Riviere du Loup is the northern gateway to the Gaspe Peninsula along the scenic Route 132. The area is also known for its eight beautiful waterfalls, the largest of which drops 30 metres, along the drop toward the St Lawrence.
Riviere du Loup is a seaside town of 15,000, roughly the opposite bank from where the massive Saguenay pours its nutrients into the St Lawrence. In the Fall, large numbers of whales migrate through the nearby waters. The area is known for its eight waterfalls, the largest of which drops 30 metres, and can be accessed via rue de la Chute and rue Frontenac. You can explore the town best by parking your car on Rue Fraser, and walking about, following the self-guided pathway.
There are three legends why the town was so-named: first legend tells of a French ship, “Le Loup”, said to have anchored at the mouth of the river in the winter of 1659-1660. The second stems from a tribe of Indians known as “Les loups” that made their home on the site of the present city. The third, and perhaps most plausible legend, comes from the numerous “Loups Marins” (seals) that used to live at the mouth of the river.
The Riviere du Loup seigneury was granted to a wealthy Quebec merchant Charles Aubert de la Chasnaye in 1673. The town grew as a major communications centre connecting Quebec with the Maritimes, and at one point was the eastern terminus of the railroads. Today is the turnoff from Highway 20 south to New Brunswick along the Trans-Canada, and the terminus of the ferry north to Saint Simeon on the St Lawrence’s north shore.
32, rue Fraser,
Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, G5R 1C2
(418) 867-3906 Off season: (418) 862-6396
Wonderfully restored 1830 manor house and interpretation center, with restored basement and roof, furnished with the furniture of the 1830s. Interpretation panels and multimedia discuss the evolution of the seigneurery, the Fraser family and the town of Fraserville. Open daily from June 24 to Thanksgiving, from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $3.50.
300, rue Saint-Pierre,
Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, G5R 3V3
(418) 862-7547 Fax: (418) 862-3019
The Museum of the Lower-Saint-Laurence showcases the visual arts, both contemporary and by famous artists. A room is devoted to the artists of the changing of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. With more than 200 000 stereographs, the Museum has one of the most significant collections of old photographs of Canada. There is also an experimental multimedia presentation Vertigo Terræ from Maurice-George Dyens Guided tours: French, English. Open year-round late Sept – mid June Mon & Wed 6 pm to 9 pm; summertime daily 1 pm to 5 pm. Admission $3.50.
189, rue Hôtel-de-Ville
Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, G5R 5C4
(Highway Jean-Lesage, Notre-Dame-du-Portage.)
(418) 862-1981, (418) 868-1666
Seasonal tourist office, Open daily, from end of June through early September, from 9 am to 7 pm.
199, rue Hayward, C.P. 172
Rivière-du-Loup (Qc.) G5R 3Y8
Experience the St Lawrence River at its natural best. Capacity of 100 vehicles and 409 people, with a crossing time of 65 minutes
Schedule and Fares:
Riviere du Loup (south shore): (418) 862-5094 Office: (418) 862-9545 Fax: (418) 862-5382
Saint-Siméon (north shore):(418) 638-2856 Office:(418) 638-5530
80, boul. Cartier,
Rivière-du-Loup G5R 2M7
(418) 868-0800 fax; (418) 867-1619
The permanent exposure of the Museum presents more than 135 miniature boats worked at the hand by more than 20 craftsmen of the area. A series of sculptures evokes the legends of the area whereas a new showroom proposes 10 paintings of legends of the cities and the villages, of Pocatière with Matane.
Guided tours: French, English. Open Mid-May – Thanksgiving
112, rue de la Grève, Cacouna
(418) 867-4618 / 1 888 399-2393
Visit the smallest First Nations reserve in Canada, the one about the Malécite de Viger First Nation. Interpretation, Aboriginal traditional activities, handcrafts shop.
1, rue Taché Ouest
Saint-Hubert-de-Rivière-du-Loup, G0L 3L0
(418) 497-3530 Fax: (418) 497-3934
The Presbytery is a place of religious and architectural history to discover absolutely! Its site corresponds to that of the first vault of the parish. In certain places the floor of origin is still visible. The walls, the staircase and the moldings are also of time. Follow the guide and to go back in time to discovered of the history of the parish whose Presbytery is made the eloquent witness! Tours in French only.
470, rue Beaulieu, Cacouna
(418) 862-0163
This recreation area has something for everyone, young and old alike. Go rollerblading, play tennis, volley-ball, petanque and much more.
The municipal campground and the beach at “Lac de la Grande-Fourche” are charming to do some nautical activities.
551, route du fleuve, Notre-Dame-du-Portage
(418)-862-9163
Municipal pool, heated salt water, overlooking the river, open June to August. Admission charged.
200, rue Hayward,
Rivière-du-Loup
(418) 867-3361 in season 1 800 563-4643 year round Fax: (418) 692-0845
Experience a maritime safari. Departures from the Rivière-du-Loup marina.
200, rue Hayward, Rivière-du-Loup
(418) 867-1660 Fax: (418) 867-3639
Cruises and guided tours on the lower St-Lawrence Islands. Departures from the Rivière-du-Loup marina.
(418) 851-9955 / 1 800 817-9999 Off season: (418) 354-2253
Whale-watching cruises. Departures from the Trois-Pistoles marina and occasionally from the dock of L’Isle-Verte.
371, route 132, L’Isle-Verte
(418) 898-2757
1850 Maison Girard houses a permanent exhibitions on peat bogs and the plants. Footpaths following the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River.
Route de l’Île, Cacouna
(418) 898-2757
Best area for observing shorebirds with a 2 km intermediate-level nature paths.
189, Hôtel-de-Ville,
Rivière-du-Loup G5R 5C4
(418) 862-1981 / 1 888 825-1981
Orientation Centre for The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, which is a National Marine Conservation Area, bet known for is pods of Beluga Whales. It is one of three in the Canadian national park system, located where the Saguenay River meets the Saint Lawrence River. It is the first national park in Québec to protect a purely marine environment. Many neighbouring protected areas contribute to the Marine Park’s protection: Charlevoix World Biosphere Reserve, Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay, the Baie de L’Isle-Verte and Îles de l’Estuaire National Wildlife Areas, certain Lower St. Lawrence private islands, and the St. Fulgence marsh.
Notre-Dame-du-Portage
(418) 862-9163
Rest areas overlooking the river. One of them part of L’Estuaire (bicycle path).
Rue du Quai, Cacouna
(418) 862-0163
One of the locations for the TV series “Bouscotte”
Park along the shores of Rivière Verte, not far from the tourist information booth.
Falling from a height of 33 meters, this waterfall is located right in the centre of town, via rue Frontenac. The newly landscaped park around the falls includes interpretation paths with panels depicting the history, geology, early hydroelectric industry and the impact of the falls on the economic development of the town.
Park facilities for the whole family to enjoy include a playground, a walkingpath, a 5 km bike path, picnic tables and gazebos. There is also a reception building offering various services.
This is the perfect spot to take in our spectacular sunsets over the water. Go down the Côte-des-Bains, which leads to the Parc de la Pointe on Rue Mackay. (418) 867-8796
Super Motocross intérieur (mid May), Gala des musiciens (June), Festival d’été, Zoom Champêtre (late June), Festival de l’humour (late June), Show Bud Rock (mid July), Festival de l’été (mid July), Soirée des Vieux Loups (mid July), Soirée des Vieux Loups (mid July), Plein Feux Rivière-du-Loup (late July), Festival d’été (late July), Sentier de la Bouette (end July), Course de motoneiges sur le lac (August), , Soirée des Vieux Loups (early August), Festival Hommage (mid August).
