Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is a town of about 6,100 (2021) on the south shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, east of Quebec City in the Gaspé Peninsula. Travellers are most likely to stop in the town en route to nearby Gaspésie National Park (the main road into the park, Highway 299, starts in the town) or to further-flung destinations such as Percé.
Understand
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts lies between the Chic-Choc Mountains and the south shore of the St-Lawrence river estuary. The town includes the communities of L'Anse-de-l'Église, L'Anse-Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Mont-Albert, Petit-Tourelle, Ruisseau-à-Patates, and Tourelle.
The first European settlers arrived in 1815 and established small fisheries. Tourism and fishing are the local industries. Over 98% of the town's population speaks French as their first language.
Get in
By car
Saine-Anne-des-Monts is on Route 132, the scenic route around the coast of the Gaspé peninsula. From Rimouski or other points in the west, it takes you to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and then to the town of Gaspé and to Percé further east.
By bus
- Orléans Express, 521, avenue du Phare Est, ☏ +1 450-640-1477, toll-free: +1-833-449-6444. Operates bus routes within Quebec and to Ottawa. Operates a route daily between Gaspé and Rimouski including stops in Grande-Vallée, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Matane, and Mont-Joli. Route follows the St. Lawrence River along the north side of Gaspé Peninsula.
Get around
- The city is accessible on foot from the major hotels
- Taxi service is available from Transport Pascal Fournier ☏ +1 418-764-0660
See
- Exploramer, 1 rue du Quai,, ☏ +1 418-763-2500, info@exploramer.qc.ca. Jun-Sep: daily 09:00-17:00. An activity complex on the Saint-Lawrence River aquatic fauna, where you can see an aquarium offering 21 tanks which contain fish, marine organism, a thematic exhibition about the sea, offshore excursions, and many more cultural events. Sea excursions available late-Jun to early Sep. Explore the St. Lawrence or learn scout trap fishing techniques, species biology and habitat. Park aquarium & museum: adult $18, student $15, youth (6-17) $12, child (5 and under) free, family (2 adults and 2 children under 17) $45.
- La Martre Lighthouse, 10 Avenue du Phare, La Martre, ☏ +1 418-288-5698. Jun-Sep: 09:00-17:00. This lighthouse features a rare example of its original Fresnel lens. Tours and gift shop are available during the high season, and the grounds are available year round.
Do
- On the other side the mountains, the Gaspésie National Park opens the door to the McGerrigle and Chic-Chocs mountains. They offer a panoramic photographic opportunity for the apex of Mont-Jacques-Cartier, second highest summit in Québec. Moose and caribou (the last herd south of the Saint Lawrence River) are found in the park.
- Explore the forest and mountains by snowshoe, cross-country skiing, snowmobile, horse riding, or walking on marked paths through the Gaspésie area.
- Other activities include telemark skiing, paragliding, sea kayaking, and fishing in the river.
- Multi-use waterfront path along 1re Ave offers access to parks beaches, shops, and restaurants
- Watch the sunset from the observation tower or quai outside L'Exploramer
Buy
- Chocolaterie Couleur Chocolat, 36 2e Rue Ouest. Daily 10:00-20:00 during the high season. Local artisan chocolate made on site
- Le Petit Marche, ☏ +1 418-967-1333, lepetitmarchegaspesie@gmail.com. Daily 09:00-17:00. A large shop featuring products from many local artisans.
Eat
- Du Quai, 3, 1re Avenue Ouest, ☏ +1 418-763-7407. Fresh seafood restaurant and seafood shop on the waterfront. Lobster sandwich, seafood crêpe, clam chowder, crab dinner, lobster dinner, cod, halibut, mussels. Bilingual menu.
- Marie4Poches, 111 Bd Ste Anne Ouest, ☏ +1 418-763-4775, patisseriem4p@gmail.com. Coffee shop and bakery with excellent sandwiches. Limited seating inside.
- Littoral Bistro Gourmand, 170, 1re Avenue Ouest. Su M closed, Tu-Sa 16:00-23:00. Typical Quebec bistro, with a full service bar and above average food. $20-40 for an entree.
Drink
- Microbrasserie Le Malbord, 178 1re Av Est, ☏ +1 418-764-0022. 11:00-01:00. A micro-brewery that collaborates extensively with other micro-breweries in the region, and serves their beer as well.
Sleep
- Auberge du Vieux Faubourg, 45, 1re Avenue Ouest. Its beachfront location provides a great sea view from the spacious terrace. WiFi, TV, parking, light breakfast included. Some rooms have a sea-facing balcony. Complimentary bicycles are provided. Doubles from $95, Queen rooms from $125.
- 🌍 Augerge Festive Sea Shack (Hostelling International Saint-Anne-des-Monts), 292, Boulevard Perron Est (12 km east of town on Rte 132), ☏ +1 418-763-2999, toll-free: +1-866-963-2999. Beachfront lodging with cabins, yurts, dormitories, and outdoor camping offered. Campsites $15, lodging $30-150, $5 discount for HI members (excluding campsites).
Connect
Cell service is good in town and along Autoroute 132. Coverage extends about 15 km south on Autoroute 299.
Wifi is available in most hotels, and accessible from Tim Hortons (2 Bd Ste Anne Ouest) or Subway (111 Bd Ste Anne Ouest).
Go next
| Routes through Sainte-Anne-des-Monts |
| Rimouski ← Matane ← | W E | → Jct E → Grande-Vallée → Gaspé |
| END ← | N S | → Gaspésie National Park → New Richmond |