Photo credit to Tourisme Rimouski.

The city of Rimouski is the largest urban centre in the Lower St. Lawrence region. It is located on the southern shore of the majestic St. Lawrence, which is an integral part of its urban landscape. From west to east, Rimouski goes from the Le Bic district, at the height of the national park of the same name - a jewel of tourism and outdoor activities - to the Pointe-au-Père district. To the south, the rural face of Rimouski is revealed. Its territory extends to the Sainte-Blandine/Mont-Lebel district and borders the territories of the rural municipalities that complete the socio-economic profile of the Rimouski-Neigette Regional County Municipality. The river estuary and Saint-Barnabé Island can be seen from downtown from the Promenade de la mer.

Nearly 50,000 people live in Rimouski, which represents 85% of the population of the Regional County Municipality (RCM). Rimouski is a capital city on a human scale not only because of its size. The city was recognised as a Senior Friendly Municipality in 2010 and a Child Friendly Municipality in 2017. Its family policy supports the development of services for seniors and children and continues to mobilise local stakeholders for the improvement of the well-being of the community.

Inclusive and open, Rimouski has been designated by the Quebec government as the 14th city to receive refugees under government care. Every year, Rimouski welcomes a student population of over 5,000 people! Students from all over Quebec and from the international Francophonie find in Rimouski the services and the spirit of openness necessary for their integration.

Rimouski's many teaching and research institutions provide cutting-edge secondary, college and university education, particularly in the marine field. A high concentration of researchers and post-secondary educational institutions make up the fundamental and applied research sector in marine sciences. They make Rimouski the maritime technopole of Quebec. Every year, many people come to Rimouski to improve their knowledge at these centres and institutions: the Institut maritime du Québec (IMQ), the Centre de recherche sur les biotechnologies marines (CRBM) and the Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (UQAR-ISMER).

The Port of Rimouski, a commercial port, is located just outside the compulsory pilotage area: in Rimouski, the river is wide! Innovation maritime, a college centre for technology transfer in maritime technologies, makes the port of Rimouski a place for the development of maritime transport and technologies.

Rimouski offers investors and entrepreneurs a very dynamic and forward-looking environment. The Société de développement économique de Rimouski (SOPER) is dedicated to the economic development of the entire RCM: it accompanies them and can contribute to the financing of their business projects, from start-up to expansion.

Rimouski's cultural vitality is remarkable and recognised outside the region. The quality and diversity of what is on offer are the result of the concerted efforts of educational and cultural institutions and local organisations. Their collaboration stimulates creation and expression in all their forms. Dance, music, visual arts, books and literature, theatre and improvisation, among others, find their audiences and their passionate ambassadors in Rimouski! Consult the "Quoi vivre Rimouski" portal to find out about upcoming cultural activities.

People from all over eastern Quebec come to Rimouski for its high concentration of retail businesses, personal services, social services and health care. Rimouski is also home to many head offices and regional administrative centres (TELUS, Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux, Hydro-Québec, federal and provincial public services, for example).

The City of Rimouski has received various awards and distinctions that highlight its achievements. An overview of the main awards won by the city in recent years allows us to measure the efforts made in Rimouski to improve the daily life of citizens through actions and investments.

In 2017, Rimouski was ranked 21st in the Best Canadian Cities to Retire to and 68the in the Best Canadian Cities to Raise Children out of 219 Canadian cities evaluated. Outdoor enthusiasts will like to know that in 2015, Rimouski was ranked among the Top 10 outdoor municipalities by Géo Plein air magazine.