Upper North Shore - Manicouagan - Sept-Rivières
Quebec regionCôte-Nord
Unmissable
ManicouaganHaute côte nordSept RivièresTadoussacEscouminsPort CartierSept-ÎlesBaie TrinitésBaie ComeauPortneuf sur merLongue Rive

Upper North Shore - Manicouagan - Sept-Rivières

By Olivier••187 views

The Côte-Nord — From Tadoussac to Sept-Îles, the call of the open water

Stretching along the majestic St. Lawrence River, the Côte-Nord is one of the wildest and most spectacular regions of Quebec. Between endless boreal forest, steep cliffs, tumbling rivers and a river that gradually turns into a sea, it offers total immersion in magnificent nature. Three emblematic territories unfold here: the Haute-Côte-Nord, Manicouagan and Sept-Rivières, each with its own character.

La Haute-Côte-Nord

The gateway to the region, the Haute-Côte-Nord greets you with charming villages and breathtaking landscapes. Tadoussac, nestled at the mouth of the Saguenay fjord, is known worldwide for its whale-watching excursions — belugas, fin whales, blue whales and minke whales come to feast here every summer. Its little red wooden chapel, the oldest still standing in North America, and its giant sand dunes add to its undeniable charm. Farther along, Les Escoumins, Les Bergeronnes and Les Grandes-Bergeronnes offer quality marine interpretation centres and some of the most renowned dive sites in the country.

Manicouagan

Manicouagan takes its name from the imposing river that runs through it and from its famous crater, the remnant of a meteorite that fell more than 200 million years ago — a ring of water visible from space. The region impresses with both human and natural feats: the Daniel-Johnson dam (Manic-5), with its majestic arches, is one of the largest multiple-arch dams in the world and makes for a fascinating visit. Baie-Comeau, a town of aluminum and paper, appeals with its industrial architecture and its heritage circuits. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the landscapes of the rivière aux Outardes, the trails of the parc Nature de Pointe-aux-Outardes (a birdwatching paradise) and the seals along the shore.

Sept-Rivières

Farther east, the Sept-Rivières region owes its name to the seven rivers that empty into the gulf near Sept-Îles, its main town. An important industrial port, the city nonetheless shows a warm face with its Vieux-Quai promenade, lively in summer, its urban beaches and its islands to explore by boat — the Sept-Îles archipelago is a genuine jewel, perfect for kayaking, seabird watching and swimming at sunset. Port-Cartier, farther west, appeals with its spectacular coastal scenery, its impressive waterfalls and the parc régional des Sept-Chutes, ideal for hiking. Innu culture, present everywhere in the region, finds expression notably at the Musée Shaputuan and at the not-to-be-missed Innu Nikamu festival, a vibrant celebration of Indigenous music.

A region apart

The Côte-Nord is also the warm welcome of the Nord-Côtiers, those scenic roads (Route 138 follows the river for hundreds of kilometres), those local products such as wild berries, fresh seafood and salmon, along with that singular feeling of being at the end of the world, where the river becomes an ocean. Whether it's to watch whales, explore immense territories or simply get away from the bustle, the Côte-Nord offers a complete change of scene, only a few hours' drive from Quebec City.

A trip by Tesla for a first taste of this magnificent region. Six days weren't enough to reach the end of the road, and it was also a chance to visit a friend.

Practical information

Duration
6 jours
Season
Août 2025
Getting around
Tesla
Accommodation
Tesla Camping

Itinerary

Chargement de la carte…
1
Québec
2
Tadoussac
3
Les Escoumins
4
Port-Cartier
5
Sept-Îles
6
Baie-Trinité
7
Baie-Comeau
8
Portneuf-sur-Mer
9
Longue-Rive
10
Québec

Tadoussac

Camping

With a sweeping view of the river and the fjord, perched on the mountainside, Camping Tadoussac welcomes you in an exceptional natural setting, with nicely wooded sites as a bonus. Clean washrooms and a shared indoor space (handy when it rains) that's really pleasant.

Clochettes, Buvette de saison

Aux Clochettes in Tadoussac stands out with a seasonal buvette style that is both chic and delicate, a rare concept in this region. The place serves refined cooking, designed to be shared.

Marine mammal interpretation centre

Admire an impressive collection of whale skeletons, including that of a 13-metre sperm whale. Passionate naturalists lead information sessions and answer visitors' questions. The centre offers videos, games and acoustic activities for an immersive experience. An outdoor terrace sometimes lets you spot belugas and other marine mammals straight from the site.

Escoumins

Whale-watching cruise

https://croisierebaleine.ca/ A whale-watching cruise is above all an adventure out in nature, where patience, respect for wildlife and wonder are all part of the deal. Every outing is unique, and meeting the giants of the sea in their natural habitat is pure emotion and a privilege. Croisière Escoumins offers 2-hour excursions with quiet engines and a sighting guarantee.

Port-Cartier

Waterfalls

To see the waterfalls near Port-Cartier, you can head to the chute MacDonald or to the Parc des chutes, right downtown. The stop is worth it.

Sept-Îles

Mylène Paquette's boat

Having travelled from Halifax (Canada) to Lorient (France) in only 129 days, Mylène Paquette's ocean rowing boat, the Hermel, will forever stand as a testament to the strength and tenacity of its captain. This one-of-a-kind boat, built and designed by Hermel Lavoie, is on display at the Sept-Îles marina and is open to tourists, cruise ship passengers, visitors and the public.

Baie-Trinité

Pointe à Poulin

La Pointe à Poulin is a remarkable natural site. It's known for its magnificent beach and for a setting that lends itself to relaxing and to wildlife watching.

Centre national des naufrages du Québec

This interpretation centre in Baie-Trinité is devoted to the rich and perilous maritime history of the region. It sheds light on the many shipwrecks that took place in the gulf and in the St. Lawrence River, presenting fascinating artifacts and historical accounts.

Pointe-des-Monts lighthouse

The Pointe-des-Monts lighthouse, built in 1830, is a must-see attraction on the Côte-Nord. Classified as a historic monument, it stands at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, on a rocky islet near the hamlet of Pointe-des-Monts, in the municipality of Baie-Trinité.

Baie-Comeau

Pointe-aux-Outardes

Pointe-aux-Outardes is a municipality and an absolutely magnificent nature park. A boardwalk trail makes for a lovely walk in nature with sweeping views of the river. The park is the main attraction in the area, offering various trails, observation towers and varied wildlife.

Jean-Lesage generating station (Manic-2)

This Hydro-Québec hydroelectric station sits on the Manicouagan River. Part of the vast Manic-Outardes project, it came into service in 1966. Guided tours are offered to discover the dam and the facilities. Visitors can see a 400-tonne rotor in operation and learn more about the 735-kilovolt high-voltage lines, a pioneering technology in Quebec.

Portneuf-sur-Mer

Sandbar

The Banc de Portneuf is a stretch of sand and low-tide flats at Portneuf-sur-Mer. Together with the Pointe des Fortin, this site is known for its ecological richness and is a prime spot for wildlife watching, birds in particular.

Longue-Rive

Pointe à Émile beach (black sand)

The Pointe à Émile beach is in Longue-Rive. It's a quiet beach along the St. Lawrence, known for its scenery and for walking at low tide. You can see bands of black sand there, quite unusual.

 

Highlights

  • •
    Camping Tadoussac
  • •
    Clochettes, Buvette de saison
  • •
    Croisière aux baleines
  • •
    Chutes de Port Cartier
  • •
    Bateau de Mylène Paquette
  • •
    Baie Trinité
  • •
    Pointe à Poulin
  • •
    Centre national des naufrages du Québec
  • •
    Pointe aux outardes
  • •
    Banc de Portneuf
  • •
    Phare de pointe des monts
  • •
    Plage de la pointe à Émile (sable noir)
  • •
    Musée des baleines de Tadoussac
  • •
    Manic 2

Tips

  • 💡
    La croisière aux baleines reste un must, nous avons eu la chance de voir plusieurs marsouins, des phoques, une baleine à bosse et un béluga, mais c’est grâce à la patience et l’expérience de notre capitaine. D’autres embarcations parties en même temps que nous n’ont pas eu cette chance. Privilégiez les petites embarcations.
  • 💡
    Prévoyez plus de 6 jours si vous voulez aller au bout de la route 138, nous n’avons pu allez au-delà de Sept-Îles en 6 jours et n’avons pu admirer l’archipel Mingan. Évidemment, il est déjà prévu d’y retourner sous peu visiter ce bout de la région.
  • 💡
    Contrairement à la Gaspésie, sur la Côte Nord, au-delà de Baie-Comeau, il faut bien planifier les charges de la Tesla. Un peu moins bien équipé.

Photo gallery

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for the Côte-Nord?
More than six. We gave it six days and we couldn't get beyond Sept-Îles: no chance to admire the Mingan archipelago, which is farther east still. If you want to reach the end of Route 138, plan for more. We're already planning to go back for that stretch of the region.
How do you choose a whale-watching cruise?
Go for the small boats. That's our big piece of advice: we saw several porpoises, seals, a humpback whale and a beluga, but that was thanks to the patience and experience of our captain. Other boats that left at the same time as us weren't so lucky. Croisière Escoumins offers two-hour outings with quiet engines.
Is electric charging easy on the Côte-Nord?
As far as Baie-Comeau, it's fine. Beyond that, you have to plan your charges carefully: the region is less well equipped than the Gaspé Peninsula, for example. It isn't an obstacle, but it takes preparing stage by stage rather than improvising along the way.
What is there to see in Tadoussac besides whales?
The marine mammal interpretation centre is worth the detour, with an impressive collection of whale skeletons, including that of a 13-metre sperm whale. Passionate naturalists lead information sessions, and the outdoor terrace sometimes lets you spot belugas straight from the site. The village also has the oldest wooden chapel still standing in North America and large sand dunes.
What is Mylène Paquette's boat?
The Hermel, the ocean rowing boat she crossed from Halifax to Lorient in only 129 days. Designed and built by Hermel Lavoie, it is on display at the Sept-Îles marina and open to visitors, tourists and the public. A striking testament to the strength and tenacity of its captain.
Can you tour a hydroelectric station along the way?
Yes, the Jean-Lesage station, also called Manic-2, on the Manicouagan River near Baie-Comeau. In service since 1966, it is part of the vast Manic-Outardes project. The guided tours let you see a 400-tonne rotor in operation and learn about the 735-kilovolt high-voltage lines, a pioneering technology in Quebec.
What is the appeal of the parc Nature de Pointe-aux-Outardes?
It's a birdwatching paradise. A boardwalk trail makes for a lovely walk in nature with sweeping views of the river, and the park offers several trails, observation towers and varied wildlife. It's the main attraction in the Baie-Comeau area, and just the right stop for bird lovers.
Where can you see black sand on the Côte-Nord?
At the Pointe à Émile beach, in Longue-Rive. It's a quiet beach along the St. Lawrence, known for its scenery and for walking at low tide, where you can see quite unusual bands of black sand. Nearby, the Banc de Portneuf, at Portneuf-sur-Mer, is also a prime spot for birdwatching.
What is the Pointe-des-Monts lighthouse?
A lighthouse built in 1830, classified as a historic monument, standing at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River on a rocky islet, in the municipality of Baie-Trinité. It's one of the must-see attractions on the Côte-Nord. Combine it with the Centre national des naufrages du Québec, in Baie-Trinité, which tells the perilous story of navigation in the gulf.
Where should you eat in Tadoussac?
Aux Clochettes, a seasonal buvette with a style both chic and delicate, a rare concept in the region. The cooking is refined and designed to be shared. It's a lovely contrast with the usual offering in the coastal villages, and a fine way to end a day of whale watching.

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