Thetford Mines
Around Thetford Mines
Photo: LHOON from Mechelen, Belgium · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Quebec · 28k people
Thetford Mines
Locals say Thetford · “Capitale mondiale de l'amiante”
Au cœur des Appalaches
deep blue
Welcome to Thetford, where the old mines have become part of our story and the lakes are our playground. Whether you're here for the hockey, the sugar shacks, or just to explore, you'll find a friendly crowd.
Clubs for Thetford Mines
No clubs for Thetford Mines yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Thetford Mines. 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
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Thetford Mines. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Musée minéralogique et minier de Thetford Mines Showcases the region's mining and mineral heritage.
- Centre Mario Gosselin Home of the Assurancia de Thetford hockey team.
- Parc des Pionniers Central green space with walking paths.
- Parc de la Mine Mining-themed park with trails and relics.
- Lac à la Truite Popular spot for swimming, fishing, and picnics.
- Outdoors Hiking on old mine trails
- Outdoors Fishing at Lac à la Truite
- With kids Visit the mining museum
- With kids Swim at Lac à la Truite
- Evenings Hockey game nights at Centre Mario Gosselin
- Evenings Local taverns
- Locals love Sugar shacks
- Locals love Mining museums
Through the year
Cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Best time to be out is June through September, with fall colors in October. Best: June through September, with fall colors in October.
Getaways
- Québec City Historic capital, 80 km away.
- Sherbrooke University town with arts and nature.
- Victoriaville Known for its music festival.
- Saint-Georges Outdoor recreation and shopping.
Local flavour
Teams
- Assurancia de Thetford LNAH
Also rooting for Montreal Canadiens (NHL), Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Eat and drink
- poutine Quebec's signature dish, widely available in local diners
- tourtière Traditional meat pie, especially during the holidays
- tarte au sucre Sugar pie, a local favourite in sugar shacks
Where people go
- Old asbestos mines and quarries Now often repurposed as parks or viewpoints, such as the Parc de l'amiante
- Mining museums Like the Musée minéralogique et minier de Thetford Mines
- Sugar shacks Traditional Quebec cabanes à sucre offering maple syrup treats
Heritage and traditions
Thetford Mines is proud of its asbestos mining heritage, which put it on the map as the 'Asbestos Capital of the World,' and of its resilient community that has reinvented itself after the mines closed.
This time of year in Thetford Mines
- Fall colours and hunting Fall Hunting season and beautiful foliage.
Say it like a local: “J'vas” — I'm going to (often shortened)
Festivals
- Festival de la chanson de Thetford Mines Spring (April) A songwriting competition that launches Quebec artists.
- Fête nationale (Saint-Jean-Baptiste) June 24 Quebec's national holiday celebrated with bonfires and community gatherings.
Landmarks with a story
- Église Saint-Alphonse A historic Catholic church with impressive architecture, a local landmark.
- Old open-pit mine (Parc de la Mine) The former asbestos mine now serves as a park and reminder of the town's mining past.
- Musée minéralogique et minier de Thetford Mines Showcases minerals and the history of asbestos mining in the region.
- Mining headframes Preserved headframes and structures from the mining era dot the landscape.
Food traditions
- Sugar shack season (cabane à sucre) Families visit sugar shacks in spring to enjoy maple syrup on snow, baked beans, and traditional Quebec fare.
- Cretons A pork spread served on toast for breakfast, a Quebec staple.
- Fèves au lard Baked beans slow-cooked with pork and maple syrup, often served on Sundays.
- Ragoût de boulettes Meatball stew served during the holidays, a hearty dish.
- Pouding chômeur A 'poor man's pudding' made with maple syrup and cake batter, a comforting dessert.
Music and arts
- Festival de la chanson de Thetford Mines A launchpad for Quebec singer-songwriters.
- Folk music and chanson québécoise Kept alive in community gatherings and local performances.
A little history
- 1876 Asbestos is discovered, leading to the founding of Thetford Mines.
- Early 20th century The town becomes a major asbestos producer, attracting workers and immigrants.
- 1950s–60s Peak of asbestos mining; the town thrives economically.
- 1980s–90s Asbestos industry declines and mines close, forcing economic diversification.
- Game day Hockey is a way of life
- Game day Minor hockey tournaments
- Outdoors Hiking on old mine trails
- Outdoors Fishing at Lac à la Truite
- With kids Visit the mining museum
- With kids Swim at Lac à la Truite
Locals speak Quebec French with a regional accent typical of the Chaudière-Appalaches area. They often use informal contractions and have adopted a few English mining terms from the industry that once dominated the town.
Only here
- The title 'Asbestos Capital of the World' is a point of pride.
- The town's name itself reflects its mining roots.
- You can see the remains of open-pit mines right in the town.
New here? A few tips
- Learn French; it's essential for daily life.
- Prepare for cold winters; invest in a good winter coat and boots.
- Try the local maple syrup and visit a sugar shack in spring.
- Explore the mining heritage; it's a point of pride.
- Get involved in community events like the Festival de la chanson.
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Nearby
Every areaLes AppalachesQuebecGentle hills, warm hearts.L'ÉrableQuebecWhere the maple runs deepBeauceQuebecProud heart of maple country.Sainte-MarieQuebecThe friendly heart of the BeauceSaint-GeorgesQuebecAu cœur de la BeauceVictoriavilleQuebecWhere the forest singsQuébec CityQuebecOld-world charm on the St. LawrenceSherbrookeQuebecWhere the steeples meet the mountains.
Thetford Mines. 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.