 So the documentary Echoes of the Bay, which I worked on with GASPA VIDEO television producers Jean Guénette and Elaine Poirier, is done.
It was an incredible and interesting experience to have been a part of in 2025 and 2026. I learned so much about the Magdalen Islands, its beauty, unique culture and some of their challenges. And even though I am a Gaspesian, living here on the Gaspe Coast, I certainly learned a lot more about the English-speaking community here, its potential and some of our challenges. I had the opportunity to travel around the Coast and talk to people about who they are, what they do, their concerns and how they feel about living here on the Gaspe. The one thing everyone shared was that the Coast is a special place and despite our differences, challenges and worries about the future as an English-speaking community, this is home and where we want to live and build a future. Because who we are is and has always been such a very good thing! You can watch the documentary by clicking on the link below- Échos de la côte #gaspecoaststories #gaspecoast #gaspesie #magdalenislandes #GASPAvideo #stories #MaCommuate #thegaspesianway #TELUS #CASA #Visiongaspepercenow #CAMI #gaspecoastal #odwyerdistillerie
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 The Gaspe Coast is a place where the sea meets the shore, and its stories are as much a part of the landscape as the forested mountains and incoming tides.
In every culture around the world, people have told stories to understand and preserve their way of life. Legends and folklore became a way to share their beliefs, traditions, and values as a society. Long before there were written records, these tales explained their triumphs, tragedies and natural events. They also passed along lessons about survival, resilience, morality and helped people to make sense of their lives. They also gave meaning to fear, brought comfort in times of uncertainty, and added a sense of wonder to everyday life. Some of the Gaspe Coast’s most fascinating folklore includes the Legend of the Devil of Routhierville, the Legend of the Flying Canoe, and the Legend of the Cast-Away Maiden. This collection also tells the story of a whale that had been injured by the Gaspe whalers and later saved a little girl from drowning in the Legend of Morvan the Whale. The Legend of the Ogress of Bonaventure Island is the story of a terrifying, ugly giant, known to some as the Gougou, who lived on Bonaventure Island. People feared her, and the explorer, Samuel de Champlain, wrote about her when he visited the Gaspe Coast in 1603. The Legend of the Great Auk is one of the reasons that Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock were established as a bird sanctuary in 1919. More than anything, these legends offer a glimpse into the lives of the hard-working and resilient people who once lived here. They carry the spirit of a past that was shaped by the language, heritage and culture of this coastal region. This book is a tribute to the fascinating history of the Gaspe Coast and to some of the stories that have made it unforgettable.  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  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 |
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May 2026
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