A treasure to unveil!

From Tadoussac to Pointe-des-Monts, going up along the river towards Labrador, not only are you experiencing the Whale Route, you are now getting a taste of Quebec’s Great North.

Through the Trans-Québec – Labrador road (389), you reach Manic-5, which greets you with its own majesty, bordering the Manicouagan crater that became its reservoir, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation where animals are kings. In the center of this meteoric crater, one of the widest on earth, visible even from space, lies the île René-Levasseur. It’s a little known fact that this is one of the only craters of this dimension that can be reached by car.

In Manic-5 you will find the Daniel-Johnson dam, named after the prime minister that introduced the project. It’s the largest multiple-arch and buttress dam in the world and you can walk on its ridge. Manic-2 is the world's largest hollow-joint gravity dam and the interior of the structure is accessible for visitors. Experienced guides will accompany you on your visit. It’s a privileged place where the sea encounters the forest, where you can profit from the best the region has to offer along Whale Route. The abundance of sea mammals makes it one of the best areas to watch the many species when they migrate in the river.

Traveling through the Manicouagan sector, you will discover cities and villages whose names are familiar, among which:

Tadoussac Tadoussac is literally the doorstep to the Côte-Nord, neighbouring the Saguenay and Charlevoix regions. With its 400 years of history, it’s the birthplace of Nouvelle-France (New France), and this is where the very first fur trading post in Canada was erected. This small town promises a warm welcome, and the tourist infrastructure is very diversified: trading post, native chapel, CIMM (Sea Mammals Interpretation Center), hiking in the forest, museums, theater, varied festivals, arts and crafts, the Saguenay National Park, the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park, sea kayak, cross country skiing, snowmobile trails and cruises are only a few possibilities that are offered to you.

Sacré-Cœur 

A natural haven with its unique landscapes and renowned sunsets, in the heart of the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park. Many activities are offered: sea kayak, the Saguenay National Park, interpretation center, sea mammals (beluga) watching post from the land, hiking, bicycle, salmon fishing, agrotourism, fauna observation, industrial visits, hunting, snowmobile, dogsledding, cross country skiing, you can even sleep in an igloo.

Bergeronnes Destination “par excellence” for sea mammals watching, sea kayak and scuba diving, the village overhangs an ocean trench, a favourable setting to witness the frolics of the great blue whale. During the mating season, you will hear their characteristic love songs. The Cap-du-Bon-Désir is a very good site to watch the ballet of these sea mammals. Among other activities, let us mention camping, agrotourism, the Archeo-Topo interpretation center, the Blue Whale Festival, cruises, expeditions, outfitters, arts and crafts, hiking and bicycling.

Les Escoumins Its crystal-clear water and the quality of its seabed make Les Escoumins a real paradise for scuba divers. The town was originally a small village created in 1846, and is the doorstep to the Eastern part of the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park. At Les Escoumins, you can participate in many activities such as whale watching cruises, a visit to an interpretation center, hiking, bicycle rides, sea kayak, salmon fishing, go to outfitters, visit thematic islands, and see the historical sites of Pointe-à-La-Croix and the Parc des Chutes.

Essipit 

For centuries, the Innus (Montagnais) have been an important native nation in Quebec. Essipit (the River with Shells) is a small community favouring discoveries and adventure (about 200 inhabitants). You can stay in cabins or high class condos, or put up your equipment on the camping ground. Among the activities and attractions, you will find: Montagnais arts and crafts, Pow-Wows, hiking, whale watching expeditions, animation, traditional meals and outfitters.

Longue-Rive 

The Sault-au-Mouton waterfalls. The old 19th century wood mill, the historical church dating back to 1899, the salted marshes interpretation center, and the ZEC.

Portneuf-Sur-Mer

Here, time flows to the rhythm of the tides along the shores of the St.Lawrence river. You can practice activities such as: hiking on the fine sandy beaches, fishing, hunting, expeditions at sea, snowmobile, ecotourism and bird watching. It is a haven for seafood lovers. The beach and the fauna museum are a must.

Forestville

Forestville, on the Haute Côte-Nord, is an interesting stop when you visit Manicouagan. With its “Plages en Fête“ (Festive Beaches) festival, it’s a family resort to celebrate coastal Quebec. A stroll on the suspension gangway provides a magnificent, unforgettable point of view. In the summertime, the sandy beaches are a delightful place to take a break. Some of the activities and attractions are hiking, bicycling, a forestry center, the “Baie Verte” (suspension gangway, hydroelectric dams, overland wood pipeline, sandy beaches, the “La Petite Anglicane” museum, nautical basin), canoe, kayak, pedalo, ZEC, camping ground, outfitter, hunting and fishing, mollusc picking, bird watching, seal watching.

Colombier

A small agro-forestry village, born with the Great Depression of 1929, located on the sea shore. The chapel of Îlets-Jérémie is a pilgrimage site. It is also the birthplace of Napoléon-Alexandre Comeau, known as the “Roi de la Côte-Nord” (King of the Côte-Nord).

Betsiamites

Betsiamites is a Montagnais community. In the cemetery, you will come across a memorial dedicated to the Oblate Fathers Arnaud and Babel, considered by some as the true founders of the Côte-Nord. You will also find the Papinachois vacation center and the Notre-Dame de Betsiamites church. The design its roof is the architectural work of Edgar Courchesne, inpired by the renowned Benedictine architect Dom Bellot.

Ragueneau

The kids will love their visit to Ragueneau, on the doorstep to the to the Manicouagan peninsula, where life size dinosaurs stand guard in front of an archipelago of small islands crowded with seals and marine birds. The tourist stop offers a breathtaking view on the Rivière-aux-Outardes. A hiking trail and a camping ground have been added for nature lovers. The place offers various activities such a sea kayak, pond fishing, a karting course and a visit to the farm.

Chute-aux-Outardes

The town of Chutes-aux-Outardes was populated thanks to the rapid development of the forest industry and the creation of the Outarde 1 and Outarde 2 power stations. It’s a hearty place, and one of the main commercial zones on the Manicouagan peninsula. It hosts a nine hole golf course and is popular for its snow crab festival.

Pointe-aux-Outardes

The Pointe-aux-Outardes Park is a migration and nesting site for more than 175 different species of birds. Eight different ecosystems, including a salt water marsh, have been identified on the premises, an area of only one square kilometer. The local flora, which is represented by some very rare species, is a must see. Discover Pointe-aux-Outardes, the richness of its history and of its nature, its leisurely rural lifestyle, and drive to its romantic covered bridge, one of the oldest in Quebec. Campsites and inns are waiting just for you. Visit the Parc Nature, privileged site for bird watching and fauna and flora studies, the potato research center and tour the most important sawing mill in Eastern Canada.

Pointe-Lebel

A peaceful village with magnificient sandy beaches, where you can go bird watching and fruit picking. It hosts inns, a camping ground, and the local airport.

Baie-Comeau Baie-Comeau is one of the most populated cities in the Manicouagan area. High technology holds an important place there, specifically the hydroelectric research, developed along the creation of the Manic-5 and Manic-2 projects. Golfers will enjoy two superb golf courses (nine hole and eighteen hole), an interesting challenge in sight.

Discover the Heritage Circuit of Old Baie-Comeau, with its murals and interpretation centers. Scuba divers will plunge in the crystal clear waters of the St.Lawrence River to look for marine treasures. The area harbours many lakes, ZEC, and outfitters just waiting for hunters and fishermen to stop by. All year long, you can participate in many activities, among which: sea kayak, festivals, movies, symposium, theatre, exhibitions, bicycle trail, beaches, parks, junior hockey, sliding sports, skating, showmobile, whale watching, art galleries, etc. Further attraction such as the a visit to the “Dom Bellot” style Sainte-Amélie Church and the Maison de la Faune will enliven your stay. Quality accommodation in the Baie-Comeau area includes such renowned hotels as the Écono Lodge Baie-Comeau and the Hôtel-Motel Hauterive.

Franquelin

An old forest village with a gripping view on the surrounding landscape, protected by the Laurentian mountains. It holds a forest village of yesteryear and an interpretation center about life in the forest.

Godbout

An enchanting village with superb beaches, a marine mammals observation area, a wharf where you ca go fishing and a Native and Inuit museum in the old Post Office. You can also go hunting and sea fishing, depending on the season.

Pointe-des-Monts The Pointe-des-Monts lighthouse dates back to 1830. The old keeper’s house today hosts an inn and a restaurant. A museum tells the story of the Canadian lighthouse keepers. The Pointe-des-Monts chapel, build in 1898, was restored in 1964 by one the last of these keepers. Each year, shipwrecks, bird watching and scuba diving attract many visitors looking for adventure. The great whales often come close to the shore to feed. In this remote area, you can still find ecologically intact areas, like the heritage interpretation trail of Charlotte and the old Chief Ashini camp, leader of the last native tribe in the area until 1890.

Baie-Trinité

In this village you will find the Centre National des Naufrages du Saint-Laurent. Only a few kilometres awaylies the site an actual shipwreck took place. You can go fishing and witness the migratory passing of the salmons. Go to the wharf by the beach and watch the crab fishermen bring home their takes.