Franquelin: Forestry History, Hiking Trail and Beach

Franquelin combines an interest in forestry history with hiking and waterside experiences. The Village Forestier d’Antan tells the story of the forestry heritage; the Croix de Franquelin loop trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking the village, shore and St. Lawrence River. At low tide, you can take a beach walk, and fishing is another option in summer. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, these different activities can shape the character of your stay: consider whether history, a hike with elevation gain or time by the water is especially important for your trip.

Forestry History and Cultural Heritage

The Village Forestier d’Antan de Franquelin preserves, recounts and presents the cultural heritage associated with forestry in Franquelin, reflecting the history of the Côte-Nord and its people. The site includes log buildings, artifacts, tools and historic photographs. There are also B12 snowmobiles, as well as displays of marine and forest wildlife. Buildings and work tools are thus shown alongside photographs, vehicles and nature displays, illustrating different aspects of the heritage associated with Franquelin. The Église de Saint-Étienne is also part of Franquelin’s built religious heritage; it was built in 1937–1938.

Hiking the Croix de Franquelin Trail

The Croix de Franquelin hiking trail is a 2.5-kilometre loop of moderate difficulty with 150 metres of elevation gain. The first hundred metres are steep; after that, the climb gradually eases. The hike takes about an hour at most and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the village of Franquelin, the shore and the St. Lawrence River. This lets you take both trail length and elevation gain into account when planning your day, without equating the viewpoint and route with a particular walking speed. Parking for the trail is available at the Village Forestier d’Antan de Franquelin; the trail begins at the end of rue des Bouleaux.

Nearby, the starting point for the Sentier de la Pointe-à-la-Croix is about 4 kilometres east of the Franquelin bridge. There is a parking lot at the trailhead. This gives you a specific landmark to consider if you’re also thinking about hiking beyond the Croix de Franquelin trail.

Beach Walks and Fishing

At low tide, you can walk along the beach in Franquelin. The beach is accessible via a bridge and a path leading downhill, or via the descent to the river behind the Auberge Franquelin sign. Low tide is essential for this walk. In summer, you can fish for sea-run brook trout and striped bass in the river and, at low tide, partly in the St. Lawrence River as well; a fishing licence is required. Beach walking and fishing are different ways to spend time by the water: one depends on the tide, while the other is a summer activity that also requires a licence if you’re fishing.

Which of Franquelin’s different sides appeals to you most can help you decide whether to choose it as a vacation destination.

Discover More Places

Also explore Godbout, Chute-Aux-Outardes and Baie-Comeau.

For the broader travel overview: Manicouagan.