Line Ménard is the winner of the RoadTrip Côte-Nord contest for the summer of 2020. She embarked on a road trip from Sherbrooke with her sister to travel thousands of kilometers that would take them to the end of Route 138. They had the opportunity to explore the whale route for 8 days and make several stops through the coastal villages.
Before setting off, she had no expectations; she thought she would see stunted vegetation, but she was pleasantly surprised to see breathtaking landscapes and a road that runs alongside the St. Lawrence River.
Tadoussac
Their first stop was to sleep and to take a cruise to encounter several marine mammals. Once again, Mrs. Ménard emphasizes the breathtaking landscapes and the whales and belugas. She was completely charmed.
Another must-see in Tadoussac is the sand dunes. She loved being able to discover them on land, but she also observed them from the sea during their outing to see the whales. The panorama offered at the top of the dunes is magnificent and offers a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River.
A stop in Les Bergeronnes
To have the chance to discover as much as possible about the vast North Shore territory, Line Ménard and her sister set off early in the morning and took the time to visit each of the elements they had identified in their tourist guide. This led them to stop for lunch in Les Bergeronnes. They went to the local bakery to pick up some food to enjoy their finds by the water.
A crush on Godbout
Mrs. Ménard had an immense crush on the village of Godbout. She started by visiting the raptor interpretation center. This place serves as a refuge for raptors with disabilities that prevent their release into the wild.
After this stop where Mrs. Ménard was able to learn more about hunting techniques and the way of life of raptors, she went to eat at a nearby restaurant. Another place that completely charmed her.
Eastern North Shore
Line Ménard has among her favorites the village of Magpie. Mrs. Ménard and her sister left Sept-Îles very early to go to Longue-Pointe de Mingan. During their journey, they discovered splendid villages, including Magpie. After a good night in Longue-Pointe de Mingan, they set out to explore the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. They visited, among other places, the surroundings of Ghost Island and landed on Niapiskau Island.
Leaving Havre-Saint-Pierre, the two women picked up the Routier CD at the tourist information office there to accompany them on the road to Natashquan. Mrs. Ménard emphasizes that this item should be used for the journey; it allows you to learn more about the region's history and the best places to stop.
On the road to Natashquan, Mrs. Ménard discovered the trail that led her to the Quétachou River near the village of Baie-Johan-Beetz. A grandiose place that she suggests to everyone visiting the area.
Also, she had a big crush on Baie-Johan-Beetz; she describes the place as a 360-degree beauty.
Their goal is to reach the end of Route 138 in the village of Kegaska. Before reaching the FIN sign, Line Ménard and her sister make a stop in the village of Natashquan. They will sleep there and explore the flora of the North Shore, accompanied by Magella Landry. He presented them with a book in which they found many answers to their questions.
Finally, they will reach the end of the road. In addition to reaching the FIN 138 sign, they discover the picturesque village of Kegaska. A large beach, a perfect place to walk and take their time.
In conclusion, Mrs. Ménard wanted to emphasize the welcome of the North Shore residents and their desire to show their hidden treasures. She also recommends taking the road slowly to discover the villages hiding on the edge of the coast.
Mrs. Ménard and her sister will return to the area in the summer of 2021 to enjoy their magnificent prize offered by Sépaq. The prize includes: a five (5) nights all-inclusive Inn package for two (2) people, authorization to access Anticosti National Park, round-trip air transport from Mont-Joli, Quebec, or Montreal (choice), accommodation in an Inn formula, three (3) meals a day, loan of an electric bike for the entire stay, loan of a watercraft on Ruisseau Lake for the entire stay, a (1) day guided shuttle tour to visit three (3) major attractions (Vauréal Falls, Canyon Observation, and Baie-de-la-Tour), a (1) chocolate and port tasting at sunset in Baie-Sainte-Claire (shuttle transport), a (1) small bag of deer food, a (1) vehicle equipped with a radio transmitter-receiver, unlimited mileage.
