Anne-Charlotte PasseraDiscover the city of Trois-Rivières for a day. Why not?
In 12 years, I had never really set foot in this city which is located almost halfway between Montreal and Quebec. In fact, my only experiences in Trois-Rivières were for a vomit stop for Blondie Bear and then my dog Nouki. As luck would have it, in the same spot.
I’ve always believed what I was told about Trois-Rivières. There’s nothing to see, it’s small and ugly. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes, it’s just best to check things out by yourself and make your own opinion.
Trois-Rivières received in 2009 the title of “Cultural Capital of Canada” and in 2015, became the first non-European city to receive the title of “City of poetry”. You will indeed find poetry along the river, a bit under the belt.
It wasn’t until a friend told me about a visit she made to the Trois-Rivières Prison with her daughter several years ago that I was tempted. Well then, let’s all get in the car and go to Trois-Rivières to spend the day!
Trois-Rivières is one of the best destinations for a one-day trip from Montreal. It has plenty to offer and this blog post will help you make your day in Trois-Rivières as memorable as possible! Whether you have kids or are traveling with grownups only, we’ve got some great ideas for activities that everyone can enjoy. Of course, they are based on our own experiences or from what we hear are good choices. We’ll also tell you about our favorite places to eat in Trois-Rivières and what to do when you’re not eating.
Brief history of Trois-Rivières
The city of Trois-Rivières is one of Quebec’s most well-known cities. You may not know that it was originally a fur trading post established in 1634 by colonists from France, and has been one since! Ok, not anymore but it was for a very long time.
The name “Trois Rivieres” means Three Rivers because the Saint Lawrence River divides into three rivers when it reaches this point – one flowing westward to the Gulf of St.Lawrence, one toward Montreal, and one towards Quebec City.
The city was founded by Laviolette on July 4, 1634, and there is even a statue of him in the old part of the city. In fact, it was Samuel Champlain who entrusted Laviolette with the construction of a trading post at this location.
Trois-Rivières lived through an era of coureurs des bois and the fur trade. Then, it became an industrial city, starting with a foundry and then logging. It was first home to sawmills and then paper mills. Trois-Rivières has been the paper capital of the world since 1922!
The Manoir Boucher de Niverville is the oldest building in the city. It has one of the rarest authentic wooden frames from the French Regime.
In 1908, there was a serious fire that destroyed most of the old town. This explains why its historic district is so small. Only about a handful of buildings from the New France era were spared. This part of the city was declared a historic district in 1964.
Getting to Trois-Rivières from Montreal
To get to Trois-Rivières from Montreal you can take highway 40 of course. It will take you about 1h30 to get there. However, you will miss out on villages and bucolic landscapes.
Instead, take the Chemin du Roy either on your way there or on the way back. There are plenty of places to discover and stop.
It’s one of those roads where you can take a break and enjoy the scenery. And when it comes down to it, that is one of the best things about day trips: taking time for yourself and your loved ones.
That’s what we did during our road trip to Ile d’Orléans. You can even have a picnic by the river or dip your feet in the water (near the Saint-Charles brook).
The Chemin du Roy is one of the oldest roads in North America. It was built by settlers back in 1687 to connect Quebec City with Montreal.
It would be a shame to miss out on the beautiful countryside rolling alongside the Chemin du Roy.
Things To Do In Trois-Rivières: What’s Fun for Families?
There is no lack of activities in Trois-Rivières. But why do the ones you can find near Montreal? Instead, try different ones you can do with the kids, or not. One day may not be enough to discover the whole of Trois-Rivières.
As you stroll through the historic center of Trois-Rivières in the summer, temporary works of art take over the public space to surprise your everyday life.
There is plenty of family fun here! Here are just some ideas:
- Stroll: take a leisurely walk around the town center and discover its historic sites, or find your way to the boardwalk.
- Visit some museums: for example, visit one of two museums based on Quebec culture or paper making.
- Enjoy the heat: head to some of Trois-Rivières best beaches.
General store Le Brun
Explore one of Trois-Rivières’ oldest shops.
This small business is nestled in a jewel of architectural and historical heritage. It’s located in the heart of the main commercial arteries of downtown Trois-Rivières.
The general store “Le Brun en Ville” transports you to another time, the post-war era.
By stopping by, you will be able to feel the warm welcome of the businesses of the past, full of nostalgia and memories.
You’ll be greeted by lively music and colorful candies at your fingertips. No matter what year you were born, this nostalgic place will bring back childhood memories.
Address: 1411 Notre-Dame Centre, Trois-Rivières
If you feel like it, in Maskinongé, make a stop at the authentic and typical general store of the 19th and 20th century which is the precursor of the one in Trois-Rivières. You can learn more about a significant period of Quebec’s past. The site includes a museum with original furniture, a boutique with period candies, and a historical café with a terrace and garden.
Address: 192 Pied de la Côte, Maskinongé
Religious complex
The Ursuline nuns arrived in 1697 to found the very first educational institution in the city.
The present site includes five buildings: the Gannes house, the Hertel de La Fresnière house, the Récollet convent, the Récollet church and the Ursuline convent. All were built in the French Regime style and are a visual reminder of the urban landscape of 18th century French Canada.
The buildings were all erected between 1700 and 1829 and the oldest is the Ursuline Convent, which dates from 1700.
It is a unique place in Canada that invites you to admire the urban construction of 18th century French Canada. This complex was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1962.
tourism trois-rivières
The old prison
The Prison of Trois-Rivières was opened in 1822.
At the time, it was designed to accommodate about forty inmates. Thanks to the pressure of Amnesty International, it closed its doors in 1986. It is the only prison in Canada that was open for that long.
The building was later classified as a heritage building and integrated into the Musée Québecois de Culture Populaire (POP) complex.
You can visit this prison with your children with a guide, in French. The visit lasts about 1 hour.
The visit is very well done and will allow you to learn more about the living conditions of the prisoners. In any case, the children will not act blasé during the visit. However, the visit is for children ages 8 and up.
Life in prison
Prisoners were incarcerated in appalling conditions. There was overcrowding (140 instead of 40) and mold everywhere. The density of the stench was held back by 3 feet of concrete.
The locked windows kept the heat in, the humidity out. The smell stayed inside. Prisoners spent the day in the common room (13hrs) and went outside for about 30-40 minutes every day.
Inmates were only allowed to wash once a week and their blankets were only washed once every three months. It was common for a new inmate to pick up a ‘dirty’ blanket from an inmate who had just been released.
The recidivism rate at the time was 80%, nowadays it is 30%.
In 1902, hanging was made public in Quebec. Then, it was done in-camera. The ‘spectators’ had to get creative and went to the roofs or balconies of the neighboring homes to watch the hanging that took place in the prison’s garden. The “show” cost them $10 to be on the balcony, which at the time represented a full week’s salary for an average worker.
Cost of the visit for a family of 4: $41
Pop Museum
The Pop Museum is a treat for children and adults. It has several rooms with different themes which are all mostly related to Quebec (or Canadian) culture.
This museum has several exhibitions, some permanent, others temporary.
- Relive the history of Quebec through playful and interactive installations. You can also discover interesting facts about the popular culture of Quebec. In particular, the language!
- Test your athletic abilities in the sports installation.
- Put on your cape and become a superhero for a visit. Fun for the little ones. Will they be able to solve the riddles?
The DNA of superheroes is an adventure exhibit with a hiding place, climbing wall, and skill games. Through their mission, children will discover that real superheroes and superheroines are people who are part of their daily lives. People like you, for example!
tourism trois-rivières
Cost of the visit for a family of 4 which includes the prison visit: $58
Harbour Stroll
The harbour walk is very easy to do with several facilities to rest and admire the river.
There is also a small lighthouse that used to be a ticket office for cruises on the St. Lawrence River. I don’t know if it is still there, because we only saw it from a distance.
You can walk along the river or cut through the Ursulines, the most beautiful part of town it seems. As you continue on your way, you will arrive at the amphitheater with a clear view of the river.
Guided tour
There are different guided tours you can take in Trois-Rivières for about $15 per adult. They last about 1h30.
We didn’t do them, but they looked interesting and fun. It’s a whole different way to discover Trois-Rivières if you are only there for the day.
Here are two options available to you:
- Personare, discovery of old rumors and Trois-Rivières stories
- The lamplighter, in the form of a tale.
Free themed tours
The historic downtown area of Trois-Rivières is not very large but is still rich in history. You can follow a thematic tour (FREE) to learn more about the city at your own pace.
The 6 themes are the following:
- Arts
- Poetry
- Museums
- Heritage
- Shopping & Gourmet
- Playful
Borealis Museum
In 2010, Borealis became the Paper Industry History Centre. The museum opened its doors in the former water filtration plant of Canadian International Paper. This place was the largest paper mill in the world.
In addition to the history, you can discover the impressive underground vaults built on the same principle as the Roman aqueducts.
From the museum, you will have a remarkable view of the mouth of the Saint-Maurice River.
Boréalis is located right next to the amphitheater and is walkable from the historic center.
Cost of the visit: $11 for adults.
During the summer, with your entrance fee, you get FREE access to the Manoir Boucher de Niverville either for a same-day visit or the next day.
Beach
If you want to enjoy the outdoors with the kids, head across the street from the Boréalis Museum to Ile Saint-Quentin. It’s a 7-minute drive from the museum.
There is a beautiful beach at the Parc de L’ile Saint-Quentin. However, there are daily rates, $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Parking is FREE.
More information HERE.
Seigneurial Mill
On your way in or out of Trois-Rivières, stop by the Moulin Seigneurial.
The smells of fresh bread waft through the air as you walk out of your car at Moulin Seigneurial. Stop by and learn how they make their famous dough! Moreover, they offer a hands-on experience, where visitors can watch them work before having a go themselves. You’ll leave with some freshly baked loaves for sure! The last possible time to partake in the workshop is 1pm.
Cost of the visit: $5 general admission or $10 for the bread-making workshop with a guided tour.
FREE to visit every first Friday of the month from June to October.
Places to eat and drink in Trois-Rivières
In a day’s visit, you’ll surely get hungry. Personally, I tend to forget to pack a lunch when we go away for a day trip and my husband is not a big fan of picnics and cold meat.
Here are some places to explore if your stomach starts grumbling for something more than a ham and cheese sandwich and pre-cut carrots or potato chips.
Madame Woo
What a great discovery we made at Madame Woo, a Restaurant with unique Asian-style cuisine.
The Madame Woo Restaurant is the perfect place to go for a date night or for a family lunch. The food tastes amazing and they have an all-around great atmosphere, from modern furniture pieces to colorful walls with stylish designs on them.
We started our lunch with some drinks. Beer for my husband and mojito for me. My mojito was delicious and served in a very special container. It was quite unexpected.
Then came the food. For starters, we had the coconut chicken soup and the fried pork wontons. The portions were decent.
For our main dishes, I thought there was too much bell pepper but my General Tao tasted good enough that it didn’t matter to me one bit! (I gave them all to my husband)
The service was excellent.
It’s a bit pricy, I’m not going to lie. However, we felt we were on vacation, so we didn’t mind splurging a little for once.
Address: 295 rue des Forges Trois-Rivières
The Coconut
We passed the Coconut Bar & Hotel on our way home and I was intrigued by it. So I did a little research.
Apparently, the Coconut is a cult place like no other in the province according to the Mauricie Tourism website.
It’s a Tiki Bar with a kitschy 50’s Polynesian decor. Totally my style. So if you’re looking for a bit of exoticism to end your day in Trois-Rivières, the Coconut could be a great option.
It’s also a hotel and not a bad place to spend the night starting at $79 + taxes.
Address:
7531, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Trois-Rivières
Sea Shack au Bord du Lac
If you’re looking for a little “sea” experience without crossing Canada to get to the coast, stop by the Sea Shack au Bord du Lac.
Just 20 minutes from downtown Trois-Rivières on your way back to Montreal is this seaside snack bar. In fact, it’s on the Chemin du Roy on the shores of Lake St. Pierre whose horizon has no end.
They are known for their smoked trout sandwiches. Moreover, they make their own gelatos that I tasted. My favorite flavors: lemon-mint and raspberry. The perfect combination for a sweet stop with your feet in the water.
Also, this place is not far from the Moulin Seigneurial!
As you can see, Trois-Rivières has a lot to offer for families. Whether you’re looking to have some relaxing time with your family or learn something or two, there’s something here for everyone! And if you’ve never been before and are curious what life is like in this scenic city by the St Lawrence River, don’t hesitate on giving it a try sometime soon!
Want more information about any one of these points? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you !
I received a Media Inviation to visit the prison and Pop museum in Trois-Rivières. My thoughts are my own.
