Things to Do in Sainte-Luce
From 29 route du Fleuve Ouest, you're already in the scenery. The St. Lawrence is a two-minute walk away, Bic National Park 30 minutes, Rimouski 15. This guide is what we actually tell our guests — not the official brochure, but the spots we go to ourselves, the hours worth the trip, and the free places that are every bit as good as the paid ones.
What to do in Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer?
Start with the Anse-aux-Coques boardwalk — 1.5 km along the river, colourful houses on one side and water on the other. It's free, accessible to everyone, and frankly unbeatable at sunrise or in the evening. In season, local outfitters offer paddleboarding and kayaking right in the cove: the water there is calm and sheltered, ideal for beginners and children alike.
The big 2026 addition: Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer as told by the river
It's the largest cultural investment in the village's history — $4 million, unveiled on July 2, 2026. Three parts to discover: a multimedia projection on the church façade that tells the story of the Empress of Ireland shipwreck with breathtaking staging, the fully redesigned Anse-aux-Coques wharf with street furniture and swings facing the river, and the Garden of the Great Tides — a landscaped public square with a sculpture evoking the great tides and coastal climate challenges. Don't miss it at nightfall for the projection. And unlike many regional attractions, this site is open year-round — the projection on the church is especially striking on an autumn or winter evening, when the village is quiet and the sky is clear.
Is Sainte-Luce beach really worth the trip?
Yes — and it's one of the few beaches in the Lower St. Lawrence where swimming is genuinely pleasant. The shallow Anse-aux-Coques bay lets the water warm up between tides. Over a kilometre of fine sand, an open view of the river, and barely any crowds outside July weekends. Check the tide times on the Wisuki app before heading out — the experience is very different depending on the water level.
Where to eat in Sainte-Luce?
Two addresses we recommend without hesitation. Le Bistro de l'Anse-aux-Coques is a true local institution — regional cuisine, a river view, and an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else in the area. Book ahead in July and August. L'Appât Buvette, more recent, leans on a natural-wine list and creative dishes in a relaxed setting. Both are a few minutes' walk or bike ride from Couette et Marées.
What to do when it rains?
Rain is the best time to drive 10 minutes to the Pointe-au-Père Historic Site — the immersive exhibit on the Empress of Ireland is even more striking when the river is grey outside. Otherwise, Rimouski, 15 minutes away, offers good cafés, independent bookshops, and Saint-Germain Cathedral for a cultural break.
Bic National Park — 30 minutes to the west
It's the must-see of the region, for good reason. Headlands, bays, islands, seals on the rocks, ospreys overhead — Bic National Park offers landscapes that stay with you long after you leave. 25 km of trails, lookouts over the St. Lawrence, and marine wildlife you won't find anywhere else in Quebec this close to the road. Open year-round, full services from May 15 to October 13, 2026. Admission: $10.10 per adult, free for ages 17 and under. Our tip: arrive early in the morning in July and August, the parking lot fills up fast.
Les Jardins de Métis (Reford Gardens) — 30 minutes to the east
Located in Grand-Métis, this is a vast open-air museum internationally recognized as an exceptional work of horticultural art. Created between 1926 and 1958 by Elsie Reford, open to the public since 1962, and designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995 — yet the place is anything but static. Every summer, the International Garden Festival (27th edition, June 20–October 4, 2026) brings around thirty contemporary installations by landscape architects from around the world. The on-site Villa Estevan restaurant is worth the stop. 2026 season: May 30 to October 4, daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Allow 2–3 hours. jardinsdemetis.com
Mont-Comi — 40 minutes to the north
A family-friendly resort, ideal for winter stays: alpine skiing, tubing, snowshoeing. In summer, the trails offer an open view of the St. Lawrence you wouldn't expect to find at this elevation.
Sainte-Flavie: the Route des Arts and the roadside diners
20–25 minutes to the east, the coastal road through Sainte-Flavie is absolutely charming. The wharf, the art galleries, the shops... Don't miss the Marcel Gagnon sculptures planted directly in the river — a permanent installation of about a hundred figures that seem to be walking toward the sea. The effect is spectacular at rising tide, and it's entirely free. Easy to combine with a visit to Les Jardins de Métis and a stop at the not-to-be-missed Cantine Sainte-Flavie, all in the same day.
Pointe-au-Père and the Empress of Ireland — 10 minutes
The Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site is 10 km west of Rimouski, about 10–15 minutes from Couette et Marées. What makes this place special: the wreck of the Empress of Ireland lies just a few kilometres offshore from Sainte-Luce. The immersive museum tells the story of the May 29, 1914 shipwreck — 1,012 victims, the deadliest maritime disaster in Canadian history. On the same site: the 33-metre lighthouse (the 2nd tallest in Quebec, 128 steps) and the 90-metre Onondaga submarine, explored via audio-guided tour. Allow 2.5 hours for all three. 2026 summer hours: June 6–August 16, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; August 17–October 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Rimouski — 15 minutes
The closest service town for groceries, pharmacies, and restaurants. Boulevard St-Germain, just steps from the river, makes a great anchor point for an evening out.
Is Sainte-Luce a good starting point for the Gaspé Peninsula?
Yes, either way round the loop. Route 132 forms a complete circuit around the peninsula — whether you go clockwise (Rimouski → Matane → Gaspé → Percé) or the other way, Sainte-Luce sits right on the natural route. Percé is about 4.5–5 hours away, Gaspé 4 hours. It's not a day trip — but many of our guests spend 3–4 nights here exploring the Lower St. Lawrence at an easy pace, before heading off to the peninsula rested and with no time pressure. We're 15 minutes from Highway 20 and less than 50 minutes from Matane, the first major stop into Gaspé.
Our suggestion: 2 days in the Lower St. Lawrence
Day 1 — local first: Morning walk along the boardwalk and a swim if the tide allows. Lunch at Le Bistro de l'Anse-aux-Coques. Afternoon at Bic National Park — take the Cap-à-l'Orignal trail for the best views. Back in the evening for the church projection at nightfall.
Day 2 — head east: Morning at the Pointe-au-Père Historic Site (2.5 hours for all three attractions). Route 132 east in the afternoon, a stop in Sainte-Flavie for the sculptures in the river, then Les Jardins de Métis if the season allows. Dinner at L'Appât Buvette on the way back.
A day around Rimouski — where to start?
Start on foot or by bike along the boardwalk. Rimouski in the morning for the public market or the regional museum. Afternoon at the Pointe-au-Père Historic Site. Head back via Route 132 with a stop in Sainte-Flavie — the Marcel Gagnon sculptures in the water are spectacular at rising tide, and admission is entirely free. Allow 6–7 hours in total, a full and rewarding day.
Two free and truly unique places to walk
Belvédère Beaulieu – Sentier national, Porc-Pic section: In Saint-Simon, leave Route 132 and take the route de la Grève to reach Saint-Simon-sur-Mer and its municipal rest area along the river. The perfect spot to watch the sunrise — quiet, wild, and barely known to passing tourists.
Rimouski riverside and river trails: A lovely walk or bike ride, with an exceptional view of the sunset. It's free and open to everyone. In winter, the trails turn into cross-country ski tracks — a great way to enjoy the area even off-season.
Fall in the Lower St. Lawrence — our favourite season
Les Jardins de Métis stay open until October 4, and the fall colours add something you won't find in summer. Bic National Park empties out of crowds from September on, and the seals are especially active then. From the Sainte-Luce boardwalk, sunsets past mid-September take on a red-orange glow unlike any other season. If you're torn between July and September — we'd recommend September.
Where to watch the sunset in the Lower St. Lawrence?
The river stretches west from Sainte-Luce — a naturally ideal orientation. The boardwalk and the renovated wharf offer an unobstructed 180° view. For an elevated perspective, drive 25 minutes to the Pic Champlain lookout at Bic National Park: the islands in the foreground, the sun dropping behind the headlands — it's a view you never get tired of.
