Port-Cartier

Port-Cartier is a town in the North Shore region of eastern Quebec. It's in Sept-Rivières region, on the Route des Baleines and the Route Nature aux mille délices (gourmet route).

Port-Cartier is the gateway to the Sept-Rivières region from the west. It is particularly known for its mining and forestry industry as well as its services to travellers on route 138.

The main tourist attractions in the Port-Cartier region are:
 * recreational parks: at the mouth of the Rivière aux Rochers (e.g., Patterson Island, McCormick Island, Keeting Island, Quai Island) and other municipal parks (in particular, Rochelois Municipal Park, Cascades Park);
 * the Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles wildlife reserve, operated by SÉPAQ;
 * its fine sandy beach extending over on the coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence; Rochelois Beach Park is a good place to enjoy the beach;
 * its museums and historical sites: Port-Cartier is the scene of a great history of all eras, beginning with the passage of the Indigenous people who frequented the territory from approximately 9000 years ago; the arrival of Basque fishermen at the end of the 15th century; the passage of Jacques-Cartier in 1535; the ascent of the Gulf of St. Lawrence by the ships of Admiral Walker's army, many of which ran aground near Port-Cartier; the English conquest of 1759; and industrial history. The local museums make a beautiful interpretation of this great history;
 * its mountain bike and snowmobile trails; the vast forest and mountain territory has a rich nature to discover;
 * its cycle or pedestrian paths; the itinerary of cycle paths allows you to discover the whole of the city and the islands at the mouth of the Rivière aux Rochers;
 * its service offer in hunting & fishing activities;
 * nautical excursions on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, on the waterways and bodies of water in the region.

Understand
Port-Cartier is one of the two largest municipalities in the region along with Sept-Îles. In addition to its main village, the city of Port-Cartier also includes the villages of Pointe-aux-Anglais (Cannon township) and Rivière-Pentecôte (Fitzpatrick township). Pointe-aux-Anglais owes its name to the sinking of 11 ships of the British fleet in the St. Lawrence River off Île aux Œufs in 1711, forcing Admiral Walker to abandon his mission to take Quebec City. The coastline of the village of Pointe-aux-Anglais includes a fine sandy beach of.



By car
Port-Cartier is located on Route 138, the main road in the region. It more or less runs along the coast of the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf.


 * From Quebec (580 km, time: 7 hr 12 min non stop). Take Autoroute 20 (westbound) up to Saint-Hilaire; take Grande-Allée (westbound); take the 116 (westbound).
 * From Sept-Îles (62 km, time: 44 min non stop). Take Route 138 (westbound) to downtown Port-Cartier.

Get around
Port-Cartier includes a network of bike paths extending from east to west of the city.

It is on the Route des Baleines (Whale Route).

Eat
Port-Cartier offers restaurants, dining rooms, cafes-restaurants, canteens. Seafood and local products are highlighted in the gastronomic menus.

Sleep
Port-Cartier tourist accommodation includes camping, summer camp, inn, youth hostel, bed and breakfast, motel and hotel.

Connect
Access to wireless networks in mobile telephony is available on the territory of the village of Port-Cartier. Access to networks along Route 138 may vary from location to location.