Rigaud is an important stopover on the road between Montreal and Ottawa (via Quebec Autoroute 40 and Ontario Highway 417, offering food, accommodation, groceries, gas and other services to motorists. In addition, Rigaud offers a wide range of infrastructure and recreational tourism activities.
Understand
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While in many ways a typical rural Quebec town, it features Mont-Rigaud, a small mountain in the otherwise flat Ottawa River valley. The mountain attracts skiers, hikers, climbers, snowshoers, maple syrup and beer enthusiasts and religious tourists. History buffs can take a heritage tour in Old-Rigaud (Vieux-Rigaud). It can make for a pleasant stop on the way between Montreal and Ottawa.
Visitor information
[edit]- 1 Rigaud Infotourist Centre (Centre Infotouriste de Rigaud), 420 ch. de la Mairie, local 150 (Highway 40, exit 12; access via Highway 417 in Ontario), ☏ +1 514-873-2015, toll-free: +1-877-266-5687. 1 Apr-20 Jun: daily 09:00-17:00; 21 Jun-31 Aug: daily 08:30-18:30; 1 Sep-31 Oct: daily 09:00-17:00. Administered by the Rigaud tourist office
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History
[edit]On October 29, 1732, the brothers Pierre (naval officer) and François-Pierre de Rigaud de Vaudreuil, governors in New France, obtained the concession of the Seigneurie de Rigaud. The first settlers settled in Rigaud in 1783 under the aegis of Lord Alain Chartier de Lotbinière, who acquired the rights to the seigneury.
Construction of the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes chapel began on June 19, 1887. The inauguration of the Vaudreuil-Rigaud railway took place in 1890. In 1909, the Northern Explosive Company, owned by Curtis & Harvey, began operations.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]The Carillon-Pointe-Fortune and Hudson-Oka's ferry can take you across the Ottawa River to the Outaouais and Laurentian Mountain regions of Quebec. In winter, ice bridges are maintained at Carillon-Pointe-Fortune and Hudson-Oka to connect the two shores.
Rigaud is within sight of exit 9 of Quebec Autoroute 40. Turn left after the exit onto St-Jean-Baptiste street and drive about 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to town centre. Autoroute 40 in Quebec continues as Highway 417 in Ontario, and both of those freeways are part of the Trans-Canada Highway between Montreal and Ottawa.
From Montreal, take Autoroute 40. This takes 45-60 minutes except at evening rush hour, when it can take up to 2 hours.
From Ottawa, take Highway 417 east, which becomes Autoroute 40 at the Quebec border. Turn left after the exit onto St-Jean-Baptiste street and drive about 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to town centre. The trip takes around 90 minutes.
By bus
[edit]- Exo La Presqu'Île sector. Service on route 61 from Vaudreuil station in Vaudreuil. Travellers from Montreal on Exo train 11 can reach Rigaud by transferring to this route; separate fare required.
By bicycle
[edit]If you are biking along the Quebec portion of the south side of the Ottawa River, you will pass through Rigaud. If you are coming from Ontario or the Carillon-Pointe-Fortune ferry, you will reach it via Chemin de la Baie. If you are coming from the Montreal/Hudson direction, you will reach it along Chemin de l'Anse.
Get around
[edit]The centre of town is very small, mainly lying along the two streets at the base of Mont-Rigaud. It can be crossed on foot within minutes. However, most of Rigaud's main attractions (ski slopes, maple sugar shacks, hiking trails, restaurants) lie scattered around the mountain. Some of Rigaud's more secluded attractions are on different highway exits than the one that leads to the centre of town. You may need to drive for 10 or 15 minutes between different sites in Rigaud.
See
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- 1 Mont-Rigaud. This mountain is not particularly high, but covered in mixed forest, which means that the autumn leaves turn every colour in October. Bring bug repellant if you are going hiking in the forest, as there are mosquitoes and blackflies, especially in the spring and autumn.
- 2 Bourget College, 65, rue Saint-Pierre (between the Rigaud River and the foot of Rigaud Mountain), ☏ +1 450 451-0815. Private educational institution at the preschool, primary and secondary levels, established since 1850. At the secondary level, the educational program includes instruction in French from secondary 1 to 5; in English for 10th, 11th and 12th grade. In addition, students can participate in the international program (French or English). The college encourages the development of students' fields of interest, particularly in sports, the arts and community involvement. The college offers a summer day camp. The old part of its built heritage has heritage value. Many visitors come to admire the built heritage of this college. The Collège Bourget Alumni Association maintains links with former teachers and students of the college. (ref.: http://www.anciensbourget.qc.ca/index.asp?sectionID=7)
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- 3 St. Madeleine Church in Rigaud (Église Sainte-Madeleine de Rigaud), 4, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est (opposite the Rigaud River, in the heart of the village of Rigaud), ☏ +1 450-451-5751. Catholic Church. Its old architecture with double bell tower with exterior stone walls has great heritage value. This church, which has more than 200 years of history, is endowed with numerous works of art, many statues, an impressive organ and two well-crafted bell towers.
- 4 Resurrection Church, 65, rue Saint-Pierre (opposite the Rigaud River and near Collège Bourget, in the heart of the village of Rigaud). Anglican Christian Church.
- 5 Sanctuaire de Lourdes, 43 Rue de Lourdes, ☏ +1 450 451-4631. Catholics might light a candle at this outdoor, hundred-year-old shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes built into the mountain, which operates only in the summer. Non-Catholics might enjoy the "potato fields", a strange natural clearing of thousands of small boulders in an otherwise wooded area close to the shrine. The local legend of its origin are that a potato crop was turned to stone beause the farmer worked on Sundays. The old chapel near the summit of the mountain provides a great view of the Ottawa River valley.
- 6 Charlebois House (Maison Charlebois), 43 Rue de Lourdes (near the Clercs de St-Viateur cemetery). This two-storey wooden building was erected in 1840 and enlarged in 1905. The covered gallery surrounds the residence on three sides. This building is associated with several generations of Charlebois who lived there. This property is a heritage building.
- 7 Former Rigaud station (Ancienne gare de Rigaud), 15, rue Charlebois. This former Canadian Pacific station has served travellers since 1891, for intercity travel. Then, it was used for commuter trains on the Montreal/Dorion-Rigaud line in 1898 and 2010. The first station existed from 1891 to 1940; the current building was built in 1940. This station was very popular with pilgrims visiting the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes sanctuary or students attending Bourget college. This building, now owned by the city of Rigaud, has been designated a "heritage railway station" since 1994. This railway line has become a pedestrian and bicycle path linking Rigaud to Vankleek Hill (in Ontario).
- 8 Cemetery of the Clerics of St-Viateur (Cimetière des Clercs de St-Viateur), rue de Lourdes (near Maison Charlebois). Cemetery where the members of the Community of the Clerics of Saint-Viateur rest. Each burial site has a monolithic and identical granite monument, topped with a cross, on a plinth. There is a calvary of Christ on the cross at the bottom of the cemetery. This magnificent cemetery is surrounded by mature trees, at the foot of Mont Rigaud. Free.
Do
[edit]- 1 Arbraska Rigaud, 85, chemin Bourget, ☏ +1 877-886-5500. Tree-to-tree amusement park.
- 2 Complexe sportif de l'Ouest (CSO soccer dome), 65-B, rue Saint-Pierre (on the grounds of Collège Bourget), ☏ +1 514-983-6070. Sports complex administered by a non-profit organization.
- 3 Mont Rigaud Ski and Mountain Bike Center (Centre de ski et vélos de montagne du Mont Rigaud), 321, des Érables, ☏ +1 450-451-0000. Ski and mountain bike centre. In winter, the centre offers a snow school and instructor training. Mont-Rigaud is not very high or challenging, but for skiing it may be an alternative to the faraway Laurentian or Appalachian mountains for those living to the west of Montreal. In the summer, and fall, hiking can be quite pleasant.
- 4 Mont Rigaud Climbing Walls (Parois d'escalade de Mont Rigaud), 85, chemin Bourget (next to the Mont Rigaud ski resort; use the parking lot of the ski resort to access the climbing walls). From May 1, until autumn, depending on the weather. A right of access must be paid by the climbers.
- 5 Riding stable "Le Fier Coursier enr" (Les écuries Le Fier Coursier enr), 416, chemin Saint-Georges, ☏ +1 450-451-4410. Riding stable.
- 6 Pointe-Séguin boat descent (Descente Bateau Pointe-Séguin), 47, chemin de la Pointe-Séguin, ☏ +1 450-231-1019. Boat descent located upstream of Rigaud Bay and the mouth of the Rigaud River, as well as in front of the mouth of the Rivière du Nord (Quebec side)
Events
[edit]- 7 At the Old Mill (Au Vieux Moulin), 3, rue du Moulin (along the Rigaud River), ☏ +1 450-451-3351. Venue for weddings and receptions, in a rural setting on the banks of the river.
Buy
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- 1 Ferme de la Rive, 112, chemin du Bas de la rivière (facing the Rigaud River), ☏ +1 450-451-6087. Family farm in operation since 2006. Sells market garden produce and other farm products.
- 2 Gerard Fuentes « PlumageArt », 157, chemin de la Baie Quesnel (along the Ottawa River, at Quesnel Bay), ☏ +1 514-966-4854. Gérard Fuentes is an internationally renowned wood sculptor.
Sugar shack
[edit]Several "cabanes a sucre" ("sugar shacks" or maple syrup farms) cater to tourists, giving them hay rides, showing them how maple syrup is collected and prepared, serving traditional Quebec meals and playing folk music. This is most popular in March and early April, when the warmer temperatures cause the sap to start flowing through the maple trees after a long winter.
- 3 Sucrerie de la Montagne, 300, chemin Saint-Georges (on the east side of Mont Rigaud; from town centre, turn left on Rue St Pierre, which continues as Chemin des Erables, then turn right on Rang St Georges), ☏ +1 450-451-0831. Sugar shack open year-round with reservations for the sugaring-off menu, cabin accommodation and special events. Offer in store of a wide range of maple products.
- 4 Sucrerie Lavigne, 417, chemin du Petit-Brûlé (on the west side of Mont Rigaud), ☏ +1 450-451-4482. Sugar shack offering maple products and gourmet meal boxes available for 2 or 4 people.
Eat
[edit]There are a few fast-food places in the town centre. If you want authentic Quebec poutine (french fries, gravy and cheese), you can't go wrong.
- 1 Amir Rigaud, 50, chemin de la Grande-Ligne, ☏ +1 450-451-0001. Restaurant.
- 2 Cantine La Queb, 960 chemin de la Baie (Restaurant in operation on the site of Camping Trans-Canadien), ☏ +1 514-569-2524. Canteen-style restaurant and fast food.
- 3 Express St-Hubert, 420, chemin J.-René-Gauthier, ☏ +1 450-451-4858. Chicken restaurant.
- 4 Restaurant Chez 4's, 18, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est, ☏ +1 450-206-0578. Restaurant.
- 5 Restaurant Del Fiacco, 18 Rue St-Jean-Batiste Est, town centre, ☏ +1 450-451-8800. This is a very good, upscale Italian restaurant that would not be out of place in downtown Montreal.
- 6 Restaurant Deux Frères, 134, rue Saint-Pierre, ☏ +1 450-451-4540. Restaurant.
- 7 Restaurant L'Étoile de Rigaud, 110, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est, ☏ +1 450-451-0841. Canadian restaurant.
- 8 Restaurant Mont Rigaud, 10, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Ouest, ☏ +1 450-451-0112. Restaurant offering snacks, pizza and homemade meals.
- 9 Pizzeria 2020, 472, chemin de la Grande-Ligne, ☏ +1 450-451-2020. Pizzeria.
- 10 Poutinerie La Belle Province, 515, chemin J.-René-Gauthier, ☏ +1 450-451-5111. Fast food restaurant.
- 11 Restaurant Rube, 147 route 201 (Autoroute 40 Exit 17, route 201 nord), ☏ +1 450-458-5369. A surprisingly pleasant steakhouse, with a warm fireplace dominating the main dining room.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Bistro Loge 95, 95, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Est, ☏ +1 450-206-7677. Bistro.
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- 2 Resto-bar La Vieille, 14 St Jean Baptiste Est, ☏ +1 450-451-4373. $6+tax.
Sleep
[edit]Hotels
[edit]- 1 Hudson Inn Auberge, 100, Route 201 (exit 17 off Autoroute 40), ☏ +1 450-458-1000. Close to Autoroute 40; convenient for Rigaud and Hudson area. $90-100.
- 2 Travelodge by Wyndham Rigaud, 50, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste Ouest (close to exit of highway 40), ☏ +1 450-451-4726. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00.
Small hotel
[edit]- 3 Bellevue, 135, chemin Bourget, ☏ +1 450-451-0244. Small hotel.
Camping
[edit]- 4 Camping Trans-Canadien, 960, chemin de la Baie (in an area of mature trees along the Ottawa River), ☏ +1 450-451-4515. May 15 to September 15. Family campsite offering a range of stays with three services for each site, except for the wild family camping area. Campsite offer to seasonal campers.
Cope
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- 2 City Library (Bibliothèque municipale), 102, rue Saint-Pierre (inside the Robert-Lionel-Séguin building), ☏ +1 450-451-0869 ext 260, [email protected].
- City Parks (Parcs de la ville).
- 3 Aréna Bourget, 65, rue Saint-Pierre (near the Sanctuary of Lourdes de Rigaud). City arena.
Venue
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- 4 The Clock Cafe (Le Café de l'Horloge), 168, rue Saint-Pierre, ☏ +1 514-941-0616. Reception room fitted out in the building of the former Rigaud post office. The heritage-type building has the following characteristics: a magnificent stained-glass window in the entrance hall, the ceilings are 15 feet high, the fireplace is imposing, lots of light and a terrace along the Rigaud River. Many cultural events take place in this unique room, with a catering service.
Go next
[edit]- Voyageur Provincial Park, a forested, riverside park is just across the Ontario border on westbound Autoroute 40 (Highway 417 in Ontario). It is used for camping, hiking, cycling, canoeing, etc.
- 1 Pointe-Fortune — Pointe-Fortune is a region of resorts and recreational tourism activities (especially nautical and boating on the river).
- 2 Très-Saint-Rédempteur
— It offers recreational, social, cultural and community activities and events. - 3 Sainte-Marthe — Landlocked between the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence River, Sainte-Marthe offers a rural landscape and the southern flank of the Montagne de Rigaud. Every year, the only polo field in Quebec holds a polo tournament. Sainte-Marthe offers parks and green spaces, as well as sports and cultural activities. Visitors can discover the legend of the "Trou à Ouellette".
- 4 Saint-Lazare — Saint-Lazare offers a countryside, forest and urban landscape (in the villages of Saddlebrook, Cedarbrook, Maple Ridge and Saint-Lazare). Saint-Lazarre offers sports and leisure facilities, as well as recreational and tourist activities (e.g., National Day on June 24).
- 5 Vaudreuil-Dorion — Vaudreuil-Dorion is a city where the modern mixes well with the old built heritage. A city offering many nautical activities thanks to its shore on the cove of Vaudreuil du Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes.
- 6 Hudson — A town on the Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes (Ottawa River), Hudson is blessed with a magnificent urban forest. It is a city of visual arts, music, culture and the outdoors. This city has a great history dating back to the days of New France. It offers many infrastructure and recreational tourism activities, in particular thanks to its shore on the Ottawa River and its large marina. It has many arts and crafts shops.
| Routes through Rigaud |
| Ottawa ← Pointe-Fortune ← | W   E
|
→ Hudson → Montreal |
| END ← | N  S
|
→ Coteau-du-Lac → Salaberry-de-Valleyfield |
| END ← | N  S
|
→ Rivière-Beaudette → END |