Côte-Nord: A Journey to Quebec's Wild Side
Wild, immense, and authentic experiences are what you’ll find in this wonderful journey.
Extending between river and boreal forest, the Côte-Nord is one of those territories that bring you back to basics. Wild, immense and authentic, it unfolds landscapes as far as the eye can see where nature reigns supreme. Here, we find a raw Quebec, marked by the presence of the First Nations, but also by natural and cultural treasures that reveal themselves to those who take the time to explore it.
A destination of choice to return to the roots, the Côte-Nord seduces as much by its infinite beaches as by its living heritage. Every detour becomes a discovery and every encounter a story to share. Here are some of the must-see stops, presented by Choice Hotels.
Nature's Masterpiece: The Mingan Archipelago
Off the coast of the Côte-Nord hides a little unknown jewel: the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. A true national treasure, this place should be on the list of all lovers of nature.
The archipelago has more than a thousand islands and islets placed on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. What makes Mingan so unique are its monoliths: imposing rock formations sculpted by glaciers, the sea, and the wind for over 450 million years. These limestone giants, with their whimsical shapes, stand like natural statues, giving the impression of walking through a lunar landscape, a true open-air museum shaped by nature itself. Some monoliths reach up to 20 metres in height.
But the archipelago is not limited to its spectacular rocky silhouettes. Hiking trails wind across several islands, offering breathtaking views of the sea, the monoliths, and the coastal vegetation. These walks allow you to explore Mingan's unique biodiversity: carpets of lichens, mixed forests, boreal forests, peat bogs, arctic heaths, and nesting seabirds.
Exploring Mingan, from island to island, is like plunging into nature. With eyes turned towards the open sea, one can spot puffins, seals, and even, to everyone's delight... whales. And to live the experience 100%, it is possible to camp on certain islands, to wake up in the heart of this natural sanctuary, lulled by the sound of the waves and the salty air.
An Encounter with the First Nations: The Maskisin Atikuss Economuseum
In Sept-Îles, the Maskisin Atikuss Economuseum is a true gateway to discover the world of the First Nations of Quebec. This central place allows for a better understanding of the reality and history of the 11 indigenous nations. A true starting point for a cultural immersion, this economuseum aims to be a showcase of traditions and know-how passed down from generation to generation.
Its boutique offers a selection of unique clothing, accessories, and objects that reflect Indigenous ingenuity, creativity, and identity. But the experience doesn't stop there: Shaputuan also invites you to experience immersive activities, such as workshops dedicated to Innu traditions, notably beading: the art of assembling small beads to create decorative patterns, often carrying spiritual, cultural, or identity meanings.
In the past, communities used resources found in the environment such as shells, animal claws, stones, feathers, or bones, to make objects imbued with symbolic value. With the arrival of European glass beads, this craft transformed, giving rise to colourful and complex patterns that became emblematic of many nations.
Even today, beading is used to create jewelry, moccasins, mittens, dream catchers, talking sticks, clothing, or weaving pieces adorned with evocative designs. Each pattern tells a story: memory of ancestors, relationship to the territory, symbols of protection or cultural transmission.
Participating in a beading workshop is much more than learning an ancestral technique. It is coming into contact with the living memory of the First Nations and weaving an authentic link with their heritage.
At the Crossroads of Quebec Ingenuity: Jean-Lesage Power Station
Did you know that Canada is among the top five largest producers of hydroelectricity in the world? In Quebec, the Côte-Nord is one of its most eloquent showcases. In this vast territory, about ten hydroelectric power stations are in operation, providing nearly 35% of the electricity produced in Quebec alone. True feats of engineering, these installations deserve special attention. They embody a unique know-how that has profoundly marked modern Quebec.
A visit to a power station like Jean-Lesage (formerly called Manic-2) allows one to measure the full extent of this achievement. Erected on the Manicouagan River, it impresses with its colossal dimensions and ingenuity. At the time of its construction, it was the largest hollow-joint gravity dam in the world. It was also at the heart of this power station that the 735 kilovolt transmission line technology (X-lines) was developed, a world first that revolutionized long-distance electricity export in 1965.
Between its eight immense turbines, its impressive concrete structures, and the spectacular panoramas offered by the site, a visit to the Jean-Lesage power station is both a return to roots and a dive into a heritage that continues to power a large part of the country.
By the Sea: The 7 Islands
The people of Sept-Îles would certainly be disappointed if we omitted to mention the beaches of Sept-Îles. Because above all, Sept-Îles is an archipelago bordered by beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. The diversity there is surprising: fine blonde sand, black sand, or clay shores, each beach has its own uniqueness. One can walk for kilometres along the sea, with eyes lost on the horizon and soul at peace. The sunrises there are simply majestic.
The Côte-Nord is also among the best places in Quebec to contemplate the very first rays of the day. These landscapes reflect all the beauty and immensity of the Quebec territory.
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