With over 350 years of history, Trois-Rivieres
is a city where the past meets the present, where centuries' old historic sites
sit alongside contemporary discotheques and restaurants. Situated between Quebec
City and Montreal
on the north shore of the St.
Lawrence River, the city offers something for everyone. There are a
host of outdoor activities, art
museums and events
for culture lovers as well as 17th, 18th and 19th century buildings for history
buffs to explore. The city's residents, known as Trifluviens, are not only proud
of Trois-Rivieres' past but also of the modern, exciting city it has become
and are happy to show it off for all to experience and enjoy.
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| Shrine
of Notre-Dame-du-Cap1 |
|
HISTORY
When Jacques Cartier first explored
the St. Lawrence River region in the mid-16th century, the area on which Trois-Rivieres
now sits was being used by Algonquin indigenous peoples as a winter settlement. With
the arrival of Europeans, the area became a seasonal fur-trading post and was
officially settled as a permanent post by Sieur de Laviolette in 1634, making
Trois-Rivieres the second oldest city in Canada
after Quebec City. Within a few decades, the settlement was fortified, the population
expanded and by 1663, the city had become the capital of one of three governments
of New France. On June 8, 1776, Trois-Rivieres was the site of one of several
battles that took place in Canada between American and British forces during
the American Revolutionary War. Quebec Governor Sir Guy Carleton commanded a
British force to victory over American forces led by General John Sullivan at
the Battle of Trois-Rivieres, after which many of the Americans escaped to Montreal.
An order of Ursuline nuns established
a convent in the city in 1697 and this became Trois-Rivieres' first hospital
as well as the city's first girls school. The Shrine
of Notre-Dame-du-Cap was built in 1720 as a parish church (known as
the Old Shrine), and a Small Shrine and Basilica were added later. The Shrine
became (and continues to be) a popular pilgrimage site, and along with the Ursulines'
Museum as well as other historical churches
and religious
sites, bears witness to the city's French Catholic beginnings. In fact,
over 92 per cent of the current population of Trois-Rivieres is Catholic.
ECONOMY
The year 1730 signalled the beginning
of a century long domination by the iron industry in the region when iron forges
were built on the Saint-Maurice
River 14.5 km (9 mi) from Trois-Rivieres. The Forges
du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site allows visitors to explore this
element of the city's past. By the middle of the next century, deforestation
in the United States
caused Americans to look north for lumber. Trois-Rivieres' location on the Saint-Maurice
and St. Lawrence Rivers allowed for easy transportation of lumber, and sawmills,
including the Pointe-du-Lac
Seigneurial Mill, sprung up over the region. These were quickly followed
by paper mills as pulp and paper became the area's leading industry by the end
of the 19th century. The
Pulp and Paper Industry Exhibition Centre offers visitors a look at
the importance of this industry in the region. While pulp and paper manufacturing
continues to be a leader in the local economy, the city has diversified by increasing
opportunities in the service sector. In particular, Cegep
College and the University
of Quebec have opened campuses in Trois-Rivieres leading to, among other
prospects, a growing number of jobs relating to research and cultural opportunities.
Technology, aeronautics, electronics and thermoplastics are also sectors that
are important to local industry.
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Manoir
de Tonnancour2 |
CULTURE
Cultural activities in Trois-Rivieres
tend to present both the city's extensive history as well as current pop culture
trends that influence Quebec.
History buffs can learn about various aspects of the lives of Trois-Rivieres'
residents as well as the city's religious and economic past at the aforementioned
attractions, among others. The Galerie
d'Art du Parc, which is housed on the Manoir
de Tonnancour, hosts historical art exhibits and the Old
Prison of Trois-Rivieres, which was built in 1822 and ran until 1986,
gives visitors insight in to the life of a prisoner in the 1960s through the
Go To JAIL! Experience. Past meets present at the Old Prison as it is a part
of the Quebec
Museum of Folk Culture, which has a rotating schedule of contemporary
cultural exhibits on display. The National
Biennial of Contemporary Sculpture and National
Biennial of Contemporary Print aim to display artists whose work demonstrates
current trends in both media. For those who enjoy the arts, the Encore
International Dance Festival and the Trois-Rivieres
International Vocal Art Event take place in the city each spring and
summer. Visitors looking for exhilaration can find it in August at the Trois-Rivieres
Grand Prix.
GEOGRAPHY
With a metropolitan population of
approximately 126,000, Trois-Rivieres sits on the northern banks of the St.
Lawrence River at the point where the Saint-Maurice River runs into the St.
Lawrence. In fact, the three channels through which the Saint-Maurice flows
into the St. Lawrence is where Trois-Rivieres derived its name. Historically,
the city's location on the two rivers has been crucial to its development and
today much of the Trois-Rivieres' economic and recreational activities still
centre on the two rivers. The city is the capital of the Mauricie region, an
area of Quebec that is covered in forests and lakes. These also provide an abundance
of recreational fun for locals and visitors alike. Trois-Rivieres is located
between Montreal and Quebec City with Montreal 138 km (85.7 mi) to the west
and Quebec City 130 km (80.8 mi) to the east. Each city is less than a two-hour
drive from Trois-Rivieres. The city is linked to Montreal by Highway 40 going
west, Quebec City by Highway 40 travelling east and Sherbrooke
and the United States by Highway 55 travelling south.
TRANSPORTATION
Trois-Rivieres has a small regional
airport; however, it is not served by any major airlines so those who wish to
travel by air will have to fly into Quebec City or Montreal (the same can be
said for trains as Trois-Rivieres does not have a train station). A number of
major airlines offer flights from within Canada, the United States and internationally
to both Quebec City and Montreal. Those who arrive by plane or train in either
Quebec City or Montreal can proceed on to Trois-Rivieres on an Orleans
Express bus. The motorcoach company operates from 200 locations within
Quebec and routes arriving in Trois-Rivieres will drop visitors directly in
the city's downtown. For those who hope to take the bus from the airport in
Montreal, shuttles from the Pierre
Elliot Trudeau International Airport will take passengers from the airport
to the city's main bus terminal where they can catch their Orleans Express bus.
Alternately, visitors can rent
a car from either city and drive to Trois-Rivieres. To reach downtown
Trois-Rivieres from Montreal's Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport,
take Highway 520 (Cote de Liesse Highway) east for approximately 3 km (1.9 mi),
then take Highway 40 east for approximately 130 km (80.8 mi) into Trois-Rivieres.
Take exit 199 (downtown exit) from Highway 40 onto rue St. Roch (a right-turn).
Turn left on rue Notre-Dame which runs through downtown Trois-Rivieres. From
Jean-Lesage
International Airport in Quebec City to downtown Trois-Rivieres, take
Airport Road (Route de L'Aeroport) south. Exit onto Boulevard Charest/Highway
40 (Autoroute Charest) and continue on Highway 40 west for approximately 110
km (68 mi) into Trois-Rivieres. Take exit 199 (downtown exit) from Highway 40
onto rue St. Roch (a left-turn). Turn left on rue Notre-Dame which runs through
downtown Trois-Rivieres.
To get around once in the city, Trois-Rivieres
Transport Co. operates numerous bus routes throughout the area, many
of which have access for customers with reduced mobility. There are also a number
of
taxi companies, including Coop
Taxi, that operate throughout the city.
There is pay-parking at numerous
locations especially in and around downtown Trois-Rivieres. Visitors must pay
if parking on the street next to a parking meter but evenings, weekend and public
holidays are free. There are also pay-lots at rue Badeaux (between rue St. Antoine
and rue St. Georges), Hotel de ville (on rue Hart between rue des Forges and
rue Radisson), Parc portaire (on rue de Fleuve between rue des Forges and rue
des Casernes) and 100 rue Laviolette (between rue Hart and rue St. Pierre).
The Trois-Rivieres
Tourism and Information Bureau, which is located downtown, offers a
free parking pass for visitors and tourists interested in staying for three
hours or more.
| |
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Precip. |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-18°C
(0°F) |
-7°C
(19°F) |
86
mm |
| Feb |
-15°C
(5°F) |
-5°C
(23°F) |
60
mm |
| Mar
|
-9°C
(16°F) |
1°C
(34°F) |
75
mm |
| Apr |
-1°C
(30°F) |
10°C
(50°F) |
80
mm |
| May
|
6°C
(43°F) |
19°C
(65°F) |
92
mm |
| Jun
|
12°C
(54°F) |
23°C
(73°F) |
101
mm |
| Jul |
14°C
(57°F) |
26°C
(79°F) |
109
mm |
|
Aug |
13°C
(55°F) |
24°C
(75°F) |
108
mm |
|
Sep |
8°C
(46°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
105
mm |
|
Oct |
2°C
(36°F) |
12°C
(54°F) |
94
mm |
|
Nov |
-4°C
(25°F) |
4°C
(39°F) |
102
mm |
|
Dec |
-13°C
(9°F) |
-4°C
(25°F) |
89
mm |
|
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Climate
data from
Environment Canada |
CLIMATE
Make sure to pack sunscreen in the
summer and mittens in the winter. Trois-Rivieres' climate, like many other locations
in Canada, can vary wildly from month-to-month and season-to-season. Summers
tend to be sunny, hot and humid with average temperatures in July and August
reaching 25°C (77°F) and sometimes soaring as high as 35°C (95°F).
Rainfall is heaviest from May to October so it may be a good idea to have an
umbrella on hand during these months. Fall in Trois-Rivieres is cool and crisp
with the occasional day that is unseasonably hot or cold. This is the time of
year when forests turn from green to gold, red, brown and every colour in-between.
It is a good idea to wear layers of clothing at this time of year to accommodate
temperature variations during the day. Autumn is followed by a cold, white winter
with snowfall that can exceed 2.5 m (8 ft) and an average high temperature in
January of -7.3°C (18°F), a low of -17.6°C (0°F) and extreme
lows that reach -30°C (-22°F). Visitors should definitely prepare for
the cold by bringing gloves, hats, scarves and heavy jackets. The city begins
to thaw around March leading to a warm and mild spring.
ACCOMMODATION
The city of Trois-Rivieres offers
a variety of options for travellers when it comes to accommodation. There are
several
hotels located in or near the downtown area and a number of bed
and breakfasts—many of which were built in the 19th century and
are located in the historical district—operate in the city. Travellers
on a budget can book into the lodging
run by Hostelling International and there are also a number of campgrounds
to choose from.
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| The
Old Prison3 |
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ATTRACTIONS
The
King's Road was started in 1731 as a way to link Quebec City and Montreal.
Completed in 1737, the 280-km (174-mi) road, which was the first to be suitable
for vehicular travel in Canada, passes directly through Trois-Rivieres. The
Tourism and Information Bureau will provide visitors with brochures on what
to see and do along the portion of the trail that exists in and around the city.
The bureau suggests a two-day itinerary that begins with a look at Le
Brun General Store, a historic site featuring three displays that showcase
what the store would have looked like in the years 1803, 1827 and 1915. Next
take a guided tour of the Moulin seignioral de Point-du-Lac and follow this
with lunch at Lac
Saint-Pierre, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Spend the first afternoon
exploring Old Trois-Rivieres and include a visit to the Ursulines' Museum. Start
the second day with a tour of the Quebec Museum of Folk Culture and the Old
Prison and then start down the King's Road. Make a stop in the town of Champlain
and take a look at the Church
of Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation-de-Champlain, which was built in 1879
and has a 43.5-m (143-ft) bell tower. Continue on to Batiscan
and visit the Old
Presbytary. Take the guided tour and learn the history of the site,
which was built in 1816, and see a mid-19th century reconstruction of the house.
The final stop on the tour is in the town of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade,
where visitors can learn about the lives of those who resided at the Domain
Seigneurial de Sainte-Anne. These historical characters include Madeleine
de Vercheres, the seigneuress of Sainte-Anne, who resided here from 1706 to
1747. Finish the day by sampling the fare at one of the Trois-Rivieres eateries
that serve Quebecois
inspired cuisine.
As the weather starts to get warm
in the spring, Trifluviens flock to the Harbour
Park to stroll along its network of walkways and soak up some rays.
In winter, those who still want to enjoy the view along the St. Lawrence River
are urged to bring their skates as the walkways turn into a skating rink when
the snow flies. The park is home to the Pulp and Paper Industry Exhibition Centre
which offers educational tours to visitors, and it also has a passenger landing
which is utilized by the M/V
Draveur and the M/S
Jacques-Cartier as a launching point for several passenger cruises that
tour the St. Lawrence. Le
Portofino, a traditional Italian eatery, is located along the harbour
front and has an outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy pasta and wine while
doing some people watching. After the sun goes down, there are a number of bars,
nightclubs, restaurants and cafes in the immediate area to keep revellers busy
until all hours. September brings Autumn
Delights Festival to the park and attracts food-lovers from all over
the region. With music, entertainment for children, cooking demonstrations,
a Boutique des Delices selling culinary wares and delicacies and 40 or more
exhibitors offering samples of over 200 tasty treats, this event is a great
way to experience the park as summer draws to a close.
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Angle
des Forges4 |
Trois-Rivieres has an award-winning
downtown, having won the prestigious Downtown Achievement Award from the International
Downtown Association in 2005. Located in the area immediately north of the Harbour
Park, the city centre remains lively and exciting throughout the year due to the
abundance of restaurants, bars, shops and boutiques that line its avenues and
boulevards. In particular, rue des Forges and rue Notre-Dame are two streets that
are central to much of this activity. Dance and party until the wee hours at a
number of nightclubs,
pubs and lounges
which are located on these two streets. Get a caffeine fix and grab a snack at
one of the streets' coffee
shops and bistros.
Those looking for a meal will find cuisine to satisfy any craving, whether it
be seafood
or Italian,
contemporary or international,
at various restaurants all located within several blocks of each other. These
streets also have a wealth of shops and boutiques with a range of goods on offer.The
rest of the city's downtown has a plethora of interesting and innovative eateries,
night spots, stores and sights. Those who venture out to explore the area will
be justly rewarded.
Each year during the first week of
October, Trois-Rivieres hosts an International
Poetry Festival that has grown so large since its inauguration in 1985,
it has lead to the city being named the Official Poetry Capital of Quebec. In
fact, the city is often called the Poetry Capital of the World by festival participants.
Kicking off with an opening ceremony that is attended by over 100 poets from
all corners of the globe who have been invited to participate, the following
10 days are a blur of activity. 40,000 poetry fans attend over 450 events which
take place at 80 venues across the city, including restaurants, art galleries,
cafes, museums and bookshops. Numerous cash prizes are awarded during the course
of the festivities and the festival itself has won several awards, including
a Governor Generals Medal for founder Gaston Bellemare. During the course of
the festival, 2000 poems written by visitors are displayed on La corde a poemes,
a clothes line that runs between the trees at Parc
Champlain outside town hall. Art exhibitions also take place to compliment
the spoken art with visual art. The festival closes with a Grand Poetry Evening
where a group of approximately 30 poets gather onstage to do final readings.
Trois-Rivieres does not forget its love of verse once the festivities draw to
a close. Plaques posted around the city are engraved with short poems by Quebecois
poets and the city has also erected a statue to the Unknown Poet. Each Valentine's
Day, Trois-Rivieres' mayor makes a visit to the statue and lays a bouquet of
flowers at its feet.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Tourisme Trois-Rivieres; Shrine of Notre-Dame-du-Cap; Trois-Rivieres,
QC, Canada
- Tourisme Trois-Rivieres; Manoir de Tonnancour; Trois-Rivieres, QC, Canada
- Tourisme Trois-Rivieres; The Old Prison; Trois-Rivieres, QC, Canada
- Jean Chamberland; c/o Tourisme Trois-Rivieres; Angle des Forges; Trois-Rivieres,
QC, Canada
