Bonaventure, Quebec, is a charming town nestled on the Gaspé Peninsula. This picturesque town is part of the Bonaventure Regional County Municipality and is situated near the mouth of the Bonaventure River on Baie des Chaleurs. Conveniently located on Route 132 between Saint-Siméon and New Carlisle, Bonaventure is a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
The history of Bonaventure, Quebec, dates back to 1760 when it became the first permanent European settlement in the region. The town was established by Acadian refugees who had managed to evade the expulsion of Acadians that began in 1755. Some of these early settlers participated in the Battle of Restigouche in July 1760, where a mixed force of French navy and Acadians were defeated by the Royal Navy. Today, many Bonaventure residents are proud descendants of these Acadian settlers.
Before permanent settlement, the Bonaventure harbour was a popular stopover for Europeans and served as a location for temporary camps and posts for many years. Initially, Bonaventure was part of the lands owned by France. However, following the Treaty of Paris in 1763, all of New France was ceded to Britain, and Bonaventure became part of the British colony of the Province of Quebec.
Despite the change in ownership, some of the lands already settled by the Acadians were granted to anglophones. After years of petitioning the Quebec government, some Acadian settlers were able to gain title to the lands they occupied. However, as late as 1891, more than half of the homesteaders in this region had no legal title to the lands they lived on. Bonaventure also experienced raids by Americans during the War of Independence.
The Quebec Acadian Museum (Musée Acadien du Québec) is a significant cultural landmark in Bonaventure. This museum offers visitors a chance to delve into the rich Acadian history and culture that shaped the town. The town itself was named after the Italian saint Bonaventure, further adding to its cultural significance.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Bonaventure had a population of 2,733 living in 1,318 of its 1,404 total private dwellings. This represented a 1% increase from its 2016 population of 2,706. With a land area of 104.5 km2 (40.3 sq mi), Bonaventure had a population density of 26.2/km2 (67.7/sq mi) in 2021.
