Edmundston

Edmundston is a city in northern New Brunswick with about 16,000 residents.

Understand

The city of Edmundston is roughly 95% francophone, the highest proportion in New Brunswick. Unlike the rest of the Maritimes, the majority of Francophones in Edmundston aren't descended from the Acadians but rather from French-Canadians that came up from Lower Canada (modern day Quebec), and are commonly known as Brayons. Some of the Brayons think of themselves as neither Acadian nor Québécois and their accent (l'accent brayon) is fairly distinct from the Québécois and Acadian accents. However others embrace Acadian roots, and it is not uncommon to see the Acadian flag flown.

Edmundston's economy is focused on the Saint John River paper industry. The river has provided water power for the mills and was the route of log drives bringing pulpwood from upstream forests. Forestry is one of the city's major industries, with several sawmills and paper plants in the vicinity, the largest being the Twin Rivers pulp mill. The town's economy is highly dependent upon cross-border trade. Edmundston and the smaller American city of Madawaska are considered by residents to be one community. An illuminated sign and plastics manufacture owned by Pattison Sign is also important to the city's economy. IPL, a company that manufactures plastic eating utensils, has a facility in Edmundston. The city is the site of the regional hospital for the area. There is a campus of the French-language University of Moncton in Edmundston. The New Brunswick Community college system has a campus in Edmundston.

Get in

Edmundston is on Trans-Canada Highway 2 between Fredericton and the Quebec border. It is across the river from and has an international border crossing with Madawaska, Maine.

Maritime Bus runs buses to Edmundston from Rivière-du-Loup in Quebec at 4:30AM and 1PM (2½ hr, $29.50), and from Fredericton at 14:15 and 19:10 (3 hr 25 min, $53.25).

Edmundston Airport (ICAO:CYES) is 17 km (11 mi) north west of the city, and its runway straddles the border with Quebec. It does not appear to have any regular flights. The closest major airport is Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle (PQI ^IATA), Maine, 103 km from Edmundston. The nearest major airport in Canada is Mont-Joli Airport (YYY ^IATA). This airport has domestic flights and is about 138 km from Edmundston.

Get around

• Taxi Camille, 145, rue Victoria, ☎ [phone]. (updated Apr 2017)

See

• Madawaska Historical Museum, 195 boulevard Hébert, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 10AM-3PM, W Th evenings 7PM-10PM, Su 1PM-5PM. The museum presents themed exhibitions and the Colline Art Gallery. The museum consists of two exhibition rooms; the Heritage room presents theme exhibitions all year round. The Galerie Colline is a center for contemporary art. The museum also has a permanent antique collection. Adult $5; teenager $3; children free. (updated Apr 2017)
• 🌍 New Brunswick Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique du Nouveau-Brunswick), 15 Main St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. May-Jun and Sep: 9AM-5PM daily; Jul-Aug: 9AM-8PM daily. A number of themed gardens including annuals, perennials, rhododendrons, an alpine garden and a rose garden. Adults $14, seniors 65+ and students $12, children 5-17 $7, children under 5 free, families (2 adults plus 2 children) $30.. (updated Apr 2017)
• Petit-Sault Blockhouse, 14 avenue Saint-Jean, ☎ [phone]. End of June to Labour Day: Tu-Su 11AM-7PM. Reconstruction of a blockhouse that was built during the Aroostook Bloodless War. Built in 1841 at the height of the boundary dispute between the United States and Great Britain, this small fort was part of a defensive line that extended as far as Quebec. Destroyed by lightning in 1855, it was rebuilt in 2000, in accordance with the original specifications Students and seniors $2, adults $3.50, family $7. (updated Apr 2017)
• Railroad Interpretation Center (Centre d'interprétation des voies ferrées: du réel au miniature), 1091 Victoria Street, ☎ [phone]. June-Sep 11AM-7PM; Oct-May 4PM-6PM or by appointment. The museum is a 1900s train shed replica. The exhibit changes every year and relates the life of railway-men. A 900 ft² (84 m²) HO 1/87 scale lay-out constantly changes. You see a great deal of different modeling aspect like cars, structures, engines, scenery and many scale kilometers of tracks. Replicas and 230 ft (70 m) of boardwalk will lead you to a covered railway bridge and to the hall of fame. $9 each; family (4-6 pers./ 2 adults + children under 18) $34. (updated Apr 2017)

Do

• 🌍 Mont Farlagne, 360 Ch Mont Farlagne, ☎ [phone]. Skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, fat biking. Lift tickets $16-35. (updated Apr 2019)
• De La Republique Provincial Park, 31 Isidore-Boucher Blvd., Saint-Jacques (accessible from Route 2), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. The park features scenic hiking and cycling trails, 2 volleyball courts, a fully equipped outdoor playground, 2 tennis courts, horseshoe pits, boat ramp, picnic sites and shelter, a playroom for indoor activities and a heated swimming pool. Enjoy an evening of local talent as you tap your feet to the sounds of l'Acadie des Terres et Forêts en Fête, a lively show celebrating Acadian history though song, dance and theatre. The show is presented in a roofed outdoor amphitheatre on park grounds. Also on site are a boutique, poolside terrace and convenience store. (updated Apr 2019)

Buy

There are the usual big box stores in this town.

Eat and drink

• Le Deck, 192 Rue Victoria (near the bridge that connects the two sides of the town along the de l'Église), ☎ [phone]. W-Sa 2PM-2AM. Sports bar/pub. Burgers $12-18, pasta $17, steak or ribs $27. (updated Apr 2017)
• Kinh Do Restaurant, 53 Chemin Canada, ☎ [phone]. Tu 11AM–2PM; W Th 11AM-8PM, F Sa 11AM-9PM; Su 2PM-8PM. Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese. Main dishes $10-17. (updated Apr 2017)

Sleep

• De La Republique Provincial Park Camping, 31 Isidore-Boucher Blvd., Saint-Jacques (accessible from Route 2), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. The campground has over 150 campsites, 100 of which have electricity. Rustic shelters are also available for those looking for a camping alternative. Laundry facilities are available on site. Also on site are a boutique, poolside terrace and convenience store. $28-36/site. (updated Apr 2019)
• Comfort Inn Edmundston, 5 Bateman Avenue, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi. An exercise room and a business centre are available on site. A non-smoking environment. A 5-minute drive from City Hall Square, while Fraser Marina is within a 7-minute drive. Mount-Farlagne Ski Hill is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Double $109. (updated Apr 2017)
• Happy Motel, 33 17th Street. Less than 1 km off the Trans-Canada Highway. Central Edmundston is less than 5 minutes' walk away. Free Wi-Fi and a small refrigerator in each room. On-site launderette. Ironing services are also available. Edmundston Golf Club is 2 km from the motel. The Université de Moncton - Campus D'Edmundston is less than 10 minutes' walk away. Doubles $65. (updated Apr 2017)

Connect

• Office of tourism Edmundston Madawaska, 121 rue Victoria, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. July-Aug: daily 9AM-8PM; Sep-June: M-F 9AM-10PM, 1PM-5PM. (updated Apr 2017)

Go next

Routes through Edmundston

Rivière-du-Loup ← Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! ← Becomes ←

W  E

→ Grand Falls → Woodstock