Grandes-Bergeronnes: Archaeology and Coastal Landscape

Grandes-Bergeronnes is a destination for anyone who wants to bring coastal landscapes and a long history together. The archaeological sites of Pointe-à-John offer insight into the use of marine resources in prehistory. They are complemented by an interpretation centre with exhibits and trails that open up views of the St. Lawrence River. When looking for a vacation rental, these different highlights can help you plan your stay around your own interests.

Archaeological traces and exhibitions

The archaeological sites of Pointe-à-John include two Indigenous prehistoric settlement sites associated with the use of marine resources. The Lavoie site was occupied during the Late Archaic, a period dating from approximately 5,500 to 3,000 years ago. The main occupation of the de la Falaise site dates to the Early Middle Woodland, approximately 2,400 to 1,500 years ago. These periods differ considerably; together, the sites offer insight into different stages of the region’s prehistory.

At the Centre d'interprétation Archéo Topo, a permanent exhibition with a multimedia show presents the daily life of Indigenous people on the Côte-Nord approximately 9,000 years ago. A temporary exhibition focuses on seals and seal hunting on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. It also introduces the four seal species that visit the St. Lawrence River. Since this part of the exhibition is temporary, check before your visit to see if it is still on display. Grandes-Bergeronnes thus features both far-reaching historical themes and a changing exhibition as part of its cultural offerings.

Coastal views and trails in the municipality

The Sentier de la falaise offers an unobstructed view of the St. Lawrence River and provides access to a protected archaeological site. Landscape and history meet here in a tangible way: the view looks out over the river, while the trail also leads to a site of archaeological significance.

In the municipality of Les Bergeronnes, the Biodiversity Trails run in two loops along the Rivière Grande-Bergeronnes and the St. Lawrence River. Together, they cover 2.7 kilometres. The trail network also includes two viewing platforms and five information panels about the ecological diversity of the municipality. The beach trail leads directly to Les Bergeronnes beach, where you can take in the scenery.

The Club Le Morillon’s multi-use trail is a different length: it runs for 16 kilometres along the former Route 138, from the Bergeronnes municipal wharf to Les Escoumins. In winter, the trail can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The 2.7 kilometres of the two biodiversity loops and the 16 kilometres of the multi-use trail offer different distances to choose from, without implying a particular walking time or level of difficulty.

In the municipality of Les Bergeronnes, the Base de Plein air also offers a view of the St. Lawrence River and is accessible from Rue de la Mer. Follow the local signs when you arrive. In the municipality of Les Bergeronnes, the Hangar Festif is a cultural and community space where various activities, performances and events are organized during the summer season. Croisières Essipit offers safe Zodiac excursions near marine mammals.

Choose the right focus for your stay

When choosing a vacation rental in Grandes-Bergeronnes, it helps to first decide what kind of stay you want: should archaeological history take centre stage, are exhibitions of particular interest, or would you rather plan around coastal views and trails? If you are travelling in winter, you can also consider the multi-use trail’s potential for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. For families travelling together, these options offer different themes to discuss in advance, without treating every activity as the same.

Discover more destinations: Forestville, Tadoussac, Longue-Rive, Les Escoumins, Portneuf-Sur-Mer.

Go to the main travel overview: La Haute-Côte-Nord.