Village Squire, 1978-07, Page 22and the canoes of the fur brigades moved
up and down it for 100 years.
Midway between Montreal and Quebec
is Trois Rivieres, the largest producer of
newspint in the world. Just beyond, at
Cap -de -la -Madeleine, is the church Notre -
Dame -du -Cap. one of the most important
pilgrim sites in Canada. The belfries of the
church, built in 1714, are the oldest in the
country.
The villages between here and Quebec
still reflect the Old World charm of New
France. Like other settlements in the area,
most were originally seignories--large river
lots given to seigneurs by governors of
New France --or Jesuit missions among the
Huron Indians.
Quebec, once called the Cradle of New
France, is the province capital. Founded in
1608, it is the only walled city in North
America, north of Mexico. It is walled with
good reason. Strategically situated high
over the Saint *Lawrence River, it was the
site of four sieges, the last being the battle
on the Plains of Abraham in 1759.
Today, Quebec is a blend of new and old.
Historic churches, homes and monuments
stand alongside modern high-rises. Hire a
horse-drawn caleche and take a leisurely
tour through the winding streets of Lower
Town. A vibrant city Quebec is more than
90 per cent French-speaking.
About 104 km (65 miles) from Quebec is
Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, the self-proclaimed
Handicrafts Capital of Canada. The
Bourgault family started the tradition of
wood sculpture in 1936. Now you can also
shop for handcrafted enamels, mosaics in
copper and wood, fabrics and paintings in
boutiques along the highway.
From Riviere-du-Loup on, the terrain
becomes more rugged as the Heritage
Highway bends toward the Gaspe
Peninsula. Nearby is the port of Trois
Pistoles, famed for the excellence of its
fishing. The mountains begin to close in on
the road as you pass through Saint -Simon,
Saint-Fabien and Bic, one of the most
picturesque spots on the Heritage
Highways.
Saint Flavie is the gateway to the Gaspe
Peninsula, which stretches 280 km (175
miles) to land's end. Highway 132 runs on
a terrace the whole way. along high cliffs
overlooking the rugged coastline.
Near Grand-Metis is Metis Park, an
English -style garden featuring exotic and
native plants and shrubs. A string of resort
villages precede Matane, an industrial city
famous for its salmon fishing and Shrimp
Festival each June. South of the road are
two parks, Matane Reserve and de la
Gaspesie Park.
From Saint -Anne -des -Monts to Gaspe.
the highway rises steadily. then quickly
descends to the Gulf, where tiny fishing
villages lie tucked away in coves. Visit the
lighthouse at Cap-des-Rosiers before
entering Forillon National Park, which has
the theme, naturally enough. of the
harmony between man and the sea.
Continue south through the port city of
Gaspe and finally you are at Perce. One of
the most beautifully situated towns in the
world, Perce is best seen from the top of
Mont Joli.
The famed Perce Rock, where Jacques
Cartier anchored his three boats in 1534,
can be reached by foot at low tide. Facing it
is Bonaventure Island Park, a bird
sanctuary inhabited by thousands of gulls
and gannets. An excursion by boat around
the island is a fitting finale to the Heritage
Highways trip.
For more information on the Heritage
Highways contact: Direction general du
Tourisme. 150 est, boul. Saint -Cyrille,
Quebec. Canada GIR 4Y3 or Ontario
Ministry of Industry and Tourism,
Parliament Buildings, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M7A 2E5.
(')
Operation
Llfwtyle
Lifestyle is having the ca-
pacity to react against the
cigarette habit, stimulants
and tranquilizers. pot and
alcohol. It's avoiding drug
abuse and rejecting illegal
drugs.
You are invited
to come to the factory
and see the quality
for yourself.
FACTORY OPEN FOR INSPECTION
WEEKDAYS 8:30-11:30 a.m., 1-3 p.m.
t* BY APPOINTMENT.
•
NORTHLANDER
A complete line of 12
and 14 wides now available.
Now also building
Commercial/Industrial Units.
An alternate form of
farm housing, custom
designed and built to
your requirements.
—Ca add
f)it1P.(_:t
Manufactured in Canada by
Custom Trailers Ltd.,
165 Thames Rd. E.
Exeter, Ontario [Box 190]
15191235-1530 Telex 064-5815
PG. 20. VILLAGE SQUIRE/JULY 1978.