Port au Port Peninsula

Part of the eroded Appalachian Mountain chain, the peninsula is home to quite a variety of scenic coastline (around 130 km) and ethnic diversity collected in around twenty small, but self-sufficient, communities based around fishing, a small forest industry, and small-scale farming. A small selection of these areas and their communities:

• Port au Port - the gateway community to the peninsula, sitting right at the isthmus, and home to the largest wooden structure in Newfoundland & Labrador, Our Lady of Mercy Church
• The Bar - from Lourdes, home to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, through Black Duck Brook to Long Point, a seasonal community, on the tip of a narrow strip of land with the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the west side and the Port au Port Bay on the east side
• Route de mon grand-pere (Route of my grandfather) - the lively French communities of De Grau, Cap St-George (Cape St. George), and La Grand'Terre (Mainland)
• The South Coast - breathtaking ocean views and a peak into Port au Port industry with Atlantic Minerals

• Cap St-Georges/Cape St. George - immensely high sea cliffs being hit by large waves, great hiking along Route de mon grand-pere, and whale-watching from the trail or nearby rest stop
• Red Island - just offshore in the La Grand'Terre/Mainland area, this island lives up to its name

Called Port of Rest by 16th-century Basque fishermen, Port au Port was a site of French and Basque seasonal fisheries for hundreds of years. Eventually, some of the fisherfolk began to stake out homesteads on the peninsula and in the area. This entire area of settlement became known as the "French Shore", with Port au Port as one of the heavily settled areas.
With its Roman Catholic traditions, Francophone culture, and excellent music and theatre festivals, the Port au Port region has made a name for itself in presenting a full cultural experience as well as spectacular views of cliffs, rocky beaches, whales and birds.

Unlike Newfoundland English, Newfoundland French is nearly extinct. Newfoundland French is distinct from other Canadian French dialects including Quebec French and Acadian French, and is generally found in the Port au Port Peninsula. The language was deliberately discouraged by the government in the 20th century, so visitors can expect most people they encounter to speak English. However, if you speak French, here's your chance to engage with a fascinating dialect. You will find Francophone associations in the communities of De Grau (Les Terre-Neuviens Francais +1 709 644-2050), La Grand'Terre/Mainland (Heritage de l'Ile Rouge +1 709 642-5254 & Association regionale de la cote ouest +1 709 642-5254), and L'Anse-a-Canards/Black Duck Brook (Chez les Francais +1 709 642-5498).

Stephenville and Stephenville Crossing are the points of entry on Routes 490 and 460, called The French Ancestors Route, when driving from the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). From the Trans-Canada, it is about 40 km to Stephenville, and then about 6 more km to the isthmus and Port au Port.

There is no other option than to drive or take a chartered bus.

• Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and Museum

  phone: +1 709 721-0200
  address: 103 Main Rd, Aguathuna
  tall, it can seat 1,000 people. Constructed 1914-1925 for an expected population boom that fizzled. Most of the construction was contributed by fisherman, farmers, miners and adolescents of the parish who each donated at least one week of work per year to the build. The 14 stations of the cross were hand carved and brought in from Italy. They are made of Carrera marble, surrounded by travertine marble.

• Our Lady Of Lourdes Church Grotto

  address: Flatrock
  The largest religious grotto in Eastern Canada, established 1954, was inspired by a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France.

• Cape St. GeorgeThe headland and community of 850 people at the southwestern tip of the peninsula. Many walks, bird cliffs, and great scenery.

• Abbott's Walking Trail

• The GravelsIt's the spit that joins Stephenville to Port au Port and Cape St George. A great location for birdwatching in spring/summer: there are nesting Arctic Terns on the lake which go fishing out to sea. Well-maintained trails.

• Olivers Restaurant

  phone: +1 709 642-5178
  address: 42 NL-463, Aguathuna
  Burgers, fries, poutine, fish and chips.

• Capeside Diner

  phone: +1 709 272-3101
  address: 1002 Route 460, Cape St. George
  Diner, pizza.

• Mainland Takeout

  address: 125 Island View Road, Cape St. George

• Tea By The Sea

  address: 268 Island View Road, Mainland
  Sandwiches, seafood chowder. Delicious desserts. Also a gift shop.

• Secret Cove Brewing

  phone: +1 709 649-2064
  address: 92-96 Main Street, Port au Port
  Craft brewery.

• Inn at the Cape.

  address: 1250 Oceanview Drive, Box 39, Cape St. George
  In the evening, guests can enjoy the buffet supper that always includes several entrees. After supper guests can enjoy a walk on the headlands, a dip in the hot tub, or a quiet drive over the mountain. The sunset at Boutte du Cap park is not to be missed.

• Zenzville Campgrounds

  phone: +1 709 648 9232
  address: 446A Kippens Road, Kippens
  A full service RV park and campground on Route 460 between Stephenville and the Port Au Port Peninsula. Serviced and semi-serviced camp sites in the wooded and open areas of the park. 6 cabins are available to rent. All sites are easy accessable, level and contain fire pits. Clean washrooms with free hot showers, a laundromat, a convience store, and dumping station. There is also a heated swimming pool, a kids pool, and a waterslide.