Legends and Folklore of the Gaspe Coast

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.