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Matane
ℹ️Practical info — Matane
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- If taking the Matane-Baie-Comeau ferry across the St. Lawrence, book your vehicle ticket well in advance, especially in summer.
- Visit the Matane River dam right in the city center to watch Atlantic salmon migrating upstream.
- The maritime weather can be unpredictable; always pack layers, even on sunny summer days.
- It's a handy starting or resting point before embarking on the scenic drive around the Gaspé Peninsula.
🍽 Food
These famous, small, and incredibly sweet pink shrimp are a must-try at any local seafood restaurant.
Enjoy fresh, locally caught salmon, often smoked or grilled, at restaurants near the river.
Warm up with a hearty, creamy fish soup, easily found at eateries along the coast.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Stop by a fish market in town to buy fresh shrimp, crab, and smoked fish for a picnic.
Look for regional Gaspé crafts and souvenirs in the boutique shops around the downtown area.
A beautiful municipal park located on islands in the Matane River, well-suited for walking and relaxing.
The area around the historic lighthouse has sweeping views of the St. Lawrence estuary.
Water temperature…
Matane sits at the mouth of the Matane River on the St. Lawrence estuary, serving as the northern gateway to the scenic Gaspésie peninsula. The city is world-renowned for its shrimp fishery and its river, which is a prime destination for Atlantic salmon fishing. The historic lighthouse stands as a beacon for maritime history. Plage du Parc des Îles is a central hub for recreation. This beach is integrated into a larger municipal park that features paddleboat rentals, playgrounds, and scenic walking trails. The river here is so wide it feels like the sea, offering salty breezes and expansive views of the horizon. Culinary life in Matane revolves around fresh seafood, with the famous Matane shrimp being a must-try local specialty. The ferry service to Baie-Comeau and Godbout provides a vital link to the North Shore, often giving passengers the opportunity to spot whales and enjoy the vastness of the St. Lawrence.
- Location: Canada
- Top sights: Monument des pionniers du sciage · Société d'histoire de Matane · Phare de Matane
- Population: ~14.812 (2025)
Geography
Facts
- Gateway to Gaspésie
- Shrimp capital
- Matane salmon river
- Parc des Îles beach
- Historic lighthouse
- North Shore ferry
- Maritime climate
- Salmon run viewing
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Matane (6)
Frequently asked questions
What is Matane known for?
Can you see salmon in Matane?
What specialty should I try?
When is the best time for a Gaspésie tour starting from Matane?
Are there lighthouses there?
Matane: where is it located?
Matane: what is there to see?
Matane: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
