Matane
Around Matane
Photo: Hayden Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Quebec · 18k people
Matane
Locals say La Matanie · “La porte de la Gaspésie”
Gateway to the Gaspé, where the river meets the sea.
River BlueForest GreenSun Gold
Welcome to La Matanie, where the St. Lawrence meets the forest. Whether you're here for the shrimp, the mountains, or the quiet coast, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors.
Clubs for Matane
No clubs for Matane yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Matane. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Matane. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Phare de Matane Historic lighthouse at the mouth of the Matane River
- Parc régional de la Seigneurie du Lac-Matapédia Lakeside park with trails and camping near Amqui
- Parc national de la Gaspésie Mountain park with caribou and hiking, accessible from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
- Parc éolien de Cap-Chat One of the largest wind farms in Quebec, with a visitor center
- Musée de la Mer Museum dedicated to the sea and shrimp fishing in Matane
- Outdoors Hike Mont Jacques-Cartier in Gaspésie National Park
- Outdoors Watch for whales on the St. Lawrence River
- With kids Visit the Musée de la Mer
- With kids Play on the beach at Cap-Chat
- Evenings Casual pubs
- Evenings Summer outdoor concerts
- Locals love Seafood shacks
- Locals love Coastal lookouts
Through the year
- Festival de la crevette June Seafood festival celebrating Matane shrimp
- Festival country de Sayabec July Country music festival in Sayabec
- Expo agricole de la Matanie August Agricultural fair with livestock and local produce
The region has a maritime climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, humid summers. Best: The best time to be out is from June to September.
Getaways
- Baie-Comeau Industrial town on the north shore
- Rimouski Larger city with university and cultural scene
- Campbellton New Brunswick border town on the Restigouche River
- Edmundston New Brunswick city with French heritage
Local flavour
Rooting for Montreal Canadiens (NHL), Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
Eat and drink
- Matane shrimp (crevettes de Matane) A local delicacy, celebrated for its sweet flavour.
- Fresh seafood chowder A hearty dish made with local catches.
- Blueberry pie Wild blueberries are a regional staple.
- Tourtière A traditional Quebec meat pie, often served during the holidays.
Where people go
- Fishing villages Tight-knit communities along the coast.
- Lighthouses Guiding ships along the St. Lawrence.
- St. Lawrence River shoreline The defining natural feature.
- Wind farms Modern turbines on the hills, a new landmark.
- Forested hills The Gaspé's rolling, wooded terrain.
Heritage and traditions
La Matanie is proud of its deep-rooted maritime heritage, from the famous Matane shrimp to the salmon-filled rivers, and its resilient communities nestled between the St. Lawrence and the Chic-Choc Mountains.
This time of year in Matane
- Salmon fishing Fall Fall is a peak season for anglers on the Matane River.
Say it like a local: “Magané” — Tired, worn out
Festivals
- Fête nationale du Québec June June 24 celebration with bonfires, music, and community gatherings across the region.
- Festival de la truite d'Amqui May A spring festival celebrating trout fishing with cooking demos and family activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Église de Saint-Jérôme A historic Catholic church in Matane with beautiful stained glass and a prominent steeple.
- Sanctuaire de Sainte-Anne-des-Monts A pilgrimage site dedicated to Saint Anne, drawing visitors for its peaceful setting and religious significance.
Food traditions
- Smoked salmon from the Matane River A time-honoured method of preserving the river's famous salmon, often served as a local delicacy.
- Tire sur la neige Maple taffy poured on snow in spring—a sweet Quebec tradition enjoyed by all ages.
- Cretons A spiced pork spread served at breakfast, a classic Quebec comfort food.
Music and arts
- Country music scene Sayabec hosts a popular country festival, and local artists play in bars and community halls.
- Traditional Gaspésien folk music Fiddle tunes and songs about the sea and the land are passed down, often featuring accordion and guitar.
A little history
- 1600s French settlement in the 17th century
- 1800s Salmon fishery as a major industry
- early 1900s Railway arrival connecting the region
- 1980s Construction of the Éole wind turbine at Cap-Chat
- Game day Salmon fishing on the Matane River
- Game day Ice fishing in winter
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Matane River
- Outdoors Snowshoeing in the Chic-Chocs
- With kids Visiting the Éole wind turbine
- With kids Exploring tidal pools at low tide
Locals speak a distinctive Quebec French with a maritime flavour, using expressions like 'bienvenue' for 'you're welcome' and 'magané' for worn out. The accent is slightly sing-song, and people often drop the final consonants in words like 'pas' and 'fait'.
Only here
- The world's tallest vertical-axis wind turbine (Éole) stands at Cap-Chat.
- Matane shrimp are a local delicacy, harvested in the cold waters of the St. Lawrence.
- The Matane River is one of Quebec's premier salmon rivers, drawing anglers from afar.
- The St. Lawrence Estuary here is a prime whale-watching spot, with minke and fin whales often seen.
New here? A few tips
- Learn some French—it's essential for daily life and warmly appreciated.
- Dress for cold, snowy winters; layers and a good parka are must-haves.
- Try the local shrimp and smoked salmon early on—they're a point of pride.
- A car is necessary; public transit is limited between towns.
- Embrace the outdoors—hiking, fishing, and snowmobiling are part of the culture.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaLa MatapédiaQuebecWhere the river meets the forestLa MitisQuebecWhere the river meets the wind.Baie-ComeauQuebecWhere the river roars and the forest whispersHaute-GaspésieQuebecWhere the mountains meet the seaHaute-Côte-NordQuebecThe wild shore where the St. Lawrence meets the fjord.RimouskiQuebecWhere the St. Lawrence shapes every day.CampbelltonNew BrunswickWhere the river meets the bayEdmundstonNew BrunswickLocal rooms for Madawaska.
Matane. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.