Côte-Nord

Between nature and the extraordinary

Côte-Nord is a vast territory stretching from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon, from Schefferville to Anticosti Island. It offers 1,300 kilometres of coastline and countless breathtaking landscapes and invigorating activities. A top destination for nature lovers, hunters, fishers, wildlife watchers, plant enthusiasts, photographers, and archaeology buffs, Côte-Nord will ignite your deepest passions. The boreal forest, the northern climate, powerful rivers, and abundant natural resources are all treasures to the people of the North Shore. If you love nature and adventure, this vast wilderness is calling the explorer in you!

Area: 236 502 km²
Main cities: Sept-Îles (25 671 people), Baie-Comeau (21 658 people), Port-Cartier (6 640 people), Havre-Saint-Pierre (3 471 people), Forestville (3 163 people)

For more informations : Tourisme Côte-Nord

Cégeps in the région

Économie

Agriculture, fisheries and food: commercial fishing and seafood processing, berry and potato farming, permaculture
Natural resources: energy, forestry, mining, metallurgy
Key industries: marine resources, science and technology; mining and metallurgical process engineering
Health care and social services

For more informations: Services Québec

Key features

93 932 residents
Whales
Hydroelectric power statio
Islands
Kayaking
Fishing

Interview by Alain Lallier, Editor-in-Chief, Portail du réseau collégial

Léa Ouvrier is from the Haute-Savoie region of France. She’s 21 years old and already holds a French baccalauréat in economics and social sciences, completed three years ago. Hoping to become a speech therapist, she continued her studies with a year in linguistics at university, then attempted competitive entrance exams — where only about 100 of 2,000 applicants are selected. She took the exams twice, missing success by just a few points.

"While I was in Lyon, I went to a career fair to explore other options. That’s where I came across the Cégep de Baie-Comeau booth. I explained my background and interests, and that’s where I met Isabelle Gagnon, a teacher, who introduced me to the Early Childhood Education program. What had always drawn me to speech therapy was working with children on language development. I found that same passion in this program, with the bonus of a more holistic approach to child development. That’s what truly excites me."

Why Baie-Comeau?
Why did she choose Baie-Comeau, when this program is offered in many places across Quebec? Léa says Isabelle Gagnon’s approach reassured her and gave her confidence:
"I also had the chance to speak with a second-year student who reassured me about the structure and support at the Cégep — that we’re never left to manage alone. There’s always someone to talk to. So I didn’t hesitate any further. Choosing Baie-Comeau felt less intimidating than a big city. I thought I might be more isolated in a remote region, but I’d be less alone than in a large urban centre. Plus, I come from a small village where everything’s nearby and people are really close-knit. I’ve traded my big Savoie mountains for wide rivers and a majestic river. As for snow, I’m kind of used to it..."

Recognizing past achievements
Since Léa had a French baccalauréat, she received credit for all courses where she scored above 10 out of 20. She only has to retake those where she scored below. She’s grateful that her previous learning was recognized — something that doesn’t happen in France.

A warm welcome
Léa came to Quebec on her own. Now, her brother and cousin are thinking of following in her footsteps. At the Cégep, she met other French students:
"When I arrived, the Cégep organized a welcome for international students. They asked us to arrive on August 12 during the day and met us at the airport. They picked us all up and brought us to Quebec City, where we spent the night in a youth hostel and the next day visiting different places together. We travelled to Baie-Comeau in small groups. Among the international students, several were from France. I now share a place with a girl from Côte d’Ivoire. That first four days really helped us bond as a group. It was a great welcome!"

No regrets
After a month, Léa has no regrets. "The welcome was warm. We’re not alone. The student residences are well equipped. Even people on the street are friendly. You can talk to anyone. Everything is in place to make you feel comfortable and to help you adapt quickly. I think it’s amazing!"

At night, Léa dreams of sausages and reblochon cheese...
One challenge? Food. "I come from Haute-Savoie where we have easy access to lots of fresh, high-quality local products. Here in the supermarkets, it’s different from France. We don’t know the brands. Things taste different. It’s a challenge to find what suits us. I’m having trouble adjusting to local specialties. At night, I dream of sausages and reblochon cheese," she laughs.

Will she stay in Quebec after her studies?
When she left France, Léa thought she’d go back right after graduation — her family had asked her to return because of the distance. "But now, through my program, I’m discovering the local daycare system and how well developed it is. There are job opportunities here. It’s the kind of place where I could see myself working. I’m thinking about staying after I graduate. It depends on how my three years go. It’s still early to decide, but I’m keeping that option open."

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