The perfect road trip: From Montreal to Gaspésie
Lifestyle
8 MIN READ
How long does the perfect road trip take?
While you could spend weeks taking in all the incredible vistas and hospitality that Gaspé has to offer, we’ve put together a seven-day itinerary that offers the best of both worlds: plenty of rugged, untamed nature and authentic Quebecois culture.
Day 1: Quebec City
Drive time: 2.5 hours
The first and last stop on our journey, Quebec City is worth a week on its own – so we certainly wouldn’t blame you if you decided to bookend your trip with a few extra days. But whether you’re there for an extended stay or just a single day, there are definitely a few must-visit spots that stand out from the rest.
After the two-and-a-half hour drive from Montreal, you’ll probably want to stretch your legs. If you’re a history buff, then the Plains of Abraham, Place Royal, the Citadelle and a stroll down Dufferin Terrace are a must. Conveniently, the Dufferin Terrace walk offers an up-close-and-personal view of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – the most photographed hotel in the world.
If you’re looking to wander, shop and take in as much of the city’s ambience as you can, then head down to Quartier Petit-Champlain for a positively storybook day in North America’s oldest commercial district. And if it’s provisions for your trip you’re after, head over to L’Épicerie J.A. Moisan – a Quebec grocery store and institution founded in 1871. With a finely curated selection of goods that include coffees, teas and wines, as well as cold cuts, cheeses and ready-made meals, they’ve got everything you’ll need to pack the ultimate picnic basket. Plus, they’ve converted the old upstairs apartments into a wonderfully cozy upstairs inn, L’Auberge, if you want to double up on authenticity and charm.
Alternatively, if a big, hearty, send-off meal is what you’re craving, then you can’t go wrong with a visit to Bistro L’Orygine. This organic-only restaurant uses local ingredients to create seasonal menus worth revisiting. From venison and guinea fowl to pumpkin ricotta & chamomile tarts and hazelnut churros, you’ll be hard-pressed to settle on just three courses.
Road trip-ready: QX60 comfort
As you head east on Highway 132, it’s important to ask yourself how to make a long road trip more comfortable. Because after all, adventures should be enjoyed. With its massaging first-class front seats, tri-zone climate control and flexible second- and third-row seating, the INFINITI QX60 is your answer. Its next-generation comfort and versatility will ensure that your whole trip – including the long hours on the road – is one, big feelgood memory.
Day 2: Bic National Park
Drive time: 3 hours
Emblematic of the Gaspé region as a whole, Bic National Park is a celebration of maritime greatness. Rocky hills give way to lowland marshes, with long stretches of rivers and coastal shoreline offering ample opportunities to watch for seals. Add its countless bays, capes, coves and islands into the mix – not to mention its 25km and 15km of hiking/snowshoeing and biking trails, respectively – and you’ll be hard-pressed to pack up after just one day.
Thankfully, with four coastal campgrounds to choose from, you’ll be able to get the most out of your time in the park before retiring for the evening.
Road trip-ready: QX60 views
From the moment you drive into the park until the moment you leave, you’ll be able to truly appreciate Bic’s stunning vistas thanks to QX60’s panoramic moonroof. With power open, close and tilt controls at your command, you’ll have complete control of your views and air flow.
Day 3: Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Drive time: 2.5 hours
Built around a cove and tucked away in the Chic Choc Mountains, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is a first-rate stop if you’re after some oceanfront fun. Case in point: the Exploramer. A maritime science centre of the highest order, it offers visitors the opportunity to learn about and interact with sea life through its museum, aquarium and touch pools, as well as sea excursions and low tide fish harvesting. Once you’re all fished out, grab some top-notch treats from Couleur Chocolat, a chocolate-fueled imaginarium that draws inspiration and flavours from the surrounding region. After that, you can head just outside of town to enjoy some beachfront brews at Le Naufrageur.
Once you’ve hit the road again, be sure to keep an eye out for the Musée des Phares. Regarded by many as Gaspé’s most picturesque lighthouse, it both still works and serves as a museum. With guided tours, exhibits and a very cool, very old clockwork system operating its lens, the Musée des Phares is a great spot to stretch your legs, snap some pictures and brush up on your lighthouse trivia.
Road trip-ready: QX60 navigation
Feeling confident behind the wheel is a must, but that can be hard to manage when you’re a province or more away from home. Enter the QX60’s safety and driver assist features.
Navigation with MapCare and Premium Traffic means you’ll have real-time, 3D mapping and turn-by-turn directions to ensure you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Add Blind Spot Intervention®, Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian (or in this case, moose and caribou) Detection and other smart technologies into the mix, and you’ll have all the confidence you need to explore the east coast, the west coast and everything in between.
Day 4: Forillon National Park
Drive time: 3 hours
The eastern-most stop on your journey, Forillon National Park is the end of not just the Appalachian Mountains, but the peninsula itself. Forillon rewards adventurers with an array of memorable hikes: from its starting point on the International Appalachian Trail, to La Chute’s 17-metre-high waterfall, to the gloriousness of Cap-Gaspé and the “Land’s End” sign at the far side of Les Graves. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some of the park’s bountiful wildlife, which includes seals, beavers, bears and moose. Just make sure you save some time for one of the June-October whale watching cruises.
Before you head to the park, be sure to stop off in the city of Gaspé. There, you’ll be able to stock up on food should you choose to camp in Forillon. And on top of that, you can visit the Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg – a faithful recreation of a traditional Mi’kmaq village.
Road trip-ready: QX60 tech
Next-generation technologies like the available Smart Rear View Mirror and QX60’s available 10.8” Head-Up Display make a difference in every setting.
Whether your cargo space is full of camping gear or groceries, the Smart Rear View Mirror connects to a rear-facing camera to offer a clear and frameless view of everything behind you. And with the Head-Up Display, you’ll see real-time information projected onto the windshield – so you can remain focused on the traffic or terrain in front of you.
Day 5: Percé, Quebec
Drive time: 1.5 hours
Directly south of Bic National Park lies one of the highlights of this trip. After days on the road and a couple of nights in campgrounds, the sites, activities and restaurants in Percé, Quebec are a welcome reminder of how abundant beauty and hospitality are in the Gaspé region.
Featuring some of the nicest beaches in coastal Quebec, Percé is an ideal stop – especially in summer. Percé Rock juts out of Saint-Lawrence like the 375 million-year-old monolithic centrepiece (and namesake) of town that it is, while the nearby Bonaventure Island stands out as one of the world’s largest and most accessible bird sanctuaries. Visiting Bonaventure Island means you’ll have the opportunity to witness over 200,000 seabirds – including 110,000 northern gannets – in all their splendid, natural glory.
Once you’ve done some sightseeing, head on over to La Normandie and book one of their seaside suites for a truly rejuvenating place to call home base. Between the morning sea mist and the gannets circling Percé Rock, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better view to wake up to.
After you’ve dropped off your bags, head on into town for a meal at La Maison du Pêcheur, which is considered by many to be among the best restaurants in the region. All the seafood is locally sourced, with fresh catches ranging from halibut and salmon to scallops and lobster.
Lastly, but certainly not least, consider visiting L'Anse-à-Beaufils. Just south of Percé, it’s home to La Vieille Usine – a non-profit art, performance and cultural centre that features a theatre, art gallery and café-bistro. A must-make pitstop for anyone craving a bit more of the local culture and cuisine.
Road trip-ready: QX60 entertainment
Just because you’re far from home doesn’t mean you can’t bring a few creature comforts with you.
Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® allow you to turn QX60 into a home away from home, with connected services that make it a hub for many connected devices. Add wireless charging, an INFINITI InTouch 12.3” Interactive Display and a 17-speaker Performance Series audio system from Bose® into the mix, and you’ve got everything you’ll need to stay informed and thoroughly entertained.
Day 6: Carleton-sur-Mer
Drive time: 3 hours
Comfortably nestled in Chaleur Bay, Carleton-sur-Mer is the perfect place to enjoy some swimming, suntanning and other beach-based activities. The more nautically-inclined can even hit the high seas with single-day sailing lessons and excursions through Écovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs.
Once you’re firmly back on dry land, head over to the Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur for a pint of organic artistry to finish off the day. Pair it with some poutine, arancini, or any of the other savoury snacks on their pub menu. And when you’re done, stop by the adjoining bakery, La Mie Véritable, to grab some baked breakfast goods for Day 7.
Road trip-ready: QX60 driving
As you navigate Gaspé and its terrain, QX60’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and Drive Mode selector will arm you with the capability and confidence to tackle even the most inclement weather. With Sport, Auto, Eco, Snow and other Drive Modes to choose from, complete control over your drive – and driving conditions – is always within reach.
Day 7: Rimouski
Drive time: 3.5 hours
Just 15 km from Bic National Park, Rimouski is the last spot on your week-long, whirlwind trip around the Gaspé peninsula. And what better way to cap things off than with a nice, long steam followed by an even nicer and longer dip in their hydrotherapy pool? Noah Spa will restore your mind and body with its unique watergenic spa course, which features a sequence of massage jets and fountains designed to help you achieve nirvana.
Once you’ve properly recovered, go grab a bite to eat at one of the coziest pasta places this side of Sicily. La Maison du Spaghetti is Rimouski’s go-to choice for quality Italian eats. With an impressive wine collection and an open-air terrace, La Maison du Spaghetti is the perfect place to sit and luxuriate in an evening of gourmet goodness.
After you’ve seen and done it all on this, the last leg of your journey, there’s only one thing left to do: head back to Quebec City for even more of what the Old City has to offer, or drive to Montreal and close out your east coast road trip in style.
Road trip-ready: QX60 safety
Even on the road home, safety matters. That’s why QX60 comes standard with premium features like Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning (with haptic steering wheel alert), High Beam Assist and more.
