| Manicouagan | |
 | |
| Saint-Pancrace bay | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Canada |
|---|---|
| Region | North Coast |
| Regional capital | Baie-Comeau |
| Area | 52 148 km² |
| Population | 45 492 hab. |
| Density | 0,87 inhab./km² |
| Location | |
 50 ° 37 ′ 12 ″ N 68 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ W | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
The Manicouagan is a tourist region of Quebec maritime located on the North Coast of the St. Lawrence River. The region presents its visitors with faces as varied as they are fabulous. It is recognized for its large expanses and its proximity to the St. Lawrence River.
Understand
The tourist region of Manicouagan forms the western part of the administrative region of the North Coast, the tourist region of Duplessis forming the second part to the east. It includes the regional county municipalities (MRC) of Manicouagan and La Haute-Côte-Nord, the main cities of which are respectively Baie-Comeau and Forestville. The region is located on the north slope of the St. Lawrence River and the inhabited part is mainly located along the coast. It has a population of approximately 45,500 inhabitants. The main economic activity of La Haute-Côte-Nord is tourism while the MRC of Manicouagan is recognized for its hydroelectric production. The name of "Manicouagan" is borrowed from the river of the same name located in the region.
With the coast overlooking the magnificent St.Lawrence River, the cliffs that frame the imposing Saguenay Fjord, the salt marshes where you can observe 175 species of birds, the migratory passes where salmon leap, the whales that swim in the river and without forgetting the boreal forest, the tundra, the bubbling rivers and the deep lakes of its hinterland, the region of Manicouagan is definitely pampered by nature! This grandiose setting gave birth to a hydroelectric empire where sits the largest multiple-arch dam in the world, the Daniel-Johnson dam (Manic-5). Suitable for hiking, camping, scuba diving, sea kayaking, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling, this region covers a vast territory of wild nature that will charm outdoor enthusiasts. , pure air, large spaces and authenticity.
There is a permanent tourist information office at Baie-Comeau and seasonal offices in Tadoussac, to Bergeronnes, to Escoumins, To Longue-Rive, To Portneuf-sur-Mer, To Forestville, To Ragueneau on the Manicouagan peninsula, To Baie-Comeau, To Godbout and to Port-Cartier.
Cities
- 1 Baie-Comeau – Main town of the MRC of Manicouagan, at the crossroads of the road to the north for Fermont and connected with the south coast of the St. Lawrence River by a ferry.
- 2 Forestville – Main town of the MRC of La Haute-Côte-Nord, member of the Federation of villages-relais du Québec.
- 3 Pointe-aux-Outardes – Small village located between Tadoussac and Baie-Comeau known for bird watching. Ornithology enthusiasts will find more than 200 species of birds. Wooden boardwalks have been built along the coastline to allow bird watching. The Longue-Rive Salt Marshes Interpretation Center is also a good destination since Canada geese (locally called bustards) and large snow geese stop there during their migrations.
- 4 Tadoussac – Gateway to the region by car, is part of the Association des plus beaux villages du Québec. In addition, the bay of Tadoussac is part of the club of the most beautiful bays in the world. It is therefore a must-see destination when visiting the region. Located on the edge of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, Tadoussac is an ideal starting point for marine mammal observation excursions.
Other destinations
- 1 René-Levasseur Island – Second largest island in Quebec, located in the Manicouagan reservoir, created by the rising water levels following the construction of the Daniel Johnson dam, includes two protected areas.
- 2 Louis-Babel Ecological Reserve – The largest ecological reserve in Quebec, includes the northern part ofRené-Levasseur Island as well as the summit of Mount Babel.
To go
By car
It is possible to reach the region by car from the southwest by taking the route 138. This starts at the border american With l'New York State (where it becomes the New York State Highway 30) southwest of Montreal and along the St.Lawrence River to Natashquan. However, it is possible to use different routes up to Quebec (highway 20 or highway 40 for example). From Quebec, the region is located at a distance of approximately 220 km of road, i.e. a journey of 3 h 30 by car. It is also possible to join route 138 from Wolf River to Bas-Saint-Laurent (accessible by route 132) by taking the ferry Trans-Saint-Laurent connecting Saint-Simeon in the Charlevoix (capacity of 399 people and 100 cars and crossing lasting 65 min). By taking route 138, you will enter the region at Tadoussac. Note that Route 138 has a maritime section between Baie-Sainte-Catherine in Charlevoix and Tadoussac to cross the Saguenay Fjord. The crossing is free for passengers and vehicles and takes approximately 10 min. Reservations are not necessary and the service is offered year round.
It is also possible to reach the Manicouagan from Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean by taking route 172 which leads to Tadoussac. Please note that the route of Route 172 is mostly in a park, so there are no gas stations along the route, in addition to the cell signal which is mostly non-existent.
Note that it is also possible to reach the region by car by taking the ferry Camille-Marcoux from Matane on the Gaspé Peninsula (see section On a boat below).
By bus
- Intercar – Link between Quebec and Baie-Comeau. Mandatory reservation.
On a boat
- Matane — Baie-Comeau — Godbout ferry ,
1 418-562-2500, 1 877-562-6560 (free number) – A ferry connects the shores of the St. Lawrence River between Baie-Comeau and Matane on the Gaspé Peninsula all year round. It also connects Matane to Godbout, further east on the North Shore. Since summer 2015, the crossing has been carried out by the ship N.M. F.-A. Gauthier to replace the old ship named the Camille-Marcoux. It is the largest vessel of the Société des traversiers du Québec with a capacity of 800 people and 180 cars. It offers one to two round trips per day depending on the time of year. The crossing takes more than two hours. The ship offers a catering service, a bar and an exhibition hall in addition, of course, to allow you to observe the sea. It is recommended to make your reservation in advance. This is compulsory for vehicles. - – Crossing with the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Heritage crosses between Trois-Pistoles and Les Escoumins. The journey time is 1 h 30. This service is only offered from May to October.
- CNM Evolution
May to September. – Crossing between Rimouski and Forestville. This is the fastest ferry in Quebec, it crosses in 1 h.
May to SeptemberA few marinas located along the river, including that of Tadoussac, allow nautical travelers to dock to visit the region.
By plane
Airport Baie-Comeau (situated at 10 min from the city) is served by several airlines including Air Liaison, Air Canada Jazz and Pascan Aviation. It can be quite expensive to fly by plane to travel between small airports in the Quebec, it is therefore advisable to compare with other means of transport before booking a flight.
Circulate
By car
Route 138 is the main road in the region. It follows the coastline of the St.Lawrence River throughout the region between Tadoussac to the west and Baie-Trinité to the East.
By quad or snowmobile
Networks of quads and snowmobiles trails also allow you to travel in the region in off-road vehicles while allowing you to discover the hinterland and its impressive landscapes. The trails lead to gas stations as well as restaurants and accommodation establishments, so it is possible to visit the region by snowmobile!
- Map of snowmobile trails in the Manicouagan 2012-2013
Itineraries
By car
- Whale Route – Circuit that crosses the region for more than 300 km on the Saint-Laurent coast between Tadoussac and Baie-Trinité. Cruises are organized for the observation of marine mammals including blue whales, but also belugas and whales. In fact, there are 13 different species of whales in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is also possible to observe them by sea kayak or even from observation sites on the bank. In addition, seals are found all along the coast. Marine mammals mainly frequent the region from May to October.
By snowmobile
To speak
The language spoken in Manicouagan is French. It will be possible to make oneself understood by English in most tourist places. Manicouagan also includes a little over 4,000 indigenous people, of whom approximately 2,500 still speak their indigenous language, mainlyinnu, in addition to French or English.
Do
The area is known for outdoor activities andecotourism. Sea trips, cruises or kayaks are obviously a must in order to fully enjoy the region and observe the whales. Scuba diving enthusiasts will also be well served with the aquatic flora and fauna of the St. Lawrence River as well as some wrecks. Thanks to its strong winds, the area is very popular for kitesurfing.
During the winter season, packages for dog sledding, ice climbing and Nordic skiing are offered. Outfitters also offer ice fishing (ice fishing) packages including stay in a cabin. Several cross-country ski trails run through the region. Moreover, the Boréal Loppet Hydro-Québec is a cross-country ski competition organized every year at the beginning of March for athletes and families alike. There is also a network of very well signposted snowmobile trails that includes some pretty impressive walkways. TO Baie-Comeau, a ski center offers 14 slopes of different levels for alpine skiing and other sliding sports.
The Manicouagan is a fishing paradise for both Atlantic salmon and brook trout (locally called speckled trout). In addition to many outfitters offering hunting and fishing packages including accommodation, the region includes four controlled exploitation zones (zec) that will meet the needs of hunting and fishing enthusiasts.
At this height, the St. Lawrence River forms a real sea and several fine sandy beaches are present to enjoy and swim. It is recommended to learn about the tides before venturing along the river in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The Manicouagan includes several hiking trails such as the one at Pointe Saint-Gilles in Baie-Comeau which has sculptures and interpretive panels along its route. It is also possible to go on horseback or bicycle tours. The Groulx mountains are a good destination for trekking and wilderness enthusiasts.
Quad biking (called ATV, or all-terrain vehicle, in Quebec) is a popular activity in the region. A well-signposted network of trails allows you to discover the region and observe the landscapes of its hinterland.
For golf enthusiasts, there are four 9- or 18-hole golf courses in Manicouagan. The golf club of Tadoussac has a magnificent view of the Saguenay Fjord while that of Forestville overlooks the St. Lawrence River. The other two clubs are located in Baie-Comeau and Pointe-aux-Outardes.
Eat
Several small markets and grocery stores offer a unique chance to taste local products. Fish and seafood are the culinary specialty of the region, some of which are more unusual such as sea urchins. The period from March to October is ideal for enjoying the fresh produce of the day from the fishmongers which dot the whole region. It is also possible to find local game served in the many restaurants of Manicouagan.
Housing
The region has a variety of accommodation types. Several campsites are available for camping in caravans or tents. Some, including those of Tadoussac and Cap-Bon-Désir, are located directly on the coast of the St. Lawrence allowing you to fall asleep to the sound of whales! The region also includes lodges, hotels and inns. Some outfitters also offer cabin accommodation in their packages.
Manage the day-to-day
 | Emergency telephone number: All emergency services:911 Maritime distress: 1-800-463-4393 Poaching: 1-800-463-2191 |
- CAA-Quebec , 1-514-861-1313, 1-800-222-4537 (free number) 24 hours. – Automobile breakdown service.
- State of the roads , 511 – Information service on the state of roads and road works.
- Canadian Coast Guard , 1-800-267-6687 (free number) 24 hours. – Nautical information service.
- Info-Health 811 – Health and social service centers.
Around
From the Manicouagan, you can visit the rest of the North Coast which is part of the tourist region of Duplessis to the East. To the west, we find the Charlevoix which is a major tourist destination. It is also possible to go to Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean. In addition, by crossing the St.Lawrence River, one can reach the regions of Bas-Saint-Laurent and some Gaspesie.
