This “once-in-a-lifetime” journey, offered exclusively by Voyages Coste, takes you to the far end of the Côte-Nord, along the Gulf of Saint Lawrence!
A true introduction to “the other Québec,” where a maritime life was resolutely established thanks to the resilience of pioneers and fishermen who came from “upstream” (from the upper reaches of the river), from France, Jersey Island, the Basque Country, Norway, and Iceland, and more recently from Newfoundland.
After flying over the great river, hundreds of kilometres of the Lower North Shore coastline, boreal forests, lakes, rivers, and the many islands that characterize this unexplored region of Québec, your plane lands at Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon: a mythical village once far removed from urban centres.
This is where your experience begins in a corner of the continent that Jacques Cartier once dubbed the “Land of Cain.”
Here, in Blanc-Sablon and the neighbouring localities that make up the municipality of Bonne-Espérance, regional life is resolutely organized with services that only the resilience of pioneers and the dynamism of the locals can explain.
We are on the edge of Newfoundland Labrador, which you will have the chance to explore after driving the last stretch of this distant Route 138 to Vieux-Fort.
Everything here springs from the fabulous history of great hunts and great fisheries that have taken place over the centuries.
Switching from French to Newfoundland English, you might notice Inuit origins in some locals: distinctions, but a shared community spirit spanning more than two hundred kilometers of coastline, which you will briefly leave to see the icebergs lingering as they pass through the Strait of Belle Isle in the cool summer days at this latitude.
(* Departing from Montreal/St-Hubert, Quebec, and all airports served by Air Liaison on the Côte-Nord and PAL from Montreal).
After picking up your rental vehicle at the airport, the icebergs invite you to marvel at them during a 2-hour sea excursion, crowning your first afternoon.
Take a few minutes to visit the Interpretation Centre before settling into your hotel or inn, depending on availability.
After breakfast at your inn, head west on Route 138 towards the municipality of Bonne Espérance, which includes 3 villages: Middle Bay, Rivière-Saint-Paul, and Vieux-Fort. Stop at the Middle Bay Interpretation Centre and the Whiteley Museum in Rivière-St-Paul.
Continue to Vieux-Fort, where interpretation panels will inform you about Jacques Cartier’s journey. Check into your inn for a delicious dinner and overnight stay.
In the morning, meet a local expert, Garland Nadeau, who is passionate about history and anecdotes. In the afternoon, enjoy a 3-hour “land & sea” excursion to Salmon Bay Farm, where you can visit the facilities, the region’s exceptional maritime environment, and enjoy an evening meal with maritime flavours. Return to Blanc-Sablon, and settle into your inn or motel, depending on availability.
A few kilometers east, and you’ve reached Labrador. Continue along the route to discover the site of the Anse-Amour Lighthouse, standing 33 meters tall. It’s the tallest lighthouse in the region and the second tallest in Canada. The scenery is stunning. Head to Port Hope in Newfoundland and Labrador. Southern Labrador consists of two subregions: the Strait of Labrador, which includes communities from L’Anse-au-Clair to Red Bay, and Southeastern Labrador, which includes communities from Lodge Bay to Cartwright. Accommodation at Port Hope.
Head to Red Bay. Visit the UNESCO-recognized Red Bay Interpretation Centre, managed by Parks Canada, before catching your crossing of the St. Lewis Strait (departure at 11:00, duration 1h25). Battle Harbour is a revitalized fishing hamlet located on Battle Island along the Labrador coast. The accommodations offer guests a unique chance to immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Newfoundland village, providing a way to travel back in time and discover Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich history and scenic landscapes. Admission to the site and a guided tour of the historic village. Dinner and supper at Battle Harbour.
Breakfast and departure for the return ferry from Red Bay. Return to Blanc-Sablon for your afternoon flight home.
