Gaspesia is one of those rare places where simply turning the ignition key seems to lower your blood pressure. For me, it’s a special playground, a timeless classic, a place where motorcycling takes on its full meaning. One day, two days, three days, a week, even two… no matter how long, I always get my money’s worth. The landscapes are breathtaking, the salty air tickles your nostrils, and the people, let’s be honest, live at a much more human pace than in our big cities, overloaded with honking horns and overfilled schedules.
This year, once again, tradition is being upheld: Labor Day weekend, three days of motorcycling in the Gaspé Peninsula. No need to reinvent the wheel when the formula has been working for years.
Day 1 – From Mont-Joli to Chandler: when the journey begins at Tim Hortons
We set off early on Saturday morning. The kind of early where coffee isn’t an option, but a mechanical necessity. We head to Mont-Joli for our first strategic stop at Tim Hortons. Eggs, hot coffee, and technical discussions about tires, the weather, and the road ahead. The sky is clear, the temperature mild: everything indicates that the weekend will live up to our expectations.
After breakfast, we head to Amqui for a fuel stop. With full tanks and bikes ready, we then tackle the Matapédia Valley, a must for any self-respecting motorcyclist. The road winds elegantly, running alongside the river on one side and the mountains on the other. At this time of year, traffic is much lighter, allowing us to fully appreciate every curve. The pace is good, the group is in sync, and the atmosphere is relaxed. In short, simple happiness.
A stop at Pointe-à-la-Croix allows us to stretch our legs and stay alert. Then we enter the Baie des Chaleurs area, where the landscape becomes even more intense. I’ve always preferred to travel this section in this direction: the sea is on the right, clearly visible, as if accompanying us all the way.
Lunch is planned at a fast food restaurant in Carleton-sur-Mer. Nothing gourmet, but efficient—because when you’re driving, you eat to get going again, not to take a nap. Another stop is planned in Paspébiac before reaching our final destination for the day: Chandler.
The rooms have been booked since spring. One small detail I had forgotten: we opted for the workers’ rooms, located in the basement. Let’s just say they’re clean and functional… but definitely at ground level. Lesson learned: read the fine print before trying to save money. That said, we’re not in the Gaspé Peninsula to spend the evening in our rooms.
So we take advantage of the town and its atmosphere. First stop: Au Bar de la 132, for a well-deserved local beer. The people are welcoming, it’s easy to strike up conversations with the locals, and we quickly feel at home. For dinner, the local pizzeria was our first choice, but due to a lack of staff, the dining room is closed. Plan B: Dixie Lee, a true Gaspesian institution. Healthy food will have to wait… again.
Day 2 – Percé, Forillon, and Rivière-la-Madeleine: between tourists and tranquility
On Sunday morning, we had breakfast at the Motel Fraser restaurant. The place seems to be Chandler’s gathering spot after the 10 a.m. mass. Against all odds, we found a table without waiting. With our stomachs full, we headed to Percé, a tourist hotspot.
So touristy, in fact, that it’s impossible to find parking. After three complete laps, my patience—well honed by years of motorcycling—reaches its limit. Change of plan: we head for Coin-du-Banc beach, just past Percé. And there, finally, was the Gaspé Peninsula I love: a quiet beach, waves, salty air, and few people. A few brave ones were swimming, but I preferred the sand… especially since I had left my swimsuit at home. Minor detail.
We then take Route 132 towards Forillon National Park. A little nostalgic aside: in 1988, I went camping there with my girlfriend at the time. Yes, that gives away my age a little. We stop at Fort Peninsula, which is unfortunately undergoing renovations. We can’t visit the tunnels, but that’s just a postponement.
We’re in need of coffee. Nearby, “La Petite Amélie, café-boutique” catches our eye. We arrive just as they’re closing, but Amélie, true to the reputation of Gaspesians, welcomes us with a smile and invites us to take our time on the terrace. A small cloud passes by, a brief rain shower falls, then everything calms down. A perfect moment.
The final destination of the day is Rivière-la-Madeleine, where we have booked a room at the Hôtel Bon Accueil. We have dinner at La Capitainerie des Deux Sœurs, a charming place we discovered last year and were eager to revisit.
Day 3 – The return… already
On the third morning, the whole group is unanimous: breakfast at La Capitainerie des Deux Sœurs. The icing on the cake is that we even have the chance to be served by the mayor of the village. It’s not every day you can say that.
The return trip goes smoothly. We stop in Matane for coffee and dessert at La Boulangerie Toujours Dimanche. The desserts are downright decadent.
The last surprise at the end of the trip: near the Mont-Joli airport, a plane is preparing for takeoff. I manage to convince the group to go to the end of the runway to watch the show. A wonderful way to end these three days.
We return home with our heads filled with landscapes, laughter, and memories of friends. And one thing is already certain: I can’t wait for Labor Day 2026. Because the Gaspé Peninsula on a motorcycle is something you can never describe in just one story.
