Edmundston

The city of Edmundston is roughly 95% francophone, the highest proportion in New Brunswick. Unlike the rest of the Maritimes, the majority of Francophones in Edmundston aren't descended from the Acadians but rather from French-Canadians that came up from Lower Canada (modern day Quebec), and are commonly known as Brayons. Some of the Brayons think of themselves as neither Acadian nor Québécois and their accent (l'accent brayon) is fairly distinct from the Québécois and Acadian accents. However others embrace Acadian roots, and it is not uncommon to see the Acadian flag flown.
Edmundston's economy is focused on the Saint John River paper industry. The river has provided water power for the mills and was the route of log drives bringing pulpwood from upstream forests. Forestry is one of the city's major industries, with several sawmills and paper plants in the vicinity, the largest being the Twin Rivers pulp mill. The town's economy is highly dependent upon cross-border trade. Edmundston and the smaller American city of Madawaska are considered by residents to be one community. An illuminated sign and plastics manufacture owned by Pattison Sign is also important to the city's economy. IPL, a company that manufactures plastic eating utensils, has a facility in Edmundston. The city is the site of the regional hospital for the area. There is a campus of the French-language University of Moncton in Edmundston. The New Brunswick Community college system has a campus in Edmundston.

Edmundston is on Trans-Canada Highway 2 between Fredericton and the Quebec border. It is across the river from and has an international border crossing with Madawaska, Maine.
Maritime Bus runs buses to Edmundston from Rivière-du-Loup in Quebec at 4:30AM and 1PM (2½ hr, $29.50), and from Fredericton at 14:15 and 19:10 (3 hr 25 min, $53.25).
Edmundston Airport (ICAO:CYES) is north west of the city, and its runway straddles the border with Quebec. It does not appear to have any regular flights. The closest major airport is Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle (PQI), Maine, 103 km from Edmundston. The nearest major airport in Canada is Mont-Joli Airport (YYY). This airport has domestic flights and is about 138 km from Edmundston.

• Taxi Camille

  phone: +1 506-739-8480
  address: 145, rue Victoria

• Madawaska Historical Museum

  phone: +1 506-737-5282
  address: 195 boulevard Hébert
  The museum presents themed exhibitions and the Colline Art Gallery. The museum consists of two exhibition rooms; the Heritage room presents theme exhibitions all year round. The Galerie Colline is a center for contemporary art. The museum also has a permanent antique collection.

• New Brunswick Botanical Garden

  phone: +1 506 737-4444
  address: 15 Main St
  A number of themed gardens including annuals, perennials, rhododendrons, an alpine garden and a rose garden.

• Petit-Sault Blockhouse

  phone: +1 506-735-5282
  address: 14 avenue Saint-Jean
  Reconstruction of a blockhouse that was built during the Aroostook Bloodless War. Built in 1841 at the height of the boundary dispute between the United States and Great Britain, this small fort was part of a defensive line that extended as far as Quebec. Destroyed by lightning in 1855, it was rebuilt in 2000, in accordance with the original specifications

• Railroad Interpretation Center

  phone: +1 506-739-9644
  address: 1091 Victoria Street
  The museum is a 1900s train shed replica. The exhibit changes every year and relates the life of railway-men. A HO 1/87 scale lay-out constantly changes. You see a great deal of different modeling aspect like cars, structures, engines, scenery and many scale kilometers of tracks. Replicas and of boardwalk will lead you to a covered railway bridge and to the hall of fame.

• Mont Farlagne

  phone: +1 506 739-7669
  address: 360 Ch Mont Farlagne
  Skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, fat biking.

• De La Republique Provincial Park

  phone: +1 506 735-2525
  address: 31 Isidore-Boucher Blvd., Saint-Jacques
  The park features scenic hiking and cycling trails, 2 volleyball courts, a fully equipped outdoor playground, 2 tennis courts, horseshoe pits, boat ramp, picnic sites and shelter, a playroom for indoor activities and a heated swimming pool. Enjoy an evening of local talent as you tap your feet to the sounds of l'Acadie des Terres et Forêts en Fête, a lively show celebrating Acadian history though song, dance and theatre. The show is presented in a roofed outdoor amphitheatre on park grounds. Also on site are a boutique, poolside terrace and convenience store.

There are the usual big box stores in this town.

• Le Deck

  phone: +1 506-353-3325
  address: 192 Rue Victoria
  Sports bar/pub.

• Kinh Do Restaurant

  phone: +1 506 739-7541
  address: 53 Chemin Canada
  Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese.

• De La Republique Provincial Park Camping

  phone: +1 506 735-2525
  address: 31 Isidore-Boucher Blvd., Saint-Jacques
  The campground has over 150 campsites, 100 of which have electricity. Rustic shelters are also available for those looking for a camping alternative. Laundry facilities are available on site. Also on site are a boutique, poolside terrace and convenience store.

• Comfort Inn Edmundston

  phone: +1 506-739-8361
  address: 5 Bateman Avenue
  Free breakfast and Wi-Fi. An exercise room and a business centre are available on site. A non-smoking environment. A 5-minute drive from City Hall Square, while Fraser Marina is within a 7-minute drive. Mount-Farlagne Ski Hill is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

• Happy Motel

  address: 33 17th Street
  Less than 1 km off the Trans-Canada Highway. Central Edmundston is less than 5 minutes' walk away. Free Wi-Fi and a small refrigerator in each room. On-site launderette. Ironing services are also available. Edmundston Golf Club is 2 km from the motel. The Université de Moncton - Campus D'Edmundston is less than 10 minutes' walk away.

• Office of tourism Edmundston Madawaska

  phone: +1 506-737-1850
  address: 121 rue Victoria