Côte-Nord is home to a unique place that offers glacial history, fascinating maritime and industrial heritage as well as access to wild and natural environments. You’ll find all of this and more in Baie-Comeau, a city located about 200 km (120 mi.) east of Tadoussac. Want to know more? Here are five good reasons to visit this dynamic city and the surrounding area!

1. Savour unique local products

When you think of the region of Côte-Nord, some of the things that come to mind are the sea, conifers and wild berries… You’ll find all these flavours and more in the restaurants of Baie-Comeau! Stop in Pêcherie Manicouagan or in the restaurant at Hôtel Le Manoir to savour delicious local fish and seafood. The St-Pancrace microbrewery is also worth a visit: their menu features regional flavours and a selection of craft beers made with local ingredients. For a truly unique Côte-Nord experience, you must try Crâââbe, a bitter brewed with crab shells!

2. Explore 9 ecosystems in a single day

Recognized as one of the best bird-watching sites in Québec, Parc Nature de Pointe-aux-Outardes has a few surprises in store for you! Nature lovers will enjoy visiting this park that protects nine different ecosystems, including the boreal forest, sand flats, a beach, dunes and a salt marsh. If you want to spend the night in the park, you can camp or stay in one of five giant birdhouses. The design of each of these glamping units was inspired by a bird species found in the park. 

3. Visit a sentinel of the sea

The Pointe-des-Monts Lighthouse is the second oldest in Québec as well as one of the most photogenic! Admire the building’s colours and architecture as well as its scenic location, and make sure you give yourself enough time to visit it! The lighthouse is a heritage museum offering a fascinating exhibition on seven floors focused on the lives of the lightkeepers, navigation in the St. Lawrence and local shipwrecks. The highlight of your visit will be the panoramic view from the top—who knows, you may even spot whales!

4. Enjoy the great outdoors

For an outdoor stay, head to Attitude Nordique, which offers a multitude of activities. Follow the via ferrata trail along glacial grooves that border the St. Lawrence before soaring through the air on one of two ziplines. Thrill seekers will be delighted! You can then enjoy a sea kayaking excursion at sunset to soak up the pastel colours of the early evening sky. Spend the night on site with various lodging options before going paddleboarding at dawn, followed by a healthy breakfast. You can also add yoga to your package to awaken all your senses—and with a bit of luck, you may be observed by a curious seal!

5. Set off on a northern adventure

Are you interested in extending your road trip northwards? This is your opportunity to explore the Expedition 51 Loop, which will take you north from Baie-Comeau along Route 389 all the way to the border of Labrador, for the trip of a lifetime! As you drive on this road, you’ll come to fully understand the meaning of the region’s slogan: “Nature, beyond measure”! Along the way, be sure to visit the Jean-Lesage generating station (Manic-2) as well as the Daniel-Johnson Dam and Manic-5 generating station to tour the largest multiple-arch-and-buttress dam in the world and learn more about an important slice of Québec history. The Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains are also giants worth admiring in this area. From the top of these mountains, you can soak up panoramic views of the Manicouagan impact crater, one of the largest on Earth! Once you get to the border with Labrador, you can continue your road trip across this region all the way to Blanc-Sablon, where you’ll start your loop back via a cruise on a cargo ship followed by a drive along the coast on Route 138 all the way back to Baie-Comeau.

So are you inspired to visit these attractions in or near Baie-Comeau during your road trip along the Whale Route? You’ll also find many accommodation options in the area. Start planning your trip today!