Overview
Rivière-au-Tonnerre (population under 300) is a tranquil relay village on Quebec's North Shore where the sound of waterfalls crashing through a 50m drop gave the settlement its name meaning "Thunder River." It serves as a gateway to Anticosti Island and sits on both the Route des Baleines and the gourmet Route Nature aux mille délices. The village is part of the Fédération des Villages-relais du Québec, a network of welcoming stopovers for travelers.
Architecture · Day Trips · History · Nature · Trekking
Before you go
Connectivity
No cellular service whatsoever. Three municipal WiFi zones installed 2021: Sheldrake village center, near Saint-Hippolyte church, and at the seaport. Telephone booth at the general store for emergencies.
Culture
Part of Fédération des Villages-relais du Québec—a network of designated villages providing services and hospitality to travelers. Norman-style Saint-Hippolyte church is architecturally unique in North America.
Money
ATM available at Lebrun et fils general store (500 rue Jacques-Cartier). Store hours M–Sa 08:00–21:00, Su 09:00–21:00. Bring sufficient cash as this is a remote community with limited services.
Transport
Intercar operates regional bus routes. Route 138 is the main road connecting Rivière-au-Tonnerre west to Baie-Comeau and east toward Blanc-Sablon. Village is 1 km north of l'Île du Havre, the closest mainland point to Anticosti.