Destination Sept-Iles, Quebec
Sept-Iles, Quebec is sort of a hidden gem when it comes to Canadian vacation spots. This lovely little town whose name Sept-Iles translates in English to “Seven Islands”. Located on the North Shore region of Quebec, it lies on the North Shore of the Star Lawrence River. The island is made up of 7 islands which provides a natural barrier to the bay.
Sept-Iles was a big shipping outlet for iron ore that was brought to the coast by railway. It is no longer used for this purpose, it still remains a very important economic center for the region and is the largest producer of iron ore in Canada . The island is also home to the largest producer (Alouette) of aluminum in North America.
Named by Jacques Cartier, the town was discovered in 1536, and founded in 1650. The town’s first inhabitants were a variety of indigenous people like the Montagnais and Innu people. The nomadic tribe of the Innu people learned to live off the land’s fishing, hunting, and berry picking in order to survive. Their ability to gain knowledge of the areas fauna and flora are still in use in survival today. They would spend the summer months gathering so they could live and survive in the winter months. But the town has grown significantly since the Innu first inhabited the island. The town is linked via ferry with the Gaspe’ Peninsula. The town is pronounced “Sets Ill”.
There was no road access so in 1908, the town got its first pier and the town grew rapidly from there. In fact, it went from 2,000 inhabitants in 1951 to more than 14,000 in 1961, then by 1981 it was 31,000. With the decline in iron ore, the population has since decreased and as of 2016 was about 28,534.
Sept-Iles was a big shipping outlet for iron ore that was brought to the coast by railway. It is no longer used for this purpose, it still remains a very important economic center for the region and is the largest producer of iron ore in Canada . The island is also home to the largest producer (Alouette) of aluminum in North America.
Named by Jacques Cartier, the town was discovered in 1536, and founded in 1650. The town’s first inhabitants were a variety of indigenous people like the Montagnais and Innu people. The nomadic tribe of the Innu people learned to live off the land’s fishing, hunting, and berry picking in order to survive. Their ability to gain knowledge of the areas fauna and flora are still in use in survival today. They would spend the summer months gathering so they could live and survive in the winter months. But the town has grown significantly since the Innu first inhabited the island. The town is linked via ferry with the Gaspe’ Peninsula. The town is pronounced “Sets Ill”.
There was no road access so in 1908, the town got its first pier and the town grew rapidly from there. In fact, it went from 2,000 inhabitants in 1951 to more than 14,000 in 1961, then by 1981 it was 31,000. With the decline in iron ore, the population has since decreased and as of 2016 was about 28,534.
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Sept-Iles, Quebec is a Port of Call for the following New England Cruises:
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Things to do in Sept-Iles, Quebec
Chateau Arnaud
Located on the Sept-Iles harbor, the Chateau Arnaud is the number one choice is overnight accommodations. This beautiful yet quaint hotel offers unmatched views of the bay.
The Destination
The Destination Tours offers several choices of shore excursions, 12 to be exact, and if you don't find one, they'll customize one for you!
Get to know Sept-Iles, Quebec
- Population was 28,534 (2016)
- Many notable NHL players are from Sept-Iles like Rob Zettler, Karl Dykhuis, and Steve Duchesne. Margot Kidder and Karen Cliche are also from Sept-Iles.
- Gordon Lightfoot wrote a song about the town called "Seven Island Suite"
- The French Ship Corossol wrecked on the island back in 1693.
- Sept-Iles is home to several major nesting sites like razorbills, murre, and black guillemots.
Updated 1/7/21 - pl