Forillon National Park of Canada
Natural Wonders and Cultural Treasures
View of Forillon peninsula
© Parks Canada/J. BéliveauNatural Heritage
Forillon National Park takes in a narrow, mountainous peninsula that extends into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and marks the eastern end of the Appalachian mountain chain. Created in 1970, this 22nd park in the Canadian National Parks system covers an area of 240.4 km2 (24 035 ha), including a part of the marine environment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Forillon National Park is intended to be representative of the Notre-Dame and Mégantic mountain regions.
The whole park is located in the municipality of Gaspé, the regional hub of the Gaspé Peninsula. The wild beauty of its countryside where "man, the land and the sea" live together in harmony, as well as the diversity of its flora and fauna, give this park a unique character.
Cultural Heritage
Forillon has been inhabited for a long time. Nine thousand years ago, prehistoric peoples camped on the capes lining the point, the marine terraces of the Anse au Griffon Valley and Penouille Point.
For centuries, the coves and pebbled beaches of the Gaspé Cape in Petit-Gaspé had attracted the Micmacs, the first inhabitants of Gaspé, seasonal and sedentary fishers. The largest coves, such as Anse aux Sauvages, Saint-Georges Cove and Grande-Grave had villages established near them. Smaller coves welcomed family settlements.
A rich history
To Find Out More
The Beaver: Emblem of our National Parks
Black-legged Kittiwake: A seafaring bird
Conservation of natural resources