The obligatory gourmet stop
No matter how long the stop at Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is, you have to visit the Marie 4 pockets bakery, where the quantity, variety and quality of the products are fabulous. Perfect for morning coffee and pastries or for sandwiches to take to the beach for the picnic. Don’t look for the bucolic heritage house, however, the two Maries who make the place tick have settled next to the Subway, on route 132. You forget all that as soon as you walk through the door…
Marie 4 pockets, 111, boulevard Sainte-Anne Ouest
Visit the Marie 4 pockets website
For the sweet break
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Chocolate Color
Brilliant chocolate shop that offers candies made with ingredients from the boreal forest and other delights from further afield, like this curry bar. The artisans at Couleur Chocolat are ingenious and daring, but still give pride of place to caramel, with or without salt. Because what would a chocolate factory be without that? Soft ice cream makes its debut with the first beautiful days of May.
Chocolate Color, 36, 2e West Street
Visit the Couleur Chocolat website
Visit to the museum
Explore
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
This year, the science museum will be open from June 2 to October 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The work White flag by the artist Armand Vaillancourt welcomes visitors.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Exploramer is the largest scientific museum in Gaspé. It is located, as it should be, on the edge of the St. Lawrence.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The visit is ideal if you want to extend the stop; the pools will delight the littlest travelers who need to stretch their legs.
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Explorermer’s reputation is well established, but few visitors to the region know that its Fourchette bleue program offers a sea excursion to learn about sustainable fishing every summer morning, at 7 a.m. (from June 24 to August 28). Participants can discover little-known species of the St. Lawrence, such as the hemitripter or the sculpin, in the company of scientific guides. Fishing accessories are provided.
1, rue du Quai
Visit the Explorerer website
For 5 to 7
Beer or cocktail?
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Mathias, new cocktail creator at Auberge La Seigneurie des Monts
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The city’s microbrewery, Le Malbord, rue Principale
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For the cocktail break, we suggest a visit to the small Auberge La Seigneurie des Monts where Mathias, the new mixologist in residence, prepares the classics, but likes to add local ingredients to his creations. Pleasant to sip your cocktail facing the sea – the establishment also offers beers and wines by the glass. If you are the type to visit the microbrewery in each village where there is one worth your while, then you should definitely head to Le Malbord, also on Rue Principale which borders the river. We highly recommend her Bridal Veil.
21, 1D West Avenue and 178, 1D West Avenue
Visit the Malbord website
Sleep there
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Icon of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Château Lamontagne is a renowned restaurant in the region, by the sea. You can also sleep there, in the main building or in one of the small neighboring chalets.
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PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE PANORA LOGES FLUVIALES FACEBOOK PAGE
Panora offers river lodges directly facing the river.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The Full My Suitcase boutique at Hôtel et cie is filled with cheeses, terrines and other delicious things that make your happy hour on the Sainte-Anne beach unforgettable.
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For accommodation, the offer is varied and has suddenly improved with the opening two years ago of the magnificent Panora river lodges directly facing the river (but whose reservation book is filling up quickly!). It is complete ? Opt for the classic Château Lamontagne and its restaurant which loves seafood ingredients or Hôtel et cie, certainly less bucolic, but perfectly maintained. This is a hotel-motel on the side of Route 132, comfortable and at a good price. Yes, the sound of trucks not so far away replaces that of the waves, but the establishment has a wild card, and everything: a magnificent charcuterie counter and a great restaurant!
Visit the Panora website
Visit the Château Lamontagne website
Visit the Hôtel et cie website