Fermont

Fermont is a mining town located in the regional county municipality of Caniapiscau in the northern part of the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. This municipality includes Mont-Wright, an iron ore extraction sector, as well as Monts Severson (altitude: 840 m).

Its infrastructure makes it unique, including the "Wall", a long building serving as a screen against the north winds. It is a popular destination for hunting and fishing, as well as organized sports and recreation. Formerly isolated, with no access road, this northern town is increasingly accessible thanks to Route 389 linking Baie-Comeau to Labrador-City.

Understand

Along with its neighbouring towns Wabush and Labrador City in Labrador, Fermont is part of the Labrador Trough. The Mont-Wright sector has a vast mining centre from which iron ore is extracted, hence the name Fermont. The city stands out for its main building, Place Daviault, commonly known as "Le Mur". It brings together the main businesses and services of the city in addition to housing a good number of housing units. It includes a grocery store, a post office, primary and secondary schools, a hotel and various sports facilities. The building is 1.5 km long and high. Its nickname is not accidental, because the building actually serves as a wall protecting the city against strong winds from the north. It also aims to allow its residents to participate in a living environment integrating a range of activities and services without having to leave the building in winter. In addition to this legendary screen wall, the city has many single and row houses in the area south and southwest of the screen wall. The village covers a tip of the northern part of Lake Daviault.

Fermont Tourist Information Office (Bureau d'information touristique de Fermont), 100, rue Le Carrefour, 52.79785°, -67.09082°, +1-418-287-5339. This tourist information office provides tourist information and travel advice for the entire region.

Climate

In Fermont, the average temperature in January is a maximum of 29°C and a minimum of -17°C. The average temperature in July is a minimum of 8°C and a maximum of 19°C.

In Fermont, on average, the amount of sunshine in July is 16.5 hours, compared to 8 hours in December and January. On average, snow cover is 517 millimeters in December and 488.9 millimeters in January.

Get in

By car

Take Quebec Route 389 starts at Baie-Comeau heading north. From Baie-Comeau, it is a journey of 567 km. Labrador City is about 27 km away along Highway 500 (Trans-Labrador Highway) in Newfoundland and Labrador, which becomes Quebec Route 389, once the highway enters Quebec.

By plane

Airport

The closest airport to Fermont is Wabush in Labrador, 32 km (via Highway 389) from downtown Fermont. The city includes an aquatic aerodrome to receive seaplanes, located in Lake Daviault, as well as a heliport (located northwest of the village).

Wabush Airport (IATA: YWK), 52.922778°, -66.864722°, +1 709-282-5412. It handles flights from other airports in Labrador such as Goose Bay (1.25 hours) and the island of Newfoundland and cities in Quebec including Montreal (3.75-4 hours including multiple stops on the flight). Rental cars are available at the airport.

By rail

A railway connects Fermont to Port-Cartier, however it is mainly used for transporting iron ore, as well as bulky mining materials and equipment.

Get around

The centre of the village of Fermont is located 3.9 km south of Route 389 (linking Baie-Comeau to Labrador City) which passes on the north side of Mont-Wright and the village of Fermont. Heading east, from the village of Fermont, it bypasses Lac Daviault to head northeast towards Labrador City.

Location Sauvageau, 401, rue le Carr (in the village of Fermont), 52.799067°, -67.0837°, +1-418-287-5295. Rental service for cars, trucks, off-road vehicles (quads, snowmobiles) and accessories (gps, signaling light for service vehicles, trailer hitch...).
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 320, rue du Fer, 52.80129°, -67.8670°, +1-418-287-5088. Car rental agency.
Libre Service Fermont Inc (Gas Station), 401, rue le Carr (in the village of Fermont), 52.79935°, -67.08373°, +1 418-287-5252. Esso service station.

See

Mont-Wright mining complex (Complexe minier de Mont-Wright), 52.7408°, -67.3472°. Surface mine and iron ore mill operated by Arcelor Mittal Mining Canada. Includes an impressive fleet of mining equipment including the largest production trucks in Eastern Canada and the largest cable shovels in the world. Reservations at the Fermont tourist information office are compulsory for visits. Wearing long sleeves and closed shoes with flat heels is mandatory. The visit is prohibited for children under 10 years old. It is forbidden to bring a video camera. Free 2022-07-27

Do

Walking path Mini-beach (Sentier pédestre Mini-plage), 38, rue du Lac (on the shore of Lake Daviault), 52.79263°, -67.08171°. 2022-07-27
Mont-Daviault hiking trail (Sentier pédestre du Mont-Daviault), rue Duchesneau (start of the trail, near Lac Daviault, south of the village), 52.78456°, -67.10403°. 2022-07-27
Outdoor skating rink (Patinoire extérieure), 13, rue du Camp, 52.80013°, -67.09501°, +1 418-287-5471. 2022-07-27
Carheil Lake Beach (Plage du lac Carheil), 52.73790°, -67.10982°. Magnificent beach in a forest area. 2022-07-27
Multifunctional centre (Centre multifonctionnel), 52.79883°, -67.08972°. Theatre. 2022-07-27
Municipal swimming pool of Fermont (Piscine municipale de Fermont), 52.79885°, -67.08869°. Indoor pool. 2022-07-27
Jean-Fortin Park (Parc Jean-Fortin), 52.80123°, -67.09101°. Municipal park. 2022-07-27

Events

Taiga Challenge (Festival) (Défi Taïga (Festival)), 3, Venelle 5 (west of the screen wall), 52.79841°, -67.09380°, +1 418-341-0355. The Taiga Challenge is the longest sled dog race in Eastern Canada. This competition turns out to be the main activity of the Taïga Carnaval de Fermont. 2022-07-27

Buy

Metro Coop Fermont, 299, rue le Carr, local 7 (in the shopping centre), +1-418-287-3468. Grocery store.

Eat

Casse-croûte de l'aréna, +1-418-287-9444. 2022-07-27
L'Authentique Bistro, 299, rue le Carr (in the shopping centre), 52.798588°, -67.086021°, +1-418-287-3005. 2022-07-27
Resto-Bar Zonix, 299, rue le Carr (in the shopping centre), 52.798243°, -67.084741°, +1-418-287-5250. 2022-07-27
MFQ Cafeteria (Cafétéria MFQ), 388, rue du Fer, 52.80181°, -67.08664°. Restaurant. 2022-07-27
VardyMadden Ltd, rue Bertrand, 52.80505°, -37.09935°, +1-514-478-1963. Restaurant. 2022-07-27

Drink

Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), 52.79911°, -67.08675°. 2022-07-27
Bar La Fer-Tek, 250, rue le Carr, 52.79913°, -67.08680°. Meals served on site. 2022-07-27

Sleep

Hotel Fermont, 299, rue le Carr (in the screen wall), 52.798567°, -67.084456°, +1 418-287-5451, hotel.fermont@diffusionfermont.ca. Poor reviews online. Reception open 11:00-20:00 only. Arrive 30 minutes before closing. $195, breakfast not included 2022-09-09
Motel Vent Du Nord, 115, rue de l'Hématite (near the screen wall), 52.79982°, -67.08204°, reservation@motelventdunord.com. Offer of 20 rooms, 19 of which have a queen-size bed. The establishment offers a dining area equipped with a convection oven, a toaster, two microwaves, etc. Common area with magnificent fireplace and giant screen.

Gîtes

Gite at Alexis (Gîte chez Alexis), 3, Venelle 5, 52.797514°, -67.086158°, +1-709-987-0355, gitechezalexis@gmail.com.
Chambres Fermont, +1-709-280-1819, info@chambresfermont.com. Several rooming houses and apartments for rent in Fermont.

Camping

Fermont Outdoor Leisure Association (Association loisir plein air de Fermont), 300, rue des Lagopèdes, +1-418-287-3927. Check-in: Open in summer, check-out: undefined. 2022-07-27
Fermont Campground (Camping de Fermont), 52.80827°, -67.07742°. 2022-07-27
Camping auxiliary park (Parc auxiliaire de camping), 52.78931°, -67.10352°. Auxiliary campground. 2022-07-27

Cope

Caisse Desjardins des travailleuses et des travailleurs unis, 357, rue le Carr, 52.79933°, -67.082814°. ATM. 2022-07-27
Hematite Health Centre (Centre de santé l'Hématite), 1, rue Aquilon, 52.796679°, -67.090797°, +1-418-287-3280. 2022-07-27
Evangelical Church of Fermont (Église évangélique de Fermont), 235, rue le Carr, 52.796537°, -67.080197°, +1-418-287-9385. 2022-07-27

Connect

Canada-Post, 52.799909°, -67.08649°. 2022-07-27

Fermont - town in northeastern Quebec, Canada