 Yesterday, I took some time to work on another story about the Gaspe Coast.
It is an old legend that I remember hearing a long time ago. It fascinated and somewhat scared me back then, and even now, I can understand why. The story of the tall, dark and handsome stranger has been told in different places across Canada, and I found mentions of it in American and Mexican folklore. It differs a bit, according to where it is told, but the story is basically still the same. In this version of the Gaspesian story, family and friends get together for a dance in the small village of Routhierville, a long time ago. All is going well… the music is playing, people are singing and dancing, until they hear a knock at the door. When the door is opened, a well-dressed stranger asks to come in. He tells them that he got lost in the snowstorm and wants to warm up for a while beside the fire. What happens next is a haunting story that was told and retold to warn the people about the devil’s work. Like all folklore and old legends, there is some truth to be found in a story like this. Which is why learning about some of the Gaspe Coast’s old stories is for sure a very good thing! This story will be available in my next book about the legends and folklore of the Gaspe Coast, scheduled to be published in April. #gaspecoaststories #legends #folklore #gaspecoast #gaspesie #perce
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 When people make plans to visit the Gaspe Coast, they want to know how many days they need to take a road trip around the peninsula.
On average, people take 7 to 10 days to visit the Gaspésie on their summer vacation. Here are some factors to consider... Touring the Gaspe Coast in a loop (from Sainte-Flavie to Sainte-Flavie) consists of travelling 885 km, equivalent to about 11 hours of driving. Add to this the distance between your place of residence and the entrance to the Coast at Sainte-Flavie, which is approximately 3 1/2 hours from Quebec City or 6 hours from Montreal. If you want to explore activities, some time to stop along the way is needed. And you can count on one day to travel to the Gaspe Coast and one day to return. So, how many days does it take to enjoy the Gaspe Road trip depends on what you want to see and do on your travels to a place that is renowned for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, diverse recreational activities, and is an exceptional tourism destination. To plan and learn more about the Coast, click this LINK #gaspecoast #gaspecoastroadtrip #gaspesie  During these days of winter, I am researching and writing my next book about the stories, legends and folklore of the Gaspe Coast.
The history of the Coast has been shaped by its seafaring origins and is filled with many fascinating stories. These are not merely tales of the imagination, but echoes of those who once lived on this peninsula. Many of these legends have been forgotten, but some continue to be told and handed down through the generations around kitchen tables and beachfront bonfires. My work to bring these stories to life is another adventure into telling the stories of the Gaspe Coast. Our Gaspesian stories have to be told because if we don’t tell them, they will be forgotten. And if they are forgotten, we will not remember who we are and from where we came. ~ Mary  One of the most famous pirates to sail into the Gulf of St Lawrence was Bartholomew Bart Roberts, also known as Black Bart. He was considered to be the most ruthless and successful pirate of the Golden Age.
He first sailed into Canadian waters in 1720, where he set about robbing some of the New England fishing fleets that were in Newfoundland waters. Next, he crossed the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and captured an English merchant ship and three French fishing vessels. It was said that he would arrive with drums beating, trumpets blaring, black flags flying and cannons firing. His arrival was often met with little resistance, for he claimed that causing fear was his greatest weapon. His reputation as a pirate who showed no mercy was often enough to cause those in his way to retreat. He was blamed for destroying wharves, burning warehouses after robbing them and sinking the ships that he had looted. He raided many of the small coastal fishing villages in the Gulf of St Lawrence including the Bay of Gaspe. He destroyed fisheries, and tortured captives. He stole ships and in a cash-starved economy, he was able to convince or force some of the local fishermen to join his crew. He considered attacking the Fortress of Louisbourg but quickly recognized the vulnerability of such a move. Instead, he sailed into their waters, aware that targeting the bustling and profitable shipping lanes in Atlantic Canada would yield greater rewards. These shipping lanes were teeming with ships carrying valuable supplies from the Gaspe Coast. To read more about him and other pirates who sailed through Gaspesian waters, follow this link... Pirates of the Gaspe Coast  Well it was a nice little surprise to see that my book had become a bestseller on Amazon!
It is also good to know that there are so many people who have an interest in stories from the Coast or have a connections to the Gaspe, whether through family or because they had visited it. The Gaspe Coast is a place of stories, legends and folklore and my research to find these stories has become a writing adventure, which I hope to continue. So thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen because a storyteller needs others to make the story a good one!  It is done… another book published!
After several months of research, writing, editing, and re-editing, book formatting, cover design, and re-editing it all over again, it’s finished! It is a treasure trove collection of stories, about the master shipbuilder James Day, the famous pilot Jacques de Lesseps’ fatal plane crash on the Coast, and Mary Pickett, from Gaspe who survived the Titanic. It includes the story of Prudent Landry, the strong man from St. Omer who travelled all over the world and was in Buffalo Bills Wild West Show and the Barnum and Bailey Circus. In this collection of stories, we meet the amazing local people like Aunt Bessie from Grand Cascapedia and the artist Tennyson Johnson from Gaspe. There’s the story a young woman from Nouvelle who became a nun, a teacher and a fascinating storyteller. And of course, there are others. These are stories about courage, creativity, and resilience, and as I wrote about them, they reminded me of the enduring spirit of what it is to be a Gaspesian. And in writing it, I learned so much more about what life was for those who came before us here on the Gaspe Coast. It also made me realize that knowing more about this place that I still call home is, for sure, a very good thing. The paperback book is now on sale on Amazon and they have chosen to give it a discount because it is a new book. I will also have copies for locals and I will be putting some at the Boutique Shop in New Richmond this summer. Here is the link for book on Amazon... https://www.amazon.ca/Whisper.../dp/B0F8BDWKX3/ref=sr_1_5....  The Gaspe Coast is more than just a place to live or visit. It is a living memory shaped by the wind, sea and time.
Nestled between rugged shores and forested Shick Shock Mountains lies a treasure trove of stories waiting to be told. From the master shipbuilder James Day to the pilot Jacques de Lesseps’ fatal plane crash on the Coast, and Mary Pickett, a Titanic survivor, their legacies are woven into the fabric of this region’s proud history. In this collection of stories, meet the extraordinary individuals who once lived on the Coast, including artists, writers, adventurers, settlers, musicians, builders and storytellers. Each of them made a unique and enduring contribution to the Gaspe. Their stories, rich with courage, creativity and resilience, remind us of the enduring spirit of Gaspesians. This book is a tribute to some of the fascinating history of the Coast and to the people who helped to make it unforgettable.  On May 23, 1701, in London, England, Captain Kidd was convicted and taken to the gallows to be hung for his thievery on the high seas.
The noose was placed around his neck, and it put an end to the brief career of one of the most famous pirates in history. But the end of Kidd’s life was only the beginning of his legend, for what people remember most about him are not his adventures, but his fabled buried treasure, which many believe has never been found. According to some treasure hunters, he buried his loot on Gardiner’s Island, just off the eastern tip of Long Island, N.Y. But Nova Scotians claim that he buried his treasure on Oak Island. Another old story says that Kidd sailed up from Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey, near Toms River, and buried his stolen riches on Money Island around 1699. But Captain Kidd was also known to have terrorized ships in the Gulf of St Lawrence, so it has been said that he may have buried some of his treasure on Bonaventure Island. #gaspecoaststories #gaspesie #bonaventureisland #piratesofthe gaspecoast  This is an old and fabled Gaspesian story about a fisherman who took a salmon from the river and promised to love her forever.
"He knew that if he could catch this beautiful creature, he would not be able to release her back into the water. In his desire to capture her, he willingly chose to forget the reality of the situation and the unforeseen circumstances that it would bring into his life." #gaspecoaststories  The Gaspe Coast is a place of fabled stories, legends, and folklore, and the pages of its past are filled with intrigue, adventure, and secrets. Some of its most fascinating stories are the ones about the treasures that were hidden long ago in the secluded inlets and coves of the peninsula. Throughout history, people have risked their lives and fortunes to go in search of hidden treasure. Captivating stories have been told about lost riches and the pirates and criminals who hid their stolen goods in remote places so that they could later return to retrieve them with the help of clues in old letters and treasure maps.
But there were also those who hid their stash of cash, coins, and valuables in old floorboards, cupboards, and attics. This practice of hiding valuables was a way for people to protect their possessions long before there were banks. And even after banks were built, many did not trust them with their money. Often, the safest place to hide their belongings was in and around their homes. Others buried their treasures in old barns, under rocks or near special landmarks. However, all too often the person who hid the money never told anyone, and after they died, the cache remained hidden. This means there may be people living on property or in old houses where there’s a stash of cash hidden. I have collected many stories about the Gaspe Coast, but this collection of treasure stories has been some of the most interesting Find out more about the Lost and Buried Treasure of the Gaspe Coast, in the BOOK ROOM on Gaspe Coast Stories. #gaspe #gaspecoast #gaspesie #treasure #gaspecoaststories #gasperoadtrip #gaspecoaststories #atrgaspesie #percerock #bonaventureisland |
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February 2026
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