The Gaspé Peninsula

Written by Dustin Manley

The Gaspé Peninsula is one of the most beautiful regions in Quebec and all of Canada. The area is a popular tourist destination known for a number of attractions including Percé Rock, one of the world's largest natural arches in water.

One April evening I decided to see the Percé Rock for myself so early the next morning I caught the 5:40am train to Quebec City and rented a car for the remainder of the journey. I had a hotel booked in Campbellton, NB for that night and planned to arrive in Gaspé for the following evening. Unfortunately, I forgot everything closes early in the Maritimes and I found myself with 75km left of fuel with all the available hotels and gas stations 100km away in all directions. I was left with no option but to spend the night in the car, parked in the pharmacy parking lot of the tiny French community of Kedgwick, NB.

Despite that setback, I made it to Percé and Gaspé the next afternoon. The Percé Rock was truly a sight to behold, a massive rock formation surrounded by cerulean waters and ivory ice floes. The city of Gaspé was vibrant and welcoming and home to one of the best steak frites I've had in my life. Unfortunately, my trip was short-lived and the next morning I drove along the northern tip shores of the peninsula to catch my train back to Toronto from Quebec City.

All photos by Dustin Manley. All rights reserved.