Baie Comeau is a city that is approximately 420 km (260 mi) north-east of Quebec City in the Côte-Nord region of the province of Quebec, Canada. It is on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River near the mouth of the Manicouagan River, and is the seat of Manicouagan Regional County Municipality.
Understand
The municipality had a population of 21,500 in 2016, which has declined from 25,500 in 1996. The population is roughly split between two urban area population centres within the city limits: Baie-Comeau proper and Hauterive.
The city is named after the adjacent Comeau Bay, which is named in honour of Napoléon-Alexandre Comeau, a Québécois naturalist. Baie-Comeau is the birthplace of former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney.
History
Baie-Comeau proper (the eastern part of the current town) was founded in 1936 when a paper mill was constructed by Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Experiencing remarkable growth, the Town of Baie-Comeau was incorporated the following year. The area continued to see economic development with the establishment of the hydro-electric power stations on the Manicouagan and Outardes Rivers beginning with the Chutes-aux-Outardes Station in 1952, an aluminum smelter in 1958, and grain warehouses (the largest in Canada) in 1959.
Climate
In July, the average daily high is near 21°C (70°F) but at night it cools down to a temperature near 10°C (50°F).In January, the average daily high is about -9°C (16°F) but at night it cools down to a temperature near -20°C (-4°F).No matter when in the year you go, you should always bring a jacket. Temperatures can deviate significantly from the average, so be prepared.
Get in
By car
Baie-Comeau is five to six hours beyond Québec City on Québec Route 138. As there is no railway, the main option is to come by car.
From Quebec City, take Autoroute 440-E until it becomes Quebec Route 138. Drive about 400 km until you arrive in Baie Comeau. Visitors from Montréal or points westward on the Trans-Canada Highway will arrive in Québec City on Autoroute 40 (as the last bridge on the St. Lawrence is west of the city), then follow the north shore from there.
From Chicoutimi-Jonquière and Lac-Saint-Jean go to Chicoutimi Nord, where Québec Route 172 follows the north shore of the Saguenay river to Tadoussac. From there, Québec Route 138 leads 200 km downriver to Baie-Comeau.
From Atlantic Canada, take the Trans-Canada Highway westward to Rivière-du-Loup, then cross the St. Lawrence River by ferry to reach Route 138 on the north shore. (From New Brunswick's Acadian Coast, an alternative route is to enter at Campbellton-Pointe à la Croix, take QC132 through Amqui to Rimouski or Matane, then cross the St. Lawrence by ferry.)
By plane
- 1 Baie-Comeau Airport (YBC IATA). Domestic flights
- Air Liaison flies from Mont-Joli, Quebec City, Sept-Îles, and Wabush.
- Pascan Aviation flies from Bagotville, Montreal-Saint-Hubert Airport, and Sept-Îles.
- Air Canada closed its station in July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By bus
- Intercar. Bus service from Sept-Îles and Quebec City.
By boat
From Matane, take the ferry directly to Baie-Comeau.
Other points at which one can cross the St. Lawrence by ferry include Rimouski—Forestville, Trois-Pistoles—Les Escoumins, Rivière-du-Loup—Saint-Siméon and Lévis—Québec City.
Get around
It's best to have a car to drive around since the two parts of Baie Comeau are separate. Walking may be reasonable depending on the distance and season.
- Budget Location De Vehicules, 799, boul Laflèche, ☏ 1 418-294-4404. Hire car rental.
See and do
- Atelier Carole Caron, 1181 rue de Dieppe, ☏ 1 418 589-9547. Carole Caron paints on fabric with acrylic resin. Her works mostly feature colourful and lively scenes of children.
- Centre Boreal du St-Laurent, 3, avenue Denonville, ☏ 1 418 296-0177. This forest learning centre allows visitors to discover the effects glaciers had on the Cote Nord region and its landscapes. Other attractions and activities include a natural park, observation sites, hiking trails and more.
- Centre des arts de Baie-Comeau, 1660, rue de Bretagne, ☏ 1 418 295-2000, ✉[email protected]. Shows and concerts.
- Galerie d'art Claude Bonneau, 13, place La Salle, ☏ 1 418 296-8862. Exhibition of art and antiques.
- Maison de la Faune, 3501, boulevard Lafleche, ☏ 1 418 589-2219. Visitors will discover and learn about the fauna or wildlife of the Cote-Nord region. Children under the age of seven get in free. Hiking trails and a boutique are also available.
- Le Theatre de Baie-Comeau, 1660, rue de Bretagne, ☏ 1 418 295-2500. Constructed in 1992, the theatre can accommodate 850 guests and showcases a variety of plays and shows during the year. Ticket packages are available.
- The Whale Route. Côte-Nord – Manicouagan and Côte-Nord – Duplessis border the St. Lawrence for 1250 km (775 miles), from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon. The coastline of these regions has been designated the Whale Route, because 13 different species, including the blue whale, can be found in the waters of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Buy
- Centre Manicouagan, 600, boul. Laflèche, ☏ 1 418 589-9651. There are over 50 stores and boutiques at this shopping mall in Baie-Comeau. A renovated food-fair offers a non-smoking environment. Open daily.
- Galeries Baie-Comeau inc., 300, boulevard La Salle, ☏ 1 418 296-6461. Shopping mall, several shops.
Eat
- L'Aquarium Sushi Bar, (West) 861, boulevard Lafleche, (East) 38 Place LaSalle, ☏ 1 418 589-5887 (West), 1 418 296-2887 (East). Casual dining and an impressive selection of fresh sushi rolls, combination platters and signature dishes are served up at this restaurant, which offers locations in the eastern and western sectors of the city.
- Brochetterie Chez Greco, 1257, boul. Laflèche, ☏ 1 418 295-3003. There are a variety of authentic Greek specialties at this restaurant. The menu features moussaka, spanakopita, tzatziki and more Greek foods.
- Restaurant Bar Terrasse Les Trois Barils, 200, boulevard Lasalle, ☏ 1 418 296-3681. This restaurant has a varied menu consisting of Canadian, Italian and regional specialties. Steak and seafood dishes also popular. Dining accommodations for up to 175 guests including a terrace.
- Restaurant Dixie Lee Poulet Frit, 1150, boulevard Laflèche, ☏ 1 418 589-3376. This restaurant serves flavourful fried chicken.
- Restaurant La Cache d'Amelie, 37, avenue Marquette, ☏ 1 418 296-3722. Guests can enjoy a fine-dining experience and sample regional dishes. The restaurant is licensed and includes a non-smoking section.
- Restaurant Les Pates, 836, rue de Puyjalon, ☏ 1 418 589-9921. Pizza and fresh stuffed pastas. Delivery is available.
- Restaurant Nori, 905, rue Bosse. The restaurant features an Asian menu of fine-cuisine including seafood specialties. The location is licensed and provides non-smoking sections for its patrons.
- Restaurant Pizza Royale, 2674, boulevard Laflèche (Route 138), ☏ 1 418 589-5427, ✉[email protected]. Menu includes several types of pizza as well as other dishes such as pasta, salads, sandwiches and Chinese food. The restaurant is also licensed and is open late on weekends.
Sleep
Hotels
- Comfort Inn Baie-Comeau, 745 boul. Lafleche, ☏ 1 418 589-8252. Offering continental breakfast, business services, refrigerator and valet service.
- Le Grand Hotel, 48 Place Lasalle, ☏ 1 418 297-6994, toll-free: 1-888-838-8880, fax: 1 418 294-2040, ✉[email protected]. Three-star complex that was completely renovated. Has forty-five rooms, some with kitchenettes.
- Travelodge Baie-Comeau, 285 boulevard La Salle, ☏ 1 418 296-9686, toll-free: 1-800-563-9686, ✉[email protected]. 100 guest rooms, all equipped with coffee makers, cable TV, free wireless Internet access, refrigerators and microwaves. The hotel also offers free hot breakfast, a restaurant and bar, a fitness room and outdoor hot tubs. This is a pet-friendly property.
- Hotel Le Manoir, 8, avenue Cabot, toll-free: 1-866-796-3391, ✉[email protected]. Hotel accommodations include 57 rooms with many amenities including free coffee, an iron and ironing board, hair dryer, telephone with alarm clock and more. Services include tennis court, bicycle and snowmobile rentals, restaurant and business centre.
Hotel and motels
- Hotel-Motel Hauterive, 1145, Avenue Nouvel, ☏ 1 418 589-2041, fax: 1 418 589-2043, ✉[email protected]. Meeting rooms are supplied with audio and visual equipment.
- Hotel-Motel La Caravelle, 202, blvd. LaSalle, ☏ 1 418 296-4986, toll-free: 1-800-463-4986, ✉[email protected]. Only hotel on the north shore with an indoor swimming pool (open July and August). Outdoor terrace and sauna adjacent to the pool.
Motels
- Motel Amigo, 221 boulevard Lasalle, ☏ 1 418 296-3131. The motel includes 20 rooms with both smoking and non-smoking units available. All rooms include a bathroom, television and telephone. Free outdoor parking is provided.
- Motel du Nord, 120 boulevard Comeau, ☏ 1 418 296-2511. Accommodations include 14 air-conditioned rooms, each complete with private bathroom, telephone and television.
- Motel du Rosier Baie Comeau, 228 boulevard Lasalle, ☏ 1 418 296-6696. All rooms include amenities such as a hair dryer, clock radio and free coffee. Select suites provide additional features including Internet access and whirlpools.
Connect
There is no GSM mobile coverage in Baie-Comeau. Bell/Telus users will get 3G (UMTS) coverage in town, but no signal in highway or rural areas.
Go next
The main road (Route 138) goes west to Montréal, but heading east the road abruptly ends at Kegashka, one town east of Natashquan.
Quebec Route 389, which is gravel for long stretches, heads northward toward Fermont and then Labrador City; from there the Trans-Labrador Highway provides a long but overland means to reach Blanc Sablon-Forteau. Another option is to take a coastal ferry which heads eastward from Sept-Îles through the 450km of sparsely-populated fjords and no roads.
Anticosti Island is reachable by ferry or aircraft from Sept-Îles and Havre-Saint-Pierre.
- Air Liaison. has two 30-min flights from Baie-Comeau to Anticosti Island each M Tu Th F at 08:35 and 09:15. The 30-min return flight leaves at 11:35 and 16:40 on the same days $502-518 one way.
Saguenay is reachable by road from Tadoussac.
It is also possible to cross the St. Lawrence River by ferry to Matane, a point of entry to the Gaspé Peninsula.
| Routes through Baie-Comeau |
| Quebec City ← Tadoussac ← | W  E | → Sept-Îles → Kegasha |
| Labrador City ← Fermont ← | N  S | → END |
