Pointe-à-la-Croix

Pointe-à-la-Croix (literally Cross Point in English) is ​​a municipality in Chaleur Bay area of the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec. It is situated across the Restigouche River from Campbellton, New Brunswick. The Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation is adjacent to Pointe-à-la-Croix. == Understand == Pointe-à-la-Croix sits at the end of Chaleur Bay on the border between Quebec and New Brunswick, which is marked by the Restigouche River. In addition to Pointe-à-la-Croix itself, the municipality also includes the communities of L'Alverne, Oak Bay, and Saint-Fidèle-de-Ristigouche. The municipality is home to the site of the Battle of the Restigouche, a National Historic Site of Canada, and the Petite Rochelle interpretive centre. === History === The area was first settled by the Mi'kmaq First Nation indigenous people. The first Europeans to live there were the Recollect Friars Minor around 1620. The area was colonized by Acadians starting in 1758. In 1760, the area witnessed the Battle of the Restigouche, which marked the British conquest of New France. Following the conquest, the area was known as Repulse Point and Pleasant Point. In the 1780s, Loyalists fleeing the United States came to settle there. The municipality was created in 1845 under the name Mann. It was renamed "Pointe-à-la-Croix" in 1970. == Get in == Pointe-à-la-Croix is on Route 132 which goes around the Gaspé Peninsula. The JC Van Horne Bridge crosses the Restigouche River, connecting Pointe-à-la-Croix to Campbellton, New Brunswick. == Get around == == See == 1 Centre d'interprétation de La Petite-Rochelle (Maison Young). The Young House (French: maison Young), dating from 1830, was built of logs with a dovetail joint typical of the colonization era. It was built in Escuminac, but moved to Pointe-à-la-Croix in 1983 to serve as a tourist information office until 2000. It then became the Young House Interpretation Centre until 2009 before becoming the La Petite-Rochelle Interpretation Centre. La Petite-Rochelle was a village founded by Acadians in 1758 at the time of the deportation. It was home to 1,200 to 1,500 inhabitants before the British set fire to it during the Battle of the Restigouche in 1760. The Interpretation Centre presents the history of the Acadians and the deportation. (updated Jan 2025) 2 Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site (Lieu historique national du Canada de la Bataille-de-la-Ristigouche), 40, boulevard Perron Ouest, ☏ +1 418 788-5676, toll-free: +1-800-463-6769. Interpretation centre displaying numerous artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Machault dating from 1760, which was involved in the naval battle that marked the British conquest of New France. (updated Jan 2025) 3 Marais de la Baie-au-Chêne (Baie-au-Chêne Marsh). A protected wetland fed by fresh water from the Restigouche River and saltwater tides from Baie au Chêne. It includes marshes, wooded and shrubby swamps, a peat bog and a tidal channel. The muddy flats and the peat bog in the middle of the salt marsh contain habitats exclusive to Baie au Chêne. The shoreline is home to the largest cordgrass marsh in Baie au Chêne, with a length of 6 km (4 mi). The marsh includes three threatened, vulnerable or potentially vulnerable plant species. More than 120 species of birds visit these marshes, including three rare or restricted-range species. (updated Jan 2025) == Do == Birdwatching – The Baie-au-Chêne and Pointe-à-Bourdeau marshes are excellent wetlands for birdwatching enthusiasts. Birdwatching trails have been developed. The trail is 9 km long and includes four observation towers. The Restigouche River is beautiful with its small archipelagos, especially in the fall when the forest becomes colourful. It offers good photographic opportunities. === Summer === Canoeing – Canoeing on the Restigouche River. Club quad Avignon Ouest, 44B, rue de l'Église, L'Alverne, ☏ +1 418-788-5842. Maintained quad trails. (updated Jan 2025) Hiking – There are hiking trails for bird watching and leading to a lookout point. Salmon fishing – The Ristigouche River (French: Rivière Ristigouche) is internationally renowned for its Atlantic salmon fishing. === Winter === Cross-country skiing – Along the bird trails. Ice Fishing – Hundreds of shelters are set up on the Restigouche River ice. Outdoor rink – For free skating and hockey. Snowmobiling – Marked and maintained snowmobile trails. Snowshoeing – Snowshoeing along the birding trails. == Buy == == Eat == 1 Casse-Croûte Chez Mamie Yoyo, 125, boulevard Inter-Provincial, ☏ +1 418-788-2411, chezmamieyoyo@gmail.com. Seasonal. (updated Jan 2025) 2 Restaurant Chez Claudine, 22, boulevard Perron, ☏ +1 418-788-2333. (updated Jan 2025) Restaurant Pastali, 4, boulevard Perron (Hôtel Interprôvincial), ☏ +1 418-788-2070. (updated Jan 2025) == Drink == == Sleep == 1 La Maison Verte en Gaspésien (The Green House in Gaspésien), 216, chemin de la Petite-Rivière-du-Loup, ☏ +1 418-788-2342, lamaisonverte@telus.net. Camping and chalets available (updated Jan 2025) 2 Hôtel Interprôvincial, 4, boulevard Perron, ☏ +1 418-788-2070, info@hotelinterprovincial.com. (updated Jan 2025) == Connect == == Go next ==