New Carlisle: Coast, Nature and Culture

New Carlisle offers ways to enjoy a stay shaped by the coast, nature and local history. If you’re looking for a hotel in New Carlisle, consider which of these aspects you’d like to shape your trip: a walk on the beach, a trail through a bird sanctuary or a visit to cultural exhibitions. The stated travel times can also help you plan your day.

Coast and Beaches in New Carlisle

New Carlisle’s coastline stretches almost ten kilometres and consists mostly of beaches. The Green is mostly sandy. Facilities there include a snack bar, a picnic area, toilets, cabins and a children’s playground. There are also areas for volleyball, basketball and baseball, as well as access to the boardwalk.

The Harbour is considered the sandiest beach in New Carlisle. It also has a picnic area; the beach is near the bird sanctuary and can be reached at the end of Church Street. Bible Camp Beach is mostly sandy and quiet. It offers views and small waterfalls.

Wharf Beach is suitable for a peaceful stroll on the beach or along the railway tracks; you can also watch the sunset there. At Christies Rock Beach, you can also walk on the beach or along the railway tracks and watch the sunset. Christies Rock is visible there too. The beaches mentioned each have their own described features: a picnic area at The Harbour, waterfalls at Bible Camp Beach and a view of Christies Rock.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The trail through the Jean-Paul-Dubé Bird Sanctuary takes 20 to 45 minutes. It leads through the sanctuary and the dunes; you can use the beach for the return trip. The Black Lake Recreational Trails offer a different kind of nature experience and are open year-round. When there’s no snow, you can walk there; in winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe.

The stated time ranges highlight the difference between the two guided points of interest: the bird sanctuary trail takes 20 to 45 minutes, while the Heritage Tour through New Carlisle takes 90 to 120 minutes. The Heritage Tour starts at Kempffer House and follows 19 green signs about local history. This lets you weigh up a shorter nature trail against a longer route focused on history when planning your trip.

Cultural History and Exhibitions

The Kempffer Cultural and Interpretation Centre opened in 2008. Its permanent exhibition, “De diversité et de raffinement,” is dedicated to the history of New Carlisle. The ground floor also houses the exhibition “L’enfant libre: René Lévesque et la Gaspésie, de 1922 à 1937.” It was created in collaboration with the Fondation de la Maison René-Lévesque. The basement has two rooms for temporary exhibitions and various cultural activities.

St-Andrews Church is also a venue for cultural events: since 2009, Héritage New Carlisle has held its “Les concerts à St-Andrews” concert series there to support young artists. The Kempffer Centre focuses on local history and exhibitions, while the church concert series offers a different emphasis; together, they provide insight into different aspects of New Carlisle’s culture.

Sports and Recreation in Town

New Carlisle has an indoor and an outdoor ice rink. You can also play curling at the indoor rink. The outdoor rink is open for skating during the day and in the evening; friendly hockey games are often held there, and you can join in. When choosing when to travel, these winter activities are another consideration alongside the year-round Black Lake Recreational Trails and the beaches.

Municipal Park has a statue of René Lévesque, a picnic area, toilets, and tennis and basketball courts. As park facilities can change, it’s best to check which amenities are currently available before your visit.

Getting There and Planning Your Stay

New Carlisle is accessible via Route 132, which circles the Gaspé Peninsula. When choosing your hotel, you can decide whether you’d like to focus your stay more on the coast, cultural sites or leisure activities. Specific travel times and starting points can help you plan individual outings; for example, the starting point and duration are provided for Kempffer House and the Heritage Tour. Beaches, exhibitions and ice rinks offer a range of activities, so you don’t have to focus your stay on just one thing.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Philémon, Saint-Sylvestre, Saint-Simon-De-Rimouski, Lotbinière, Saint-Casimir, Val-Des-Monts, Saint-Léon-De-Standon, Sacré-Coeur-Saguenay.

For the broader travel overview: Quebec.