Sacré-Coeur (Quebec)

Sacré-Coeur (locally designated "Sacré-Coeur-sur-le-Fjord-du-Saguenay") is a municipality endowed with magnificent natural attractions, and located in the regional county municipality of La Haute-Côte-Nord, in the administrative region of Côte-Nord region of Quebec. This locality is part of the tourist region of Manicouagan, on the Route des Baleines and the Route Nature aux mille délices (gourmet route).

In the summer season, many boaters travel the Saguenay River and many visitors come to visit the locality for its recreational and tourism activities (vacation, accommodation, camping, nautical activities, hunting, fishing, etc.). Sacré-Coeur is a favorite spot for distinctive vacations, as well as a paradise for observing nature, flora and fauna.

The main resort areas are L'Anse-au-Sable and L'Anse-à-Pierrot. The main hamlets are Rivière-Sainte-Marguerite and L'Anse-de-Roche.

Understand

Geography

The municipality of Sacré-Coeur comprises the township of Albert which covers the forest territory along the north shore of the Saguenay River. The village of Sacré-Coeur sits in a valley between the mountains.

The municipality is crossed by route 172 which joins to the southeast route 138 in the territory of Tadoussac. More or less parallel to the course of the Saguenay River, the southern part of Route 172 runs through the upper valley of the Moulin à Baude river which drains the village of Sacré-Coeur and empties onto the sandstone on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River. From the village of Sacré-Coeur, Route 172 heads north-west, first crossing an agricultural and forest plain, surrounded by mountains. Then, this road takes the lower valley of the Sainte-Marguerite Northeast river, then the valley of the Sainte-Marguerite river; then this road branches off towards Sainte-Rose-du-Nord and Saint-Fulgence, in the direction of the Chicoutimi Nord sector. The route of Route 172 offers bucolic panoramas of high mountains and valleys shaped by glaciers.

Route 138 crosses the eastern part of the municipality. This road runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.

From the limit of the municipality of Tadoussac, the north shore of the Saguenay River has high, very steep cliffs and high mountains. This mountain panorama attracts many boaters who go up the course of the river by boat. Others admire this very rugged relief from the air. The main bays on the north coast of the Saguenay River in the Sacré-Coeur territory are: cove à la Barque, cove à Richard, cove à la Boule, cove à la Passe-Pierre, cove Creuse, cove à la Grosse Roche, cove in Pierrot, cove aux Mouches, Baie Sainte-Marguerite (where the Sainte-Marguerite river flows), Îlets Rouge cove, Gagnon cove (opposite Île St-Barthélemy). Each cove or bay has its history or its meaning. The main secondary access roads to the north coast are that of the Sainte-Marguerite river valley and that leading to Anse-à-Pierrot; this last road leads via the top of the cliff to Anse Creuse and to the top of a promontory facing Anse à la Passe-Pierre. Another secondary road leads to Cap de la Boule which delimits the western part of Anse à la Boule.

The Ronde mountain (summit at 183 m) and the Montagne Blanche (summit at 208 m) are the highest peaks in the municipal territory.

Economy

The main economic activities of the Sacré-Coeur territory are forestry and recreational tourism (vacation, boating, hunting, fishing, observation of flora, fauna and nature). Agriculture is practised in a limited way on plateaus around the village of Sacré-Coeur.

Get in

The Sacré-Coeur territory is accessible by road, boat (via the Saguenay River), snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles.

By car

Quebec Route 138 crosses the Saguenay River from Baie Sainte-Catherine by ferry. This is the usual means of entry into the area from Quebec City and points westward. From Tadoussac, Route 138 passes through the south-east part of Sacré-Coeur and continues downriver beyond Sept-Iles.

  • From Saguenay City (110 km (68 mi), 1 hr 15 min), take route 175 (northbound) and cross the bridge over the Saguenay River; take road 172 (eastbound) to the village of Sacré-Coeur.
  • From Baie-Comeau (204 km (127 mi), 2 hr 17 min), take route 138 (north shore) heading west, to Tadoussac; take road 172 (westbound) to the village of Sacré-Coeur.
  • From Quebec City (230 km (140 mi), 3 hr 14 min), take route 138 (north shore) eastbound, via the Tadoussac ferry; take road 172 (westbound) to the village of Sacré-Coeur.

By boat

Sacré-Coeur is near the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers and accessible seasonally by boat.

  • 🌍 Marina de l'Anse de Roche (Club de yacht de Sacré-Coeur), 346, ch. de l'anse de Roche, ☏ +1 418-235-4585, fax: +1 418 236-4514. End of May to Mid-October. Marina with launching ramp, petrol and diesel, shop, restaurant and bar. Wi-fi, laundry room, shower. 

Get around

Gas stations
  • 🌍 ERCO service station, 103, route 172, ☏ +1 418-236-4402. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 AXCO service station, 398, route 172 Nord. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Crevier-Dépanneur service station, 401, route 172 Nord, ☏ +1 418-236-9444. With convenience store. (updated Dec 2021)

Electric charging stations

See
  • 🌍 Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay, chemin Traverse de Ligne Anse St-Jean, ☏ +1 800-665-6527. National park administered by SÉPAQ. The Le Fjord trail is located on the edge of the bay at the mouth of the Sainte-Marguerite river. A pedestrian bridge spans the Sainte-Marguerite river. Camping in the wilderness. 
  • Quai de L'Anse-de-Roche Natural Park (along the Saguenay River), ☏ +1 418-232-6286. Anse enclosed by mountain cliffs. Microclimate favouring outdoor activities and relaxation. The infrastructures of the Anse-de-Roche tourist park provide superb views of the Saguenay fjord. Visitors have access to a marina, boating, nature observation and interpretation activities. 
  • 🌍 Église de Sacré-Coeur, 84, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-236-4323. Exhibitions on the treasures of the religious heritage of Sacré-Coeur, as well as ancestral houses and objects. Exhibition organized by the heritage committee. 
  • 🌍 Pont couvert Louis-Gravel, route 172. Covered wooden bridge spanning the Sainte-Marguerite Northeast River, connecting route 172 and the west bank of the river. 

Do
  • Réseau de sentiers de l'Anse-Creuse (Anse-Creuse trail network). Hiking circuit along the Saguenay River. 
  • 🌍 Cycle path. 7-km cycle path for bicycles, inline skates and hiking. Journey starting near the 5 Star Farm-Holiday Centre and ending in the village of Sacré-Coeur. 
  • 🌍 Fjord Aventure, 334, chemin de l'Anse-de-Roche, ☏ +1 877 236-4551. Offer a multitude of outdoor activities in all seasons. The surrounding nature allows you to admire the Saguenay Fjord. Summer activities: sea kayaking on the Saguenay fjord, quad excursion, cani-kart, horseback riding. Winter activities: dog sledding, snowmobile excursion, guided snowshoe hike with dinner on the fire in the forest. Specialized and professional guides. Fjord Aventure is affiliated with the 5 Star Group. 
  • 🌍 Domaine de l'Ours Noir (jadis désigné "Domaine de nos Ancêtres"), 1895, route 172 Sud (near the village of Tadoussac), . Area offering black bear observation activities in its natural habitat. Maison de l'Ours Noir for rent, with 3 to 6 fully-equipped bedrooms. Domaine de l'Ours Noir is affiliated with the 5 Star Group. 
  • 🌍 Ranch le soleil le vent, 243, route 172 Nord, ☏ +1 877 236-4551, . Introductory walk and hike to the belvedere. 
  • Hunting. Big or small game hunting. 
  • Pêche sportive (Sport fishing). Various types of fishing. 
  • Kayak de mer (Sea kayak). The Saguenay coastline is an ideal place to practice sea kayaking. Kayakers enjoy exploring the surrounding bays because of the scenery and the safety. 
  • Snowmobile. The vast forest area and the many small bodies of water are ideal wilderness areas for snowmobiling. The provincial snowmobile trail crosses the Zec Chauvin and passes on the north side of the village of Sacré-Coeur. 

Outfitters

Events
  • Fête du Québec. Annually, the locality organizes Quebec Day festivities which is celebrated on June 24. The activities take place mainly at the Sacré-Coeur recreational park. 
  • Fête de la famille (Family day). This annual activities take place mainly at the Sacré-Coeur recreational park. 

Whales and wildlife

The area is well known for its whale watching opportunities on the St. Lawrence River; multiple companies offer excursions on small boats. One of the best sites south of the Arctic to see beluga whales; fin whales, minke whales and harbour porpoises are particularly common, with humpback whales and blue whales also sometimes visible. Most boat tours are seasonal, running from May to September.

Excursions up the Saguenay River provide the opportunity to see belugas, as well as at least three species of seal (grey seal, harbour seal, harp seal) which give birth on the rocky shores.

Buy
Food/alcohol
  • 🌍 SAQ Agence - Épicerie Hovington inc, 156, rue Principale Nord, ☏ +1 833-587-2727. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Herbamiel, 228, chemin de l'Anse-de-Roche, ☏ +1 418-236-8226. Small-scale beekeeping company specializing in the processing of bee products. Guided tour. Main products offered: raw honey, propolis extract, healing balm with propolis, honey and beeswax soap, bee pollen, royal jelly. (updated Dec 2021)


Eat

Restaurants

Sleep

Inns, hotels and motels
  • 🌍 Club Tadoussac - Auberge la Tanière, 45, route 138 (near Route 138 and Tadoussac), ☏ +1 418-235-4723. Outfitter with exclusive rights for hunting and fishing. Vacationing in a chalet allows for wildlife observation activities. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Hôtel Motel Restaurant Coronet, 401, route 172 Nord, ☏ +1 418-236-9444. A service centre for accommodation, catering and a car service station. (updated Dec 2021)
  • Auberge Mon Coin de Pays, ☏ +1 418-. Inn in a style typical of the region, with nine rooms which are named after the most beautiful attractions of the village of Sacré-Coeur and its surroundings: Le Fjord, La Baie-Sainte-Marguerite, Le Fleuve Saint-Laurent, Anse-de-Roche, La Rivière Sainte-Marguerite, L'Anse-Creuse, Le Cap-de-la-Boule, "Le Pont Couvert Louis Gravel" and "La Forêt boréale". Hostel affiliated to the 5 Star Group. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Auberge chez Caro, 166, rue Principale Nord (at the north exit of the village), . (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Domaine de l'Ours Noir (Domaine de nos Ancêtres), 1895, route 172 Sud (near the village of Tadoussac), ☏ +1 877 236-4551, +1 418-236-4886, . Area offering black bear observation activities in its natural habitat. Maison de l'Ours Noir for rent, with 3 to 6 fully-equipped bedrooms. Domaine de l'Ours Noir is affiliated with the 5 Star Group. (updated Dec 2021)

Gîtes
  • 🌍 Centre de vacances Ferme 5 étoiles (5-star farm holiday centre), 465, rue Principales, ☏ +1 418-236-4551. Multiple accommodations in the countryside (in cabins, family apartments, ancestral home, trapper's camp, ready-to-camp, micro-cabins, group cabin, camping (with or without service)) and farm stay (moose, wolves, bison, deer, lyns, sled dogs, chickens, rabbits). Inn in the heart of the village. Unique location on the edge of the Saguenay Fjord. Outdoor activities over 4 seasons:Summer: trout fishing in the pond and hiking with a view of the Saguenay Fjord;Winter: snowshoeing or cross-country skiing (18 kilometres with panoramas of the Saguenay Fjord) and ice fishing in the pond;Spring: sugar shack with traditional meals and thematic activities;Four-season activities: visit to the Quebec animal refuge and the farm, animal care workshops and relaxation centre (spa, sauna, massages, etc.).The 5 Star Group is a group of four companies from the village of Sacré-Coeur, with the aim of centralizing reservations for the various services offered. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Canopée Lit, Hébergements insolites, Cabane et bulles (Canopy Bed, Unusual accommodations, Cabin and bubbles), 303, chemin de l'Anse-de-Roche (on the edge of the Saguenay Fjord), ☏ +1 418-236-9544, . Ecotourism accommodation made up of cabins and bubbles perched on stilts, among the trees, as well as ready-to-camp. Trails in the boreal nature. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Alfred le voisin d'Oscar (Alfred the neighbor of Oscar), 306, rang St-Joseph (on the edge of the Saguenay Fjord), ☏ +1 418-571-0533, . Unique glamping site in the heart of the majestic Fjord-du-Saguenay. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Maison La Canardière, 814, chemin du Moulin, ☏ +1 418-236-9358, . Bed and breakfast on the edge of the provincial snowmobile trail in Nord-du-Québec. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Auberge de jeunesse et camping Le Sommet du Fjord (Le Sommet du Fjord youth hostel and campsite), 450, chemin de l'Anse-à-Pierrot, ☏ +1 418-, . (updated Dec 2021)

Camping
  • 🌍 Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay, chemin Traverse de Ligne Anse St-Jean (on the banks of the Saguenay River), ☏ +1 800-665-6527. May 1st to October 31st. National park administered by SÉPAQ. The "Le Fjord trail" is located on the edge of the bay at the mouth of the Sainte-Marguerite river. A pedestrian bridge spans the Sainte-Marguerite river. Camping in the wilderness. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 [www.sepaq.com/pq/sag/ Camping national du Fjord-du-Saguenay "Le Bleuvet"] (National campsite), 1121, route 172 Nord, ☏ +1 418-236-1132. National park administered by SÉPAQ. (updated Dec 2021)

Cope
  • 🌍 Piscine municipale de Sacré-Coeur (Sacré-Coeur municipal swimming pool), 89, rue Principale Nord, ☏ +1 418-236-9194. Public swimming pool. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Bibliothèque municipale de Sacré-Coeur (Sacré-Coeur municipal library), 89, rue Principale Nord. Library affiliated with the BIBLIO Côte-Nord Network. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Parc récréatif de Sacré-Coeur (Sacré-Coeur Recreational Park), 51, rue Mayrand, ☏ +1 418-236-4315. Main leisure facilities: games module, slides, swings, skateboard module, baseball field, beach volleyball court, pétanque court and iron. (updated Dec 2021)

Go next

  • 🌍 Tadoussac Municipality bordering the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and the mouth of the Saguenay River. This locality has a good infrastructure for recreational and tourism activities (resorts, restaurants, accommodation, hiking trails, cycling, museums, interpretation centres, excursions on the river, providers of activities in nature ...) and for various passenger services.
  • 🌍 Les Bergeronnes Locality where recreational tourism activities are developed thanks to the magnificent landscapes of the coast and the bay of Petites Bergeronnes and bay of Grandes Bergeronnes. It offers a rest stop and an attractive relay on the road to the North Shore.
  • 🌍 Mont-Valin Unorganized territory of the RCM Fjord-du-Saguenay, located between the Mistassibi River and the Côte-Nord administrative region. Magnificent territory for recreational tourism activities, such as camping, hunting and fishing. Territory covering 38,032.3 kilometres (23,632.18 mi).
  • 🌍 Lac-au-Brochet Unorganized territory of the RCM of La Haute-Côte-Nord comprising four controlled harvesting zones (zec). Huge territory for hunting and fishing, wilderness camping, ATV/snowmobile trails, river descent in light boats and nature observation.
  • 🌍 Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park National park established in 1983 and covering 326.7 km2 on each side of the Saguenay River. This national park is the terrestrial extension of the Saguenay – Saint-Laurent marine park.
  • 🌍 Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park A marine protected area of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, covering 1,245 km2 (481 sq mi). Its mission is to protect all species including the beluga and the blue whale. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, ROMM and GREMM teach boaters to navigate in whale habitat. Whale watching tours or cruises are offered to tourists.
Routes through Sacré-Coeur
Quebec City ← Tadoussac ←  W  E  → Les Bergeronnes → Sept-Îles
Alma ← Chicoutimi-Jonquière ←  W  E  → Tadoussac


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