In La Matanie, the sea is impossible to ignore. As soon as you arrive, the St. Lawrence River dominates the landscape, vast and ever-changing, while its salty scents, carried by the wind, awaken the senses. Here, the sea is part of daily life: people come here to relax, to nourish themselves, to be inspired... and sometimes simply to contemplate it. Having stored the summer heat, its waters help soften the early autumn days on the coast. It is the ideal time to answer the call of the sea and take the time to enjoy the places that allow you to experience the river differently.
Jayden Boland
The new Matane maritime and gourmet stop
To start, head to the Matane maritime and gourmet stop at the Place des Rochelais. Refreshed and improved this summer, this new space continues to welcome visitors and locals as the colors slowly begin to appear. Around the Matanie Public Market building, open on Saturdays for large food markets and some Sundays and Mondays to welcome local artisans, you can take the time to stroll, make some discoveries, and most importantly... taste them. Settle down in the gourmet corner with some market finds or treat yourself to the Thaï Zone mobile food truck.
Roadfish.TV
The sea can also be discovered through art. In the Creation Stop container, local artist Emie Sirois presents her exhibition Art Piece until September 24th. It's another way to look at the territory and what surrounds us. And if you want to meet the river itself, there are still a few opportunities to set sail with Destination Haute-Mer, whose season ends on September 13th. Whether for fishing or observing marine wildlife, their captains will help you discover the St. Lawrence in a different way, whether you are a beginner or experienced. Once back on solid ground, all that's left to do is follow the river... and let yourself be guided to its shores.
Jayden Boland
Public accesses to the seashore
In Matane, the St. Lawrence River is your travel companion. Along Route 132, it appears between houses, suddenly opens up on the horizon, and accompanies you for kilometers. But here and there, a few passages invite you to leave the road to approach it, set foot on the shore, and extend the encounter. Sit on the shore. Listen to the waves, breathe the salty air, and let your gaze wander to the horizon. Bring a blanket for an impromptu picnic, share a sunset for two, or simply search for those small treasures that the sea patiently shapes: a unique pebble, a seashell, a piece of colored glass polished by the tides.
Jayden Boland
Here, no need for a schedule. Sometimes all it takes is to leave the road for a few moments to slow down, take a deep breath, and be carried away by the river's rhythm. To enjoy these small stretches of shoreline while respecting private riverfront properties, the region has set up signage throughout the area. The white and blue signs indicate where parking is allowed and the safe passages that will lead you to the seashore. So, indulge in a break by the river. And to find your way to the shore, check out the map of public accesses to the seashore.
For more inspiration to discover autumn in Matane, check out our blog article 4 days to enjoy autumn in Matane and Autumn hike in Matane: our tips for a safe outing during hunting season.