If Paul Lavoie, Director of Tourism Côte-Nord, isn't at work, he's out enjoying the coast on foot, by bike, or in a kayak.

Anse-de-Roche in Saguenay Fjord National Park is an ideal area for kayakers. The glacial valley offers breathtaking sunsets.

According to him, Anticosti Island is a dreamlike place, like something out of a movie. The encounter with birds, deer, and foxes is astonishing.

The Mingan Archipelago remains magical for its history, beauty, and the variety of activities that can be done to approach it.

11 kilometers from Route 138 lies the mythical Pointe-des-Monts lighthouse, which can be visited to observe the sea from the rocks.

Visiting the North Shore also means meeting a people, the Innu. Resilient and proud, they carry the territory through their culture and language. Paul Lavoie adds: "We will come out of there saying tshinashkumitin."

Noémie Pomerleau-Cloutier

Author from Baie-Comeau. Her latest collection titled "The Patience of Lichen" recounts the daily lives of people from communities in the Lower North Shore.

The Baie-Comeau native Noémie Pomerleau-Cloutier regularly returns to spend her holidays on the Côte-Nord.

The "Sentier des Embruns" in Baie-Comeau allows her to experience the forest, river, and seashore. It's an eight-kilometer nature trail connecting the two sectors of the city.

The Ilets-Caribous, a former fishing village where there was once a shellfish factory, are beautiful for observing the water with its paradisiacal colors, according to the author, who takes the opportunity to enjoy the crab-shrimp roll from the snack bar at the campground.

Pointe de Moisie is abundant in small fruits. This former military base from the Cold War era allows for the meeting of the Mishta-Shipu River and the gulf.

The village of Baie-Johan-Beetz is a must-visit to see the artist Chantal Harvey and catch a glimpse of the spruces burned by the 2013 fire. The rebirth of this forest is a poetic beauty.

By boarding the Bella Desgagnés, it's possible to enjoy various activities organized by Tourisme Winipeukut, located in La Romaine and Unamen Shipu in the Lower North Shore. A journey as unforgettable as a dream.

Irvin Blais

Author, composer, and country singer who has been living in Rivière-aux-Graines for over 30 years.

Country artist Irvin Blais has been living in Rivière-aux-Graines for 32 years. It's a place he recommends to everyone he meets for its magical sunrises and its history. The village is located at the 1092nd kilometer on Route 138, by the sea.

The beaches of Maliotenam near Sept-Îles are ideal for swimming and building sandcastles. According to Irvin, the waves are reminiscent of those in California, and intercultural encounters are natural.

The Manitou Falls, 35 meters high, are worth the hundred steps down to reach them. They are accessible from the Minganie tourist office.

The Natashquan River, noble and powerful, offers touching stories for fishermen and poets to tell.

Last year, the singer discovered with amazement the viewpoints along the Anse à Zoël trail in Magpie. The views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence are varied and sumptuous. He also wishes for tourists to dare the adventure and hear the stories of the residents, which he tells in his songs.

Josée Leblanc

Entrepreneur and administrator of Indigenous Tourism.

Josée Leblanc owns Atikuss, a company that aims to showcase Indigenous craftsmanship. This summer, she will open an eco-museum to showcase the history of Indigenous culture, particularly focusing on moccasin making. As an administrator of Indigenous Tourism, she works on promoting the communities of the Côte-Nord.

Her favorite places include the Essipit Hotel for its seaside accommodation, promising a magical encounter with marine mammals.

The number three pool of the Natashquan River is her favorite spot to watch salmon jumping. A spectacular moment that reminds her of "the power of nature in all its simplicity." Hipou Outfitter offers guided services.

On the way back to Sept-Îles, a stop is a must at the Innu Cultural House in Ekuanitshit to immerse oneself in the ancient way of life of the Innu people told through its permanent exhibition.

For the more adventurous who wish to experience Nitassinan for a nature immersion, there is the Uapishka Station at the foot of the Groulx Mountains. Where nature meets grandeur in its most authentic, true, and sincere form.

Réjean Porlier

Former mayor of the City of Sept-Îles, native of Port-Cartier.

Former Mayor of Sept-Îles, Réjean Porlier, resides in Gallix, near Sept-Îles. It's an area he cherishes for its beaches and trails, which he rediscovers through the website Les sentiers de la Côte.

Lake Walker is undoubtedly the perfect spot for him, as a trout fisherman. Located in the heart of the Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles wildlife reserve, it resembles a fjord with its 33 kilometers in length and 280 meters in depth.

"What brings me the most solace on the North Shore is the feeling of escape and the privileged connection with a nature so imposing and majestic that it humbles us and helps us forget the daily worries."

During the summer, he enjoys exploring the villages of Minganie with his partner Chantal and their trailer. One evening, he heard the cries of gray seals accompanied by the sound of waves. A memory as precious as it is surprising.

A few years ago, he took a cruise on the Bella Desgagnés to visit the Lower North Shore. It was a memorable journey for discovering a unique world and rich in beautiful encounters.

Marilène Gill

Member of Parliament for the Manicouagan constituency in the House of Commons for the Bloc Québécois