Rimouski between the riverside promenade and maritime history

Rimouski combines a long riverside promenade along the St. Lawrence River with maritime history, art and diverse natural landscapes. The 4.3-kilometre Promenade de la mer runs through the city centre. There are also museums with different areas of focus, an obstacle course and experiences involving a lighthouse and a submarine. When choosing a vacation rental for a stay in Rimouski, you can consider whether spending time together by the river, culture or nature should be the main focus.

Exploring the St. Lawrence River

The Promenade de la mer has an adjoining bike path and twelve pedestrian crossings. Signs along the promenade provide information about Rimouski’s maritime history, as well as local fauna and flora. This lets you combine time by the river with insights into the history and nature of the surrounding area. The route is 4.3 kilometres long—a specific distance you can take into account when planning your day.

Art, history and theatre

The Musée de Rimouski is housed in the oldest church east of Québec. Its collection spans contemporary art, history and science. The museum is not limited to a single area of interest: art enthusiasts can find something to engage with, as can visitors who prefer historical or scientific topics. The museum offers tours, creative activities and school trips year-round.

The Musée de la mer offers a different maritime perspective. It is still in operation and features an exhibition about the Empress of Ireland tragedy. With its year-round programme, the Théâtre du Bic focuses on contemporary dance and newly developed theatre productions. The options range from museum visits to performing arts; when planning your trip, you can consider which of these experiences would be of particular interest to your group.

Nature and maritime discoveries

Parc national du Bic encompasses a variety of habitats: coastal areas, salt marshes, cliffs and forests are home to a rich diversity of wildlife and plant life. The park can be reached via Route 132 between Saint-Fabien and Le Bic, a district of Rimouski. If you’re most interested in experiencing the area’s different landscapes and habitats, you can make this natural setting a focus of your trip.

In Pointe-au-Père, the lighthouse is 33 metres tall and offers a unique view of the St. Lawrence River. At the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père, you can board the 90-metre-long Onondaga submarine and explore life aboard a submarine. The Empress of Ireland museum there covers the largest shipwreck in Canadian history. These attractions offer different experiences: scenic views, a glimpse of life on board and the story of a shipwreck.

Local and active experiences

At Maison Lamontagne, bread is baked in the outdoor oven every Saturday during the summer season. Baking sessions are cancelled if it rains. If this traditional craft is among your travel interests, Saturday during the summer season is the time to keep in mind.

The free Parcours des Braves is about 225 metres long and includes suspension bridges, balance cables, a slide, a zip line and climbing structures. These obstacles make the course an active alternative to museum and nature experiences.

More local pages: Le Bic, Saint-Fabien, Saint-Anaclet.

For the broader travel overview: Rimouski-Neigette.