The Musée de la Gaspésie, at 80 boulevard de Gaspé, is the regional museum of the peninsula and the one sight in Gaspé town that stays open through the closed season. Tourisme Gaspésie describes it as open year-round, with a new permanent exhibition covering more than 380 million years of Gaspé Peninsula history, and a second show called The Deep Blue Sea on maritime history, with 15 sailing vessels and the stories of people of the sea. La Gaspésienne no. 20, an authentic cod fishing boat, is among the pieces. There is a gift shop, an archives centre and the magazine Gaspésie. The Jacques Cartier monument stands on the museum grounds and can be visited in summer, with an exact replica of the cross Cartier raised in 1534. Admission was $20 for an adult, $18 for seniors and students, $5 for children aged 6 to 17, $40 for a family and free for children 5 and under, taxes included, and a visit takes about 90 minutes. For hours, the last published winter schedule ran Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and summer was daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What to do
Start with the permanent exhibition for the long view of the peninsula, from its geology to its settlement, then spend time in The Deep Blue Sea gallery to see how fishing and sailing shaped the coast. The archives centre is free and open on weekday mornings and afternoons, which is useful for anyone tracing family history. Walk the grounds to see the monument in summer.
Seasons and planning
The page read showed hours from 2 September 2025 to 31 May 2026 and from 1 June to 30 August 2026, but no schedule for the 2026 to 2027 winter, so assume the same pattern of Tuesday to Sunday late morning to mid afternoon and confirm by phone or on the museum's site. The monument is a summer visit, so in November you see the museum but not the cross. Allow about 90 minutes.
Fitting it in
The museum is in the middle of Gaspé town, so it is an easy half day with the Birthplace of Canada village in season, or a wet-weather alternative to Forillon at any time. It is the best choice for the days when the coast is closed or the weather is poor, and it is close to the hotels in town. For a first-time visitor in November it is the main indoor sight, so plan it around lunch, with a walk along the bay either side.
What to expect
The experience
A regional museum with a permanent exhibition, a maritime gallery, a shop and an archives centre, plus an outdoor monument in summer.
Best time
Any month; it is open all year, and it is the best indoor option in the closed season.
How long
About 90 minutes.
Tips
Confirm the 2026 to 2027 winter hours before you go and bring the monument into a summer visit.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want the story of the peninsula, its fishing and its first European contact.
- Families
- Children aged 6 to 17 pay $5 and under-6s are free, and the boats are a draw for younger visitors.
- Couples
- An easy indoor afternoon, followed by dinner in town.
- Pair with
- Gaspé, Birthplace of Canada in summer, Forillon and a night in Gaspé.
- Time needed
- Ninety minutes.
Good questions
Is the Musée de la Gaspésie open in winter?+
Yes, it is a regional museum open year-round. Last winter it opened Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the schedule for 2026 to 2027 had not been published when this was checked.
What does it cost?+
Adults paid $20, seniors and students $18, children aged 6 to 17 $5 and a family of two adults and two children $40, with children 5 and under free, taxes included.
What is in the museum?+
A permanent exhibition on more than 380 million years of history, The Deep Blue Sea on maritime life with 15 sailing vessels, and the cod fishing boat La Gaspésienne no. 20.
What is the Jacques Cartier monument?+
It stands on the museum grounds and can be visited in summer, with an exact replica of the cross Cartier erected in 1534.
How long does a visit take?+
About 90 minutes. The archives centre is a separate, free service on weekdays.
