A trip in Gaspésie: our favorites
In collaboration with Our Next Project
When Sépaq offered us the opportunity for an enchanting stay in Gaspésie, we didn’t need any convincing before diving head first into the adventure. The only memory that I had of Gaspésie came from my childhood, already a long time ago, when I visited the region with my family in a motor home. But honestly, I discovered that my memories of Gaspésie didn’t do it justice. Not by a long shot!
To maximize our discoveries, an itinerary spanning a few days was concocted for us to discover the region. My mission, you ask? To describe this corner of paradise and share my favourite discoveries with you.
Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs
A small detour on the way to go
Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata
We spent our first evening at the Lac Témiscouata campground. Our home for the night was halfway between a tent and a cabin. It was the perfect combination for outdoor enthusiasts such as Guillaume and myself. A ready-to-camp is a happy compromise between rustic camping and a hotel.
As a bonus, we were treated to a beautiful sunset, plus a swim in the lake where the temperature was absolutely perfect!
The following morning at sunrise, it was time to head to our second destination: Gîte du Mont-Albert.
Gîte du Mont-Albert
A dream location for all fans of the great outdoors located at the heart of Parc national de la Gaspésie! All sorts of activities were on our program. We chose to go on a hike (a jaunt that I consider quite easy) to the peak of Mont Ernest-Laforce. Once in the tree tops , we enjoyed our snack with a 360-degree dream view of the mountains. During our descent, we found ourselves face-to-face with... a moose!
The menu of the restaurant at Gîte du Mont-Albert deserves a very special mention. The food was delicious and the presentation was a work of art! A meal featuring local fare that I’ll simply never forget!
Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs
Honestly, I didn’t know anything about the place, geographically speaking. What a surprise it was to learn that we had to take a shuttle to get there. An hour and a half later, we arrived at our destination, and that’s when we were treated to nature in all its splendour! The lodge is located at the top of the mountains, and the staff extends a very warm welcome to all guests reaching these peaks. They took the time to explain in detail all the activities at our disposal. This is when we realized that three days was clearly not enough to do everything and to discover the surrounding world of nature as well.
To begin, we opted to go on a photo safari in search of moose, the emblems of Gaspésie. Guillaume absolutely wanted a picture of this creature, and his wish was granted. In addition, electric bikes were at our disposal to go for a ride in the surrounding area. After a four-kilometre hike, we reached Lac Barbarin where kayaks awaited us to paddle in the warm sunlight.
We also seized the opportunity to go on a short hike to Chute Hélène falls, a must-see for those staying at the lodge.
I must admit that I simply love being at the foot of a waterfall. The sound of water crashing on rocks, the swirling droplets landing on my face, and the cool wind giving me chills – all this connects me with nature, and the aquatic symphony gives me a feeling of freedom and completeness.
After an intense day of sports, what could be better than relaxing at a spa? Knowing that the lodge is located more than 600 metres high, we felt the moral obligation and intense desire to go admire the starry firmament. And luck was on our side! The sky was clear, the clouds gave way to the celestial dome, and we were treated to a display of shooting stars. A true fairy tale. Magnificent and indescribable!
It must be noted that there is no Wi-Fi here. Rien, niet, nada de nada, no internet connection. Disconnecting from social media from time to time is a must, and this is the perfect place to do so. Without a cell phone or a computer, we rediscover the simplicity of connecting with the people around us. We're forced to discover that there are other places besides a screen where we can hook up with others. It’s essential to create bonds. That's how we discovered attentive and professional staff and got to know all sorts of interesting visitors. We shared a meal, drank wine, and even sang together! With no cell phones on the table, we relearned to live in the present moment. To disconnect, relax, and find ourselves – a perfect choice for a perfect stay!
I confess that these few days spent here have left me with unforgettable memories. That’s no exaggeration!
A special call out to the cooks… the meals were simply delicious and nothing short of stunning. With feasts featuring fresh ingredients combining both colour and flavour, second helpings were very difficult to resist. We ate like kings!
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Short stop on the return to Quebec
Station touristique Duchesnay
After our departure from Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs, we stopped on the way back at Station touristique Duchesnay near Quebec City. Nordic baths, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking trails – we were offered a wide range of sports activities to burn the calories from our gourmet meals! But instead we chose to spend a leisure day at the spa to relax our muscles after an intense week. We deserved it!
Many thanks to Sépaq for giving us the opportunity to discover new destinations in Gaspésie. We totally fell under the spell of this region, and Guillaume and I absolutely intend to return really soon. Don’t hesitate to add this corner of paradise to your agenda. It’s a decision you’ll never regret!
About Our Next Project
Our Next Project is the combination of Guillaume and Camille, two content creators who wants to merge their passion to their work and follow their instinct. Their strengths complement each other perfectly to build a dream team where artistic symbiosis becomes their trademark. They made their dreams their way of life. Here is their leitmotiv.