Shop Local and Get into the Holiday Spirit in Rivière-du-Loup!

A stop at the Boutique des Fêtes is a must!

From November 20 to December 19, the Rivière-du-Loup tourist information office will once again be transformed to host the Boutique des Fêtes, an event we always look forward to as Christmas approaches.

There, you’ll find a wide variety of products from local artisans, producers, and businesses all under one roof. You’re sure to discover gifts that are a little out of the ordinary! From gourmet treats to artisanal creations, and gifts big and small, there’s something for every taste and budget.

It’s also the perfect place to discover local businesses you haven’t heard of yet. And let’s face it, it’s always nice to give a gift with a little story behind it!

Touring the Christmas markets

If there’s one tradition we particularly love as the holidays approach, it’s Christmas markets!

Starting in early November, several municipalities in the Rivière-du-Loup region host their own markets, and each one is worth a visit. Let’s start with the Saint-Arsène Christmas market. For the past six years, the proceeds have been donated to the Maison Desjardins palliative care center in RDL.

From November 19 to 21, don’t miss the Festif de Saint-Hubert-de-Rivière-du-Loup. In addition to the Christmas market, several activities take place during the three days of the festival.

On November 21 and 22, it’s time for the Christmas Market hosted by the Cercle de Fermières de Cacouna. There’s a wealth of gift ideas—all handmade by various local artisans.

The Rivière-du-Loup Shopping Center also invites you to visit on the weekends of November 20–22 and November 27–29. This year, the first weekend is entirely dedicated to products from artisans and local producers.

We love browsing the booths, chatting with the artisans, sampling a few products, and—more often than not—leaving with more than we planned!

All these markets offer us the chance to get off the beaten path and explore the towns surrounding Rivière-du-Loup.

Head to Lafontaine Street for some downtown shopping

You can’t plan a shopping trip to Rivière-du-Loup without stopping by Lafontaine Street!

With its high-street boutiques, specialty shops, cafés, and restaurants, downtown has everything you need for a lovely afternoon. You know how it goes: you walk into a store out of curiosity, stumble upon a gift idea you hadn’t planned on, then head out for a coffee, and so on…

And while you’re there, why not take the opportunity to discover a great local restaurant? There’s no shortage of them downtown. That’s part of the joy of shopping locally: you can take your time and make discoveries along the way.