Getting There
By Train -- Via Rail (tel. 888/842-7245; www.viarail.ca) travels to the Gaspé region. It goes along the St. Lawrence River and then cuts inland and on to the southern shore of the peninsula. The train makes the trip three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and returns on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. From Montréal, the ride takes 16 hours. The Comfort Supersaver fare, with 5 days advance booking, is C$96 (US$96/£48) one-way. Rental cars in Gaspé can be arranged with National (tel. 418/368-1541) or Budget (tel. 418/368-1610).
By Car -- From Québec City, it's 765km (475 miles) to Percé, the furthest point on the peninsula, via the coastal Route 132 on the northern shore. This "north tour" is the most scenic route. Leave Québec City by crossing to the southern side of the St. Lawrence River and picking up Route 20 East. Route 20 turns into Route 132 in the Gaspé region. The underside of the peninsula, which you'll travel on if you continue on Route 132 after leaving Percé, is largely a flat coastal plain beside a regular shoreline.
Visitor Information
The Québec Government's tourism office's website, www.bonjourquebec.com, is thorough and up-to-date. Click on "Explore" and then go to "Tourist Region/Gaspésie." Gaspé's regional tourism association (www.tourisme-gaspesie.com) has a number of brochures that they'll mail you. Note that as you move farther away from Québec City, the more difficult it becomes to find people who speak English.
