Trois-Rivières
Around Trois-Rivières
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Quebec · 161k people
Trois-Rivières
Locals say Mauricie · “TR”, “Capitale de la pulpe”
Where rivers meet and maple flows
Deep blue
Welcome to Trois-Rivières, where the Saint-Maurice meets the Saint Lawrence. Come for the history, stay for the poutine and the friendly locals. Whether you're here for the Grand Prix or the sugar shack, you'll feel at home.
Clubs for Trois-Rivières
No clubs for Trois-Rivières yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Trois-Rivières. 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 Trois-Rivières. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Parc de l'île Saint-Quentin Island park with beach, trails, and picnic areas.
- Forges du Saint-Maurice National historic site of Canada's first ironworks.
- Musée québécois de culture populaire Museum dedicated to Quebec's popular culture.
- Ancienne prison de Trois-Rivières Former prison now open for tours and exhibits.
- Parc Portuaire Waterfront park with views of the Saint Lawrence.
- Pont Laviolette Iconic bridge connecting Trois-Rivières to Bécancour.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the riverside promenade
- Outdoors Swim at Île Saint-Quentin beach
- With kids Visit the Musée québécois de culture populaire
- With kids Play at Parc de l'île Saint-Quentin
- Evenings Bar hopping on Rue des Forges
- Evenings Craft beer at local microbreweries
- Locals love Sugar shacks (cabanes à sucre)
- Locals love Ice fishing villages
Through the year
- FestiVoix de Trois-Rivières July Large outdoor music festival in July.
- Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières August Street circuit auto race in August.
- Festival International de la Poésie October Poetry readings and performances in October.
- Trois-Rivières en Blues June Blues music festival in June.
- Salon du livre de Trois-Rivières Spring Book fair with authors and publishers.
Humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best time to be out is summer for festivals and river fun, and winter for ice fishing and maple season. Best: Summer (June to August) for warm days and outdoor festivals; winter (December to February) for ice fishing and snow sports.
Talk like a local
- “Mauricie”
- The region's local name, used by residents.
- “TR”
- Shorthand for Trois-Rivières, common in casual conversation.
- “cabane à sucre”
- Sugar shack, a beloved spring destination for maple treats.
Getaways
- Shawinigan La Cité de l'énergie and Parc national de la Mauricie.
- Drummondville Village québécois d'antan and riverside parks.
- Sorel-Tracy Waterfront promenade and birdwatching at the Biophare.
- Victoriaville Arts scene and the Bois-Francs region.
Local flavour
Teams
- Trois-Rivières Lions ECHL
- UQTR Patriotes U Sports
- Trois-Rivières Aigles Ligue de Baseball Senior du Québec
Eat and drink
- Poutine A Quebec staple, often enjoyed at local casse-croûtes
- Tourtière Traditional meat pie, especially during the holidays
- Cretons Pork spread served on toast
- Tire sur la neige Maple taffy poured on snow, a sugar shack treat
- Sugar shack meals Feasts of baked beans, ham, and maple syrup at cabanes à sucre
Where people go
- Sugar shacks (cabanes à sucre) Seasonal maple syrup producers and restaurants, a defining local experience
- Ice fishing villages Especially at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, where colourful huts dot the frozen river
- Historic old town With 17th-century architecture and a riverside promenade
- Riverside parks Parks along the Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence rivers for walking and picnics
Heritage and traditions
Trois-Rivières is proud of its deep French-Canadian roots, its status as one of the oldest cities in Quebec, and its vibrant arts scene, especially poetry and music. The city also celebrates its industrial heritage at the Forges du Saint-Maurice and its unique winter traditions like ice fishing for tommy cod.
This time of year in Trois-Rivières
- Harvest Autumn Festival de la galette and fall foliage.
- Festival de la galette de Louiseville Autumn Celebrates the buckwheat pancake with tastings, contests, and local crafts.
Say it like a local: “J'vas aller au dépanneur” — I'm going to the corner store.
Festivals
- Fête nationale (Saint-Jean-Baptiste) June 24 Bonfires, concerts, and community celebrations across the city.
- Festival de la galette de Louiseville Autumn Celebrates the buckwheat pancake with tastings, contests, and local crafts.
- Festival de la pêche blanche January-February Ice fishing on the Saint Lawrence at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, with huts and tommy cod.
Landmarks with a story
- Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-du-Cap A major Catholic pilgrimage site with a striking basilica overlooking the Saint Lawrence.
- Ursuline Monastery Founded in 1697, one of the oldest convents in North America, now a museum.
- Cathédrale de l'Assomption The seat of the diocese, a historic church in the heart of the old town.
Food traditions
- Poutine A beloved local comfort food, with each diner having its own twist, though its exact origin is debated.
- Tourtière A traditional meat pie, especially popular during the Christmas season, made with pork, veal, or game.
- Cretons A pork spread with spices, served on toast for breakfast, a classic French-Canadian staple.
- Tire sur la neige Maple taffy poured on snow, a springtime treat at sugar shacks.
- Sugar shack meals A hearty feast of beans, ham, and maple syrup dishes, enjoyed in the spring at cabanes à sucre.
Music and arts
- Poetry and literature The city hosts one of the world's few poetry festivals and has a strong literary tradition.
- Chanson québécoise Local artists perform French-language songs, with a strong tradition of singer-songwriters.
- Public art Murals and sculptures adorn the old town, reflecting the city's history and culture.
- Craft traditions Woodworking, pottery, and other métiers d'art are celebrated in local workshops and galleries.
A little history
- 1634 Founded by Laviolette as a trading post, one of the oldest cities in Quebec.
- 1730s Forges du Saint-Maurice established, the first ironworks in Canada.
- 19th century Became a major industrial center for pulp and paper.
- 1930s Ice fishing tradition begins at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade.
- 1967 Pont Laviolette opened, connecting the two shores.
Rivalries
- Trois-Rivières Lions vs Shawinigan Cataractes Hockey rivalry between the two cities.
- Trois-Rivières Aigles vs Québec Capitales Baseball rivalry in the Can-Am League.
- Game day Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
- Game day Trois-Rivières Aigles baseball
- Outdoors Walking the riverside promenade
- Outdoors Swimming at Île Saint-Quentin
- With kids Visiting the Musée de la culture populaire
- With kids Playing at Île Saint-Quentin
Locals speak Quebec French with a distinct accent, using informal forms like 'tu' and 'moé' for 'toi'. They often use expressions like 'ben' for 'bien' and 'char' for car.
Only here
- The ice fishing village at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade is a unique winter tradition.
- The Forges du Saint-Maurice was the first ironworks in Canada.
- The city claims to be the birthplace of poutine, though contested.
- The Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-du-Cap is a major pilgrimage site.
New here? A few tips
- Learn French; it's the primary language in daily life.
- Dress for cold winters and warm summers; layers are key.
- Try poutine at a local casse-croûte for a true taste.
- Visit the old town and the Forges du Saint-Maurice for history.
- Go ice fishing in winter; it's a unique experience.
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Nearby
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Trois-Rivières. 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.