The Mauricie stretches from the north shore of the St. Laurent River, about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, deep into the Laurentian Mountains. Populated by French settlers under the seigneurie system in the 17th and 18th century, it has some of the oldest towns and villages in Quebec. The St. Maurice River, which gives the region its name, meanders through Mauricie to its mouth at Trois-Rivières.

Cities

• Trois-Rivières -- paper-milling town at the mouth of the St. Maurice River
• Shawinigan
• Yamachiche
• La Tuque

Other destinations

• La Mauricie National Park

See

Itineraries

The Chemin du Roy

The Chemin du Roy[1], the first road open to vehicles between Québec City and Montréal, was completed in 1737. Considered the longest artery for traffic and communication developed in the north, the Chemin du Roy hugs the shoreline of the St-Lawrence and bears witness to some three centuries of history.

A panoramic and historic road that extends 102 km from Maskinongé to Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade. Fall under the charm of picturesques villages and the historic districts of Trois-Rivières and Yamachiche, where stately ancestral homes have survived three centuries of history. You'll observe how the place names and rich heritage that dot this historic route evoke the lives of the peple who settled here over the course of time.

23 attractions and 14 points of interest. Turn off the highway and follow the crowns! You'll be invited to retrace the past in an ever-changing present. Drive along the majestic St-Lawrence river and stop time and again to admire breathtaking vistas.

Do

Québec Museum of Folk Culture - Musée québécois de culture populaire The Museum presents six bold and unusual exhibitions, with something to please everyone... all in a distinctly Québécois style. Visitors can also look behind the scenes as the Museum opens up its storage area to reveal part of its rich ethnological collection - an innovation in Québec!

Old prison of Trois-Rivières - Vieille prison de Trois-Rivières The Old Prison of Trois-Rivières, classified as an historical monument, offer the visit-experience Go to Jail!, where ex-inmates lead visitors on a tour that provides a real glimpse into prison life. This prison was in operation from 1822 to 1986, and closed its doors due to the unhealthy conditions. The tour of cells and places of solitary confinement is a true eye-opener! You can start the tour with a prison card that includes your photograph and fingerprints. Groups can serve a one-night sentence, upon reservation.