Chute-aux-Outardes is a municipality in Manicouagan, in the North Shore region of Quebec.

Understand

The village of Chute-aux-Outardes is located on the Manicouagan Peninsula, on the west bank of the Aux Outardes River, downstream from the Outarde-2 generating station. This village in the western suburbs of Baie-Comeau offers various services to travelers on Route 138.

History

The toponym "Chute-aux-Outardes" is associated with the name of the river and Canada geese (designated "Bernache"), a migratory bird. The site at the mouth of the Rivière aux Outardes was frequented by the natives, already several thousand years before J.C.

The village of Chute-aux-Outardes was founded in 1908 by Alfred Labbé, a postillion accustomed to making the journey between Pessamit and Pointe-des-Monts; Labbé befriended the Innu. He actively contributed to the fur trade and worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. Subsequently, Labbé worked for the Ontario Paper Company as a cook and salesman at the general store.

In 1926, Robert R. McCormick, president of the Ontario Paper Company, began construction of the Outardes 1 hydroelectric power station on the Outardes River. This plant was intended to supply electricity to the future local paper mill. However, the plant was operational only in 1936, after having experienced a break due to the economic crisis of 1929. These constructions led to the settlement of the village with families from this area of the Côte-Nord, Trois-Pistoles and the south shore of the St. Lawrence. Finally, the municipality of Chute-aux-Outardes was incorporated in 1951.

Production from this hydroelectric plant ceased in 1978, when the Scierie des Outardes was inaugurated under an agreement between the QNS paper company and the Rexfor state-owned company.

Get in

By car

• From Montreal (646 km, time: 7 hr 43 min non-stop. From downtown Montreal, take the Jacques-Cartier bridge (east); take route 132 (east), highway 20 (east); then successively Autoroute 73 (north), Autoroute 40 (east) and Route 138 to Chute-aux-Outardes.

See

Outardes 1 heritage center in Chute-aux-Outardes

• 1 Former power station of Chutes-aux-Outardes (Outardes-1) (Ancienne centrale électrique de Chutes-aux-Outardes (Outardes-1)) (accessible by rue du Pouvoir). A rustic path passes by this former Outardes-1 hydroelectric power station (built in 1926) and long sandy beaches. (updated Jul 2022)

Do

Several activities are offered to visitors to enjoy an immersive outdoor experience and discover the jewels of Manicouagan's backcountry.

• 1 La Chute socio-cultural room (Salle socioculturelle de la Chute), 18, rue du Golf. (updated Jul 2022)

In summer

• 2 Club de golf Chute-aux-Outardes, 18, rue du Golf, ☏ +1 418-567-1333. Nine-hole golf course. (updated Jul 2022)
• Hiking, ☏ +1. A rustic footpath passes by the former Outardes-1 hydroelectric center and sandy beaches. The Fox Trail (3.6-km hike and intermediate level) interprets the history and heritage of the municipality. This trail offers various viewpoints on the Rivière aux Outardes; its route crosses natural areas. Walkers can observe the flora and winged fauna. In winter, this trail is used for snowshoeing. (updated Jul 2022)

In winter

• 3 Outdoor skating rink (Patinoire extérieure), 1, rue des Sports (intersection of Arena and Sports streets), ☏ +1. (updated Jul 2022)
• Motoneige, ☏ +1. (updated Jul 2022)
• cross-country skiing, ☏ +1. (updated Jul 2022)

Buy

• 1 Dépanneur Boni-Soir, 191, rue Vallilee, ☏ +1 418-567-4251. Convenience store. Liquor store. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 Poissonnerie Jean-Guy Laprise inc, 142, rue Vallilee, ☏ +1 418-567-2591. Fish shop. (updated Jul 2022)

Eat

• 1 Cantine Armande, 196, rue Vallilee, ☏ +1 418-567-4258. Restaurant. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 Le Riviera, 133, rue Vallilee, ☏ +1 418-567-8900. A restaurant, pub and grill with a varied menu. (updated Jul 2022)
• 3 Bar laitier des Chutes enr, 110, rue Vallilee, ☏ +1 450-. Ice cream counter. (updated Jul 2022)

Drink

• 1 Le Riviera, 133, rue Vallilee, ☏ +1 418-567-8900. Pub with a varied menu. (updated Jul 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Hôtelier chez marloux, 24, rue du Ravin, ☏ +1 418-567-4244. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 Motel La Relance, 126, rue Vallilee, ☏ +1 418-567-8557, motelrelancecao@hotmail.com. Motel offering 10 rooms with two double beds and 10 rooms with a double bed. With reception room and laundry service. (updated Jul 2022)
• 3 Gîte du Château, 2, rue du Golf, ☏ +1 418-567-1485. Beautiful house with its turret surrounded by flowers, generating a country character. (updated Jul 2022)

Connect

Low-altitude satellite communication services (e.g. Starlink satellite constellation) are increasingly accessible in remote areas such as the North Shore; they allow you to make video calls, play online games, view streaming video, and perform other high-speed activities, among other things. In remote areas, these satellite communication services offer security and efficiency.

Cope

• 1 Municipal library (Bibliothèque municipal), 2, rue de l'école, ☏ +1 418-567-2525, , biblio@municipalitecao.ca. Tu W 15:00–17:00, 18:00–20:00. Free. (updated Jul 2022)

Go next

Routes through Chute-aux-Outardes

New York State ← Elgin ← Montreal ←

W  E

→ Kegaska → (discontinued between Kegaska and Bonne-Espérance)→Bonne-Espérance → Blanc-Sablon → Labrador

• 1 Pointe-aux-Outardes The main attractions: covered bridge, magnificent beach for observing life on the river (passing ships, winged fauna including migratory birds, marine mammals, tireless waves and the evolution of atmospheric phenomena on the river), trails hiking, and waterfalls of the Outardes river.
• 2 Ragueneau The gateway to the Manicouagan Peninsula. Main attractions: marine wharf for observing marine and birdlife, parks, Pointe-aux-Outardes Nature Park, hiking trails, hunting & fishing, camping, and wharf.
• 3 Baie-Comeau Industrial city offering many events (e.g., musical and epicurean events, the Côte-Nord Beer Festival) and recreational tourism services: guided heritage tour, hiking trails, sea kayaking, Via Ferrata, paddle board, observations of marine mammals and aquatic birds, sea excursions, visits to local port facilities, campsites.
• 4 Rivière-aux-Outardes This unorganized territory is a great place for hunting & fishing, ATV and snowmobile excursions, picking wild berries, as well as observing the fauna, flora and land relief. The main attractions are the dams and hydroelectric power stations built on the Manicouagan River.