Port-au-Port Peninsula Franglais Loop, Newfoundland

Also called the French Ancestor's Route, this ride around the Peninsula is classic Western Rock fare. Until 1904 the area was called the French Shore, that being the year France relinquished its exclusive fishing rights there. But the French place names and heritage remain.

Designated as the only bilingual area in Newfoundland, the many Roman Catholic churches on the peninsula won’t let you forget it. Photos by ridenewfoundland.com

That Frenchness suffered a bit of dilution with the construction of Ernest Harmon Air Force Base at Stephenville in WWII. But the place delivers a great blend of scenery, stops and photo opps.

Start and finish in Port-au-Port, looping around the peninsula. Or if you’re craving miles, do a second loop through Stephenville along 460 then south on 1 and back up on 490 through the beautiful Stephenville Crossing and back up to town.

Where to stop

Stephenville has your food and gas covered. You must also ride way out to Long Point Lighthouse along the long needle for the view (outermost part is gravel). There’s fly fishing where Hwy 1 crosses the river north of the 480 and Hwy 1 junction (check on licenses before you leap in to all that). Check out the churches too. There are many and they welcome strangers – no matter how strange you are.