pierced rock (rocher-percé)

Being from the Canadian Shield, rock is not a rare sight, but this one has a hole in it. It really is beautiful and grabs your attention from miles away as you approach it on the highway. If you go at the right time, you can walk right out and touch the rock, or take a tour boat.

Okay, the Pierced Rock is certainly one of the most photographed sights in Northern Quebec but more fascinating is the boat-tour around Bonaventure Island. If You look at the island from the little harbour of Pierce You won't believe what You will see on the back of said island: the biggest breedng - place of gannets in North America and You will smell them even if You are a mile away on one of the 3 boats which continuously make this tour. The gannet is a very beautiful and elegant bird and seems to be a smaller relative of the albatros: impressing. The other thing which can be guaranteed: You will rarely have seen so many seals playing at the coasts: they are extremely curious and absolutely not shy: but goodness, they are really obese.The village Pierce or Percé itself has nothing to offer: an artificial, low-style tourist-trap: but You come here for the nature and not for the village.

We travelled to Perce by train from Gaspe and that journey was quite interesting though much was through heavily wooded areas offering little to see other than the wooded areas. Trees close up lack the splendour a good vista has.Perce has the one attraction the rock with a hole "pierced" hence "Perce" in it. It is attractive and geologically special but, unless you hire a boat to get closer you can't get close without considerable effort.Perce itself is a small coastal "Tourist" town. Art galleries - we have seen much better elsewhere - food outlets, tourist shops and, a high spot, a really yummy ice cream shop.If you are touring it would be worth the detour to visit but otherwise, geologist excepted, you might find Perce a little on the contrived side.It is basically on the flat, just a slight incline down from the single main road to the quay side. There are public toilets too. If the sun is shining nice for a "quick" visit. Photo is Perce from the quayside.

This is the attraction in Gaspe. Beautiful setting and a wonderful road trip to get there. Stayed on the land and visited the local shops also.

The Gaspé peninsula has a beautiful coastline and makes for a great road trip. Percé Rock is an awesome attraction - we saw it just after low tide. Lots of good pictures to take. Possibility of going across to the island to see the gannets and their nests, as well as whale-watching excursions. Restaurants & gift shops all around. Free parking available at the 'mall'. Small museum onsite. Well worth the trip!

This side of the Gaspe Peninsula is beautiful. The town of Perce is quaint and the Pierced Rock was worth the trip to see it!

The pierced rock attracts many people to Perce, Que. It can be seen from nearly everywhere in town, but the afternoon sun provides the best view. During the morning, the face of the rock toward town is in shadow and much color and shape detail cannot be appreciated. The town itself is jammed with touristy, overpriced lodging and eating places, but the surrounding hills and views are wonderful.

Take one of the boat trips around the rock and Bonaventure Island. It is well worth a stopover on the Island. There is a wonderful little cafe with incredible view and good food. Take a circle hike across the Island and see the Gannets (if you are there in June). They are amazing up close and personal. Consider giving yourself at least 6 hours for this Day trip. You can return on any companies' boat as we discovered when we missed ours.

shops in town ok but tacky and cheap except for three in the excellent range. Perce Rock worth kayaking to but can be rough water, approach from bay side in town (tourist info can tell you where you can put your own kayak in). Boat trip to bird island excellent (go early in day as a couple of hours needed). If you want to walk out to Perce Rock be prepared to get wet, not completely dry.

This magnificent rock structure needs to be seen from many different angles. We've stopped at several lookout points along the Hwy 132 near the town of Perce. The view of the rock was as impressive from far as when it is looked at from right underneath.

The boat ride was very informative and pleasant. Not only you see Pierced Rock but you can get dropped off at Bonaventure Island which is fun to explore.

It is beautiful, but really touristic... the nice part of the boat tour is to see the birds and seals... because for the rock you can take a picture from the beach or there is an access by the beach if you would like to walk at low tide,,,, you would have to check with touristic info center to have the info. The waterfall behind the church is to my opinion overated... when we went it was only a small filet of water... nothing extraordinary and the access is not so easy in car ( a dirth road with a lot of holes or is long by foot)

Whether you view this Rock off the coast of Perce on land or from a boat, it is most impressive. We were on a boat that circled the rock and docked at Bonaventure Island. It's naturally beautiful standing in the bay but a word to those who get seasick, it is a pretty choppy ride out. Stand inside or on the upper deck and do hold on. But it's definitely a worthwhile adventure out into the bay.

Too many people and no parking. Only paid parking lots and not economical if just taking pictures. Very small village with high costs.

I've seen the pictures, the place is an iconic sight in Canada but it has to be seen in person to appreciate the size and the beauty