Bas-Saint-Laurent & Gaspésie: A Golfer's Guide to Quebec's River Shore

Stretching along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence from Rimouski to the Baie des Chaleurs, the Bas-Saint-Laurent & Gaspésie trail pairs genuine golf history with some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in eastern Canada — anchored by the century-old Club de Golf Boule Rock in Métis-sur-Mer and the waterside resort layout of Bic sur Mer.

• Club de Golf Boule Rock: One of Quebec's oldest courses, designed by Albert Murray in 1919; the par-71 layout in Métis-sur-Mer features a 6th hole with a sweeping view of the St. Lawrence River.
• Bic sur Mer: A 6,514-yard resort course on the shores of the St. Lawrence, opened in 1932, with the dramatic opening hole known as L'Escarpé setting the tone from the first tee.
• Golf Carleton-Sur-Mer: Established in 1929, this 6,453-yard layout overlooks both the Baie des Chaleurs and Mont St-Joseph, rewarding golfers at nearly every turn.
• Revermont: Marcel Notz's 6,402-yard parkland design in Amqui is bisected by the Matapédia River, offering a distinctly inland character that contrasts with the coastal courses.
• Matane: Scott Watson's 1958 parkland design features an elevated par-3 6th hole renowned for its scenic beauty over the surrounding landscape.

A logical journey along this trail begins in Rimouski, where three distinct layouts occupy the same general area. Bic sur Mer — perched on the St. Lawrence shoreline and dating to 1932 — is the most celebrated of the trio. Its opening hole, L'Escarpé, immediately signals that this is no ordinary parkland round. Not far away, Golf Des Saules and the companion Les Saules Golf Course both offer 18-hole, par-71 parkland experiences with intermittent river views, each established in 1971 and suited to golfers of varying abilities. Rounding out the Rimouski cluster, Club de Golf Val-Neigette — a John Watson design from 1982 — adds a clean, purpose-built parkland option that complements the older layouts nearby.

Heading northeast along the St. Lawrence, the village of Métis-sur-Mer is home to Club de Golf Boule Rock, one of the most historically significant courses in the province. Laid out by Albert Murray in 1919, it stretches 6,066 yards across par 71, and the 6th hole delivers an unobstructed view toward the river that golfers return for year after year. Continuing along the coast to Matane, the eponymous Matane course offers a 6,040-yard parkland track designed by Scott Watson in 1958; the elevated tee on the par-3 6th is singled out as the layout's scenic centrepiece.

At the eastern end of the trail sits Golf Carleton-Sur-Mer, a course that dates to 1929 and enjoys one of the region's finest natural settings — fairways framed by the blue expanse of Baie des Chaleurs on one side and the green slopes of Mont St-Joseph on the other. At 6,453 yards and par 71, it is long enough to challenge low handicappers while remaining accessible to recreational players. Those willing to detour inland into the Matapédia Valley will find Revermont in Amqui, where Marcel Notz wove a 6,402-yard parkland course through rolling terrain bisected by the Matapédia River — a rewarding contrast to the salt-air courses along the shore.

Day 1 — Arrive in Rimouski, play Bic sur Mer. Settle in at Hôtel Rimouski & Centre de Congrès before heading out to Bic sur Mer for an afternoon round on the St. Lawrence shore. The opening hole, L'Escarpé, makes for a memorable start. In the evening, drive the short distance to Le Bic for dinner at Restaurant Chez Saint-Pierre, where hyper-seasonal set menus draw on the ingredients of the river and surrounding farmland.

Day 2 — Two rounds in Rimouski, dinner downtown. Use the morning to play Golf Des Saules or Club de Golf Val-Neigette, then tackle Les Saules Golf Course in the afternoon for a second look at Rimouski's parkland terrain. Back in the city, Bovino Grill offers a satisfying steakhouse dinner with dry-aged meats and a strong wine list, while La Réserve Bistro provides a quieter alternative with local seafood and a prix fixe option.

Day 3 — Drive the coast to Métis-sur-Mer and Matane. Begin with a morning round at Club de Golf Boule Rock in Métis-sur-Mer, where the 1919 Albert Murray layout and the river view from the 6th hole justify the stop. Continue northeast to Matane for an afternoon round — the elevated par-3 6th is worth the drive on its own. Overnight in Matane before pushing on.

Day 4 — Carleton-sur-Mer and the Baie des Chaleurs. Check in at Riôtel Carleton-sur-Mer or Manoir Belle Plage, then play Golf Carleton-Sur-Mer with Mont St-Joseph rising behind the fairways and the Baie des Chaleurs glittering ahead. Wind down the trip with a pint and a meal at Le Naufrageur – Microbrasserie & Pub, the waterfront microbrewery that pours house-brewed beers alongside a local food menu.

Rimouski, the trail's western hub, offers the widest range of accommodation. Hôtel Rimouski & Centre de Congrès is a full-service four-star property with an indoor pool, spa, and St. Lawrence River views — a natural base for playing the cluster of courses in and around the city. Travellers seeking a more casual stay can look to Comfort Inn Rimouski, which includes free hot breakfast and is conveniently positioned near the local courses, or Hôtel Le Navigateur, a central option with an on-site Italian restaurant, hot tub, and gym.

At the eastern end of the trail, Carleton-sur-Mer rewards golfers with two appealing options directly on the water. The Riôtel Carleton-sur-Mer sits steps from both Golf Carleton-Sur-Mer and the beach, making it easy to move between the fairways and the Baie des Chaleurs shoreline. For a more refined experience, Manoir Belle Plage delivers four-star comfort alongside panoramic views of Chaleur Bay.

From the century-old fairways of Club de Golf Boule Rock to the Chaleur Bay vistas at Golf Carleton-Sur-Mer, the Bas-Saint-Laurent & Gaspésie trail offers a genuinely distinctive golf journey through one of Quebec's most scenic coastlines — well worth building a road trip around.