Chute-aux-Outardes (French pronunciation: [ʃyt oz‿utaʁd]) is a village municipality in Quebec, Canada, at the mouth of the Outardes River. It is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-west of Baie-Comeau along Route 138.
The Outardes River shapes daily life here more than any landmark. Early mornings witness a quiet routine: locals head to the banks to check their modest net‑fishing gear, while the river’s steady flow powers a modest hydro‑facility upstream. The waterway also doubles as a natural ice‑skate rink in late winter; residents lace up skates and glide under the low, amber glow of street lamps. For visitors, timing a stroll to coincide with the low tide reveals exposed river rocks that double as informal picnic ledges, offering unobstructed views across the water to the distant silhouette of Baie‑Comeau’s industrial skyline.
Travel logistics on Route 138
Route 138 is the main artery linking this village to the rest of the Côte‑Nord, but its character shifts dramatically over short distances. Between the outlying farms and the village centre, the highway narrows to a two‑lane stretch flanked by muskeg and spruce, demanding attentiveness from drivers unfamiliar with sudden wildlife crossings. Fuel stations are sparse; plan refuelling in Baie‑Comeau before heading south. Bike‑tourists will find the paved shoulder surprisingly smooth, making for a pleasant ride toward the river’s mouth, though wind gusts off the Gulf can be brisk, so a wind‑breaker is advisable.
Cultural pulse beyond the statistics
Though the population hovers around 1,400, community events weave a tight social fabric. The annual “Fête du Bûcheron” celebrates the region’s timber heritage with local musicians, a log‑splitting demonstration, and homemade butter tarts sold from portable stalls. Language is a living blend: while French dominates, you’ll hear a sprinkling of Innu‑aimun phrases in casual conversation, especially among the elders who recall the river’s historic role as a trade route. Engaging with residents over a shared cup of hot maple tea reveals stories of the river’s changing course, a perspective absent from any guidebook.
Introduction
Village municipality in Quebec, CanadaChute-aux-OutardesVillage municipality
Map of RCM with Chute-aux-Outardes highlightedChute-aux-OutardesLocation in Côte-Nord region of QuebecCoordinates: 49°07′N 68°24′W / 49.117°N 68.400°W / 49.117; -68.400CountryCanadaProvinceQuebecRegionCôte-NordRCMManicouaganConstitutedMarch 7, 1951Government • MayorChristian Malouin • Federal ridingCôte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan • Prov. ridingRené-LévesqueArea • Total9.76 km2 (3.77 sq mi) • Land7.51 km2 (2.90 sq mi)Population (2021) • Total1,391 • Density185.3/km2 (480/sq mi) • Pop (2016-21) 11% • Dwellings731Time zoneUTC−5 (EST) • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)Postal code(s)G0H 1C0Area codes418 and 581Highways R-138MAMH code96035Toponymie info13494Websitewww.municipalitecao.ca
Chute-aux-Outardes (French pronunciation: [ʃyt oz‿utaʁd]) is a village municipality in Quebec, Canada, at the mouth of the Outardes River. It is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-west of Baie-Comeau along Route 138.
Demographics
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In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Chute-aux-Outardes had a population of 1,391 living in 693 of its 731 total private dwellings, a change of -11% from its 2016 population of 1,563. With a land area of 7.51 km2 (2.90 sq mi), it had a population density of 185.2/km2 (479.7/sq mi) in 2021.
Historical census populations – Chute-aux-OutardesYearPop.±% 1951 648—     1956 923+42.4% 1961 1,336+44.7% 1966 1,921+43.8% 1971 1,930+0.5%YearPop.±% 1976 2,103+9.0% 1981 2,280+8.4% 1986 2,219−2.7% 1991 2,162−2.6% 1996 2,155−0.3%YearPop.±% 2001 1,968−8.7% 2006 1,853−5.8% 2011 1,644−11.3% 2016 1,563−4.9% 2021 1,391−11.0%Source: Statistics Canada
Mother tongue (2021):
English as first language: 0.4%
French as first language: 99.6%
English and French as first language: 0%
Other as first language: 0%
Education
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Centre de services scolaire de l'Estuaire operates francophone public schools, including:
École Richard
The Eastern Shores School Board operates anglophone public schools, including:
Baie Comeau High School in Baie-Comeau
