In 1970, the Forillon National Park was created. Located at the end of the Gaspé peninsula, the site has attracted travelers for decades.
A site known from Samuel de Champlain
He was called Forillon, a name linked to this corner of the country since its inception. Park like his name, Forillon presents an amalgam of nature and history in which he has the role of preserving.
It has been a long time since the natural beauties of what some call the “finistère des Appalaches” attract tourists.
As early as 1949, Quebec had established a provincial park around Cape Bon-Ami.
In 1969, Quebec federal and provincial authorities, wanting to stimulate the local economy of the Gaspésie, agreed to create a national park there.
In June 1970, the Forillon National Park was officially opened.
The event has a soft-man taste for the Gaspésians.
Certainly, part of their territory is valued and produces economic benefits.
But the birth of force also caused the uprooting and expropriating hundreds of people who lived on this territory.
Their struggle to be precisely compensated will turn into a judicial imbroglio that will last for years.
Report by journalist Bernard Tremblay who details the beauties and services offered to visitors to the Forillon National Park.
Forillon, as this report by journalist Bernard Tremblay recalled on September 3, 1985 on the show Reflections of a country, is an enchanting place where the forest, the mountain and the sea intertwine to create sumptuous landscapes that live a most varied fauna and flora.
Located 700 kilometers east of Quebec City, the Forillon National Park consists of the end of the Appalachian chain which ends its race in the Gaspé peninsula.
The park also houses a dozen geological formations superimposed in bands that we do not find almost nowhere else in the world.
The name of force would also come from a Portuguese word which would derive itself from an Italian term which means “rock” or “pitfall of the sea”.
By browsing its 244.8 square km of area, tourists and hikers will be able to observe and admire nearly 700 plant species, 225 types of birds and 43 species of mammals.
Seven varieties of whales, including the gigantic blue whale, can also be contemplated in the waters that bathe the Forillon park.
It is mainly Maxime Saint-Amour, naturalist chief at Park Forillon since 1970, who reveals to journalist Bernard Tremblay the multiple attractions deployed in this region of Quebec as well as the activities available on the site.
The house restoration project in the Grande-Grave sector is progressing and the site authorities work to increase the offer for fall activities.
In 2024, the Forillon park welcomed 167,000 visitors.
It is an increase of 3% compared to 2023.
