 X; take the least risky line you can fi nd Le Corridor Lumiere (IV WI4 M4+ R) is a 1,650-foot climb making it perhaps the longest line in the area This route of approximately 10 pitches can be very serious in early season or thin conditions is a bit more difficult than Le Corridor the hardest pure ice routes in the area hang in full view of the road which tops out at 260 feet on hollow ice and overhanging blobs these are some of the best stout pillars the Gaspé has to offer; strong parties can do them back to back one of the Gaspé’s prolific first ascentionists lists climbing with Guy Lacelle on L’Épée du Jade (WI6) as one of his best days of ice climbing ever This route is definitely one of the favorites in the region About an hour’s drive east of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts the routes here are located between a half mile and just under four miles south of the town of L’Anse-Pleureuse This area offers a great collection of single-pitch lines but the approaches are long by Gaspé standards Bowls below some of these routes can offer great skiing when the snow is settled and avalanche danger is low Within a mile of leaving the intersection of Routes 132 and 198 in L’Anse-Pleureuse or “Sword of Jade,” reveals itself on the right This beautiful blue and burly column is tucked back on the hillside atop the left-hand of several slide paths (which also hold ice) there’s a cliff band on the left called Le Mur des Crapauds de Mer (“The Wall of Sea Toads”) At least eight one- and two-pitch routes line this crag making it a good one to visit after sleeping in following a few too many Canadian ales The first line on the left end is Ondes Internes (WI4) and next to it is Les Crapauds de Mer (WI4) is 245 feet and in the center of the cliff band head east on Route 132 from L’Anse-Pleureuse for about a half mile which brings you to the big couloir of Les Cavaliers du Vent (WI3+) This route can be done in three to four enjoyable pitches head left 150 feet or so and descend via a tree gully a number of routes can form along the roadside These are good when thick enough but do not form up each year it’s worth driving past to see if any are in condition About 5.5 miles past Gros-Morne village is Cold comme Hell (WI5) The small fishing village of Percé is far out on the point of the peninsula Percé is reached by traveling from L’Anse-Pleureuse down Route 198 through Murdochville and Whitehouse or continuing along the northern shore via Routes 132 and 197; either way takes about three hours of driving This is the area where explorer Cartier first encountered land after crossing the ocean framing a postcard view of the Rocher Percé which catches the last golden light of the day meaning “Pierced Rock,” describes a huge chunk of stone sporting a hole worn through it by the seas The small bed-and-breakfasts in town cater to snowmobilers but are happy to see climbers The majority of the ice is situated north of the village These are the old stomping grounds of Guy Lacelle and Joe Josephson Lacelle put up the mindboggling skinny column of Grand Délire Serious and conditioned climbers will find Canneloni de Curé (WI5+) a sufficient challenge to both mind and body Regular visitors consider this the defining route of the Gaspé because of its beautiful surroundings More than one leader has come sailing off the crux and it has been known to fracture—facts you’ll try to forget while plugging up the overhanging column This route usually forms by late January or early February To the right of Canneloni is Le Spaghetti du Bedeau (WI4) which is fun and can be used to reach the upper column of Cannelloni if it is formed only to the ledge and not to the ground Moby Dick (WI5+ M7) and Double 7 (WI7 M7) went up in 2001 when Bernard Mailhot and Benoit Marion teamed up on the Pic de l’Aurore a vertical 660-foot face overlooking the ocean Absolutely not to be missed is the shorefront climbing in Percé across from the B-and-Bs and farther south head over to dinner at the Fleur de Lys Hotel where a group of friendly snowmobilers might join you for a few cold beers and hearty laughs about tales of climbing and snowmobiling adventures or “end of the world.” After all the driving to get here it might feel that way at the tip of the Gaspé but once you top out on a challenging pillar by the sea it’s more likely you’ll feel on top of the world it is possible to take I-95 up through Maine and New Brunswick heading north through Vermont and past Québec City has the added advantage of passing close by Lake Willoughby’s ice in Vermont It also offers a more scenic route along the St Expect about 12 to 13 hours of driving time from Boston through Vermont to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts From the ice climbing area at Montmorency Falls outside Québec City it should be around six hours of driving with clear roads to the ice near Sainte-Anne-des-Monts follow Autoroute 20 northeast until it becomes Route 132 and then take this road out along the south shore of the St the peninsula offers daily average highs from 20ºF to 29ºF (-3ºC to -6ºC) The thickest ice conditions are found during January and February Sainte-Anne-des-Monts: Auberge Chez Bass GUIDEBOOK: Guide des cascades de glace et voies mixtes du Québec, by Stéphane Lapierre and Bernard Gagnon, 2004 (amazon.com) Spring in this maritime region means harsher weather and fewer crowds By Carolyn Heller & Roadtrippers Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula has four distinct seasons But instead of “spring,” it’s more like “the season of anticipation” in early May when I follow Highway 132 around the finger of land jutting into the Gulf of St Early spring in northeastern Quebec is also not a traditionally Instagrammable season—the silver gray of a church steeple nearly disappears against the steel gray of the river or the taupe gray of the bare trees I fear that it will blow the door right off But on a solo road trip in this quiet season I have plenty of space to myself as I navigate the 90-year-old waterfront highway There are few other visitors as I check out unusual sculptures sticking out of the river I learn something of the region’s dark history as fishing boats begin to return with their spring catch I get my first glimpse of the Gaspé’s red cliffs I learn that “Miguasha” means “red earth” in the Mi’kmaq language of the First Nations people whose traditional territory encompasses the Gaspé region The park tells the story of the Devonian period (the “age of fishes”) when sea creatures evolved into organisms that walked on land A park interpreter shows me dozens of well-preserved fossils of fish and primitive amphibians most of which are casts of the originals that scientists dug from the surrounding cliffs In the waterside town of Carleton that evening I wander into Bistro La Talle and find that I’m the only diner turns down the tunes low enough to tell me that it’s wild mushroom season I opt for feuilleté aux champignons sauvages a crisp pastry stuffed with mushrooms foraged nearby Still others eventually came back to eastern Canada where their descendants live today.  the “pierced rock,” is a slab of reddish limestone with a gravity-defying arch After Percé’s eerie, off-season feel, I’m relieved that Bistro Bar Brise-Bise in the town of Gaspé is full I decide not to tackle the massive plates of seafood nachos and instead dig into a crunchy salad layered with locally caught shrimp At Musée de la Gaspésie I venture out on a surprisingly convincing virtual reality voyage on a 1960s fishing boat—I’m glad I’m not prone to seasickness when we hit rough seas which are realistic enough that I grab the wall to steady myself.  broken only by splashes of foam kicked up by the wind the gulf hugs the road on one side and steep crags hem in the other waterfalls of melting snow streaming down the boulders A yellow caution sign warns of cascading winter ice I realize that if the surf were high enough to crash onto the roadway I tamp down my worry with a salmon and shrimp sandwich at a roadside auberge (French for an inn or restaurant) As I continue west, the landscape—more farmland and less wild sea—begins to feel more settled. Yet the Gaspé still holds surprises. At the Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon gallery in Sainte-Flavie I marvel at more than 80 human-esque carvings that march out of the St I’ve passed several signs advertising homard (“Lobster so I pull in beneath the cartoonish giant crustacean at Capitaine Homard for a toasted bun stuffed with chunks of sweet meat.  Leaving the highway at Montmagny, I find Musée de l’accordéon a 19th-century wooden house that contains anything you might want to know about I listen to toe-tapping excerpts from the museum’s annual festival and I discover how versatile the instrument is—it’s not just for your grandma’s polkas At Berthier-sur-Mer, I board a boat for a 45-minute crossing to Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site, an island where immigrants traveling to Quebec from Europe, particularly from Ireland, were forced to quarantine from 1832 to 1937 (similar to New York’s Ellis Island) A costumed nurse demonstrates how arrivals were sequestered for fear of cholera and a monument is etched with the names of those who didn’t survive their island isolation thinking about my Gaspé road trip after months of far less difficult pandemic quarantine I can only imagine the lives of those immigrants I realize that this quiet season journey helped me appreciate what I could still see and do—instead of focusing on all the things that I couldn’t I didn’t hike to Land’s End or gawk at island seabirds but on Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula in this season of anticipation Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps you should now use the same username and password to log in directly with Roadtrippers above You'll be eligible to receive membership discounts from Roadtrippers Your new trips will automatically start from your home address Can't find your RV? 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Valid only for new members residing in the U.S. and Canada that use this coupon code on roadtrippers.com This article was published more than 12 years ago A Quebecer who was on a long-distance trek to raise awareness about suicide has died of apparent heart failure before being able to complete his tour Richard Lavoie was found Wednesday afternoon on a road in a town not far from Thetford Mines The 57-year-old Montreal-area resident was pulling a 150-kilogram cart and was hoping to walk more than 1,600 kilometres over three months Provincial police say they were alerted by a local citizen who discovered Mr Lavoie was apparently motivated to undertake the tour following the suicide of Marjorie Raymond the 15-year-old teen committed suicide in November 2011 in the Quebec town of Ste-Anne-des-Monts Raymond told her mother in a suicide note she couldn't endure the physical and psychological abuse any longer Québec mettra sur pied des « projets pilotes » visant à protéger les caribous forestiers de Charlevoix et des caribous montagnards de la Gaspésie reléguant à plus tard l’adoption de mesures de protection de la dizaine d’autres hardes de caribous de la province décevant et incertain par divers observateurs La stratégie québécoise de rétablissement et de protection du caribou promise depuis 2016 et reportée à de nombreuses reprises ont annoncé mardi à Sainte-Anne-des-Monts le ministre de l’Environnement de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques de la Faune et des Parcs Benoit Charette et la ministre des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts Maïté Blanchette Vézina Les hardes de la Gaspésie et de Charlevoix sont « particulièrement vulnérables » et ces régions « n’ont pas subi de plein fouet les impacts des feux de forêt de l’été dernier Mais Québec n’a « pas de calendrier précis » pour adopter de mesures de protection du caribou ailleurs dans la province Je ne suis pas en mesure de dire si c’est dans un an Les deux projets pilotes annoncés mardi pour la Gaspésie et Charlevoix consistent à restaurer des habitats prioritaires du caribou assurer la protection légale des territoires ciblés assurer un contrôle des prédateurs et accentuer le suivi des populations une approche qui a pour but d’offrir de la « prévisibilité » aux acteurs économiques de ces régions Québec veut protéger le caribou sans mettre l’ensemble de son habitat sous une « cloche de verre [qui] viendrait geler le territoire » illustrant que le gouvernement « n’a pas interdit d’aller à Tadoussac pour voir des baleines » ce qui n’empêche pas de leur assurer une protection La superficie et les limites des territoires visés par les projets leur localisation exacte et les modifications réglementaires envisagées feront l’objet de consultations jusqu’à la fin de juillet auprès des communautés concernées et des Premières Nations Ces consultations vont « permettre de mieux comprendre comment protéger l’espèce tout en contribuant nos activités économiques » Les mesures à prendre sont pourtant connues depuis longtemps, rappelait en 2022 la Commission indépendante sur les caribous forestiers et montagnards c’est la perte d’habitat causée par l’activité humaine L’annonce de Québec intervient à la veille de la date butoir fixée par Ottawa qui a menacé d’intervenir unilatéralement pour protéger le caribou si Québec ne présentait pas de plan avant le 1er mai « Ce n’est pas du ressort du gouvernement canadien de s’immiscer dans ce dossier-là » invitant Ottawa à contribuer au financement des mesures proposées par Québec Le gouvernement fédéral avait déjà proposé un tel financement mais exigeait de voir les propositions de Québec avant de verser quoi que ce soit « Ces discussions pourront continuer une fois les plans évalués » a réitéré mardi le ministre fédéral de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique déplorant au passage l’absence de « plusieurs éléments névralgiques » du plan de Québec notamment sur l’engagement de réduire le taux de perturbation dans l’habitat du caribou à un maximum de 35 % L’annonce [de mardi] est silencieuse sur plusieurs populations de caribou Le gouvernement du Québec doit publier une stratégie pour l’ensemble des populations de caribou boréal au Québec y compris des mesures intérimaires immédiates Le plan proposé par Québec est « un exemple flagrant de l’inefficacité du cadre législatif du Québec » professeure à l’Université de Sherbrooke et membre du Comité de conseillers sur les espèces fauniques menacées ou vulnérables du Québec « Le gouvernement n’étant légalement pas tenu de respecter des échéances prédéterminées pour mettre des mesures de conservation efficaces ce genre de ralentissement semble la norme sans que le ministre ne soit imputable » autrice principale d’une étude sur la question Le professeur en écologie animale à l’Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) Martin-Hugues St-Laurent parle d’une stratégie « timide et dont l’efficacité réelle à contribuer au rétablissement [du caribou] reste à démontrer avec des analyses sérieuses » Le plan présenté « est un devoir incomplet remis en retard » saluant la volonté du gouvernement de restaurer l’habitat des caribous de Charlevoix et de la Gaspésie mais déplorant l’absence de mesures pour les autres hardes Cette absence inquiète aussi le biologiste Alain Branchaud, directeur général de la section québécoise de la Société pour la nature et les parcs, qui réclame une « intervention rapide du gouvernement fédéral » pour protéger les hardes « au bord du gouffre », comme celle du Pipmuacan tout en saluant le « pas en avant sur le long chemin menant au rétablissement du caribou » que représentent les mesures annoncées pour la Gaspésie et Charlevoix Les Premières Nations d’Essipit et de Mashteuiatsh ont déploré un « flagrant manque de courage politique de vision et de sensibilité pour l’espèce qui continue définitivement à disparaître » du gouvernement Legault appelant à un plan « beaucoup plus sérieux Les critiques ont fusé également dans le milieu ouvrier qui a déploré l’absence d’une stratégie globale « Le Québec est mûr pour une nouvelle approche forestière intégrée qui recoupe tous les enjeux : aires protégées qui 14 000 membres dans le secteur forestier au Québec « Le gouvernement fait les choses à la pièce plutôt que de regarder la situation d’ensemble du secteur forestier » président de la Fédération de l’industrie manufacturière de la Confédération des syndicats nationaux (FIM-CSN) réclamant « une gestion de la forêt qui tient la route à long terme » La population de caribous de la Gaspésie a chuté du tiers en deux ans montre le plus récent inventaire du gouvernement la harde est passée à une population de 23 à 25 bêtes en 2023 Québec a d’ailleurs procédé à la capture et à la mise en enclos de 13 caribous afin de les protéger en prévision de la période de mise bas Le nombre de femelles gestantes serait inconnu pour l’instant Une telle opération avait aussi été menée l’an dernier mais aucun des deux faons nés en captivité n’avait survécu et une femelle était morte Le projet de Québec d’augmenter la population de caribous de Val-d’Or en y ajoutant six caribous capturés dans le Nord-du-Québec est reporté d’un an. Cette « supplémentation » de cette harde vivant en captivité depuis 2020, annoncée au début de mars a été mise sur la glace « à la suite d’échanges avec divers partenaires du milieu […] afin de poursuivre les discussions pour mieux intégrer leurs préoccupations et consolider le projet » a indiqué sans autre détail Ève Morin Desrosiers porte-parole du ministère de l’Environnement La population de caribous de Val-d’Or compte neuf bêtes dont trois nées au cours des trois dernières années Bullies at school had made Marjorie Raymond's life unbearable There were taunts in her classes and jabs on Facebook when she got home the 15-year-old had started skipping class her mother found her rolled up in a ball on the couch "It's hard to leave this world but I think it will be for a better world elsewhere," she wrote on jealous people who want to ruin our happiness." As Marjorie's suicide reverberated across Quebec schoolyard bullying was exploding into the political spotlight with Ontario on Wednesday unveiling tough legislation that could lead to expulsion for students who send classmates hateful text messages or shove them in the hallways at school Quebec on Wednesday said it would review its school anti-violence programs and Edmonton's school board on Tuesday evening joined the Canadian school districts that have voted to adopt an anti-bullying policy for sexual minorities secure and accepting," Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said when the new law was introduced "We want all our kids to feel free to be who they are." The worst fate currently facing students in Ontario caught bullying is a temporary suspension The political efforts follow a grim tally of adolescent suicides killed himself in October after becoming a target of bullying because of his sexual orientation an 11-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy killed himself in September after he was attacked by a 12-year-old boy he knew from his elementary school in Pickering a 15-year-old aspiring songwriter from Truro killed herself last January after months of bullying at school and online It's impossible to know whether legislation such as Ontario's might have saved Marjorie who complained of bullying after she switched to a new high school three years ago in the Gaspé community of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts Her mother believes her daughter's tormentors were mainly girls Quebec set up a program in 2008 to counter schoolyard violence and about 80 per cent of schools have implemented it calling Marjorie's suicide a "terrible tragedy," said his government would look at "what more we can do that could be more effective." Marjorie and her family turned to school authorities after the teenager complained Some students were suspended for a few days But the bullying continued through text messages and on Facebook But the problem became too big for her daughter to handle "I can't take it any more," Marjorie said recently school authorities didn't take the problem seriously enough like it was a little teenage quarrel between girls Although rates of adolescent suicide in Canada have declined since the early 1980s it remains the second-leading cause of death among teenagers 218 people between 10 and 19 committed suicide A 2009 survey of Ontario students in Grades 7 through 12 by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that almost one in three students has been bullied Larose said she decided to publicize her daughter's case so that she won't have died in vain Marjorie tried to be consoling to her mother You are the best mom in the world," she wrote With reports from Kate Hammer and Rhéal Séguin Ingrid Peritz was a Montreal-based correspondent for The Globe and Mail from 1998 to 2019. Her reporting on the plight of Canadians suffering from the damaging effects of the drug thalidomide helped victims obtain federal compensation and earned The Globe and Mail a National Newspaper Award The work also received the Judith-Jasmin special projects prize from the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec Ingrid is also a three-time NNA nominee for her work in the Short Features and Breaking News categories Howlett first worked for The Globe as a reporter in the Report on Business where her beats included financial services securities regulation and a two-year posting in the newspaper’s British Columbia Bureau She also spent seven years in The Globe’s Queen’s Park Bureau covering provincial politics Karen is a three-time National Newspaper Award winner Two projects she led on stock market manipulation and unethical mutual fund practices were finalists for Canada’s Michener Award Ordre national du Québec Recherche détaillée L’Ordre national du Québec comprend 1128 personnalités québécoises et 73 personnalités étrangères 666 sont vivants et 536 décédés L’Ordre compte 71 % d’hommes et 29 % de femmes Les différents grades se répartissent comme suit : 642 chevaliers et chevalières 115 grands officiers et grandes officières accéder à un grade supérieur Les membres de l’Ordre sont des personnalités éminentes qui ont contribué à l'édification d'une société québécoise créative Categories Quebec Maritime A Gaspe road trip is one of the ultimate Canadian vacations you can take in your lifetime The Gaspe Peninsula is teeming with natural wonders and outdoor adventures including an abundance of wildlife sightings Quebec will create many amazing travel memories that you’ll be thinking about for years to come Justin and I took a Gaspe road trip for seven days which was enough time to visit Tadoussac and the entire Gaspe Peninsula It’s possible to spend weeks in Gaspesie and not see everything which help run this site at no extra cost to you Here is a brief rundown of the destinations that you’ll visit on this road trip of the Gaspe Peninsula we take the ferry across to the Gaspe Peninsula to make a full circle of Gaspesie This handy Gaspe road trip map will help you plan your journey. You can access the map here Feel free to save it to your Google account and reference it when you’re plotting out your trip Read about each stop in more detail in this travel blog post There are a couple of ways to get to Gaspesie. Many people drive from parts of Canada and the USA to the Gaspe Peninsula, even if it takes several hours to get to the first stop. Justin and I flew from Toronto to Quebec City. Then, we picked up a rental car at the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport. Find the best rates on flights to Quebec City with Skyscanner If you’re flying and picking up a rental car, I recommend comparing the prices online ahead of time to make sure you get the best deal. We love booking our rental cars through Discover Cars and always find the best prices. Compare car rental prices here. The drive from Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine is about three hours This ferry crosses the entrance of the Saguenay Fjord so you can expect to see some really impressive scenery The ferry between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac operates all year long Drive your car straight onto the ferry for this 10 minute crossing Enjoy the stunning views of the Saguenay fjord and the Saguenay–St The ferry makes regular crossings every 20 minutes (or every 30 minutes overnight). You don’t need to make any special plans to arrive for the ferry at a certain time, and you don’t need a ticket. Here is the ferry schedule if you’d like to see more information Hotel Tadoussac is an iconic accommodation in the middle of town It’s the most dominant building whether you’re admiring Tadoussac by land or by sea It’s a wonderful place to call home for a couple of nights and I couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else Plan to stay at Hotel Tadoussac for two nights The rooms are clean and comfortable with views overlooking Tadoussac Bay There’s complimentary Wi-Fi and an on-site restaurant You can leave your car behind at the hotel and walk anywhere in town BOOK YOUR STAY | READ MORE REVIEWS there’s an amazing restaurant right on site there are a few vegan items right on the menu that are clearly marked I ordered the vegetarian spring roll with edamame and spicy mango sauce to start I chose the General Tofu on rice vermicelli The spring roll was really delicious and the edamame filling set this one apart from your average veggie spring roll There were many fried tofu balls over veggies and rice noodles with a delectable sauce The restaurant didn’t have any vegan desserts but they sent over a fresh fruit bowl that was lovely Wake up at the Hotel Tadoussac and enjoy a leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel and little containers of soy milk (regular We are going to spend the day in Tadoussac learning about whales and soaking up the charming atmosphere of the oldest village in North America The Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) is a science museum and exhibition devoted to the whales of the St It is the most popular museum in the region and delves into the scientific research of whales This is also home to the largest collection of whale skeletons in Canada. On our travels, Justin and I have visited the Husavik Whale Museum in Husavik, Iceland The Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre is perhaps even larger and more detailed than the museum in Iceland which demonstrates that you don’t need to leave Canada to learn about (and see) whales Aim to spend about an hour at the Marine Mammal Intrepretation Centre Check out all of the displays beyond the skeletons There are exhibits detailing the acoustic sounds of whales ones where you can pick up a narhwal tooth informative films with impressive drone footage and the naturalists on site are there to answer all of your questions Ask them to see the sound and lights show while you’re there They’ll dim the lights and you’ll see the skeletons illuminated in a whole new way Wander outside of the centre and you may even be able to spot some belugas from the shore Justin and I were really impressed with the presentations and extremely knowledgeable staff at CIMM especially if you plan to take a whale watching tour in Tadoussac After experiencing the museum and before our whale watching excursion, we took a short walk over to Bistro de la Baie This restaurant has a fantastic patio with some of the best views of Tadoussac There is a vegetarian sandwich on the menu made with veggie pate Just ask for it to be made vegan (I believe they just remove the cheese) I didn’t know what to expect from a veggie pate If you’re visiting Tadoussac, you must take a whale watching tour. While you may have the chance to see these beautiful creatures from the shoreline, you are pretty much guaranteed to see whales when you take a zodiac excursion on the St Lawrence River are among the best places in the world for whale watching We met our group at the Tadoussac Marina and were provided with waterproof jackets and pants to wear These kept us dry and warm out on the water though I recommend that you also bring a hat if it’s a chillier day Our zodiac boat had a captain and a naturalist on board The naturalist told us many intriguing facts about the whales and marine mammals on our journey minke whales and humpback whales on our zodiac whale watching tour from Tadoussac I also love that the tour company complied with all of the rules and regulations of the Saguenay-St The boat is not allowed to stop or follow belugas but merely point them out as we sail away from them It’s important to protect and respect these magnificent creatures the two of us went for a walk around Tadoussac It’s the oldest village in North America and it’s a really cute place It doesn’t take too long to walk around the entire village Be sure to take a stroll on the waterfront to admire one of the most beautiful bays in the world There’s also a number of buildings and monuments devoted to the first French settlement in Canada there is a small chapel overlooking Tadoussac Bay Be sure to take a stroll on the boardwalk of Tadoussac Bay or on Pointe de l’Islet Trail on the rocks For craft beer fans, a trip to the Tadoussac Microbrewery is a must. Stop by Microbrasserie Tadoussac for a pint or a flight to sample several of their brews All of the beer is really refreshing and tasty I liked the Capitaine Olsen the best because I am a big fan of hefeweizens myself There’s complimentary popcorn to munch on as well as a little menu of small plates and bites it’s a great local hangout spot with an inviting environment and great beer Here’s something we totally didn’t expect to see in Tadoussac: sand dunes Just a short drive outside of the middle of the village The dunes are two massive marine terraces that are 30 metres tall on the edge of the St It’s possible to go birdwatching at the dunes from August to October where you can see many birds of prey and migratory birds You can also walk from the top of the sand dunes (from the parking lot) down to the shore of the river Whether you admire the scenery from up above or hike down to the bottom the Tadoussac Sand Dunes are well worth checking out Cafe Boheme is a casual fine dining restaurant and cafe in Tadoussac lunch and dinner menu with some vegan options and the staff was happy to explain the plant-based options We started with the Vegan Mushroom Cromesqui which is a croquette stuffed with creamy mushrooms though I wish there was a little bit more food to justify the price (also I ordered the Vegan Couscous: oriental couscous This dish was very fresh and colourful with many interesting components that worked well together I also purchased a coffee for takeaway with plant-based milk that was excellent Enjoy another delicious breakfast at Hotel Tadoussac before checking out of the hotel The staff at Hotel Tadoussac prepared a boxed lunch for us to eat while taking the ferry to the Gaspe Peninsula We were so grateful for the amazing hospitality that we received at Hotel Tadoussac throughout our stay The Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre combines history and the wonders of nature in a peaceful setting on the edge of the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent Marine Park check out the lighthouse and the home of the lighthouse keeper The lighthouse at Cap-de-Bon-Désir dates back to 1941 and served as a guiding light for vessels travelling the St follow the Porpoise Trail on a short forest walk down to the shores of the St Sit out on the massive flat rocks to admire the panoramic scenery relaxing and gazing out towards the horizon for your best chance to see whales The next stop on your Gaspe road trip is getting over to the Gaspe Peninsula from Tadoussac. Take the ferry from Les Escoumins to Trois-Pistoles Make a reservation for this ferry ahead of time and aim to arrive 60 minutes before your departure time Drive your car onto the ferry and relax indoors or outdoors There is a small seating area indoors and a more spacious area with a little cafe and tables There are some pretty views if you sit outdoors but it can get a little chilly out there with the wind La Brulerie d’Ici is a charming little coffee shop in downtown Rimouski If you’re in need of a caffeine boost be sure to make a pit stop here to grab some coffee for the road Feel free to check out some of the shops in downtown Rimouski while you’re there Vegan options can be few and far between when taking a road trip of the Gaspe Peninsula I didn’t have any issues finding vegan dishes along the way (as you can see from this blog post) but it’s awesome to come across a place like Copper Branch on our trip Copper Branch is a chain of entirely vegan restaurants from Quebec and they’ve expanded into Ontario and other places as well I love visiting Copper Branch because I can order anything off the menu The Pointe-au-Pere Lighthouse marks our first stop on the Lighthouse Trail of Quebec Maritime Over 40 lighthouses dot the coast of the St Each lighthouse is completely unique and comes with its own exceptionally gorgeous view Almost 20 of the lighthouses have been restored and transformed back to their original splendor thanks to the work of dedicated individuals and historians Pointe-au-Pere Lighthouse is over 100 years old and it is also a national historic site of Canada It’s the second tallest lighthouse in Canada You can climb 128 steps to the top of the lighthouse for amazing panoramic vistas A guide can tell you all about the intricate workings of the light itself and the lives of the lightkeepers This site is also home to the Empress of Ireland Pavilion which is devoted to telling the history of this passenger cruise ship that sank in 1914 Another unique feature of this location is the Onondaga submarine that rests on the nearby shores we drove past a really adorable village called Sainte-Luce There’s a row of colourful homes lining the waterfront To get the best view and opportunity for photographs park at the Catholic church in Sainte-Luce walk down to the lengthy wooden pier to see the row of rainbow homes The Pointe-Mitis Lighthouse was built in 1874 and later replaced in 1909 by the structure that you see today It became fully automated in 1972 and ceased serving as a navigation aide in 1999 This lighthouse requires a little more effort to visit There is a small parking lot for a few cars just off the main road you need to walk about 1km through a rural neighbourhood to the lighthouse you can spend the night at the historic keeper’s house from May to October It’s possible to stay overnight at a lighthouse here and it is only available on a weekly basis The Matane Lighthouse was built in 1906 and you can easily visit by pulling off to the side of the road Even if you don’t go to the top of the lighthouse this is a beautiful place to stop and admire the lighthouse and the scenery The Cap-Chat Lighthouse is perched on the edge of the cliff adjacent to a cape in the shape of a cat (hence the name) This is an operational lighthouse near several trails that lead down to the sea The Cap-Chat Lighthouse is only a short walk from the parking lot This is another lighthouse that you can call home for the night You can stay in the lightkeeper’s house There are other nearby cottages to rent as well which would make a great holiday for a large family or big gathering Hotel & Cie is an ideal place to spend the night in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts While each room has its own separate entrance from outdoors there’s also a connecting indoor hallway that makes this a hybrid between a hotel and a motel The rooms look to be recently renovated as they’re super clean The bed is really comfortable and there’s a huge desk where you can get some work done There’s a second bed that can be pulled out from the wall; otherwise you can relax on the couch that usually occupies this space We were really impressed with the boxed breakfast that we received the next morning Put in your orders the night before and our breakfast was promptly delivered to our room at a time of our choosing Having breakfast delivered to the room allowed us to get a quicker start to our day BOOK YOUR STAY | READ MORE REVIEWS Pub Chez Bass is a local restaurant in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts overlooking the sea I must say that Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is a little trickier for plant-based eats but Chez Bass has a delicious bean burger topped with edamame hummus (ask to omit the tzatziki sauce) I noticed that they’ve actually expanded their vegetarian options There’s now a vegetarian plate and veggie tacos Definitely check to see if those are vegan or can be made vegan Enjoy breakfast in your room at Hotel & Cie before setting out on your day our Gaspe road trip takes us from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to Forillon National Park on the northeastern edge of the Gaspe Peninsula We also continue along the Lighthouse Trail before venturing into the park What would a Gaspe road trip be without more stops on the Lighthouse Trail We loved stopping at all of these lighthouses It’s a great chance to admire the lighthouses and they’re usually all at a very picturesque location overlooking the sea La Martre lighthouse is still in operation and has been since 1906 The lighthouse itself has a unique wooden structure and I loved the solid red colour of the lighthouse The Cap Madeleine Lighthouse is a heritage lighthouse in Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine the lighthouse you see today was constructed in 1908 to aid local and commercial shipping traffic It’s time for a beautiful view and a photo opportunity at a popular rest stop this perspective offers an astoundingly pretty view of the Grand-Vallee village This is one of the most photographed places in Gaspesie There are also restrooms at this rest stop and you can also enjoy a picnic with your view on one of the picnic tables I really loved how the fences were painted in such bright colours Pointe-a-la-Renommee Lighthouse is perched on the edge of Fame Point It was returned to its original home at Fame Point in 1997 after spending two decades in Quebec City You can simply stop to admire the lighthouse visit two exhibitions or take a guided tour here (for additional fees) This is the first maritime radio station site in North America it was operated by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of Canada The first wireless signals dedicated to saving lives at sea were transmitted in North America Please note that you will need to drive down a long and winding gravel road to reach the lighthouse The road can be a little bit difficult to drive For great eats and a delightful patio overlooking the water, stop by Resto-Pub La Revolte Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse is a national historic site of Canada and it is the tallest lighthouse in the country It is located right at the edge of Forillon National Park making it a great place to stop before entering the park itself this stone lighthouse sits atop imposing cliffs where the St As this region became attributed to many shipwrecks over the years the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse was essential for guiding ships to safety When you visit Forillon National Park, stop at the Visitor Information and Discovery Centre to learn a little more about the history and ecology of the park before you set foot in it There are numerous displays and even a short film You can ask the park staff any questions that you might have This scenic location offers some of the most spectacular views of the national park Walk down a wooden staircase to a rocky beach surrounded by rugged cliffs and turquoise blue waters you can get a closer view to the amazing geological finds of the park While it’s easy to be distracted by the pretty views of the sea don’t forget to look back at the cliffs to see this important marine bird nesting site there are approximately 17,000 seabird nests in the cliffs of the cape embark on the Mont Saint-Alban trail to the Mont Saint-Alban tower A good portion of the hike is an uphill climb but it’s only about a 2km hike in total to witness incredible scenery of Forillon National Park Give yourself about an hour and a half roundtrip for this one Just outside of Forillon National Park at Cap-aux-Os Beach, Cap Aventure offers activities and accommodations for nature and wildlife lovers. We spent the night at one of Cap Aventure’s pods It’s really convenient to stay here if you’re visiting Forillon National Park and if you choose to participate in any of Cap Aventure’s guided tours we took a sea kayaking tour which departed roundtrip from the beach Each pod has a spacious wooden deck out front and glass sliding door entryways into the hut Cap Aventure calls it “ready-to-camp” as you can enjoy nature and comforts at the same time Each of their three pods come with bedding They sleep up to four people with one double bed and one pullout sofa bed The shower and toilets are located in a separate building within a short walk of the pods Please note that there isn’t any drinking water on site Plan to bring your own food and water when you stay here Justin and I picked up some groceries before we arrived: water While we’ve gone kayaking many times it was our first time sea kayaking AND our first time tandem kayaking The waters at Cap-aux-Os Beach were choppier than usual Our guide at Cap Aventure was phenomenal including the “skirt” that goes around your seat in the kayak to keep the water out I didn’t realize how essential this piece of fabric would be When Justin and I launched our kayak into the chilly waters of the Gaspé Bay The waves crashed and water splashed all around Once we paddled past the initial larger waves it was a relatively calm journey on the shores but our ultimate goal was to find the seals Cap Aventure is the only company that’s allowed to operate in this region and they follow strict guidelines You must keep a certain distance from the seals and the shoreline you should not approach the seals or disturb them in any way (if the seals choose to approach you It wasn’t long until we started to see these adorable seal heads poke out of the water the seals followed our kayaks and swam closer to get a better look at us We also spotted many seals and baby seals lounging on the rocks near the shore we explored the south end of Forillon National Park before driving to the town of Perce Perce is an unmissable stop on any Gaspesie itinerary for the awe-inspiring Perce Rock We started our day at the south side of Forillon National Park on a hike to the Cap Gaspe Lighthouse Drive your car to Anse-aux-Amerindiens for an 8km roundtrip hike that takes about two hours The hike itself has a couple of larger hills you’ll be walking along the seaside while soaking up the scenery The Cap Gaspe Lighthouse sits atop the Forillon Peninsula between Gaspe Bay and the Gulf of St The first lighthouse was constructed in 1873 though there have been three lighthouses built over the years This has served as a guiding light to vessels for over 140 years continue your hike to Land’s End in Forillon National Park This short trail winds down to a small observation deck which you could easily consider to be the “End of the World” we embarked on a bit of a drive towards Perce I hadn’t had any coffee yet that day so it was of utmost importance to find a good cuppa Cafe des Artistes in the town of Gaspe is the perfect stopping point You can wander around the cute downtown area Our Gaspe road trip got even better with a delicious oat milk Cafe Misto from Cafe des Artistes Justin and I drove straight to Perce, stopping at La Vieille Usine just outside of town for lunch There are a couple of vegetarian/vegan-friendly items on the menu they were all sold out of the pakora when we visited they had a veggie burger on the menu topped with the yummiest mushrooms I may have eaten a lot of veggie burgers on this trip but they’ve all been different from one another and quite tasty The Perce UNESCO Global Geopark is a must visit if you’re looking for things to do in the Gaspe Peninsula It’s a highlight for anyone interested in geology and nature as you’ll discover over 500 million years of Earth’s history There are two distinct environments at the Perce UNESCO Global Geopark: terrestrial and marine There are several important ecosystems and a huge diversity of flora and fauna Discover the natural history behind the wondrous sites of Perce Rock and Bonaventure Island Tektonik is a fun and interactive multimedia experience at the Geopark where you’ll travel back in time and learn about the formation of Perce Rock Scan cards from a small deck of picture cards as you walk around the exhibit Each display tells a different story of the geological importance or historical moments of Perce Another highlight of the Perce UNESCO Global Geopark is the suspended glass platform at the top of Mount Sainte-Anne Walk out high above the treetops for some of the best views of the region There’s also a thrilling zipline that you can take from this location It’s possible to request a shuttle ride to the top of the mountain and there are also several hiking trails that take you to various lookout points make sure you wander around the town of Perce There are lots of cute shops with handmade goods made by local small businesses If you are looking to bring home some souvenirs for your loved ones Perce has so many delightful trinkets and wares Go for a walk down the seaside boardwalk to the pier so you can admire Perce Rock up close Watch hundreds upon hundreds of gannets “dive bomb” the water – they travel at speeds up to 100km/h This was a great preview of seeing Perce Rock and the northern gannets before heading to Bonaventure Island the following day Restaurant Le Surcouf in Perce is a casual dining restaurant with pizza They can do a veggie pizza without cheese (with loads of veggies!) and they even have couple of vegan ice cream options Hotel-Motel Fleur de Lys is a quiet and comfortable place to stay in Perce The location is perfect for exploring Percé The accommodation is right at the end of the boardwalk that leads to Perce Rock we had amazing views of this incredible landmark right from the window of our room and room #1 would also have a similar view This waterfront motel has plenty of free parking and you really have everything you’d need for a great stay Enjoy breakfast the following morning at their restaurant which is located in the same building as the reception office BOOK YOUR STAY | READ MORE REVIEWS A boat trip to Bonaventure Island is certainly a highlight of any Gaspe Peninsula road trip adventure Once you’ve visited Bonaventure Island hit the road and make the drive towards Causapscal Justin and I woke up early this morning and it was incredibly foggy never mind Bonaventure Island or Perce Rock we departed on our boat cruise to Bonaventure Island unsure of how the weather conditions would progress the fog began to lift and we spotted many seabirds and gannets on Bonaventure Island before landing there We took a boat excursion with Julien Cloutier Boat Cruises the boat takes you close to Percé Rock and encircles Bonaventure Island itself You can see the cliffs and seabirds from the water before visiting the northern gannet colony on the island including the largest northern gannet colony in North America and the most accessible in the world The boat has regular arrival and departure times and you can return on any boat back to the mainland We spent a couple of hours on the island before heading back the cruise takes you around the other side of Perce Rock We were grateful because it was no longer foggy and we got to see Perce Rock up close without any issues Justin and I also spotted whales and seals from the boat Arriving on Bonaventure Island a guide gave us a quick rundown of the things we could see and do there The most important thing to do is hike to the massive Northern Gannet colony the most accessible place to see gannets in the world a 45 minute walk to witness these beautiful seabirds up close but La Colonie trail is the most direct and popular path there There were hundreds upon hundreds of gannets and they were so close to the viewing platform We watched the habits of the gannets as they nested and interacted with one another A naturalist on site explained some interesting details and facts about the gannets This is an absolute must for any Gaspe road trip especially if you love seeing and learning about wildlife Nath & Compagnie is a beautiful cafe and bookstore in Perce that you need to visit Rows of tall bookshelves line the shop with wooden ladders to reach the highest shelves Stop for a sweet treat or a caffeinated beverages I ordered an oat milk latte that was the perfect pick-me-up after a morning of exploring Bonaventure Island For a quick roadside stop between Perce and Causapscal the Carleton Lighthouse offers some quick photo opportunities as well as sweeping views across to Carleton-sur-Mer and even New Brunswick on the other side of the Chaleur Bay Umi Yama Sushi Restaurant in Carleton-sur-Mer really surprised us This is a hip spot in town with colourful cocktails and a vast menu of Asian-inspired offerings Our server was really knowledgeable about making sure my meals were vegan I ordered the vegan Pad Thai and some cucumber sushi rolls Here’s a really innovative roadside stop stop at the Belvedere des Deux-Rivieres for a unique lookout platform unlike any other that I’ve ever visited you’ll see a twisted tunnel structure From the official website “This tunnel is formed by a juxtaposition of squares made of wooden planks between which openings allow light to filter through while revealing glimpses of landscape.” Walk through this tunnel of wooden planks until you reach the end You’ll be treated to beautiful views of the Matapédia and Ristigouche rivers This trail is also the starting point of the International Appalachian Trail Aside from the covered bridge in Amqui that we will be visiting on our last day of the trip there are two more covered bridges to see between Matapedia and Causapscal You’ll drive past the Pont Couvert de Routhierville and the Pont Couvert Heppell en route to Causpscal Auberge la Coulee Douce is a beautiful hotel situated inside a historic Victorian home There is a restaurant on the first floor and hotel rooms on the second floor Dine at the restaurant for dinner and breakfast the following morning The rooms are bright and modern with lots of amenities It looks newly renovated and the room was immaculate The staff is also very accommodating and helpful It’s the perfect stop on any Gaspe road trip Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before hitting the road The last day of our Gaspe road trip was primarily a travel day The drive from Causapscal to Quebec City is approximately four and a half hours Make sure to book a flight later in the day to allow enough time to get to the airport Although the majority of this day was spent driving we made a couple of stops on the way back to Quebec City You also might want to spend a few nights in Quebec City itself rather than leaving straight away the Beausejour covered bridge used to sit above the Brûlé River on the Chemin Beauséjour near Rimouski the covered bridge was nearly demolished as it wasn’t maintained and left to rot for over 20 years After the mayor of Amqui put in a request for the bridge and can be enjoyed by the local community visiting Pierre-et-Maurice-Gagne Park The Beausejour Bridge is not accessible to vehicles but can be used by pedestrians and cyclists we briefly explored Parc de l’Ancien-Quai and its small lighthouse in Saint-Andre-de-Kamouraska Lawrence River and you can admire spectacular panoramic views all around You may have the chance to view some wildlife We saw some baby ducks with their mom swimming around in a nearby pond there was a man inside the lighthouse working on a painting I couldn’t imagine a more peaceful place to paint inside a lighthouse within such a serene environment While we simply picked up our rental car in Quebec City this time around, I highly recommend spending at least three days in Quebec City Quebec City is one of our very favourite cities in Canada Justin and I have visited on numerous occasions and we’d love to go back again and again Looking for more travel inspiration for future trips to Quebec We’ve travelled extensively throughout the province of Quebec Here are more guides for the Laurentians region and beyond What About Travel Insurance?You should never leave home without it Get a travel insurance quote in seconds with the best rates Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns Whale Watching in Tadoussac: How to See Whales in Quebec I'm a part-time traveler and full time travel blogger and content creator I love writing about outdoor adventures and nature Justin Plus Lauren is one of the first vegan travel blogs I've been vegan since 2009 and vegetarian all my life I love sharing the best 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