Exploring Old Rivière-du-Loup: A must-do activity to discover the city!
To truly understand the place you're visiting—or the one you call home—there’s no better way than to learn about its history and the people who helped shape it. That’s exactly what the Manoir team offers with its Old Rivière-du-Loup tour: a chance to discover the city from every angle by exploring its past. Here are five things to know about this historic district and the tour that will surely inspire you to learn even more.
1. A Neighbourhood Rich in History
Between 1830 and 1859, the Fraser seigneurs planned the development of the village of Fraserville on their estate. This area would go on to become the administrative, financial, and religious centre of the rapidly growing town. During the Old Rivière-du-Loup tour, our history-loving guides will share fascinating stories, little-known anecdotes, and captivating facts that bring this remarkable past to life.
2. A Picturesque Town
One of the things visitors enjoy most about exploring the neighbourhood is seeing how the Fraser family carefully planned and developed a picturesque town. The tour offers a unique opportunity to discover the lasting connection between the Fraser family and what has become the historic district of Old Rivière-du-Loup.
3. Stunning Viewpoints
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and a pleasant walk through the neighbourhood in good company. The Fraser family took full advantage of the area’s natural slope in their town planning, creating striking vistas that alternate between sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and impressive public buildings. These carefully designed viewpoints are one of the highlights of the walking tour.
4. A Witness to the Past: St. Bartholomew’s Church
As the village of Fraserville grew during the 1830s, English-speaking artisans and merchants settled in the area and called for the construction of a church to serve the local Anglican community. St. Bartholomew’s Church stands as an important reminder of Rivière-du-Loup’s English-speaking and Anglican heritage in the 19th century. It is also the oldest Anglican church in Eastern Québec and the first public building to be established on the seigneurial estate. Its construction marked the Fraser family’s intention to shift the heart of the village onto their domain. Visitors especially enjoy stopping at the church, and thanks to our knowledgeable guides, they can explore the site freely—and even step inside this historic place of worship.
5. A Cemetery That Preserves History
Around the world, cemeteries are visited for their history, remarkable monuments, and the notable individuals laid to rest within them. The cemetery beside St. Bartholomew’s Church, located on its southern side, is no exception.
Among those buried here are victims of tragedies on the St. Lawrence River, prominent figures associated with the Grand Trunk, Intercolonial, and Témiscouata railways, as well as Mayor Jarvis.
If these stories have sparked your curiosity, you can learn even more by watching Daniel Breton’s documentary on St. Bartholomew’s Church. Breton is an instructor at the École des métiers du cinéma of the Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup.
