Baie-Comeau

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.

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

• Baie-Comeau AirportDomestic flights

• Air Canada Express flies from Mont-Joli and Montreal-Trudeau Airport.
• Air Liaison flies from Mont-Joli, Quebec City, Sept-Îles, and Wabush.
• Pascan Aviation flies from Bagotville, Montreal-Saint-Hubert Airport, and Sept-Îles.

By bus

• Intercar. Buses leave from Montreal at around 6AM and from Quebec City at around 9:15AM and arrive around 4:45PM.

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.

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

  phone: +1 418-294-4404
  address: 799, boul Laflèche
  Hire car rental.

• Atelier Carole Caron

  address: 1181 rue de Dieppe, G5C 3G4
  Carole Caron paints on fabric with acrylic resin. Her works mostly feature colourful and lively scenes of children.

• Centre Boreal du St-Laurent

  address: 3, avenue Denonville, G4Z 2W6
  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

  address: 1660, rue de Bretagne
  Shows and concerts.

• Galerie d'art Claude Bonneau

  address: 13, place La Salle
  Exhibition of art and antiques.

• Maison de la Faune

  address: 3501, boulevard Lafleche, G5C 3W7
  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

  address: 1660, rue de Bretagne, G5C 3S3
  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 RouteCôte-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.

• Centre Manicouagan

  address: 600, boul. Laflèche G5C 2X8
  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.

  address: 300, boulevard La Salle
  Shopping mall, several shops.

• L'Aquarium Sushi Bar

  phone: +1 418 589-5887 (West), +1 418 296-2887 (East)
  address: (West) 861, boulevard Lafleche, (East) 38 Place LaSalle G5C 1C7
  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

  address: 1257, boul. Laflèche
  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

  address: 200, boulevard Lasalle G4Z 1S7
  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

  phone: +1 418 589-3376
  address: 1150, boulevard Laflèche G5C 3B2
  This restaurant serves flavourful fried chicken.

• Restaurant La Cache d'Amelie

  address: 37, avenue Marquette, G4Z 1K4
  Guests can enjoy a fine-dining experience and sample regional dishes. The restaurant is licensed and includes a non-smoking section.

• Restaurant Les Pates

  address: 836, rue de Puyjalon. G5C 1N1
  Enjoy pizza and fresh stuffed pastas from this restaurant. Delivery is available.

• Restaurant Nori

  address: 905, rue Bosse, G5C 1L8
  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

  address: 2674, boulevard Laflèche (Route 138) G5C 1E4
  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.

Hotels

• Comfort Inn Baie-Comeau

  address: 745 boul. Lafleche
  Offering continental breakfast, business services, refrigerator and valet service.

• Le Grand Hotel

  address: 48 Place Lasalle
  Three-star complex that was completely renovated. Has forty-five rooms, some with kitchenettes.

• Travelodge Baie-Comeau

  phone: +1 418 296-9686
  address: 285 boulevard La Salle
  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

  address: 8, avenue Cabot
  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

  address: 1145, Avenue Nouvel
  Meeting rooms are supplied with audio and visual equipment.

• Hotel-Motel La Caravelle

  address: 202, blvd. LaSalle
  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

  address: 221 boulevard Lasalle
  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

  address: 120 boulevard Comeau
  Accommodations include 14 air-conditioned rooms, each complete with private bathroom, telephone and television.

• Motel du Rosier Baie Comeau

  address: 228 boulevard Lasalle
  All rooms include amenities such as a hair dryer, clock radio and free coffee. Select suites provide additional features including Internet access and whirlpools.

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.

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 Liaisonhas two 30-min flights from Baie-Comeau to Anticosti Island each Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri at 8:35AM and 9:15AM. The 30-min return flight leaves at 11:35 AM and 4:40PM on the same days

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.