Notre-Dame-du-Portage, Quebec: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Notre-Dame-du-Portage is a St. Lawrence River municipality in Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region, west of Rivière-du-Loup. It is known for shore views, old resort character, a hillside-and-river setting and outdoor access along Route 132.
The community is small, but it feels distinct. Travellers should look for the river first, then the slope of the land, older homes, church-and-village setting and the outdoor routes that rise behind the shore.
How Notre-Dame-du-Portage Started
Quebec’s Commission de toponymie records Notre-Dame-du-Portage as a municipality in the Rivière-du-Loup MRC and notes that the parish and municipality were created in 1856. The record also explains the later status change from parish municipality to municipality in 2005.
The “Portage” part of the name points to the area’s travel geography. Before modern highways, routes between the St. Lawrence and inland waters mattered. The community’s shore position near Île aux Lièvres also helped turn it into a summer place. The toponymy record notes that anglophone families from Quebec, Montreal and Ontario were already spending summers here by 1875, followed later by francophone families.
What Notre-Dame-du-Portage Is Like Today
Statistics Canada counted 1,296 residents in Notre-Dame-du-Portage in the 2021 Census. The municipality remains compact enough to feel personal, but its river views, older buildings and outdoor amenities give it a larger travel profile than its population suggests.
Today the community is both residential and recreational. The St. Lawrence frames the lower road and viewpoints, while the terrain rises quickly inland. Municipal information, local trails and regional services all point to a place that has long balanced daily life with seasonal visitors.
Notre-Dame-du-Portage is not a place to rush through on the way to Rivière-du-Loup. Its appeal is in the shoreline rhythm: river light, changing tides, quiet streets and nearby slopes.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Start with the St. Lawrence shore. Views across the river and toward Île aux Lièvres are central to the visit, especially in clear light. Walk or drive slowly through the village area to see how the settlement follows the land between shore and slope.
For outdoor time, Sentiers du Portage operates a growing mountain bike centre in the municipality. Check trail conditions, tickets and season details before planning around it, since trail networks and access rules can change.
Rivière-du-Loup is the nearby service centre for ferries, restaurants, accommodations and broader regional planning. Notre-Dame-du-Portage adds the quieter riverfront and trail setting to that trip. Give it its own time as a village-and-shore stop, especially if river light or trail conditions are good.
Quick Facts
- Province: Quebec
- Region: Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Municipality type: municipality
- 2021 Census population: 1,296
- Regional county municipality: Rivière-du-Loup
- Known for: St. Lawrence views, old resort character, village setting and Sentiers du Portage
- Official website: Municipalité de Notre-Dame-du-Portage
Travel Notes
Notre-Dame-du-Portage is easy to reach by car from Route 132 and the Rivière-du-Loup area. Shore weather can be cool and windy even in summer, so bring a layer for walks and viewpoints. Trail users should check current Sentiers du Portage conditions before arriving. In winter, slopes and river weather can make roads slippery. Parking is limited in some village areas, so use marked public spaces and avoid blocking residential access.