Trip chapter 02

Gananoque to Rivière-du-Loup

A long drive into Québec with haltes routières, a lovely river-view chalet stay and a confusing second-night motel move.

Drive timeLong driving day
Sunset over the Saint Lawrence River in Rivière-du-Loup
FromGananoque
ToRivière-du-Loup

The next leg took us from Gananoque to Rivière-du-Loup. It was a long drive, but we broke it up with a few Québec haltes routières along the way so Tilly could stretch and reset.

A long drive into Québec

This was less of a sightseeing day and more of a get-east day. The haltes routières made the distance manageable, and by the time we reached Rivière-du-Loup the Saint Lawrence River views made the long day feel worth it.

Downtown Rivière-du-Loup and Parc du Campus-et-de-la-Cité
Attraction in Rivière-du-Loup

Downtown Rivière-du-Loup and Parc du Campus-et-de-la-Cité

A simple downtown walk with Tilly after restaurant hours did not line up for us.

Read our Rivière-du-Loup walking notes →

The chalet we originally booked

We originally stayed at Motel au Fleuve d'Argent in a chalet. The property was really lovely, with lots of greenery and amazing views over the Saint Lawrence River. They charged us $20 per night for Tilly during our stay.

Unfortunately, there was a mix-up with our booking and the chalet was double booked. It was a confusing experience, made harder by my terrible French, but they did arrange a second-night room at their sister property across the street.

Motel au Fleuve d'Argent
Lodging in Rivière-du-Loup

Motel au Fleuve d'Argent

A lovely Rivière-du-Loup motel and chalet property with greenery, Saint Lawrence River views and a $20 per night pet fee during our stay.

Read our Motel au Fleuve d'Argent notes →

Second night across the street

For the second night we stayed at Motel au Vieux Piloteux. It was clean and fine, but not quite as pretty as the chalet. They also charged $20 per night for Tilly.

Motel au Vieux Piloteux
Lodging in Rivière-du-Loup

Motel au Vieux Piloteux

A clean sister property motel across from Motel au Fleuve d'Argent, used after our chalet was double booked.

Read our Motel au Vieux Piloteux notes →

A quiet walk and takeout night

When Tilly and I went out to explore, a lot of the restaurants seemed closed, so we did not manage to try a patio. Instead, we walked around downtown and Parc du Campus-et-de-la-Cité, then opted for takeout that night.

A caboose and Rivière-du-Loup sign near downtown
A low-key downtown walk before takeout.
Bouffe Animaux RDL
Pet store in Rivière-du-Loup

Bouffe Animaux RDL

A nearby Rivière-du-Loup pet food and supply stop with bookable exercise equipment.

Read our Bouffe Animaux RDL notes →

Worth pulling over for

Stops along the way

Stop 01 / Québec

Québec haltes routières

A few highway rest stops that helped break up the long drive from Gananoque to Rivière-du-Loup.

VisitedSummer 2025

Best forBreaking up a long drive

RouteGananoque to Rivière-du-Loup

For the dog

We used a few Québec haltes routières so Tilly could stretch and reset during the long driving day.

Sunset over the Saint Lawrence River in Rivière-du-Loup
Stop 02 / Rivière-du-Loup, Québec

Motel au Fleuve d'Argent

A lovely chalet stay with greenery, Saint Lawrence River views and a $20 per night pet fee during our visit.

Address202 rue Fraser, Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 1C8, Canada

StayedSummer 2025

Pet fee during visit$20 per night

Best partSaint Lawrence River views

IssueOur chalet was double booked

For the dog

Motel au Fleuve d'Argent charged $20 per night for Tilly during our stay. The green grounds were pleasant for an overnight with a dog.

View full guide → Official website ↗
The Motel au Vieux Piloteux sign in Rivière-du-Loup
Stop 03 / Rivière-du-Loup, Québec

Motel au Vieux Piloteux

A clean sister-property motel across the street for our second night after the chalet booking mix-up.

Address185 Rue Fraser, Rivière-du-Loup, QC, Canada

StayedSummer 2025

Pet fee during visit$20 per night

Moved fromMotel au Fleuve d'Argent

Best forA clean second-night room

For the dog

Motel au Vieux Piloteux also charged $20 per night for Tilly during our stay.

View full guide → Official website ↗
A caboose and Rivière-du-Loup sign near downtown
Stop 04 / Rivière-du-Loup, Québec

Downtown Rivière-du-Loup and Parc du Campus-et-de-la-Cité

A low-key downtown and park walk before a takeout night when many restaurants seemed closed.

Address27 Rue Desjardins, Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 1M5

VisitedSummer 2025

Best forA simple walk before takeout

Restaurant noteMany restaurants seemed closed during our outing

For the dog

Tilly walked on leash around downtown and Parc du Campus-et-de-la-Cité.

View full guide →
The Bouffe Animaux RDL storefront in Rivière-du-Loup
Stop 05 / Rivière-du-Loup, Québec

Bouffe Animaux RDL

A nearby pet food and supply stop with exercise equipment that could be booked.

Address164a Rue Fraser, Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 1E2

VisitedSummer 2025

Best forPet food, supplies and bookable exercise equipment

NearBoth Rue Fraser motels

For the dog

Bouffe Animaux RDL was close to both motels and had bookable exercise equipment in addition to pet food and supplies.

View full guide → Official website ↗