Baie-Comeau

Baie Comeau is a city that is approximately 420 km (260 mi) north-east of Quebec City in the Manicouagan region of the province of Quebec. 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

St-Pancrace Bay

The municipality had a population of 21,000 in 2021, 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 Saguenay 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.)

Baie-Comeau is also the southern end of Quebec Route 389 which connects with Fermont (567 km away) and the Trans-Labrador Highway (573 km away). Travel from Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador is about 588 km away and involves taking Highway 500 (Trans-Labrador Highway) southwest until it crosses into Quebec and becomes Quebec Route 389.

By plane

• 1 Baie-Comeau Airport (YBC  ^IATA). Domestic flights (updated Jul 2022)
  • 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, ☏ +1 418-547-2167, toll-free: +1-800-806-2167, serviceclient@intercar.ca. Operates bus routes within Quebec. (updated May 2022) Operates the following routes to Baie-Comeau:
  • Between Baie-Comeau and Montreal including stops in Forestville, Tadoussac, Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Siméon, La Malbaie, Clermont, Saint-Hilarion, Baie-Saint-Paul, Saint-Tite-des-Caps, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Boischatel, and Quebec City. Trips toward Baie-Comeau start from Quebec City and do not include a stop in Montreal. Operates daily. Travel time to Baie-Comeau from Forestville is 1.75 hours, from Saint-Siméon is 4 hours, from La Malbaie is 4.5 hours, from Baie-Saint-Paul is 6 hours, and from Quebec City is 7.25 hours.
  • Between Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles including a stop in Godbout. Travel time to Baie-Comeau from Sept-Îles is 3.75 hours and from Godbout is 1.25 hours. Operates several days per week.

By boat

• 2 La Société des traversiers du Québec, toll-free: +1-877-787-7483. Operates a ferry route that crosses between the St. Lawrence River's south shore and north shore. The ferry travels between Matane and Baie-Comeau (2 hours 20 minutes crossing), and between Matane and Godbout (2 hours 10 minutes crossing). The ferry operates daily throughout the year, except certain public holidays. Between mid-June and early September, the ferry makes one round trip to Baie-Comeau and one trip to Godbout. During the remainder of the year, depending on the day, the ferry makes a round trip to either Baie-Comeau, to Godbout, or to both. Advance reservations are recommended, especially if you plan to bring a vehicle. (updated Dec 2024)

• 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. (updated Jul 2022)

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. (updated Jul 2022)
• 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. (updated Jul 2022)
• Centre des arts de Baie-Comeau, 1660, rue de Bretagne, ☏ +1 418-295-2000, info@cabc.baie-comeau.ca. Shows and concerts. 
• Galerie d'art Claude Bonneau, 13, place La Salle, ☏ +1 418-296-8862. Exhibition of art and antiques. (updated Jul 2022)
• 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 mi), 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. (updated Jul 2022)

Buy

Shops

• 1 Borale soap factory (Manufacture de savon Borale), 4, place La Salle, ☏ +1 418-298-1888. Manufacture of soap, Marseille soap, natural products (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 Père d'Jos General Store (Magasin général du Père d'Jos), 23, Place La Salle, ☏ +1 418-296-9781. Gift shop, decorations (updated Jul 2022)
• 3 A to Z library (Librairie A à Z), 79, place La Salle, ☏ +1 418-296-9334. Books, board games, children's games, decorative items and gifts. (updated Jul 2022)
• 4 Spin sports & outdoors (Spin sports & plein air), 29, place La Salle, ☏ +1 418-296-8282. Outdoor equipment, clothing, shoes. (updated Jul 2022)

Shopping centres

• 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. (updated Jul 2022)
• Galeries Baie-Comeau inc., 300, boulevard La Salle, ☏ +1 418-296-6461. Shopping mall, several shops. (updated Jul 2022)

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, emplois@pizzaroyale.ca. 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

Hôtel le Manoir in Baie-Comeau

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, legrandhotel@globetrotter.net. 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, reception@travelodgebaiecomeau.com. 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, manoirbc@globetrotter.qc.ca. 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. 
• 1 Hôtel Le Comte, 285, boulevard La Salle, toll-free: +1-800-563-9686. 3-star establishment, restaurant, bar, terrace, free wireless internet. Other services: hot tub, tennis court, hairdresser/beauty salon. (updated Jul 2022)

Hotel and motels

• Hotel-Motel Hauterive, 1145, Avenue Nouvel, ☏ +1 418 589-2041, fax: +1 418 589-2043, info@hotelhauterive.com. 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, info@hotelcaravelle.ca. Only hotel on the North Shore with an indoor swimming pool (open July and August). Outdoor terrace and sauna adjacent to the pool. 

Motels

• 2 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. (updated Jul 2022)
• 3 Motel du Nord, 120 boulevard Comeau, ☏ +1 418-296-2511. Accommodations include 14 air-conditioned rooms, each complete with private bathroom, telephone and television. (updated Jul 2022)
• 4 Le Boréal motel, 1060, boulevard Laflèche, toll-free: +1-866-589-7835. 3-star establishment, rooms for seniors available, free internet. (updated Jul 2022)
• 5 Motel du Rosier Baie Comeau, 228 boulevard Lasalle, ☏ +1 418-296-6696, info@moteldurosier.com. All rooms include amenities such as a hair dryer, clock radio and free coffee. Select suites provide additional features including Internet access and whirlpools. Bar, billiards. (updated Jul 2022)

Campings

• 6 Camping Boréal, 300, route 138, ☏ +1 418-296-6949, campingboreal@hotmail.com. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 2018-11-16. Campground located along the Rivière aux Anglais away from the city in the heart of nature. Availability of 168 pitches including 69 reserved for passenger travellers. Land for tents with or without service as well as land for trailers with services. $27-43. (updated Nov 2018)
• 7 Camping Manic-2, km 23, Route 389, ☏ +1 418-296-2810, campingmanic2@globetrotter.net. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 14:00. Campground located near Jean-Lesage generating station. 83 pitches available, including 30 without service, 53 with 2 or 3 services. Beach, swimming, volleyball, playground, fishing nearby, mountain biking trails nearby. $25-34. (updated Nov 2018)

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 will take you to Centrale Jean-Lesage (Manic-2) a hydroelectric power station on the Manicouagan River about 25 kilometres (16 mi), or 30 minutes by road, north of Baie-Comeau. The reception pavilion presents a replica of a life-size turbine, an exhibition hall and a projection room which presents the construction and operation of a power plant. Further along Route 389 is the Barrage Daniel-Johnson (Manic-5) a hydroelectric development comprising the largest multi-arch dam in the world and two power stations located at north of Baie-Comeau. The dam offers a magnificent view of the glacial valley of the region. North from there, the road is gravel for long stretches as it heads northward toward Fermont and then Labrador City to meet the Trans-Labrador Highway.

Anticosti Island is reachable by ferry or aircraft from Sept-Îles and Havre-Saint-Pierre.

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 ← Forestville ←	W  E	→ Franquelin → Sept-Îles
Labrador City via ← Fermont ←	N  S	→ END
END ←	N  S	→ → Matane