New Richmond, Quebec: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
New Richmond is a Baie-des-Chaleurs town in Quebec’s Gaspésie region, where Route 132, the Petite-Cascapédia River, beaches, parks and a mountain recreation area meet. It is a good stop for travellers who want both waterfront time and easy access to outdoor activities.
The town’s own website describes New Richmond as a place where recreation, industry and commerce share the same bay setting. That is a useful way to see it: the community is practical and scenic at once, with public parks, beaches, services and heritage traces close to the main road.
How New Richmond Started
New Richmond’s older story is tied to the people and industries around Baie-des-Chaleurs and the Petite-Cascapédia. The municipal parks page gives a strong clue at Pointe Duthie, where it notes original Mi’gmaq presence before later Acadian, Loyalist, Scottish and Irish settlement.
Pointe Duthie also points to the town’s working past. The site includes historic buildings and the memory of a shipyard where large wooden vessels were built in the Gaspé. Other local places, including beaches named for families and old mill activity near Henderson, show how the town grew through water access, craft, farming, timber and coastal movement.
What New Richmond Is Like Today
New Richmond has about 3,683 residents and functions as a family-oriented service town for this part of Baie-des-Chaleurs. It has municipal facilities, a regional performance venue, parks, a library, sports programming, shops and public spaces that serve residents as much as visitors.
For travellers, the setting is the draw. The town sits between bay, river and hills, with the Parc de la Pointe-Taylor, beaches, trails, wetlands and Pin Rouge all close enough to shape a flexible visit. It feels like a Gaspé town where outdoor plans can be adjusted around weather.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Start at Parc de la Pointe-Taylor, on the edge of Baie-des-Chaleurs and the Petite-Cascapédia estuary. The municipality lists walking, inline skating, Rotary-Cascapédia trails, picnic areas, boat rentals, birding and a summer public market among the reasons to go.
Pointe Duthie adds a heritage landscape, trails, historic buildings and shoreline views. The municipal page also describes Plage de la Pointe-Taylor, Plage Mae, Parc du Souvenir, Parc Melanson and other local waterfront spaces. Some beaches are unsupervised or affected by erosion, so read posted safety notes.
For a mountain option, Station touristique Pin Rouge offers year-round lodging and outdoor activity, including skiing, tubing, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and views toward the Chics-Chocs and Baie-des-Chaleurs.
Quick Facts
- Province: Quebec
- Region: Gaspésie
- Municipality type: City
- 2021 census population: 3,683
- Official website: https://villenewrichmond.com/
Travel Notes
New Richmond is best with a car and a weather-flexible plan. Watch tide and beach safety information, especially near cliffs or unsupervised shorelines. Pin Rouge and some waterfront facilities have seasonal schedules, so confirm current details before building the day around them.