Top 15 Activities to Experience in Trois-Rivières, Quebec

The second oldest city in Quebec, Trois-Rivières, is situated at the convergence of the Saint Lawrence and Saint-Maurice Rivers. Notably, its name translates to ‘Three Rivers’, indicative of its three estuaries along the St Lawrence River.

Trois-Rivières serves as the cultural epicenter of the Maurice region and ranks as one of Canada’s oldest industrial cities. Nevertheless, it is the city’s rich history that attracts visitors, with its ‘old city’ being a key attraction for tourists.

The Saint-Maurice River divides the city in half, with both the urban center and the historic district located on the southern bank. Nevertheless, points of interest exist on both sides of the river.

Let us delve into the premier activities in Trois-Rivières:

1. Explore Historic Streets

While smaller in scale compared to Montreal and Quebec City’s old town, the historic district of Trois-Rivières is its primary attraction and essential for any visitor.

Step back in time as you meander along Rue des Ursulines, the oldest street in the city, featuring numerous buildings classified as cultural properties.

This serene area is exceptionally picturesque, with over 50 structures dating back to as early as 1650.

2. Discover the Ursulines’ Influence

The Ursulines refer to the religious institutions of the Catholic Church that were historically significant in Trois-Rivières. Gain insight into the lives of the Ursulines by visiting the Musée Des Ursulines.

This museum is located in the historic district along Rue des Ursulines and is housed within a former school, hospital, and monastery.

Exploring the museum allows you to tour various buildings and participate in numerous exhibitions, offering a journey through over 300 years of history.

3. Experience Quebec’s Culture

Experience the essence of Quebec culture at the Québec Museum of Folk Culture, which exhibits various displays that highlight the province’s distinctive cultural heritage.

Housing over 60,000 items, the museum’s collection largely derives from donations, with more than half contributed by Robert-Lionel-Séguin, featuring artifacts from different historical eras.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that focus on the province’s culture, whether showcasing local artists or historical collections, such as vintage dolls.

4. Visit the Historic Prison

A visit to the Old Prison of Trois-Rivières is certainly intriguing. Situated next to the Québec Museum of Folk Culture, many visitors choose to explore both locations consecutively.

Established in 1822, the prison operated until 1986 and is now recognized as a historical monument.

Join a guided tour to uncover the history of the facility and its inmates, or opt for an experience to stay overnight, complete with breakfast and a commemorative t-shirt.

5. Admire the Basilica

Visiting the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap, a Norman Gothic structure located on the northern bank of the river, does not require attending a service, despite the thousands of pilgrims who visit annually.

Constructed in 1720, this magnificent church features exquisite stained glass windows and houses one of the largest organs in Canada.

The central dome rises approximately 38 meters above the sanctuary, with an equally impressive exterior that beckons admiration.

6. Tour Boucher-De Niverville Manor

Boucher-De Niverville Manor, a historic monument located near Old Town Trois-Rivières, offers visitors a chance to delve into the city’s past and cultural landscape.

Explore the manor’s collection, which includes clothing, artwork, food jars, and furniture associated with Marie-Josephte Chastelain and Joseph-Claude Boucher de Niverville, and learn about this notable couple from the French regime.

Each year, the manor also presents a temporary exhibition for an enriched experience.

7. Learn about the Iron Industry

North of the city lies Forges du Saint-Maurice, recognized as the birthplace of Canada’s iron industry, established on March 25, 1730, and designated as a National Historic Site.

This forge employed approximately 100 craftsmen from Burgundy and 300 to 400 laborers, producing some of the earliest iron goods such as pots, stoves, and pans.

Currently, the Forges du Saint-Maurice are preserved as a park and historic village, complemented by scenic trails, making it an ideal location for an afternoon excursion.

8. Photograph Laviolette Bridge

A prominent landmark of the city, Laviolette Bridge is an arch bridge spanning the St Lawrence River, effectively linking Trois-Rivières to Bécancour on the southern bank.

This remarkable structure boasts an elegant design and is the only bridge that traverses the river between Montreal and Quebec City.

Extending 2,707 meters in total, the bridge features 34 pillars, providing numerous opportunities to capture stunning photographs at all times of the day.

9. Visit the Art Gallery

Galerie d’art du Parc operates within the Manoir de Tonnancour, a heritage structure dating back to 1725.

The gallery displays works from regional, national, and international artists, contributing to the recognition of many local talents.

Emphasizing contemporary art, the gallery hosts numerous exhibitions throughout the year and offers creative workshops catering to various age groups.

10. Attend Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières

Every August, Trois-Rivières hosts the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, a must-attend event for car racing enthusiasts.

This three-day racing event showcases various races along the Circuit Trois-Rivières, accompanied by thrilling activities such as a spectacular fireworks display, tuning shows, and an opportunity to closely inspect the racing vehicles.

The event features races in categories such as rallycross, superquads, motocross, and NASCAR. Additionally, the circuit will host various events throughout the month.

11. Enjoy Bowling

Salon de Quilles Quillorama has delighted bowling enthusiasts since 1959. Visit this bowling alley to enjoy a game.

The facility operates seven days a week, including moonlight bowling hours on weekends, and shoe rentals are readily available.

For refreshments, the snack bar offers a variety of cold beers on tap, snacks, and cocktails, along with a small retail section for all your bowling equipment needs.

12. Experience Nightlife on Rue des Forges

The city’s primary entertainment avenue is Rue des Forges, stretching from the St. Lawrence River to Rue Bellefeuille, making it ideal for bar hopping between various establishments.

This lively strip features most of the bars situated between the river and Rue Royale, while additional fun spots can be found along Boulevard des Forges.

Although nightclubs are not prevalent in Trois-Rivières, they do exist, but most visitors and locals prefer to enjoy the vibrant bar scene.

13. Shop at Local Malls

Much of Trois-Rivières’ downtown area has transformed into a pedestrian mall featuring numerous boutiques alongside a few large shopping centers.

The largest shopping center in the city, Centre commercial Les Rivières, boasts roughly 150 boutiques as well as dining options and services, showcasing well-known brands such as RW & CO, Skechers, and Yves Rocher, in addition to Canadian retailers.

Les Galeries du Cap, located on the northern bank of the Saint-Maurice River, serves as a budget-friendly mall housing more affordable shops, including Walmart and Dollarama.

14. Explore Saint-Quentin Island

At the intersection of the Saint-Maurice and St. Lawrence Rivers lie three islands, among which Saint-Quentin Island offers the most diverse activities.

Visitors can enjoy beach activities, cycling, or hiking along the island’s trails. Additionally, it features a park and marina.

For those inclined, overnight camping facilities are available on Saint-Quentin Island, which also hosts several annual festivals.

15. Discover the Biosphere Reserve

Crossing the St. Lawrence River, the Lac-Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO, provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature.

Famous for heron nesting, this reserve holds the title of the largest nesting ground for these remarkable birds globally, with over 5,000 herons, alongside many other avian species.

The reserve is also home to 27 rare plant species and 79 fish species. With approximately 90 percent of the area remaining untouched, it serves as a true sanctuary for nature enthusiasts.