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Spoken Languages French - English |
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 As you travel for more than 12 km from one end of the city of Rimouski to the other, your eye is inevitably drawn to the St. Lawrence River, the islands and the horizon beyond. Its unique setting in a natural amphitheater in the St. Lawrence River Valley gives it a special cachet. Rimouski's many attractive features make it a destination not to be missed! Some of these features are its role as an institutional and service city, the presence of the St. Lawrence (50 km wide here), the salt air, the beautiful countryside and the warm Rimouski welcome.
Rimouski is known as the regional capital of the Bas-Saint-Laurent thanks to its dynamic population of 50,000 inhabitants and the concentration of public services located here.
Rimouski is also known as the oceanographic capital of Quebec. It is home to numerous laboratories, research centers and schools dedicated to the teaching of ocean sciences. These institutions include l'Institut maritime du Quebec (which is open to the public for visits), l'Institut des sciences de la mer (ISMER), and the Maurice-Lamontagne Institute located in Mont-Joli.
In addition to being known as a regional capital and the oceanographic capital of Quebec, Rimouski also stands out as a city dedicated to education. Added to the list of oceanographic institutions mentioned above are the Universite du Quebec a Rimouski (University), CEGEP de Rimouski (College), the Conservatoire de musique du Quebec (Music Conservatory) as well as the elementary schools, high schools and continuing education centers of the Commission scolaire des Phares (School Board). When classes begin at the end of summer, the city's population increases by almost 4,500 people as students from outside the region come here to study.
Rimouski is home to the offices of the archbishopric of Eastern Quebec and is also the judicial center of the region.
The national and regional offices of several companies are also located in Rimouski. These include TELUS Quebec (the second largest telecommunications company in Quebec), Hydro-Quebec, Matapedia Region, the Federation des caisses populaires Desjardins du Bas-Saint-Laurent, and three major clothing retail enterprises with more than 200 sales points in Quebec and New Brunswick.
The education sector is the number one employer in the city followed by the provincial and federal governments. Groupe QuebecTel is third on the list of major employers. The entire commercial sector provides employment for close to 6,000 people. |
 During a more recent era, the Micmac found shelter in the immense forests that once existed on the territory of Rimouski. In summer, they established their camps along the edge of the Rimouski River and with the onset of winter they returned to explore the forests. They left behind a rich heritage not least of which is the name of the city itself, Rimouski.
In 1696, during the time of New France, Rene Lepage left ile d'Orleans near Quebec City to take possession of the "Rimouski seigneury". From a few founding families at the end of the 17th century, the population of Rimouski has grown to almost 50,000 inhabitants at the end of this century.
Among the other notable events in Rimouski's history are the sinking of the Canadian liner Empress of Ireland in 1914 just off Pointe-au-Pere, and the May 6, 1950 tragedy which destroyed a third of the city and is otherwise known as the "Nuit rouge" (Red Night). |
 Le parc du Bic An irresistible invitation. An impressive collection of small islands, reefs and cliffs sculpted by the sea and the centuries. Wildlife and flora and the omnipresent St. Lawrence River. A small herd of grey and common seals can be observed, especially in the "Anse a l'Orignal" cove. Many activities and services will ensure an unforgettable vacation. Without doubt one of the most beautiful parks in the province. |
 Le musée de la mer Le Musée de la mer présente l’histoire du paquebot Empress of Ireland de sa construction, en 1906, jusqu’à son naufrage, le 29 mai 1914. Cette catastrophe qui a fait 1 012 victimes est la plus grande tragédie maritime au Canada.
Le site de Pointe-au-Père a été pendant longtemps l’un des plus importants centres d’aide à la navigation au Canada. On y a opéré une station de pilotage de 1859 à 1959, un bureau de quarantaine, un télégraphe marconi et quatre (4) phares y ont été construits.
Aujourd’hui, le Musée de la mer est un attrait touristique majeur dans la région du Bas-Saint-Laurent. Une nouvelle exposition, que vous pourrez apprécier grâce à la collection d’objets prélevés de l’épave, à la projection 3D, aux nombreux témoignages et à des images de plongée saisissantes, présente l’histoire du navire. |
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