Matane

Nominally in eastern Québec's Bas-Saint-Laurent administrative region, Matane is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence where it serves as a gateway to the Gaspé Peninsula. A charming seaside community known for its excellent shrimp, Matane is the seat of "La Matanie" MRC (regional municipal county) and the largest economic centre serving the Gaspé region to the east. The town has about 15,000 inhabitants and the urban area nearly 25,000.
The Matane River, 101 km (63 miles) in length, is well-known as a good place to learn to fish.

• Local travel information

  address: 968 avenue du Phare Ouest

By car

Matane is on Québec Route 132, a road which makes a wide loop around the entire Gaspé coast, ultimately intersecting itself.

• and
  Jackaranga
  from Montréal, Québec City, Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski: Take Autoroute 20 east to Route 132, continuing downriver. A T-intersection in Sainte-Flavie shows "Route 132 East" intersecting with itself; continue straight ahead. If taking the second portion of A-20, at the roundabout in Mont-Joli take Route 132 towards Matane. (From Québec City, Matane is about 4 hours 20 minutes by car.)
• Jackaranga
  from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, take Route 132 west to Matane (a little over one hour drive).
• Jackaranga
  and
  Jackaranga
  from Gaspé, take Route 198 west to its end, then continue on Route 132 west to Matane (about 4 hours). As an alternative, take Route 132 west directly from Gaspé; it is more scenic as it follows the St. Lawrence (but takes a little over 4 hours).
• Jackaranga
  from Amqui, take Route 195 north to Matane (approximately an hour by car).

By boat

• From the north shore (Baie-Comeau or Godbout), it is possible to reach Matane via the Camille-Marcoux ferry, operated by la Société des traversiers du Québec. Advance reservations are recommended, especially if you plan to bring a vehicle.
• A marina at Matane serves those cruising on small craft.

By bus

• Orléans Express

  address: 521, avenue du Phare Est

By air

The closest regional airport is in Mont-Joli, a little under an hour west of Matane by road. As flights to regional airports can be expensive, consider other means of transport before booking a flight.

• National

  phone: +1 418-562-5343
  address: 795, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Hire cars.

• Phare-Musée maritime de Matane

  address: 968, avenue du Phare Ouest
  1906-era lighthouse with 20-m tower. Museum includes the wheelhouse equipment of a modern ship. View maritime traffic, the wind farm, the Chic-Choc Mountains and the city. The keeper's house is the regional tourist bureau. Average length of visit 1 hour.

• Centre d'observation de la montée du saumon

  phone: +1 418-562-7006
  address: 260, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Observe Atlantic salmon in two windowed basins installed into the salmon ladder/fishway. Photography and artefacts describe the history of the Matane river and its dams. Introductory and advanced lessons in salmon fishing available on request. Average length of visit 1 hour.

• Les Jardins de Doris

  phone: +1 418-562-4542
  address: 645, avenue Henri-Dunant
  Among the 50 gardens to visit ("50 jardins à visiter du Québec"), in area. Flowerbeds and rock gardens, butterfly aviary, sundials, giant chess game, observation tower, animal park, zen garden, cactus, fruit trees, bird watching, souvenir shop. Average length of visit 1 hour 30 minutes.

• Réserve faunique de Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-3700
  address: 257, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Largest concentration of animals per square kilometre in Québec. Educational activities describe wildlife. Moose interpretative centre, black bear observation, photo safari, wildlife viewing in kayaks, hunting, fishing, hiking including 1000-metre mountains. Accommodation in cottages (BBQ and kayak included) located near a lake or river, camping.

• Centre d'interprétation de l'orignal

  phone: +1 418-562-3700
  address: in Matane Wildlife Reserve
  Information and education on moose and black bears, moose photo safari, black bear observation in their natural habitat, wildlife viewing by kayak, hiking trails. Lakeside cottage and campsite rental. Average length of visit 1 hour 30 minutes.

• La maison Horace-Bouffard

  phone: +1 418-566-6729
  address: 961, rang des Bouffard (Petit-Matane)
  Typical country house of the region, 20 th century atmosphere. The incredible story of the six Bouffard-Durette marriages is a verified Guinness record for the record books. Museum. Average length of visit 1 hr.

• Poste de traite de fourrures

  phone: +1 418-562-1065
  address: 655, avenue Henri-Dunant
  Reconstruction of Matane trading post, history of trapping in the region and ancestral trappers, exposition and interpretation that allows visitors to touch and admire furs.

• Sentier international des Appalaches-Québec

  address: information: 968, avenue du Phare Ouest, access via Matane wildlife reserve
  Trail traversing the entire Gaspé (more than 650 km). The section in the Matane wildlife reserve runs more than 100 km through the Chic-Chocs. Moose watching, camping on platforms or in closed shelters (reservation required), other services available (guides, transport, maps, etc.)

• Société de guides au saumon

  address: 443, rue Fournier
  Initiation to Atlantic salmon sport fishing with an instructor/guide. Includes equipment and transportation, fly fishing training, professional fishing guide certified according to national standards.

• SPS Marine

  address: 191, rue Savard
  Underwater diving accompagnied by certified guide. For certified divers only (special cases to be discussed, depending on availability of an instructor), boat trips or from shore. Rich wildlife and underwater flora, visual inspection service, diving air bottle station, equipment rentals (reservations required). Reservation 48 hours in advance.

• Club de golf de Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-4915
  address: 679, route 195
  Par 71 eighteen-hole course. Equipment rental, motorised carts, golf pro shop, driving range, restaurant, bar, patio. Professional training available.

• Parc des Îles et promenades des Capitaines

  phone: +1 418-562-9574
  address: downtown
  Supervised beach. Rent pedal boats, kayaks and rollerblades. Playground, mini golf.

• Club de quads Les Coyotes de Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-0223
  315 km of marked trails for all-terrain vehicles (ATV "quads" are "véhicules tout terrain" in Québec). Map available on website.

• Location Sport Aventure Éric St-Louis

  phone: +1 418-562-0075
  address: 487, route 132 (secteur Petit-Matane)
  Adventure sport rentals, sale and rental of hunting equipment, boats and engines, recreational vehicles, trailers and tent trailers, ATVs, motorcycles.

• École d'équitation La Cavalcade

  phone: +1 418-566-6559
  address: 2187, rue de Matane-sur-Mer
  Equestrian riding school.

• Jardins de l'Orme

  phone: +1 418-562-1048
  address: 1584, route du Grand-Détour
  Flowers, herbs, vegetables, handmade soaps.

Restaurants, cafés and bistros

• La Table du Capitaine

  address: 260, rue du Barachois
  Fish and seafood, lobster pound, lobster buffet (May 17 to July 12), grill, pizzas (including seafood pizza), pasta, menu for children. 75 seats, patio.

• Bistro Boréalis

  address: 985, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Sushi, fish and chips, smoked meat, Thai food, seafood, privately imported wines, desserts, roasted coffee. 60 seats, patio.

• Italia Pizzeria/Brasserie Le Vieux loup de mer

  phone: +1 418-562-3646
  address: 101, rue Saint-Pierre
  Canadian and Italian cuisine, menu of the day. 175 seats, orchestra on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

• Café aux Délices

  phone: +1 418-562-0578
  address: 109, rue Saint-Jean
  Canadian cuisine, Chinese and Italian dishes, seafood. 385 seats, terrace, evening entertainment.

• Restaurant du Chef

  phone: +1 418-562-0610
  address: 604, avenue du Phare Est
  Canadian, Chinese and Italian cuisine, pizzas. 72 seats.

• Restaurant La Terrasse

  phone: +1 418-562-6433
  address: 1550, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Seafood, barbecue/grill, ribs, Sunday brunch. 75 places.

• Restaurant-bar Le 21

  phone: +1 418-562-5521
  address: 750, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Steaks, seafood. 125 seats.

• St-Hubert Express

  phone: +1 418-562-4000
  address: 1305, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Roast chicken. 144 seats, patio.

• Crêperie-brûlerie Cafés du monde

  phone: +1 418-562-8002
  address: 338, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Crêpes bretonnes, paninis, seafood, daily specials, specialty coffee, micro-brewery beers, wines. 40 seats, wi-fi.

• Le Bistro "C"

  phone: +1 418-566-2960
  address: 318, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Fine bistro cuisine. 40 seats.

Markets

• Boulangerie Toujours Dimanche

  phone: +1 418-566-2030
  address: 443, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Bakery, artisan breads, pastries and treats, cafés, foccacias, sandwiches. Homemade products, natural and local ingredients. Boutique, visual arts exhibitions, free wi-fi.

• Fumoirs Raouls Roux Ltée

  phone: +1 418-562-9372
  address: 1259, rue de Matane-sur-Mer
  Internationally renowned smokehouse, original recipe, smoked fish including salmon, cod, shrimp, turbot and salmon mousse, homemade products such as salmon and seafood pâté.

• Poissonnerie Boréalis

  address: 985, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Fresh fish and seafood year-round, homemade products, fresh, frozen, smoked and pickled, sushi. Free tasting and packaging.

• Poissonnerie du Phare Ouest

  phone: +1 418-562-6125
  address: 935, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Fish, seafood and shellfish. Fresh, frozen, smoked, salted and dried.

• Poissonnerie Matanaise

  phone: +1 418-562-1292
  address: 301, rue Fournier
  Fish and fresh seafood, homemade products, fresh and frozen organic meat, egg rolls, free ice, free packaging.

• Saveurs Particulières

  address: 436, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Deli. Québec and imported products arrive weekly. Tastings.

• La Fabrique

  phone: +1 418-566-4020
  address: 360, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Brew pub. Restaurant (lunch and supper, $15-50) serving fish and seafood, sandwiches, burgers. Café-bistro menu and bistro-pub, international cuisine, local regional and organic products. Beer cuisine, beers brewed locally/on-site. 100 seats, patio, live popular music, art exhibitions, film screenings, storytelling evenings (see calendar).

Inns and guesthouses

• Gîtes des Îles

  phone: +1 418-562-6688
  address: 29, avenue Desjardins
  No smoking, pets welcome, Internet access. 2 units.

• Gîte le Lové du Pionner

  address: 1, rue Noël
  Non-smoking. Dining room, Internet access. 4 units. 3 stars.

• Auberge la Seigneurie

  address: 621, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Bike rental, laundry, daycare, Internet access. 12 units. 3 stars. Restaurant ($15-50, breakfast lunch and dinner) serves fine cuisine du terroir, cuisine québécoise, fish and seafood. 50 seats.

Hotels

• Riôtel Matane

  address: 250, avenue du Phare Est
  Pets allowed, air conditioning, sauna, Internet, on the beach. 96 units. 4 stars. Restaurant ($15-50, +1-800-463-7468) open for breakfast, dinner by reservation; cuisine includes fish and seafood, lobster (in season), grilled meat, pasta. Children's menu. 86 seats, patio, bar.

• Quality Inn & Suites Matane

  address: 1550, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Whirlpool bath, air conditioning, babysitting service, laundry, fitness room, sauna, outdoor pool, restaurant, Internet. 70 units. 4 stars.

Motels

• Hôtel-motel Belle Plage

  address: 1310, rue de Matane-sur-Mer
  Internet, daycare, sea view. 68 units. 3 stars. Restaurant (breakfast and supper, $15-50) serves fish and seafood, artisanal smoked salmon, lobster, grilled meat. Children's menu, lunch box. 100 seats, overlooking the sea.

• Hôtel-motel La Vigie

  address: 1600, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Non-smoking, pets allowed, whirlpool, restaurant, Internet, sea views. 44 units. 3 stars.

• Motel Le Campagnard

  phone: +1 418-562-4030
  address: 632, avenue du Phare Est
  No smoking, hot tub, units with kitchenettes available, daycare, restaurant, internet access, sea views. 26 units. 3 stars.

• Motel La Marina

  address: 1032, avenue du Phare Ouest
  No smoking, pets, units with kitchenettes available, outdoor pool, Internet, sea views. 43 units. 2 stars.

• Motel Le Beach

  phone: +1 418-562-1350
  address: 1441, rue de Matane-sur-Mer
  Pets allowed, laundry, restaurant, bar, billiards, Internet, sea views. 37 units. 2 stars.

• Motel Les Mouettes

  phone: +1 418-562-3345
  address: 143, avenue Fraser
  Pets allowed, Internet. 16 units. 1 star.

• Motel-restaurant-Bar Le Portage

  phone: +1 418-566-0252
  address: 1681, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Restaurant, Internet. 23 units. 2 stars.

Camping

• Camping Parc Sirois la baleine

  address: 2345, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Electric hookups, dump station, pets allowed, convenience store, laundry room, community room, Internet access, cottage rental. 97 sites.

• Camping Rivière Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-3414
  address: 150, route Louis-Félix-Dionne
  Electric hookups, dump station, propane, pets allowed, laundry room, community room, Internet access, camping equipment rental. 124 sites.

For all emergency services, dial 9-1-1.

Stay healthy

• Centre local de services communautaires (CLSC) de Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-3135
  address: 349, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Community clinic.

• Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-3135
  address: 333, rue Thibault
  Health centre.

Laundry

• Nettoyeur et buanderie d'Amours

  phone: +1 418-566-2660
  address: 97, rue d'Amours
  Cleaning and laundry

Repair garages

• Auto Tech

  phone: +1 418-566-6022
  address: 50, rue Émile-Pinel

• Autoplace Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-3165
  address: 458, avenue du Phare Est

• Garage Marcel Villeneuve

  phone: +1 418-562-0266
  address: 1786, avenue du Phare Ouest
  Volvo repair garage.

• Garage Réparations Denis Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-3165
  address: 458, avenue du Phare Est

Pharmacy

• Proxim pharmacie affiliée - Caron et Lavoie

  phone: +1 418-562-2727
  address: 228, rue Thibault
  Proxim affiliate pharmacy.

Banking

• Banque Nationale

  phone: +1 418-562-1205
  address: 750, avenue du Phare Ouest

• Caisse Desjardins

  phone: +1 418-562-2646
  address: 300, rue du Bon-Pasteur

Religious services

• Église baptiste évangélique de Matane

  phone: +1 418-566-9195
  address: 147, rue Thibault
  Evangelical Baptist church.

• Église évangélique de Pentecôte de Matane

  phone: +1 418-562-4766
  address: 131, rue Saint-Georges
  Pentecostal Evangelical church.

• Église Le-Très-Saint-Rédempteur

  phone: +1 418-562-0435
  address: 251, rue Thibault
  Roman Catholic church.

• Église Saint-Jérôme

  phone: +1 418-562-1144
  address: 527, avenue Saint-Jérôme
  Roman Catholic church.

• Église Saint-Victor

  address: 686, rue de la Grève (Petit-Matane)
  Roman Catholic church.