Havre-Saint-Pierre (population 3337, 2021) is a tiny seaside village in a remote corner of Quebec's North Shore, in the region of Minganie. The town is also noted for the excellent fishing, being made up largely of snow crab, scallops, and lobster, with excellent salmon and trout to be found in the numerous rivers and lakes.
Understand
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Havre-Saint-Pierre is on Pointe-aux-Esquimaux on the Quebec North Shore (Côte-Nord). It began as a fishing and lumbering town when settlers arrived from the Magdalen Islands in the 19th century. The dialect spoken is more closely related to Acadian French than to Quebec French.
It is part of the regional of Minganie, on the Route des Baleines and the Route Nature aux mille délices (gourmet route).
The city hospital is the major employer in the region. Tourism contributes significantly to the local economy due to the town's position near the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, a park encompassing a large number of islands in Mingan Archipelago of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It is noted for the unique variety of flora and fauna to be found there, such as puffins and the rare Mingan Thistle, and for the unique geological features on many of the islands referred to as "monoliths".
The town is a seaport handling ilmenite, an iron-titanium ore brought by rail from a Quebec Iron and Titanium Company mine 40 km (25 miles) northwest on the Romaine River.
Its many rivers and lakes include the Romaine River to the northwest and Manitou Falls on the Manitou River to the west.
- 1 Havre-Saint-Pierre Tourist Information Office (Bureau d'information touristique de Havre-Saint-Pierre), 1303, rue la Digue, ☏ +1-418-538-2512. Centre providing tourist information on the attractions and services of the Côte-Nord region.
- Tourisme Havre-Saint-Pierre Facebook page
History
[edit]In 1857, a group of Acadian families from the Magdalen Islands, who had been deported from Savannah (Georgia, USA), settled on Eskimo Point (Pointe aux Esquimaux). The first mass was held on in 1857, on the day of the feast of Saint Peter (Saint Pierre).
Climate
[edit]In spite of its maritime position just above the 50th parallel, Havre-Saint-Pierre has a relatively harsh subarctic climate, with cold winters and cool summers. It has high precipitation with a lot of snowfall in winter.
Get in
[edit]Havre-Saint-Pierre is 218 km (120 mi) east of Sept-Îles on Route 138.
In the territory of Havre-Saint-Pierre, the shortest distance (in a direct line) between the continental Côte-Nord (La Grande Pointe) and Anticosti Island (point jutting north in Anse Girard, near the mouth of the Nugg River) is 41 km. La Grande Pointe is 12 km southeast of downtown Havre-Saint-Pierre.
By car
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Havre-Saint-Pierre is located on Route 138 east of Sept-Îles.
Route 138 from Sept-Îles is the only road in the region; it continues through Havre-Saint-Pierre east to Natashquan (154 km) and Kegaska (an additional 48 km), where it reaches an abrupt dead end. The route re-appears about 400 km later at Vieux-Fort, near Blanc Sablon.
By bus
[edit]- Intercar, ☏ +1-418-547-2167, toll-free: +1-800-806-2167, [email protected]. Operates bus routes within Quebec. Operates a bus route several days per week between Havre-Saint-Pierre and Sept-Îles. Travel time to Havre-Saint-Pierre from Sept-Îles is 2:45 hours.
By plane
[edit]- 1 Havre-Saint-Pierre Airport (YGV IATA) (5.6 km (3.5 mi) north of the city). Airport operated by Aeropro owned by Transport Canada serving the regions of Labrador, lower and central North Shore, southern Quebec and Anticosti Island. Operates various scheduled flights from other towns in Québec from its one 4500-foot runway. It has Thrifty and Discount car rentals available.
- Air Liaison. Flies from Baie-Comeau, Mont-Joli, Quebec City, and Sept-Îles, as well as linking Havre-Saint-Pierre to Anticosti. A 20-min flight departs Anticosti M Tu Th F at 10:15; the 30-min flight from Havre-Saint-Pierre back to Anticosti Island departs 10:50 on the same days.
By boat
[edit]- Relais Nordik, toll-free: +1-800-463-0680. M/V Bella Desgagnés operates seasonally (early April to early October), carrying passengers and cargo to several otherwise inaccessible communities that depend on this vessel for supplies. The boat travels between Rimouski and Blanc-Sablon including stops in Sept-Îles, Port-Menier (on Anticosti), Havre-Saint-Pierre, Kegaska, La Romaine, Harrington Harbour, Tête-à-la-Baleine, La Tabatière, and Saint-Augustin. Scheduled travel time to Havre-Saint-Pierre from Rimouski is almost 1 day 6.75 hours, from Sept-Îles is 15.25 hours, from Port-Menier is 5.25 hours, and from Blanc-Sablon is 1 day 19.75 hours. One round trip occurs per week. Due varying sailing conditions, the operator recommends booking onward connections 36 to 48 hours after the scheduled arrival time of the boat.
Get around
[edit]- 2 Services Maritimes Boréale, 1010, promenade des Anciens, Havre-Saint-Pierre, ☏ +1 418-538-3202, toll-free: +1-866-538-2865 (Qc), fax: +1 418-538-3822. Seasonal ferry (June-Sept) from 1010 promenade des Anciens, Havre-Saint-Pierre to the Mingan archipelago.
See
[edit]- 2 Maison de la Culture Roland Jomphe (Cultural centre), 957, rue de la Berge, ☏ +1 418-538-2450. Mid-Jun to early Sep: daily 09:00-21:00. Former Labrador Stores General Store, Wells, of the Hudson's Bay Company built in 1943. In this old general store near the tourist sector, it houses a permanent exhibit entitled L’Autre Roman (the Other Tale), which relates the history of Havre-Saint-Pierre since 1857. Guided tours are offered
- Little Island of Marteau Lighthouse (Petite Ile au Marteau Lighthouse), Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve (boat trips provided by Boreale Services Maritimes late Jun to mid-Aug).
Do
[edit]- Cross-country skiing
- Cycling
- Quad - ATV. Snowmobiling
- 1 Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, 1340 de la Digue Street, ☏ +1 418-538-3285, toll-free: +1-888-773-8888. Park encompassing a large number of islands in the Mingan Archipelago of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence with unique geological features (monoliths). Flora and fauna include puffins and the rare Mingan Thistle. $5.80/person (not including boat transportation to the islands).
- 2 Pourvoirie Baie-Johan-Beetz, 15, rue Johan-Beetz, Baie-Johan-Beetz, ☏ +1 418-365-5021, toll-free: +1-877-393-0557, fax: +1 418-365-3352, [email protected]. Salmon fishing outfitter with seven-room inn 66 km east of Havre-Saint-Pierre. Baie-Johan-Beetz is one of the last villages before Route 138 ends.
Buy
[edit]- Mingan Archipelago Souvenirs (Souvenirs Archipel Mingan), ☏ +1 418-949-2302, toll-free: +1-877-949-2302, fax: +1 418-949-2071. Souvenir shop, café-bistro, cabin and motel rooms, whale and lighthouse tours.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Casse-croûte au Capayou, 1284 Boréale, ☏ +1 418-538-2122. W-Su 11:00-20:00. Fast food - burgers and fries.
- 2 Casse-croûte Mille Sabords, 1280, rue de la Digue, ☏ +1 418-538-1272. Restaurant.
- 3 Chez Julie, 1023 Rue Dulcinee, ☏ +1 418-538-3070. Daily 16:00-22:00. Family restaurant. Seafood and non-seafood dishes.
- 4 Le Minganois, Promenade des Anciens, ☏ +1 418-538-1259. From Thursday to Saturday: 16:00 to 00:00.
- 5 Restaurant la Promenade, 1197 Promenade des Anciens, ☏ +1 418-538-1718. M-F 11:00-20:30; Sa 07:00-21:00; Su 07:00-20:30. Seafood, pizzas and pub food.
- 6 Relais Nordik, 1186, boulevard de l'Escale.
Markets
[edit]- 7 Marché Tradition - Distribution MV, 1340, rue Boréale, ☏ +1-418-538-2010.
- 8 Marché Tradition Vigneault, 1298, rue de la Digue, ☏ +1 418-538-2012. Saturday to Tuesday from 8:00 to 18:00 and Wednesday to Friday from 08:00 to 21:00.
- 9 Le Havre fish market (Poissonnerie du Havre), 968, rue de la Berge, ☏ +1-418-538-2515.
Drink
[edit]Bar
[edit]- 1 Bar L'Écoutille, 999, promenade des Anciens, ☏ +1-418-538-3423. Meals served on site. Online order.
Liquor store
[edit]- 2 Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), 1327, rue de la Digue, ☏ +1-418-538-2611. Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00; Saturday from 10:00 to 17:30 and Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00.
Sleep
[edit]Inns
[edit]- 1 Auberge Boréale, 1288, rue Boréale, ☏ +1 418-538-3912, [email protected].
- 2 Auberge Niapiskau, 1035, rue Boréale, ☏ +1 418-538-2800, toll-free: +1-888-797-2800, fax: +1 418-538-3438. Twelve rooms. Five shared bathrooms, laundry room, common living room, two fully equipped dining rooms, Internet.
Hotels
[edit]- 3 Complexe MV, 1411, rue du Canot, ☏ +1 418-538-3544, fax: +1 418-538-1971, [email protected]. Hotel of 100 rooms including a cafeteria, a bar and meeting rooms. Rated 3 stars. Located at the water's edge close to services. From $60.
- 4 Hôtel-Motel du Havre, 970, boul. de l'Escale, ☏ +1 418-538-3438, toll-free: +1-888-797-2800, fax: +1 418-538-3438. 70 rooms, wi-fi, refrigerators, banquet/meeting room, breakfast, open year-round. From $83.
Motels
[edit]- 5 Motel de l'Archipel, 805, boulevard de l'Escale, ☏ +1 418-538-3900, toll-free: +1-800-463-3906, fax: +1 418-538-3929. 22 rooms and 2 business suites.
- 6 Motel du Vieux Town Side, 873, boulevard de l'Escale, ☏ +1 418-538-7387, +1 418-553-7287 (mobile), [email protected].
- 7 Motel Le Relais, 799, boulevard de l'Escale, ☏ +1 418-538-2181.
- 8 Motel Marie-Jess, 1190, boulevard de l'Escale.
Gîtes
[edit]- 9 4 season cottage (Gîte 4 saisons), 1264, rue Boréale, ☏ +1 418-538-1329, fax: +1 418-538-1532, [email protected]. Private bathrooms, high-speed wireless Internet access, free private, lighted parking, common lounge, outdoor park with swing, pets not allowed, completely non-smoking establishment Breakfast included. Classified 4 suns by the CITQ (Quebec Tourism Industry Corporation).
- 10 Au Gîte chez Françoise, 1122 Boréale, ☏ +1 418-538-3778, toll-free: +1-855-219-3778, fax: +1 418-538-1926, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Two bedrooms with private bathrooms, three studios and access to a shared kitchenette. Internet access, laundry room, BBQ, completely non-smoking establishment, garage for snowmobiles, motorcycles and bicycles, two bicycles available, outlet for electric car charging. Rated 3 suns by the CITQ (Quebec Tourism Industry Corporation). Warm welcome from the Acadiens. from $68.
- 11 Gîte de Jeanne d'Arc, 1253, rue du Canot, ☏ +1 418-538-2793.
- 12 Gîte de l'Anse, 1704, rue de l'Anse, ☏ +1 418-538-1602, [email protected]. Four rooms. Private and shared bathroom, two common living rooms, a kitchenette, wireless high-speed Internet. Continental breakfast included. View of the Mingan Islands allowing you to observe marine mammals, direct access to the beach. Rated 3 suns by Tourisme Québec. From $90.
- 13 Gîte Dupuis, 1126, rue Duvet, ☏ +1 418-538-2082.
Camping
[edit]- 14 Havre-Saint-Pierre municipal campground (Le camping municipal de Havre-Saint-Pierre), 1730 rue Boréale, ☏ +1 418-538-2415 (in season), +1 418-538-2717 (outside season). Seaside seasonal municipal camp ground. Each camp site has a picnic table and fire pit. The campsite includes a sanitary block, a dumping station and a launderette.
Connect
[edit]All three major cellphone/mobile networks provide coverage in the town and the surrounding area; however, there are large areas along the roads to Sept-Îles and Keshaga (Dec 2018) not served.
- 1 Canada Post, 1115, rue Dulcinée, ☏ +1 418-538-2811. Post office.
Go next
[edit]- 1 Anticosti This natural island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is the largest island in Quebec. It is known for its outdoor activities, fishing and deer hunting. Main attractions: falls of the Vauréal river, the Petit Canyon of the Chicotte river, Port-Meunier, observation of flora and fauna.
- 2 Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan Located in Minganie, this waterfront municipality showcases its long fine sandy beach, its wooden waterfront promenade along the beach, hunting & fishing activities, resorts, excursions to the islands, its museum on marine mammals... as well as services for travelers and tourists.
- 3 Baie-Johan-Beetz Located in Minganie, this picturesque municipality showcases its natural resources to serve travelers and tourists: its bucolic coastline, its magnificent bays, its islands along the coast, the Quetachou Falls trail, the Pontbriand River park, the Château Johan-Beetz, its municipal campsite, its BJB Solidarity COOP, hunting and fishing activities, and vacationing.
- 4 Lac-Jérôme Unorganized territory of RCM Minganie, in Côte-Nord region. This territory is a hunting & fishing paradise under the aegis of outfitters, with access by seaplane. It can be crossed by snowmobile.
- 5 Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve One of the four National Parks of Canada in Quebec. String of islands near the coast known for their monoliths and for birdwatching. The park is located approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of Rivière-au-Tonnerre along Route 138, or facing Havre-Saint-Pierre.
| Routes through Havre-Saint-Pierre |
| Sept-Îles ← Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan ← | W   E
|
→ Baie-Johan-Beetz → Blanc-Sablon |
| Rimouski ← Anticosti ← | W  E
|
→ Natashquan → Blanc-Sablon |