This itinerary will take you east along the coast of Côte-Nord by road, from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon, and then by ferry to the island of Newfoundland where you will discover charming villages along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see whales, explore islands and enjoy a unique cruise. This trip is particularly well suited for RV travellers.
Adapted from the “VR le golfe du Saint-Laurent!” itinerary in the VR l’aventure guide
Your adventure begins in Tadoussac (215 km/135 mi. from Québec City, 475 km/295 mi. from Montréal), a great place to observe whales either during a cruise on the St. Lawrence or from the shore. Route 138 will take you to Les Escoumins, where you can not only participate in a whale-watching excursion, but also enjoy a virtual dive in the St. Lawrence at the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.
As you continue driving east on Route 138, be sure to visit the following:
Pointe-aux-Outardes, which is home to some 200 species of birds and the warmest swimmable waters in the region
Baie-Comeau, a dynamic town located in the Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve
Sept-Îles, with its archipelago, and the Manitou Falls, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of the city
The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, home to mysterious monoliths
Natashquan
From Natashquan, enjoy a cruise along the Lower North Shore (reservations required). You will stop in the following villages:
Kegaska, where you can explore trails covered in crushed seashells
La Romaine, where you can visit the largest Innu reserve in the region
Saint-Augustin, a picturesque village
Blanc-Sablon, your final destination
From Blanc-Sablon, head to the Labrador border and take Route 510 to explore the following communities:
Red Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to several historic Basque whaling stations
L’Anse-Amour, where you can visit the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada (33 metres/108 feet high)
Return to Blanc-Sablon to board the ferry to St. Barbe, on the island of Newfoundland.
Once in Newfoundland, head north on Route 430 to L’Anse aux Meadows, where you can visit a Viking settlement that dates back to the year 1000.
Then, head back south on Route 430 to visit the following:
Raleigh, home to the Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve
Flower’s Cove, where you can see thrombolites, the remains of the oldest living organisms on earth, some 3.5 billion years old
Port au Choix, where you can visit a burial site that is about 4000 years old
Continue south to Gros Morne to visit the Gros Morne National Park where you can go for a hike, visit the aquarium and enjoy a cruise on the fjord.
Continue south and then west to the Port au Port Peninsula. Head out to Cape St. George to admire the view and visit Our Lady of Mercy Church.
Drive to Jeffrey’s to visit the third largest dairy farm in Canada, the New World Dairy Inc. Then head to the Codroy Valley, where you can visit the Grand Codroy Wildlife Museum, the largest indoor wildlife exhibit in the province.
Your journey ends in the Channel-Port aux Basques area where you can also visit the village of Rose Blanche with its small houses scattered on the rocks.
For more information about the Newfoundland and Labrador portion of this itinerary, visit the Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism website.
