On the road to Gaspésie... three must-stops

3 stops you absolutely have to make, headed for Gaspésie! 🚗

We know it, Gaspésie isn’t exactly around the corner. Whether you’re leaving from Montreal or Quebec City, you’ll need plenty of podcasts and plenty of good Spotify playlists to survive. We know what we’re talking about, we bought ourselves an annual round-trip pass, Montreal-Maria.

Recently, we decided to stop along the way. Yes, yes. You read that right, we took the time to add 1 to 2 hours to the drive. No, I’m not talking about a detour here, I’m talking about strategic stops (because if you know Aymeric well, time is precious)

First stop; Kamouraska (downtown, if you can call it that)

Usually, you get to Kamouraska in the early afternoon. Perfect for lunch. If there’s one thing I hate about road-tripping, it’s eating fast food. The real ones know, and it’s a joke, but my body is a temple (well, almost). For real, I love to eat, both at home and on the road.

I found my perfect match at the restaurant Côté Est. When you arrive there, you’re not too sure there’ll be room for you. Until they take you out to the terrace, which is, let’s be honest, huge AND right on the water, I meaaan 😍. It’s cafeteria-style. So you get it; fast and efficient.

Meals and local products that are simply delicious. For fans of the oyster happy hour like me, you won’t be disappointed. You’ve even got a bar option. From a glass of natural wine to kombucha, depending on whether you’re the driver or the co-pilot on the road, there’s something for every taste.

Your meal is ready in 10 minutes max, and if you eat as fast as we do you’re out of there after 30 minutes, and your Instagram story is worthy of a future collab with the place 👌.

Second stop; Trois-Pistoles

Cheese fan? 🧀 Head to the Fromagerie des Basques. It’s called a cheese shop, but let’s be clear, there’s square-loaf bread and prepared meals (say you missed the exit for Kamou). Honestly, it wasn’t the first time I’d eaten their famous “skouik skouik” squeaky cheese, but it was the first time I stopped in, and the place is clearly underrated.

If I have one thing to tell you, it’s don’t forget to raise your credit limit before heading to the checkout, because one product doesn’t wait for the next in your basket.

Third stop; Amqui

After treating yourself like that and, at the same time, having driven nearly 5 hours (or 7) of responsible driving, you deserve a little surprise. #treatyourself. Stop at the cutest ice cream shop around (probably the only one, too). Brace yourself mentally, because this could be your longest stop. It’s simple. So. Many. Choices. 🍦 Paradise for the indecisive. A nightmare for Aymeric (my famous sugar gremlin).

For my part, the choice is always easy, I’ve got an addiction to the pistachio gelato. Aym often gets a cone dipped in chocolate. Either way, they’ve got your favourite, I’m sure of it. There’s even a sandwich section. In case you want a lunch for your first day on the job tomorrow. Because yes, the grocery stores close at 6 PM in Gaspésie 😉.

Basically, I’d advise you to set off on an empty stomach, because these are nothing but stops that are; food related 🤭. I think you can guess that I like good food a little (a lot), oops. But you know, what’s better than discovering good local products on the road. It’s part of the experience, isn’t it?!

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