Percé: Geopark, Cliffs and History

Percé brings together striking scenery, geology and the visible history of the community. The Géoparc de Percé is a UNESCO Global Geopark; the distinctive landscape also includes the reddish cliffs of the Site patrimonial de Percé, which offer remarkable panoramas. Percé is therefore an appealing destination for planning a vacation if you want to combine experiences in nature with insights into the village’s history.

Scenery and Trails in the Geopark

The Géoparc de Percé has 18 kilometres of hiking trails and 23 designated geosites. The trails invite you to explore Percé’s landscape, while the geosites focus on its geological features. The park also offers educational and scientific activities covering geology, ecology, archaeology and palaeontology. You can shape your stay around the topics that make you most curious.

One notable landmark is the Géoparc’s suspended glass platform. You can reach it from the main pavilion via the trail network or by shuttle. Access on foot is free; additional fees apply for the platform and shuttle. When preparing for your visit, you can factor these options and costs into your decision. In the experience pavilion, TEKTONIK also presents an interactive multimedia adventure about the formation of Rocher Percé.

Hikes, the Island and Boat Trips

Nearby, the Île-Bonaventure sector of Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé offers four hiking trails totalling 15 kilometres. The island is accessible only by boat—a key difference from the Géoparc’s trails in Percé. If you want to visit the island, include the boat trip as part of the excursion and consider the trails as an activity on the island, not as one single 15-kilometre route.

Boat trips offered by businesses in Percé let you see Rocher Percé, Île Bonaventure with its bird colony, and various marine mammals up close. During the high season, a nature park guide accompanies the wildlife viewing and shares their knowledge. This offers a different focus from a hike: you experience these natural highlights from a boat, while the trails let you explore on foot. The Géoparc also offers two-hour guided hikes through the forest or in Percé’s town centre.

Insights into History and Culture

In the village of Percé, the area of the national park includes several former properties of the fishing company Charles Robin and Company. The park was established in 1985 under the Parks Act and covers 5.8 km². The historic Charles-Robin sector is a separate area: its well-preserved buildings belonged to the Charles Robin fishing company in the 19th century. The sector is near Rue du Quai. Discovery talks are held in the La Saline building.

The Site patrimonial de Percé also gives the area a distinctive setting: the 40-square-kilometre area was designated in 1973 for its natural, village and tourist character. The short film “La légende de Gluskap” at the Géoparc tells the story of the origins of the Mi'kmaq people and is shown in collaboration with the Nation Micmac de Gespeg. Visitors travelling with children or accommodating different interests in their group will also find activities for all ages at the Géoparc, including a climbing wall and immersive exhibits.

When choosing a vacation rental, it can help to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: hiking trails and geology, a boat trip to the island, guided tours or the village’s history. The activities offer different ways to discover Percé, without requiring you to choose just one way of exploring.

If you would also like to explore other destinations in the wider area, you can find Saint-Georges-De-Malbaie, Grande-Rivière, Cap-D'espoir, Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé, Port-Daniel and Chandler here.

For the broader travel overview: Le Rocher-Percé.