Sherbrooke and Sherbrooke Village

Established by the French in the middle of the 17th century, this little town prospered briefly on the back of a gold rush in the late 19th century, and it’s something of a thrill to know that 80% of Sherbrooke’s gold is still buried underfoot. Today, however, it’s better known for the Atlantic salmon that rush up St. Mary’s River (though you can’t fish for them) and for the excellent Sherbrooke Village open-air museum. The town makes a good base for exploring the rugged coastline.