Whales, camping and sushi: we tested a corner of paradise on the North Shore

At the end of June, we set up camp at Attitude Nordique, an outdoor adventure site based in Baie-Comeau, on the North Shore. Three days spent on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, surrounded by rocks, forest, and sea spray, offered us a taste of the best Quebec has to offer: accessible outdoor activities, a magnificent natural setting, and the passionate people behind the project.

A little corner of paradise by the water

Attitude Nordique is first and foremost a place: a veritable base camp set up at the junction of the river, the cliffs and the forest, between Saint-Pancrace Bay and Garde-feu Bay.

There, you'll find a large wooden hut opening onto a white sand beach, where the waves of the St. Lawrence echo and, sometimes, the breath of whales: small porpoises or fin whales. The site is simple and welcoming: a haven of peace to escape from everyday life. The atmosphere is calm, intimate, far from the hustle and bustle.

The adventure began in 2018, as a small trailer that traveled the North Shore to rent outdoor equipment. Over the years, and despite the pandemic, the team found its footing here and has continued to evolve the place ever since, while maintaining its DNA of human and local adventure.

Sleeping to the rhythm of the waves

During our stay, we slept on one of the site's three camping platforms, just steps from the shore. You fall asleep to the sound of the waves and, with a bit of luck, hear the spout of a whale offshore. The accommodation is deliberately simple, but very well thought-out.

There's also a prospector's tent and a rustic loft perched above the main shack, both perfect for those who want more comfort without being cut off from the surroundings.

The welcome itself reflects the place: warm and simple. Fred Fournier and Coralie Dumais, the two co-owners, are present on site. You can feel their passion for nature, people, and their corner of the world. An atmosphere that makes you want to stay... or come back.

From rock to shore: via ferrata, zip lines and kayaking

Attitude Nordique takes advantage of its site's spectacular terrain, which offers a wide variety of guided activities, accessible even to the uninitiated. This is the case for the via ferrata in Garde-feu Bay. The route is accessible to beginners with a minimum level of fitness: the approach trail is 1.2 km long and requires a good effort on the return leg with a significant elevation gain!

This via ferrata, called “La Nord-Côtière”, runs along the water’s edge and offers breathtaking views of the river.

Two long zip lines top it all off: guaranteed thrills and panoramic views as a bonus.

We followed this with a guided sea kayaking trip in Saint-Pancrace Bay, where cliffs drop into the water and nature can quickly change. Here, the St. Lawrence is a true inland sea, as sumptuous as it is unpredictable, with waves that can transform a kayaking trip into a surfing session with a paddle!

The cherry on top? A sushi evening on the beach, after kayaking. Sitting on the sand, facing the sunset, we enjoyed sushi from Boucherie les trois p'tits cochons , accompanied by a beer from Microbrasserie St-Pancrace . There are few places in Quebec where you can eat this kind of meal, with the sound of the crackling fireplace and the waves of the St. Lawrence. Magnificent!

The company also offers another zip line and a suspension bridge at the St-Pancrace lookout: a short activity, without an approach walk, but with a great effect, with a zip line that runs more than 50 meters high, above a wooded canyon.

The return journey is less rapid via a suspension bridge. It's wobbly, but we'll get there!

Outdoors and gastronomy go hand in hand

What sets Attitude Nordique apart, beyond the beauty of its location, is its commitment to creating complete experiences. Here, the outdoors is part of a broader approach, where food and local products enrich the stay.

A greenhouse project is also in the works to grow vegetables directly on site. This is a way to close the loop, promoting the region at every stage of the experience.

Why go there?

If you're looking for a place to get away from it all without having to travel to the other side of the world, a place where outdoor activities go hand in hand with simple pleasures, good food and good rest, Attitude Nordique ticks all the boxes.

We come here to paddle, climb, breathe... and we leave with the feeling of having experienced a rare moment, between passionate humans, raw landscapes and well-measured pleasures.

• Information and prices : attitudenordique.com