Gaspesian Heritage WebMagazine

Elsie’s Paradise – The Gardens of Elsie Reford:
Les Jardins de Métis /Reford Gardens are the extraordinary achievement of a passionate gardener – Elsie Reford. In the summer of 1926, at the age of 54, she began transforming her fishing camp on the Mitis River into a garden.

Erected in 1858, Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse is one of the tall beacons built by the Canadian Coast Guard in Québec. Canada’s tallest lighthouse, it soars 34.1 metres (112 feet) into the air. With white marble walls over 2.1 metres (7 feet) thick at the base and tapering to 0.9 metres (3 feet) at the top of the tower, it stands on a foundation rooted 2.4 metres (8 feet) deep in the soil. Its powerful light, perched 41.4 metres (136 feet) above the sea, has guided ships without fail since the lighthouse was built.

The Jacques Cartier Heritage Walk in the City of Gaspé will allow you to better understand and appreciate the history and heritage of the Gaspé Basin, the “Birthplace of Canada”. As the heritage walk passes 15 points of interest, an audio guide player and guidebook will bring the architecture and art to life. Each point of interest is numbered; to hear an audio-commentary, simply key in the number to your audio guide player. In addition, interpretation panels line the walk. The following sites comprise the tour:

Mission:
Forillon, a national park created in 1970, is located at the farthest reach of the Gaspé Peninsula. Its majestic landscapes cover a 244 km2 area that is carved out of the sea, cliffs and mountains.

Established in 1852, the Hamilton Manor is the only example of Palladian architecture in the Gaspésie, proudly echoing the influence of Andrea Palladio, the renowned Italian Renaissance architect.

New Carlisle was settled by the United Empire Loyalists in 1784. Fleeing the United States after the War of Independence, these early settlers preferred the hardships of forging a new home in a new land rather than separation from British rule.

Sous l’éclat des canons et le feu des fusils, les eaux de la rivière Ristigouche sont devenues le théâtre enflammé d’une bataille décisive.

Au cours de l’été 1760, les aléas de la guerre avaient tourné en faveur de l’Angleterre. Les forces françaises, défaites à Québec, attendaient désespérément après des renforts. Tous les espoirs reposaient sur un petit convoi de bateaux de ravitaillement, qui était alors assailli dans le bassin de la Ristigouche.