Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is a town of about 7,000 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 ad 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.

See

• Exploramer, 1 rue du Quai,, ☏ +1 418-763-2500, info@exploramer.qc.ca. June-Sept: daily 9AM-5PM. 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. Park aquarium & museum/sea excursion/fish harvesting activity (2017 rates): child (5 and under) free/$21.00/not available; youth (6-17) $9.50/$28.00/$20.00; student $12.50/$40.00/$25.00; adult $15.00/$48.00/$32.00; family (2 adults and 2 children under 17) $36.50/$130.00/$80.00; combination tickets available. (updated Jan 2018)

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.

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. (updated May 2017)

Drink

• Microbrasserie Le Malbord, 178 1re Av E, ☏ +1 418-764-0022. 11AM-1AM. A micro-brewery that collaborates extensively with other micro-breweries in the region, and serves their beer as well. (updated Jun 2015)

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. (updated May 2017)
• 1 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). (updated Mar 2018)

Stay safe

In May 2017, there was an order (in place for over a year) not to drink tap water because of a bacteria in the water. As the water is now being chlorinated, many local residents are drinking the water.

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