La Romaine, located near the mouth of the Olomane River, consists of a small French-speaking population and a larger Innu reserve called Unamen Shipu. The name La Romaine comes from the Innu word olomane or oromane, meaning red ochre, from the reddish waters of the river in spring runoff.

In the early 18th century the French established a fishing and trading post at the mouth of the Olomane River. This post became the place of contact between the nomadic Innu and the more coastal Europeans. The British took control of the post in the 1760s, followed by merchants from Quebec City.

Around 1850, French Canadians from elsewhere in Quebec began to settle the area, and gradually moved to La Romaine when several small outposts closed. Today many residents work in the commercial lobster fishery and private sport-fishing camps.

UNAMEN SHIPU

The Innu reserve dates from the mid-1950s. Traditionally, the Innu maintained a nomadic lifestyle. At the end of summer, they left the coast and traveled upriver to hunt and fish in winter. Each May, they returned down the river to the coast, where they fished, hunted seabirds and gathered eggs. The Innu of the Lower North Shore were one of the last nomadic Aboriginal groups in North America, and were known for their birchbark canoes and traditional travel by canoe or snowshoe.

• Marie Reine-des-Indiens Roman Catholic Church: This church is open to the public. It houses an unusual caribou skin altar that melds Catholic and Innu culture.
• Outer islands: A local boat owner can take you bird-watching and berry-picking on various islands off La Romaine
• Île à la Brume Migratory Bird Sanctuary: This seabird sanctuary is located east of the community of La Romaine. The Common Eider, Ring-Billed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull nest here. No public activities are permitted when birds are present at this conservation site.

IN SUMMER : Hiking and walking, bird and whale watching, iceberg viewing, boat tours, sea kayaking, berry-picking, salmon fishing, wilderness camping, ATV

IN WINTER : Snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter carnival, hockey tournaments

• Hôtel Madame Ruby
  La Romaine (QC)
  G0G 1M0
  Tel: (418) 229-2118
  Fax: (418) 229-2952
  

• Casse-Croûte Le Snack
  La Romaine (QC)
  G0G 1M0
  Tel : (418) 229-2199