Les Bergeronnes is a picturesque and dynamic municipality of La Haute-Côte-Nord Regional County Municipality, in administrative region of Côte-Nord, in the province of Quebec, Canada. This locality is part of the tourist region of Manicouagan, on the Route des Baleines and the Route Nature aux mille délices (gourmet route).

This locality has many ancestral and well restored houses; the architectural past blends well with the modern. In the summer season, many boaters enjoy boating on the St. Lawrence and many visitors come to visit the locality for its recreational tourism and social events.

Understand

The villages of Les Petites Bergeronnes and Les Bergeronnes are crossed by Route 138, which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. This route serves the administrative regions of Quebec of Montérégie, Montreal, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Capitale-Nationale and North Coast.

History

The locality has 22 archaeological sites.

Geography

The village of Grandes Bergeronnes is located on Route 138 east of Tadoussac and west of Baie-Comeau. This road passes for approximately 4.7 km (2.9 mi) in the valley of the Petites Bergeronnes river. It spans this river at the Petites Bergeronnes bridge. West of the municipal territory, Route 138 runs along the southeast shore of Lac Gobeil, which straddles the municipalities of Sacré-Coeur and Les Bergeronnes; this lake is a resort and recreational tourism.

The main bodies of water in the Bergeronnes area are: Lac des Sables (source of the Petites Bergeronnes river), Paradise lake, La Peltrie lake, Gobeil lake (northern part along route 138) and many small lakes . The territory of Les Bergeronnes is mainly forest and mountainous.

The territory stretches along the north shore of the St. Lawrence, between the municipality of Tadoussac and Sacré-Coeur, on the west side, and the municipality of Les Escoumins, on the east side. The main coves or bays on the coast of the St. Lawrence River are (from west to east): Anse aux Pilotes, Baie des Petites Bergeronnes, Baie des Grandes Bergeronnes, Baie de Bon-Désir, Anse à la Capé and handle to Otis. The batture à Théophile appears at low tide between the Cap de Bon-Désir (to the east) and the bay of Grandes-Bergeronnes. The marine coastline is magnificent to see, both at sea and on land.

Economy

The main economic activities of Les Bergeronnes are recreotourism (vacation, catering, accommodation, outdoor recreation, excursions for the observation of marine mammals, social events, hunting, fishing, hiking trails), forestry and several public services (schools, municipalities). In addition, the locality is a service stop for travellers on Route 138.

Get in

The village of Les Escoumins is accessible by road, boat (via Saint Lawrence River), snowmobile and all terrain vehicles.

By car

• From Baie-Comeau (177 km (110 mi). Time: 1 hr 56 min.) From Baie-Comeau, take route 138 (north shore) west, to the village of Les Grandes-Bergeronnes.
• From Quebec City (236 km (147 mi). Time: 3 hr 14 min.) From Quebec City, take route 138 (north shore) eastbound, via the Tadoussac ferry, to the village of Grandes-Bergeronnes.

By bus

• Intercar (on Rte 138, with a stop at Épicerie Axep (Axep grocery store), 121, rue Principale, Grandes-Bergeronnes, QC, G0T 1G0), ☏ +1 418-665-3443, toll-free: +1-800-806-2167. Intercity bus from Quebec City to Baie-Comeau, via Baie-Saint-Paul, La Malbaie, Tadoussac and Les Bergeronnes. 

Airport

• 1 Aéroport des Grandes-Bergeronnes (Grandes-Bergeronnes Airport), Grandes-Bergeronnes. (updated Dec 2021)

Get around

• 2 Harnois gas station, 121, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-232-6262. Service station for motor vehicles. (updated Dec 2021)
• 3 Terminal for electric vehicle, 517, du Boisé (In the parking lot of the Caisse Desjardins), ☏ +1 800-686-9243. Charging station for electric vehicles (updated Dec 2021)

See

• 1 Archéo Topo (Archaeologist Topo), 498, rue de la Mer, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6286. Interpretation center describing the native settlement of the North Shore. Main activities: exhibitions, interpretation activities, bookstore, shop and restaurant. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Centre d'interprétation et d'observation de Cap-de-Bon-Désir (Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Center), 13, chemin du Cap de Bon Désir, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6751. Observation des mannifères marins à partir de la rive. (updated Dec 2021)
• 3 Cap de Bon-Désir (centre d'observation) (Cap de Bon-Désir (observation center)), Grandes-Bergeronnes. Observation center of the St. Lawrence River and marine mannifers. (updated Dec 2021)
• 4 Point de vue Blue River (Blue River Viewpoint), route 138, Grandes-Bergeronnes. Privileged point of view near route 138, with a panorama of the river, the bay of Grandes Bergeronnes, the village and the river. (updated Dec 2021)
• 5 Presbytère et église Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Désir (Presbytery and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Désir church), 300, rue de la Rivière, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-233-2838. Church erected from 1914 to 1916. free. (updated Dec 2021)

Do

• Réseau de sentiers (Trail network). In Les Bergeronnes, the network of trails (hiking, cross-country skis and snowshoes) includes:the biodiversity trails (2.7 km (1.7 mi)): two loops along the Grande-Bergeronnes River and the St. Lawrence River;the cliff path: path near the Archéo Topo or near the beach path, allowing you to discover a classified archaeological site;the beach path: magnificent beach at the foot of rocks for a picnic or to appreciate the wild nature of the shore and the daily entertainment on the river;the multipurpose path of Club Le Morillon (16 km (9.9 mi)): route on the route of the old route 138, also called "chemin des Squatteurs" because people settled there without owning land. In winter, the track becomes a cross-country ski trail;the trails of Camping Bon-Désir: this is a network of trails in nature. (updated Dec 2021)
• 1 Marina de la Baie des Grandes Bergeronnes (Observation of marine mammals tours), 498, rue de la Mer, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-1115. Marina built in 2013 and able to accommodate 20 boats for the needs of boaters. Maximum boat length: 50 feet. The marina offers certain services and the launching. (updated Dec 2021)
• Tournée d'observation des mammifères marins (Marine mammal observation tour), info@lesecumeurs.com. From land or by boat. From Les Escoumins, cruises aboard light boats allow you to approach the marine mammals that frequent the Saint Lawrence estuary, in particular: fin whales, humpback whales, beluga and seals. Given the steep underwater relief near the coast, marine mammals (mainly beluga whales and minke whales) venture near the shore of Les Escoumins. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 2 Mer et Monde écotours (Sea and World ecotours), 20, chemin Jalbert, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6779 (Mer et Monde Écotours), +1 418-232-6237 (Le Paradis Marin). Whale watching excursions in ecological Zodiac mode with retractable windows. Cruise between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 3 Croisières Essipit d'observation des baleines (Essipit whale watching cruises), 498, rue de la Mer, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6778. Zodiac whale watching cruises (inflatable boat) on the St. Lawrence River. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 4 Croisières Neptune (Neptune Cruise), 507, rue du Boisée, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6716. (updated Dec 2021)
• Chasse (Hunting). Big or small game hunting. (updated Dec 2021)
• Pêche sportive (Sport fishing). Atlantic salmon fishing, lake fishing and ice fishing. (updated Dec 2021)
• Kayak de mer (sea kayak). The coastline of the Haute-Côte-Nord is an ideal place for sea kayaking. Kayakers enjoy exploring the surrounding bays because of the scenery and the safety. (updated Dec 2021)
• 5 Trail 4X4, rue de la Savane, Grandes-Bergeronnes. Network of forest tracks for 4X4. (updated Dec 2021)
• Motoneige (Snowmobile). The vast forest area and the many small bodies of water are ideal wilderness areas for snowmobiling. (updated Dec 2021)

Outfitters

• 6 Pourvoirie Club Lac des Sables et Paradis (Club Lac des Sables et Paradis outfitter), 14, chemin du Lac-des-Sables, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-2020. (updated Dec 2021)

Events

• Festival de la Baleine Bleue (Blue Whale Festival), ☏ +1 418 365-7524. Annual festival held the first weekend of August. One of the oldest festivals in Quebec, since the early 1980s. The main activities of the festival are, in particular: parade, music, shows, and sports tournaments. (updated Dec 2021)
• Festival intime de musique classique (Intimate classical music festival), Église Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Désir. Festival held annually over five days in July. (updated Dec 2021)
• Festi-livres Desjardins (Desjardins Book Fest), À la Polyvalente des Berges. Festi-books held annually in May. Possibility of meeting several authors and discussing with them. (updated Dec 2021)
• Traversée du Lac Gobeil (Crossing of Lac Gobeil), Lac Gobeil. Annually in early August. 1000m or 500m swimming crossing in open water at Lake Gobeil, between Les Bergeronnes and Tadoussac. Activities for everyone: canoeing, sand castles, door prizes, music and catering. (updated Dec 2021)
• Derby Démolition (Demolition Derby), rang St-Joseph. Annual derby taking place the last weekend of July. (updated Dec 2021)
• Festival des oiseaux migrateurs de la Côte-Nord (de Tadoussac à Forestville) (North Shore Migratory Bird Festival (from Tadoussac to Forestville)). 16-19 June 2022. Longue-Rive is an appropriate place for observing migrating shorebirds. This municipality has on its territory one of the largest salt marshes in Quebec. Several species of birds shelter in these marshes, including dabbling ducks, passerines and shorebirds (waders). Ornithologist guides can accompany amateurs during their ornithological discoveries. This festival is under the aegis of the Tadoussac Bird Observatory in association with QuébecOiseaux. (updated Sep 2022)

Buy

Food/alcohol

• 1 Marché Richelieu Les Bergeronnes (GLR), 121, rue Principale, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6262. (updated Dec 2021)

Eat

• 1 Boulangerie artisanale la P'tite Cochonne (Artisanal bakery la P'tite Cochonne), 482, rue de la Mer (Follow the directions for the cruises.), ☏ +1 418-617-0384. Meals on site. Take-out order. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Restaurant du Boisé, 4140, route 138, Grandes-Bergeronnes (follow the directions for the cruises), ☏ +1 418-232-1375. Seasonal during the summer season.. Seafood restaurant. (updated Dec 2021)

Sleep

Gîte

• 1 Gîte au Pignon vert sur mer (Cottage in the green gable on the sea), 215, route 138, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-930-3622. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Auberge La Rosepierre, 66, rue Principales, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-930-6543, rosepierre@rosepierre.com. Restaurant within the hostel. Nearby activities: hiking, historic village of Tadoussac, whale watching, village, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving. (updated Dec 2021)

Gîte

• 3 Gîte Tante Janine (Aunt Janine Cottage), 117, rue Principales, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-. (updated Dec 2021)
• 4 Gîte du café bleu (Blue coffee house), 127, route 138, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-2221. (updated Dec 2021)
• 5 Gîte Chez Blaise (Lodging at Blaise's), 52A, rue Principale, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-1139. (updated Dec 2021)
• 6 Gîte Chez Viateur (Lodging at Viateur), 400, rue de la Mer, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6606. (updated Dec 2021)
• 7 À la maison des prés (At the house of the meadows), 1910, rue St-Joseph, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-1312. (updated Dec 2021)
• 8 Studio Motel La Croisière (Studio Motel La Croisière), 1087, route 138, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6247. (updated Dec 2021)
• 9 La Bergeronnette, 65, rue Principales, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6642. (updated Dec 2021)
• 10 La Chouette Virée, 81, route 138, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 581-324-0535. (updated Dec 2021)
• 11 La P'tite Baleine, 50, rue Principales, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6756. (updated Dec 2021)
• 12 Maison Charles Edmond, 54, rue Principales, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-. (updated Dec 2021)
• 13 Gîte Petit Bed and Breakfast, 564, rue Principales, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-514-8606. (updated Dec 2021)

Camping

• 14 Camping Bon Désir, 198, route 138, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6297 (in season), +1 418-232-6244, . Community hall, picnic area, sanitary blocks and laundry room, rental of pedal boats and binoculars, rental of campgrounds (with or without panoramic view, with or without services), rental of cabins, rental of PODS with or without toilet. (updated Dec 2021)
• 15 Camping Paradis marin (Essipit Campground), 4 chemin Émile Boulianne, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6237. The campsite offers 148 pitches, 33 of which have water and electricity services. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table. (updated Dec 2021)
• 16 Explos-Nature, 302, rue de la Rivière, Grandes-Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 877-637-1877. Holiday camp with an education component, a research component and a diving school. The campus is called the Maison de la Mer. (updated Dec 2021)

Cope

• 7 Base de Plein air (Outdoor Base), accessible from rue de la Mer, Grandes-Bergeronnes. Outdoor base set up at the mouth of Grandes-Bergeronnes bay. This park has various facilities for playing and practicing sports, including golf and volleyball. An airstrip is made available to Cessna 150-172 type planes. (updated Dec 2021)
• 8 Bibliothèque municipale des Bergeronnes (Public library), 514, rue du Boisé, ☏ +1 418-232-1165. Library affiliated with the BIBLIO Côte-Nord Network. free. (updated Dec 2021)
• 9 Salle de quilles, billard, danse, Karaoké, bar (Bowling alley, billiards, dancing, Karaoke, bar), 517, rue du Boisé, Les Bergeronnes, ☏ +1 418-232-6244. Bar service, pool table, terrace, bowling alleys, dance floor and karaoke. (updated Dec 2021)
• Patinoire extérieure (Outdoor ice rink). Outdoor municipal skating rink with a heated shelter. (updated Dec 2021)
• Champ de pratique de golf (Golf practice range), Base de plein air. (updated Dec 2021)
• Terrain de tennis (Tennis Court), Base de plein air. Tennis court accessible free of charge (reservation required). Free. (updated Dec 2021)

Go next

• 1 Tadoussac Municipality bordering the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and the mouth of the Saguenay River. This locality has a good infrastructure for recreational and tourism activities (resorts, restaurants, accommodation, hiking trails, cycling, museums, interpretation centres, excursions on the river, providers of activities in nature) and for various passenger services.
• 2 Sacré-Coeur-sur-le-Fjord-du-Saguenay Forest community offering various services to travellers and numerous recreational and tourist attractions thanks to its shore on the Saguenay Fjord, in particular the Anse-de-Roche wharf and its tourist infrastructures (superb views of the Saguenay, nautical activities, observation and interpretation of nature).
• 3 Les Escoumins Municipality bordering the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. Locality where the offer of recreational tourism activities (resorts, restaurants, lodges, inns and hotel, whale-watching expeditions, controlled exploitation zone (ZEC), interpretation centers, etc.) is developed.
• 4 Lac-au-Brochet Unorganized territory of the RCM of La Haute-Côte-Nord comprising four controlled harvesting zones (zec). Huge territory for hunting and fishing, wilderness camping, ATV/snowmobile trails, river descent in light boats and nature observation.
• 5 Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park A marine protected area of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, covering 1,245 km² (481 sq mi). Its mission is to protect all species including the beluga and the blue whale. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, ROMM and GREMM teach boaters to navigate in whale habitat. Whale watching tours or cruises are offered to tourists.

Routes through Les Bergeronnes

Quebec City ← Tadoussac ←

W  E

→ Les Escoumins → Baie-Comeau