Natashquan, which means “where one hunts for bear” in the Innu language, still feels a little bit like the edge of the world, no doubt because this village of nearly 300 people in Côte-Nord marked the end of Route 138 until 2014, when the road was finally extended to Kegaska.

Portraits of villagers

When you first arrive in Natashquan, be sure to visit the Destination Natashquan office for information about what’s going on in the village during your stay. One of the walls of the office is covered in photos of local villagers taken by Anna Birgit, a Danish woman living in Paris who has visited this corner of paradise every summer for over 40 years. Famous local poet and singer/songwriter Gilles Vigneault, whose childhood home is still in the village, also comes back every summer and takes advantage of his visit to offer writing workshops. It’s easy to see what draws these people back here year after year: this small community located on Innu territory will delight you with its rich history, old-fashioned charm and many treasures.

Les Galets heritage site

From the Copacte Natashquan tourism office, you can see one of the area’s most famous attractions: Les Galets, which was designated a heritage site in 2006. Only 12 of the original 33 fishing cabins that made up this site are still standing in what was once the region’s busiest fishing centre. At that time, fish was dried and salted in these buildings.

This area has several other attractions. For example, the church, one of the oldest in Côte-Nord, was built in 1861 and was originally a chapel. It’s worth seeing mainly for its roof, in the shape of an upside-down boat hull, which was built from two shipwrecked vessels and entirely sculpted by hand. Nearby, the Old Schoolhouse (Vieille École), which was restored in 2000, has become a small museum that pays tribute to the inhabitants of the village, including poet and singer/songwriter Gilles Vigneault, by far the most famous.

Culture and relaxation

A land of culture and traditions, the village of Natashquan is recognized for its crafts, particularly those of the Innu people, but also because it’s one of the few places in Québec where Mid-Lent celebrations still take place.

If you like music, you’ll want to visit Café L’Échouerie where there’s always something going on. This friendly and colourful venue is run by Doris Minier, who was originally from the Saguenay region but fell in love with Natashquan. The many books inside the café will make you feel like you’re in a library! The café also regularly hosts concerts, plays and painting exhibitions. You can also grab a bite to eat, of course: the food is simple and traditional fare. Located right on the sand, the café offers stunning views of Natashquan Bay, a shallow and temperate body of water at the mouth of two rivers. You won’t be able to resist dipping your toes in the waves!