Rigaud is a small Quebec town between Montreal and Ottawa, set below Mont Rigaud near the Ottawa River. At first glance it looks like a service stop on Autoroute 40, but the hill gives it more life than that: ski slopes, forest trails, maple farms, and a pilgrimage sanctuary tucked into the woods.
The town began as a seigneury in the 18th century, and old Rigaud still has a few heritage buildings and church-school landmarks. Its best use for travelers is as a half-day stop or an easy outing from western Montreal, especially in autumn or during maple season.
Rigaud is not dramatic. It is a pleasant, practical piece of rural Quebec with enough distinctive stops to reward a spare day.