cities

Baie-Sainte-Catherine

Open on map More cities Spin a random place Ask WorldAI

Overview

Baie-Sainte-Catherine is a picturesque municipality of the regional county municipality (MRC) of Charlevoix-Est, in the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale, at Quebec, in Canada. It is located on the north shore

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

—

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia542 words

WBP editorial3

A gateway for river‑hopping adventurers

Baie‑Sainte‑Catherine sits at a natural crossroads where the Saguenay rushes into the St Lawrence, making it an ideal launch point for paddlers seeking to trace the transition from the river's fjord‑like cliffs to the vast maritime expanse. Local outfitters offer day‑long canoe or kayak trips that let you glide beneath the towering Laurentian peaks before you emerge onto the open sea, where the tide’s rhythm changes dramatically. Because the ferry to Tadoussac runs frequently and at no cost, you can easily plan a loop: paddle downstream, hop across, and explore the historic wharf town before retracing your route. The quietness of the bay itself, protected by its gentle inlet, provides sheltered waters for beginners while still delivering the grandeur of the surrounding landscape.

Seasonal light and the long‑night walk

Between late September and early November the sky over Baie‑Sainte‑Catherine begins to tilt, granting extended twilight that stretches across both rivers. Walkers who time their trek along the riverbank during this period experience a subtle, golden glow that transforms the cliffs into silhouettes against a soft, amber sky. Photographers note that the low sun accentuates the layered sedimentary cliffs, revealing textures invisible under the high summer light. The quiet streets, with only a handful of residents, lend a contemplative atmosphere—ideal for those who value solitude over crowded scenic spots. Pair the walk with a stop at the modest local bakery for fresh croissants, and you’ll have a taste of provincial life framed by one of Quebec’s most striking light shows.

Beyond the ferry: integrating the Charlevoix‑Est loop

While the ferry provides easy access across the Saguenay, travellers often overlook the opportunity to complete the Charlevoix‑Est circular route, which strings together several small villages, coastal lookouts, and artisan workshops. Starting in Baie‑Sainte‑Catherine, a short detour onto Route 138 leads to the historic hydropower sites at Port‑Aux‑Basques, then on to the modest vineyards of Île‑Aux‑Grues, where you can sample locally produced ice‑wine. The loop finishes back at the bay, allowing a relaxed pace that showcases the region’s blend of industrial heritage, agricultural niche, and maritime culture. This itinerary helps visitors understand how Baie‑Sainte‑Catherine functions not merely as a ferry terminal but as a node in a broader rural tapestry.

Introduction

Municipality in Quebec, CanadaBaie-Sainte-CatherineMunicipalityLocation within Charlevoix-Est RCMBaie-Ste-CatherineLocation in central QuebecCoordinates: 48°06′N 69°44′W / 48.100°N 69.733°W / 48.100; -69.733Country CanadaProvince QuebecRegionCapitale-NationaleRCMCharlevoix-EstSettledc. 1820ConstitutedNovember 4, 1903Government • MayorDonald Kenny • Federal ridingMontmorency—Charlevoix • Prov. ridingCharlevoix–Côte-de-BeaupréArea • Total419.74 km2 (162.06 sq mi) • Land232.89 km2 (89.92 sq mi)Population (2021) • Total184 • Density0.8/km2 (2.1/sq mi) • Pop (2016-21) 10.7% • Dwellings125Time zoneUTC−5 (EST) • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)Postal code(s)G0T 1A0Area codes418 and 581Highways R-138Websitewww.baiestecatherine.com Baie-Sainte-Catherine (French pronunciation: [bɛ sɛ̃t katʁin]) is a municipality/town in Quebec, Canada. The municipal's territory extends along the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers, whereas the town itself is on the small St. Catherine Bay, which is located at the confluence of these two rivers. Its elevation is 260 feet. It is the west terminus of the Baie-Ste-Catherine / Tadoussac ferry, which offers free and frequent service across the Saguenay River to Tadoussac. The ferry is part of Quebec Route 138 which is the main land link to Sept-Îles along the Côte-Nord. Baie-Sainte-Catherine is a gateway to the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park and to the Saguenay Conservation Park. Therefore it caters to tourism, particularly to whale-watching cruises on the Saint Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers.

History

[edit] Baie-Sainte-Catherine has the reputation of being the location of the historic meeting on May 27, 1603, between François Gravé Du Pont and Samuel de Champlain and the leaders of three Indian nations with whom they concluded an agreement that opened the Saint Lawrence River to French explorers. On the stormy evening of November 27, 1686, the ship La Catherine went aground and sank in the bay at the mouth of the Saguenay River. On the 1731 map by Laure, this bay was identified as "Ance à la Catherine" (archaic French for "Catherine Cove"). At some uncertain point in time, "Saint" was added, following the former widespread practice in Quebec of sanctifying toponyms. Around 1820, the first permanent settlers came to the Canard River area and formed a farming village. In 1843, William Price built a sawmill at the first falls on Canards River, that operated some ten years. In 1847, the mission was founded, and named "Saint-Firmin" by the bishop of Quebec. Its first cemetery opened in 1865 on Alouettes Point, followed by the first chapel of St. Firmin Mission in 1876, also on Alouettes Point. At the beginning of the 20th century, it transformed into an industrial village when another sawmill and cheese factory operated there. In 1903, the village was incorporated as the Municipality of Saint-Firmin. But since the place was called Baie-Sainte-Catherine in common use, the municipality officially adopted this name in 1984.

Demographics

[edit] Population[edit] Canada census – Baie-Sainte-Catherine community profile 202120162011 Population184 (-10.7% from 2016)206 (+1.0% from 2011)204 (-10.1% from 2006) Land area232.89 km2 (89.92 sq mi)236.37 km2 (91.26 sq mi)236.62 km2 (91.36 sq mi) Population density0.8/km2 (2.1/sq mi)0.9/km2 (2.3/sq mi)0.9/km2 (2.3/sq mi) Median age61.2 (M: 61.6, F: 61.2)56.9 (M: 56.8, F: 57.0)53.5 (M: 54.5, F: 51.8) Private dwellings125 (total)  97 (occupied)132 (total)  191 (total)  Median household income$n/a$n/a$n/a Notes: Income data suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. References: 2021 2016 2011 Historical Census Data - Baie-Sainte-Catherine, QuebecYearPop.±% 1911 285—     1921 248−13.0% 1931 387+56.0% 1941 401+3.6% 1951 414+3.2% 1956 455+9.9% 1961 492+8.1%YearPop.±% 1966 546+11.0% 1971 536−1.8% 1976 505−5.8% 1981 424−16.0% 1986 378−10.8% 1991 312−17.5% 1996 295−5.4%YearPop.±% 2001 273−7.5% 2006 227−16.8% 2011 204−10.1% 2016 206+1.0% 2021 184−10.7%Source: Statistics Canada Language[edit] Mother tongue (2021): English as first language: 0% French as first language: 97.3% English and French as first language: 0% Other as first language: 0%