Drummondville
Around Drummondville
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Quebec · 101k people
Drummondville
Locals say Drummond · “Capitale de la poutine”
Home to the world's biggest poutine party, where the river runs sweet and maple is in the air.
Voltigeurs RedVoltigeurs Blue
Welcome to Drummondville, where the river meets rich history and a lively festival spirit. Whether you're here for a hockey game, a sugar shack meal, or a stroll along the Saint-François, you'll find a friendly community that loves to gather. Enjoy your time in the heart of Quebec's Centre-du-Québec region!
Clubs for Drummondville
No clubs for Drummondville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Drummondville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Drummondville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Village Québécois d'Antan Recreated 19th-century village with costumed interpreters and heritage buildings.
- Parc des Voltigeurs Riverside park along the Saint-François River with trails and picnic areas.
- Parc de la Paix Large park hosting the Mondial des Cultures and other festivals.
- Centre Marcel-Dionne Arena home to the Drummondville Voltigeurs hockey team.
- Maison des Arts et de la Culture Performing arts center with concerts, plays, and exhibitions.
- Saint-François River The river that runs through Drummondville, popular for recreation.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the riverfront trails
- Outdoors Picnic at Parc des Voltigeurs
- With kids Explore the Village Québécois d'Antan
- With kids Play at Parc de la Paix
- Evenings Catch a show at the Maison des Arts et de la Culture
- Evenings Enjoy a craft beer at a local microbrewery
- Locals love Sugar shacks (cabane à sucre)
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Mondial des Cultures July International folk dance and music festival held in July at Parc de la Paix.
- Festival de la Poutine August Celebration of Quebec's iconic dish with local vendors and competitions.
- Drummondville Winter Carnival February Winter festival with ice sculptures, outdoor activities, and family fun.
Drummondville has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall when the weather is pleasant and festivals are in full swing. Best: Summer (June to August) is ideal for outdoor festivals and river activities.
Getaways
- Victoriaville A nearby city with a vibrant arts scene and the Bois-Francs region.
- Saint-Hyacinthe Known for its agricultural history and the Yamaska River.
- Trois-Rivières Historic city with a lively downtown and the St. Lawrence River.
- Sorel-Tracy A riverside town with a marina and summer festivals.
Local flavour
Teams
- Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL
Eat and drink
- Poutine Drummondville hosts the Festival de la Poutine, and local spots serve it with fresh cheese curds.
- Tire d'érable Maple taffy on snow, a classic sugar shack treat.
- Cabane à sucre meals Traditional sugar shack spread with baked beans, ham, and maple syrup.
Where people go
- Sugar shacks (cabane à sucre) Scattered across the countryside, offering seasonal maple treats.
- Riverfront parks Along the Saint-François River, popular for walks and picnics.
- Festival grounds Host to the Festival de la Poutine and other community events.
- Historic textile mill buildings Reminders of the city's industrial past.
Heritage and traditions
Drummondville is proud of its rich industrial heritage, its lively cultural festivals, and its warm community spirit in the heart of the Bois-Francs region.
This time of year in Drummondville
- Harvest festivals Fall Autumn celebrations at the Village Québécois d'Antan and local farms.
Say it like a local: “moé” — for 'moi' (me)
Festivals
- Mondial des Cultures July International folklore festival featuring music, dance, and traditions from around the world.
- Festival de la Poutine August Celebrates Quebec's iconic dish with creative variations and contests.
- Drummondville Winter Carnival February Winter fun with ice sculptures, sleigh rides, and outdoor activities.
- Festival de la chanson de Drummondville Spring Competition for young singers and songwriters, showcasing emerging talent.
- Fête des moissons September Harvest festival at the Village Québécois d'Antan with period activities and demonstrations.
Landmarks with a story
- Église Saint-Frédéric A historic Catholic church with beautiful architecture and stained glass.
- Musée de la Société d'histoire de Drummond Local history museum preserving the region's industrial and cultural past.
- Vieux Drummond Historic district with 19th-century buildings and a village atmosphere.
- Ancien couvent Old convent building, now a community space, reflecting early religious heritage.
Food traditions
- Cretons A spiced pork spread served at breakfast, a staple of Quebec cuisine.
- Tourtière A meat pie traditionally enjoyed during the holiday season.
- Fèves au lard Baked beans slow-cooked with pork and maple syrup, often served with ham.
- Pouding chômeur A poor man's pudding made with cake and maple syrup, a beloved dessert.
- Tire Sainte-Catherine Molasses candy pulled on Saint Catherine's Day (November 25), a tradition for children.
Music and arts
- Mondial des Cultures A celebration of world folk music and dance, bringing international artists to Drummondville.
- Festival de la chanson A platform for young Quebecois singer-songwriters, fostering local music talent.
- Maison des Arts et de la Culture Venue for theatre, concerts, and visual arts exhibitions.
A little history
- 1815 Founded by Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick George Heriot as a military settlement.
- 19th century Growth of textile mills, making Drummondville a major textile center.
- 1900s Arrival of the railway spurring further industrial development.
- 1950s Diversification of the economy beyond textiles, with new industries and services.
- 1980s Creation of the Village Québécois d'Antan as a heritage attraction.
Rivalries
- Drummondville Voltigeurs vs. Trois-Rivières Cataractes Friendly hockey rivalry between QMJHL teams.
- Drummondville Voltigeurs vs. Victoriaville Tigres Another hockey rivalry with a nearby city.
- Game day Voltigeurs hockey games
- Game day Ringette
- Outdoors Snowshoeing in winter
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Saint-François River
- With kids Visiting the sugar bush
- With kids Going to the public pool
Locals speak Quebec French with a distinct accent, often using 'toé' and 'moé' for 'toi' and 'moi', and adding 'tu' as a question particle (e.g., 'Tu veux-tu?'). Common expressions include 'ben' for 'bien', 'c'est correct' for 'it's fine', and 'faire du pouce' for hitchhiking.
Only here
- The Festival de la Poutine is the largest poutine festival in the world.
- The Village Québécois d'Antan is a living history museum recreating a 19th-century village.
- The Parc de la Paix features a peace garden with sculptures and monuments.
- Drummondville is often called the 'Poutine Capital' due to its famous festival.
New here? A few tips
- Learn basic French; while some locals speak English, French is the primary language.
- Dress warmly in winter; temperatures can drop below -20°C, so invest in a good coat and boots.
- Try the local cheese curds and cider; they are regional specialties.
- Get a bike; the city is bike-friendly with routes along the Saint-François River.
- Attend the Festival de la Poutine in August; it's a fun, food-filled event.
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Nearby
Every areaActonQuebecSmall towns, big skies, and maple-sweet days.ArthabaskaQuebecWhere maple syrup flows and the countryside breathes.Nicolet-YamaskaQuebecWhere the river meets the fieldsVictoriavilleQuebecWhere the forest singsLes SourcesQuebecWhere the hills whisper in French and the maple runs deep.Saint-HyacintheQuebecDairy country's warm welcomeTrois-RivièresQuebecWhere rivers meet and maple flowsSorel-TracyQuebecWhere the river shapes our soul
Drummondville. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.