Discover Baie-Des-Sables

Baie-des-Sables offers different starting points for planning a stay: a trail along the St. Lawrence Estuary, a route focused on local history, and themes of local cheese and crafts. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can decide which aspects of the place will shape your trip based on your interests. The coastal trail, local history, and local products offer different activities and can be planned separately.

Coastal Trail and Shore Access

The Sentier des Rosiers is 5.6 kilometers long and follows an out-and-back route. It runs along the St. Lawrence Estuary from the eastern edge of the municipality of Baie-des-Sables to Halte du Meunier. There are picnic tables and benches along the trail, and several access points lead to the shore. The route combines a clearly specified distance with places to take a break and access to the coast.

The trail is seasonal, and access conditions may change. Check them before your visit if you are planning an outing specifically around the trail or a shore access point. There are also public access points to the shore in Baie-des-Sables.

Traces of Local History

The Parcours patrimonial de Baie-des-Sables invites visitors to discover traces of the past on a route in and around the community. Fishing and agriculture were the mainstays of the local economy; both themes frame the historic tour. This gives the route a different focus from the coastal trail: it centers on the history and former economic importance of these activities in the community.

La Meunerie also connects history with a present-day use. The former grain mill now houses an antique shop. It has been standing since 1846; according to some accounts, its history dates back as far as 1838. Both years are part of the place’s recorded dating.

Cheese and Seasonal Products

Fromagerie du Littoral offers a selection of artisanal and farmstead cheeses made from pasteurized cow’s milk. These include fresh or aged cheddar, fresh spreadable cheese, a Camembert-style soft cheese, “Le Bris des Vagues,” and a Halloumi-style grilling cheese. Since the specific product selection may change, contact the fromagerie in advance if you have a particular cheese in mind.

The semi-firm “Rayon d’Or” cheese contains probiotics and is considered unique in Canada. Poutine made with Fromagerie du Littoral’s own cheese curds is also available on site. Check before your trip whether it will be available during your visit.

At Serres René Santerre, visitors can sample the Santerre family’s cherry tomatoes and “Trust” tomatoes during the relevant season. The tasting is seasonal, and product availability may also change. If you would like to include these products in your plans, ask about the season and selection in advance.

Driftwood Crafts

Atelier Bertrand is a studio-boutique featuring creations made from driftwood deposited along the shore of the St. Lawrence River by the waves. The pieces include lamps, vases, and candleholders, among other things. The material and the items listed offer a tangible glimpse into the craft of working with driftwood, distinguishing this theme from the historic routes and local products.

Discover more destinations: Les Méchins, Matane, Saint-Ulric, Sainte-Paule, Sainte-Félicité.

Go to the main travel overview: Matane.