Located on the south bank of the Saint Lawrence River, this maritime town in Quebec has Canada's leading marine science research center and a 1914 lighthouse museum.
Rimouski sits where the Rimouski River flows into the Saint Lawrence Estuary in Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region. Visit the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père to walk through a retired submarine, climb a 33-meter lighthouse, and see exhibits about the 1914 sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland. Hike trails along jagged cliffs in Parc national du Bic, cross a suspension bridge over the Rivière Rimouski at Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer, or watch live bands at the August Festi Jazz International. The city’s university and marine research centers work alongside fishing docks, with forests and islands like Île Saint-Barnabé accessible within minutes by ferry.
Explore Submarines, Lighthouses, and Islands
Board the Onondaga, a 90-meter Royal Canadian Navy submarine permanently docked at the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père. Interactive displays explain how crews lived and worked underwater, and a separate exhibit details the 1914 sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland, which claimed 1,012 lives. Climb the 128 steps of the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse for views of the estuary, where beluga whales sometimes surface near the shore. Take a 15-minute ferry to Île Saint-Barnabé to walk past abandoned 18th-century farmsteads and watch seabirds nest on limestone cliffs. Back in the city, the St. Lawrence Global Observatory’s public maps track real-time ship movements and water conditions.
Film Festivals, Live Music, and Theater
Each October, the Carrousel international du film de Rimouski screens over 200 short films from 30 countries, with workshops for aspiring filmmakers. In August, Festi Jazz International fills outdoor stages and cafes with performances by artists like Diana Krall and local Quebecois bands. The Grandes Fêtes Telus in July brings circus acts, pop concerts, and food trucks to the waterfront promenade. Catch plays or stand-up comedy at the Desjardins-Telus Theatre, where University of Quebec students often perform experimental works. Local galleries like Espace contemporain rotate exhibits of pottery, paintings, and sculptures by regional artists.
Hiking, Cycling, and Winter Adventures
Parc national du Bic, 15 kilometers west, has 25 kilometers of trails leading to hidden bays where harbor seals sunbathe on rocks. Rent a kayak to paddle through sea caves at high tide or join a guided tour to spot gray foxes in the park’s spruce forests. In winter, ski across frozen marshes on marked trails or photograph ice formations along the coast. At Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer, cross a 63-meter-high bridge above the Rivière Rimouski gorge, then hike a 2.5-kilometer path lined with glowing lanterns after dark. Cyclists follow the Route Verte’s paved lanes to villages like Sainte-Blandine, passing apple orchards and dairy farms.
Marine Research and University Life
The University of Quebec’s Institute of Marine Sciences studies Arctic shipping routes and designs underwater robots for monitoring fish populations. At the adjacent Maritime Institute, students train on ship simulators that replicate storms in the North Atlantic. The St. Lawrence Global Observatory’s website shares free data on estuary pollution levels and endangered whale sightings, updated hourly. Local company Innovation Maritime tests hybrid ferry engines and floating docks resistant to ice damage. Over 1,200 medical staff work at the Regional Hospital of Rimouski, which serves communities as far as the Gaspé Peninsula.
Getting to Rimouski and Seasonal Tips
Mont-Joli Airport, 35 kilometers east, has daily 90-minute flights to Montreal. Drive from Quebec City in 3.5 hours via Highway 20, stopping at roadside stands selling maple syrup and cheese curds. Downtown streets like Rue de l’Évêché have bike lanes, and buses run every 30 minutes to suburbs like Sainte-Odile. Most visitors arrive between June and September for warm weather hiking and festivals, but February’s RikiFest draws crowds for ice canoe races on the frozen river. Entry to the Onondaga submarine costs CAD 12, while Parc national du Bic charges CAD 9.50 per adult.
