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Forillon National Park

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Overview

Forillon National Park, one of 42 national parks and park reserves across Canada, is located at the outer tip of the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec and covers 244 km2 (94 sq mi). Created in 1970, Forillon was the first national park in Quebec. The park includes forests, sea coast, salt marshes, sand dunes, cliffs, and the Eastern End of the Appalachians. The word forillon is thought to have referred to a flowerpot island or sea stack which used to be a landmark in the area but has since collapsed into the ocean.

Facts

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

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A landscape for the senses

Beyond its rugged coastline, Forillon offers a palette of environments that shift with the tide and the season. Early summer brings ferns unfurling in the marshes, while autumn paints the Appalachian foothills in amber. Hikers who linger near the sand dunes can hear the soft sigh of wind through the grasses, a reminder of the park’s maritime character. Birdwatchers will note the subtle change in avian traffic: osprey wheel overhead in spring, and later, sandpipers dot the tidal flats at low water. The juxtaposition of marine and upland habitats encourages a slower rhythm, inviting visitors to trade the usual checklist for moments of quiet observation.

Practical entry points for deeper exploration

Most travellers arrive via the town of Gaspé, yet the park’s layout rewards those who venture beyond the main visitor centre. A short drive along Route 132 leads to the lesser‑used eastern bay, where a modest gravel track grants access to an old fishing village ruin—an evocative glimpse of the region’s pre‑park heritage. For a more secluded coastal walk, follow the low‑lying path that snakes behind the cliffs near Cap Bon‑Ami; the trail is unmarked but well‑trodden by locals and yields unmatched sunrise views without the crowds. Carry a waterproof map and a sturdy pair of boots; the terrain can be soft underfoot, and cell service fades quickly once you leave the main road.

Comparative glimpse: Forillon and the Maritime parks of the UK

When set beside Britain’s coastal national parks—such as the Pembrokeshire Coast—Forillon’s blend of forested highlands and sea‑cliff drama feels both familiar and distinct. Both regions share a heritage of fishing settlements, yet Forillon’s western Atlantic exposure brings harsher weather patterns, shaping a more dramatic tidal range. The park’s Appalachian geology offers ancient rock formations that differ from the Silurian slate of Wales. For travellers who appreciate the rhythmic roar of waves against basalt, Forillon provides a North‑American counterpart that feels less trodden, allowing a comparative study of how coastal cultures adapt to similar natural pressures on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

Introduction

National park in Quebec, Canada For other uses, see Forillon (disambiguation). Forillon National ParkParc national ForillonIUCN category II (national park)Cap Bon-Ami at sunsetLocation in CanadaShow map of CanadaForillon National Park (Quebec)Show map of QuebecInteractive map of Forillon National ParkLocationGaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, La Côte-de-Gaspé Regional County Municipality, Quebec, CanadaNearest cityGaspé, QuebecCoordinates48°54′N 64°21′W / 48.900°N 64.350°W / 48.900; -64.350Area244 km2 (94 sq mi)Established8 June 1970Visitors164,130 (in 2022–23)Governing bodyParks Canada Forillon National Park, one of 42 national parks and park reserves across Canada, is located at the outer tip of the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec and covers 244 km2 (94 sq mi). Created in 1970, Forillon was the first national park in Quebec. The park includes forests, sea coast, salt marshes, sand dunes, cliffs, and the Eastern End of the Appalachians. The word forillon is thought to have referred to a flowerpot island or sea stack which used to be a landmark in the area but has since collapsed into the ocean.

History

[edit] Former fisherman's house of the park The area was a traditional summer hunting and fishing ground for the Mi'kmaq and Haudenosaunee people. This area was once used for its rich supply of wood. People living in L'Anse-au-Griffon were once involved in the lumber industry here. The creation of the park in 1970 was preceded by the removal of 225 families through expropriation. When preparing to create the new park, the Government of Canada requested that the Quebec government expropriate the homes of these families. The Quebec government sub-contracted the appropriation and negotiations to a private firm. This firm allegedly used various bullying tactics to scare the residents into agreeing to settlements of reduced value. This stratagem ensured a larger profit margin for the contractor. On 14 February 2011, the House of Commons adopted a motion which issued an official apology to the people whose properties were expropriated to create Forillon Park. The motion read:That this House issue an official apology to the people whose properties were expropriated to create Forillon Park for the unconscionable manner in which they were treated, and that the Speaker of the House send the representatives of the people whose properties were expropriated and of their descendants an official copy of the Journals of the House of Commons indicating the adoption of this motion. This expropriation is the subject of a song titled "Forillon" by the group Le Vent du Nord on their album Têtu. This song is based on Maurice Joncas' poem "La complainte de Forillon", set to music by Pierre Michaud.

Activities and sights

[edit] See also: Tourism in Quebec Activities at interpretation sites bring visitors to learn more about human and natural life in the Forillon peninsula. The Grande-Grave National Heritage Site attests to the way of life of fishing families. The Hyman Store features collections of articles that were sold at the time, and the store "owners" tell tales of thriving fisheries industry. Close by, the pedestrian walk "Une Tournée dans les Parages" brings visitors around houses, fields and agricultural and commercial installations from the beginning of the twentieth century. Along the shores, whale watching is available. Forillon encloses the site of Fort Péninsule, near the Penouille beach. This fortification was built during World War II to protect the Gaspé bay, as was Fort Prével on the other side of the bay; had Germany conquered all of Europe, these forts would have sheltered British warships seeking refuge from German submarines. Visitors today can enter a tunnel to see cannon in place since that time. The park as seen from the viewpoint atop Mt-St-Alban, looking southeast (at left) to northwest (at right).