Carleton-sur-Mer is a town of approximately 4,200 people located on the Baie des Chaleurs coast in the Avignon regional county municipality at the western tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful small towns in Quebec, with its distinctive setting between the warm waters of Baie des Chaleurs and the dramatic Mont Saint-Joseph (which rises 555 metres above the bay and offers panoramic views across to New Brunswick).
The town is a premier tourism destination within Gaspésie. Carleton-sur-Mer's sandy beach on the Chaleur Bay benefits from the warmest saltwater north of Virginia — the bay acts as a solar collector, warming the shallow water to swimming temperatures in summer. The Miguasha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable Devonian fossil fish deposits) is a short drive away.
The local economy is built on tourism, fishing, retail, and public services. The CÉGEP de la Gaspésie et des Îles has a campus in Carleton-sur-Mer. The town has attracted remote workers and retirees from urban Quebec who value its quality of life.
Real estate ranges from affordable year-round homes ($130,000–$280,000) to premium waterfront and mountain-view properties ($300,000–$600,000+).
The Caisse Desjardins serves Carleton-sur-Mer and the broader Avignon RCM. It is the primary financial institution for most residents and businesses in the community.
Residents needing chartered bank services can access National Bank in nearby larger centres. For most Carleton-sur-Mer residents, Desjardins handles all banking needs locally.
KOHO is the ideal zero-fee digital banking complement for Carleton-sur-Mer residents. Tourism entrepreneurs and seasonal workers particularly benefit from its no-fee structure.
Carleton-sur-Mer applies Quebec's standard droits de mutation formula with no municipal surtax:
Welcome tax examples:
The welcome tax is due by municipal invoice 3–6 months after closing.
Carleton-sur-Mer attracts significant second-property investment from buyers in Quebec City, Montreal, and New Brunswick. Buyers purchasing a second home or chalet should be aware:
The Miguasha National Park UNESCO designation and the broader Gaspésie tourism circuit create year-round economic activity, though summer remains the peak season. Businesses serving tourists — accommodation, restaurants, outdoor guiding, kayaking, cultural services — have access to tourism business financing through Desjardins and the SADC de la Baie-des-Chaleurs.
Carleton-sur-Mer has become one of Quebec's most desirable remote worker destinations. High-speed fibre internet is available in the town. For professionals who can work from anywhere, the combination of spectacular scenery, affordable real estate, excellent local food culture, and genuine community character makes Carleton-sur-Mer extraordinarily compelling. KOHO's digital banking platform works seamlessly for remote workers who manage all their financial affairs online.
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