Major city · Canada
Richmond
Give Richmond one night, or a half-day stop on the Cantonnière bike trail: the slate downtown and river park are done in 3–4 hours.
Richmond is a small Eastern Townships town on the St. François River, about 30 minutes south of Autoroute 20/55 near Drummondville. Its draw is a compact slate-and-brick main street, two old bridges and a riverfront park with kayak tours. No passenger train stops here, so you arrive by car, bus or bike. Most travellers see it in half a day or use it as a quiet one-night base between Drummondville and Sherbrooke.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the river and bike trail; late Sep for the fair; Jan–Mar for cross-country skiing
- avoid Nov and early Apr (mud, closed seasonal sites); deep cold snaps in Jan–Feb
- Airports
- YUL · YQB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Richmond911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)811
- Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency)310-4141
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Richmond, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h) · 310-4141 Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 1 h 30 min by car via Autoroute 20 and 55; the usual gateway for the region.).
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable and bikeable, about 3 km (1.9 mi) across, but streets climbing from the river are steep.Downtown is walkable and bikeable, about 1.9 mi (3 km) across, but streets climbing from the river are steep.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and pastryC$4–8 (≈ US$3–6)
- BeerDraught beer in a pubC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Budget bedHostel or gîte dorm bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$260 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 1 h 30 min by car via Autoroute 20 and 55; the usual gateway for the region.) · YQB Québec City Jean Lesage (About 2 h by car; a second option if you fly into Québec City.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Care
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
Avoid*
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best*
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Mar, Jun–Sep. Mixed: Jan–Feb. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest Dec (15 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Richmond: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
14 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
11 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
12 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
13 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
14 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable and bikeable, about 3 km across, but streets climbing from the river are steep. Two bridges cross the St. François: the one-lane Mackenzie Bridge and the higher Pont Frédérick-Coburn. A car helps for Melbourne, the ski centre and day trips; the Cantonnière bike trail runs through town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Drummondville
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min by car
Autoroute 20/55 north by car, or Autobus La Québecoise
Bigger town with Via Rail connections to Montréal and Québec City.
Sherbrooke
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Autoroute 55 south by car, or Autobus La Québecoise
Larger city for food, services and onward buses; the US border is about 90 min past it.
Valcourt
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Route 243 and local roads by car
Industrial town with the Bombardier museum; pair with Danville on the way.
Danville
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car
By car toward Val-des-Sources
Pond and bird sanctuary; a short stop rather than a full day.
Windsor
goDoor to door: About 20 min by car
By car upriver
Small town with a historic powdermill and walking trails.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Rue Principale Nord (downtown)
Walk to restaurants, the bridges and the river park; hotel and motel rooms on the strip.
Melbourne side (Route 243)
Quieter, across the river; city hall and the farmers' market are a 20–30 min walk from downtown, with poor pedestrian access on the last kilometre.
Camping and gîtes outside town
Seasonal campgrounds and B&Bs in the surrounding township; you need a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Autobus La Québecoise, Sherbrooke–Richmond, one way2 × C$15 · check | C$30 |
| Guided kayak tour, half day2 × C$60 · check; reservations required | C$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$68 |
| Trip total≈ C$374 per person per day, bed included | C$748≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and pastry | C$4–8 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Poutine or a diner main | C$14–22 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Pizza, one large | C$18–30 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Draught beer in a pub | C$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Cross-country ski day ticket, adultcheck; snowshoeing about C$11.50 | C$20 (≈ US$15) |
| Expo Richmond Fair, adultcheck; children about C$10 | C$20 (≈ US$15) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No passenger rail service to Richmond; the nearest Via Rail station is Drummondville.
- Route 243 toward Melbourne has poor pedestrian access on the last kilometre: walk with care or drive.
- The Mackenzie Bridge is one lane: yield and cross slowly.
- The St. François River is too shallow for boats other than kayaks and canoes.
- Don't confuse this Richmond with New Richmond on the Gaspé Peninsula, about 750 km (466 mi) away.Don't confuse this Richmond with New Richmond on the Gaspé Peninsula, about 466 mi (750 km) away.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
- Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency)
- 310-4141
Pocket card
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RichmondRichmond
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (24 h health advice)811
- Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency)310-4141
Embassy
No embassy in Richmond; the US consulate general is in Montréal, and most other countries keep embassies in Ottawa or consulates in Montréal (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Sherbrooke → Richmond, Autobus La Québecoise: about C$15 (≈ US$11), roughly 1 h (check)
- Taxi within Richmond: C$10–20 (≈ US$8–15) (check)
- Drive Montréal → Richmond: about 1 h 30 min via Autoroute 20 and 55
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
- Je ne parle pas français — I don't speak French (zhuh nuh PARL pah fran-SAY)
About 25–30% of residents speak English as a first language, the highest share in most of the Eastern Townships, but French is still needed for many transactions.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Richmond. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for the river and bike trail; late Sep for the fair; Jan–Mar for cross-country skiing · avoid Nov and early Apr (mud, closed seasonal sites); deep cold snaps in Jan–Feb · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for YUL and YQB: drive times, bus fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Rue Principale, both bridges, Parc Nautique, the convent café.
- Place pages with verified hours (Museum of Slate, Parc Nautique kayak tours, ski centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures for the St. Patrick's Day parade and the Expo Richmond Fair so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVille de Richmond — Parc Nautique and kayak tours
- officialTourisme Eastern Townships — Cantonnière bike trail
- officialAutobus La Québecoise — regional routes
- officialRichmond-Melbourne Ski Centre
- officialExpo Richmond Fair
- officialRichmond St. Patrick's Day parade
- officialSentiers de l'Estrie — hiking network
- secondaryWikivoyage: Richmond (Quebec), revision 5005330 (CC BY-SA 4.0)