Côte-Nord, an immense region in eastern Quebec between Tadoussac and Blanc-Sablon, including Schefferville and Anticosti Island, boasts 1,300 km of coastline and countless breathtaking landscapes. Its gateway, Tadoussac, is roughly 220 km from Québec City and 475 km from Montréal.

The boreal forest, powerful rivers and abundant natural resources are treasures that have always been valued by the area’s residents. The Innu and Naskapi peoples are the descendants of the first humans to inhabit the area, and there is evidence of their activity in the area going back nearly 9,000 years. History lovers will be excited to learn that Côte-Nord has over 1,400 archaeological sites. It’s also the first region of Quebec to be described by the famous explorer Jacques Cartier.

Today, the Côte-Nord economy is centred on large industries, although it has been diversifying in recent years. The slogan “nature, beyond measure” perfectly encapsulates the majesty of Côte-Nord, a sweeping territory where anything is possible. You can draw a parallel between the region and the Réseau des SADC et CAE—both are expansive, strong and full of opportunities!

Sept-Îles has a population of 25,081 people and a surface area of 2,182 km², making it one of the largest cities in Quebec by area! Summer and winter alike, its landscapes and seascapes make it an outdoor destination of choice. Stroll along its magnificent beaches, hike its miles of trails, or visit its museums and interpretation centres to discover a rich history forged through the centuries. Whether you’re visiting an industrial facility or watching a performance by local artists, you’ll find that Sept-Îles is a vibrant, welcoming city steeped in culture. Located in the heart of Côte-Nord, Sept-Îles is a major strategic hub for Northern Quebec’s natural resource trade thanks to its world-class rail and port infrastructure, including the largest mineral port in North America, mining facilities and the Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire. The economy is diversified by the presence of Aluminerie Alouette, the largest aluminum smelter in the Americas, along with fishing, tourism and services.

The Sept-Îles airport, the third largest in Quebec, provides daily air travel to major urban centres in the province, particularly for business travellers and tourists.

It’s a dynamic and welcoming region where different cultures live side by side, including the Innu communities of Uashat and Maliotenam and the cities of Port-Cartier and Sept-Îles, in a larger-than-life environment with more than 38,754 km² of forests and coastline.

Sept-Îles faces its namesake archipelago. The seven islands shelter the bay from strong winds and bad weather. The islands are approximately 565 million years old and have borne witness to the history of Sept-Îles.

They have seen dinosaurs and ice ages, Vikings and Basque fishermen. They have seen the explorer Jacques Cartier passing through the bay in 1535, as well as the Innu, the coureurs des bois and the merchants who traded their wares at the Sept-Îles trading post.

There are so many things to do on the islands! Get up close and personal with the migratory birds on Corossol Island, learn the basics of mariculture (marine farming) on Grosse Boule Island, or step ashore Grande Basque Island and hike up to its lookout point to enjoy the stunning vista. Every island has its own secrets to discover!