Baie-Comeau

Understand

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.

Getting there

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, [email protected]. 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

Getting 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)

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, [email protected]. 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

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, [email protected]. 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, [email protected]. 100 guest rooms, all equipped with coffee makers, cable TV, free wireless Inter