Rivière-du-Loup

• Bureau d'Information Touristique

  phone: +1 418-862-1981
  address: 189, Boulevard de l'Hotel-de-Ville
  Tourist information in English and French.

History

The city was named after the nearby river, whose name means "Wolf's River" in French. This name may have come from a native tribe known as "Les Loups" or from the many seals, known in French as loups-marin (sea wolves), once found at the river's mouth.
Rivière-du-Loup was established in 1673 as the seigneurie of Sieur Charles-Aubert de la Chesnaye. The community was incorporated as the village of Fraserville, in honour of early Scottish settler Alexandre Fraser, in 1850, and became a city in 1910. The city reverted to its original name, Rivière-du-Loup, in 1919.
Between 1850 and 1919, the city's anglophone population grew dramatically. Most of them left the region by the 1950s. 1% of the population still speaks English as its first language.
In autumn of 1950, Rivière-du-Loup was the site of a nuclear accident. A USAF B-50 was returning a nuclear bomb to the USA. The bomb was released due to engine troubles, and then was destroyed in a non-nuclear detonation before it hit the ground. The explosion scattered nearly 100 pounds (45 kg) of uranium (U-238).

By car

Rivière-du-Loup is 200 km northeast of Quebec City (about two hours drive) at the junction of Autoroute 20 and Autoroute 85/Highway 185 and is the point where the Trans-Canada Highway turns south into the Atlantic Provinces.

By train

Via Rail's Ocean service between Montreal and Halifax stops three times a week in Rivière-du-Loup.

By boat

• Traverse Rivière-du-Loup Saint-Siméon

  phone: +1 418-862-5094
  address: 199, rue Hayward, Rivière-du-Loup
  100-car seasonal (Easter to New Year's) ferry to north shore of St. Lawrence River, with lunch counter. On-board restaurant in high season only. Crossing time 65 minutes, runs 2-4 times daily depending on season.

By plane

• Rivière-du-Loup AirportCharter and private aircraft only.

• Musee du Bas Saint-Laurent

  phone: +1 418-862-7547
  address: 300 Rue Saint-Pierre
  The museum has built one of the largest collections of old photographs in Canada: more than a dozen photographic collections, containing nearly 250,000 images. This major visual heritage mainly covers the first half of the 20th century. Topics such as transportation, daily life, events, architecture or public life are illustrated, as are the highlights experienced by the population of Eastern Quebec. The museum also has objects relating to the Euro-Quebec culture and some important collections of artifacts relating to the work of metal and wood.

The city offers a number of outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, cycling and whale watching.

• Parc des Chutes33 m waterfall, 9 km of footpaths, a training circuit in the silence of the woods. In winter, a system of freezing rock walls is used for ice climbing activities. Two bridges provide access to both banks of the River. One is at the bottom of the waterfall, and the other at the top for a view of the fall. Parking is available at both entrances.

• Ile aux Lievres

  phone: +1 418-867-1660
  address: 8 km off Rivière-du-Loup
  The island has a vast and diverse network of hiking trails (45 km) ranging in difficulty from novice to expert. Accomodation: inn ($195-265 per person including 3 meals, $160 for additional nights), cottages for 2-6 people ($200-375 per night), camping ($40 for up to 4 people per night, 3rd night is free), taxes extra.

The main shopping district is along rue La Fontaine between Laval and Ste. Anne.

• Centre commercial Rivière-du-Loup

  address: 298 Boulevard Armand-Thériault
  Shopping mall with about 64 shops and restaurants, including Giant Tiger discount store.

• Marché Public Lafontaine

  address: Carré Dubé, rue Lafontaine
  Local produce and prepared foods. Local meats, maple products, honey, wine. Parking area facing 508 to 520 Lafontaine.

• Resto-Cafe L'Innocent

  phone: +1 418-862-1937
  address: 460, rue Lafontaine
  Fusion, vegetarian friendly, vegan options, gluten-free options.

• Restaurant Le Saint-Patrice

  phone: +1 418-862-9895
  address: 169, rue Fraser
  Regional gastronomic cuisine.

• L'estaminet Resto-pub

  phone: +1 418-867-4517
  address: 299, Rue Lafontaine
  Breakfast (waffles, pancakes, Benedictines, morning pizza), lunch and dinner (pizzas, steaks, burgers, salads).

• Pub O'farfadet

  address: 298 boul. Armand Theriault
  Irish pub.

• Auberge Internationale de Rivière-du-Loup

  phone: +1 418-862-7566
  address: 46, rue Hôtel-de-ville
  Hostel affiliated with Hostelling International. Will arrange trips to some local parks. Internet access, laundry and meal service.

• Motel Au Vieux Piloteux

  phone: +1 418-867-2635
  address: 185 Rue Fraser
  Free Wi-Fi and parking, pool, non-smoking hotel, pets allowed (fee), wheelchair access, air conditioning, refrigerator in room.

• Hotel Levesque

  phone: +1 418-862-6927
  address: 171 Fraser St
  Free Wi-Fi and parking, pool, fitness centre, bar/lounge, spa, restaurant, air conditioning, refrigerator in room, family rooms.

• Phare du Pot a l'Eau-de-Vie

  phone: +1 418-867-1660
  address: 200 rue Hayward
  The three small islands of the archipelago support thousands of sea birds. Built on a rocky outcrop in 1861-1862, the lighthouse has been restored and turned into a cozy inn. Hiking is available trails once the birds have completed nesting in early July. No pets. Only three rooms, so booking is essential.

• Tadoussac and Saint-Siméon on the north shore are reachable by ferry.
• The Atlantic Ocean is within reach via New Brunswick or from Québec's Gaspé Peninsula