Penouille and Fort Peninsula Area

The Penouille sand spit presents a mosaic of rich and diversified habitats that are different from the rest of the park territory. On the south side, its beaches entertain bathers and on the north side, the salt marsh fulfills the curious naturalists. And in between, an easy trail guides contemplative walkers toward the end point.

• Level of difficulty: Easy
• Length: 4 km (round trip)
• Duration: 1 h 30 to 2 hrs.
• Type of terrain: Paved and with a wood footbridge for approximately 500 m.
• Elevation gain: A 10% elevation gain over a distance of 110 m must be completed before reaching a more or less flat trail, which is about 1 m of total elevation gain. To cross, a free adapted electric cart is available upon reservation. For information on availability ask the Penouille Visitor Centre or call 418-368-5505.
• Starting point: Penouille Visitor Centre
• GPS coordinates: 48.856399, -64.412345

Parking for persons with disabilities.

Overview point, parking lot and Penouille Visitor Centre.

You can borrow an adapted electric cart free of charge to access the beach, the trail and the tip of Penouille more easily. It is accessible to people in a wheelchair and to people with reduced mobility to help cross the 10% starting slope safely.

For information on availability ask the Penouille Visitor Centre or call 418-368-5505. Reservations are required.

A portion of the paved trail is on a planked boardwalk of approximately 500 m, a 1 km round trip.

The Penouille Visitor Centre is near the parking lot and has a café, gift shop and washrooms. All these services are available.

A universal accessibility mat, Mobi-mat, facilitates access to the beach by providing a firm surface to approach the sea. It is practical for wheelchairs, walkers, and even strollers. It is permanently installed for the summer, and is accessible to anyone for free.

The Mobi-chair is available to rent for free to people with reduced mobility wishing to enjoy the Penouille Beach. It allows its users to swim, as its large wheels and armrests act as floats, providing very good stability in the water.

Reservations recommended. For information call 418-368-5505 or ask the Penouille Visitor Centre.

The service building and the washrooms at the end of the point have a ramp. Take advantage of the picnic area and playground: A true peaceful haven. The ground is sandy under the playground equipment.

A little-known episode of the Second World War, Fort Peninsula is the only preserved coastal shore battery and that is open to the public in Quebec. This installation was part of a vast military complex deployed in 1942 around Gaspé Bay to defend the Gaspé territory and secure the shipment of goods to Europe.

Learn more about its history

Parking for persons with disabilities.

Trails provide access to grassy picnic sites and tunnel entrances. These trails have different grades ranging from 6% to 10%, on compacted stone dust.

The shore battery tunnel has two entrances to get inside: the first with stairs and the second with a 12% grade over a distance of 9 metres. The surface is concrete and handrails are installed on both sides of the ramp.

Two authentic cannons can be admired. Stairs must be crossed to get closer from the inside.

About 15 steps must be crossed to approach the cannons from the outside.

The service building is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The washroom in the service building at Fort Peninsula is adapted for people with reduced mobility.