Rivière-à-Pierre is an atypical locality of Middle Batiscania located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, in the regional county municipality of Portneuf, in the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale, in Quebec. This municipality of the Canadian shield in the heart of the Laurentians turns out to be split in two by the course of the Pierre river which flows in its last part towards the west to flow into the Batiscan river.

Understand

Rivière-à-Pierre is the second largest municipality in terms of surface area in the MRC de Portneuf. This municipal territory covers a vast mountainous and forested territory, with more than 200 lakes. This locality has a territory of 538 km² (208 sq mi) of which 514 km² (198 sq mi) terrestrial, where reside 584 inhabitants and around many seasonal residents.

The economy of this municipality is characterized by its industry centered on the exploitation of granite banks. Stonemasons specialize in cutting granite on the mountainside. The other economic activities are forestry, agriculture and recreational tourism (vacationing, hunting and fishing, mountain biking or snowmobile excursions, observation of flora and fauna, swimming, cycling).

Rivière-à-Pierre is the access route to public lands (north side) which are exploited by the Government of Quebec. Considering its vast forest cover, this municipality is a paradise for recreational tourism activities related to forestry: camping, hunting and fishing, observation of flora and fauna, boating, and vacationing. In addition, the territories administered by the Batiscan-Neilson Controlled Zone and the Portneuf Wildlife Reserve overlap the territory of the Municipality of Rivière-à-Pierre.

In this municipality several chalets are available for rent. Route 367, which links Saint-Raymond and Notre-Dame-de-Montauban, passes through the southern part of the village of Rivière-à-Pierre.

Geography

The territory of the municipality of Rivière-à-Pierre is part of the Batiscanie (hydrographic basin), because its western part is crossed by the Batiscan river. The village of Rivière-à-Pierre is enclosed between the mountains of Precambrian origin.

The Batiscan River flows north to south over 196 km (122 mi) starting from lac Édouard in Mauricie. It drains into the St. Lawrence River at Batiscan. The village is northwest of a segment of this river.

Rivière à Pierre is a tributary of the east bank of the Batiscan River. It flows in the unorganized territories of Lac-Blanc (township of Neilson) and Linton (township of Tonty), as well as in the municipality of Rivière-à-Pierre in its lower part. It collects the discharge of the Blanche river in the village of Rivière-à-Pierre, then continues west, winding widely to its mouth.

Taking its source in Lac Blanc, the White River flows in the unorganized territory of Lac-Blanc and in the municipality of Rivière-à-Pierre, in the MRC of Portneuf. Its watershed covers 203 km² (78 sq mi). Its mouth is located near the church, in the village of Rivière-à-Pierre.

Economy

At the end of 19th century, the main driver of economic development was logging; the course of the Batiscan river then made it possible to transport logs by flotation to the mills downstream. In addition, the railway made it possible to transport workers, supplies, tools and to transport wood there. The extraction of granite from the mountains around the village set in motion a significant development at the end of the 19th century. In 21st century, the main economic activities of the Rivière-à-Pierre territory are recreational and tourism (vacationing, camping, hunting and fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiles), forestry, agriculture and a few local businesses.

History

The colonization of the "Canon Bois mission" began in 1880 where agriculture and forestry were practiced there. The railway section arrived in the village of Rivière-à-Pierre in 1885. Several railway workers settled in Rivière-à-Pierre. The lots of land are then allocated to new settlers. In 1885, the road was built between Notre-Dame-des-Anges and Rivière-à-Pierre.

The civil status registers of the presbytery of the parish of St-Bernardin-de-Sienne began in 1890. The Canton Bois mission was henceforth designated as the municipality of Canton Bois. In 1898, the Martineau bridge was erected 200 m south of the current Voyer Bridge. In 1907, a covered bridge was built opposite the church. The mission was transformed into a parish in 1908; the church was built in 1909 and the presbytery in 1910.

In 1928, the electricity company was formed to operate the hydroelectric dam at Marmite Falls. In 1934, following a federal government order, a monolithic granite cross was shaped by stonemasons. It is transported to Quebec by train; then on a barge to Gaspé where it was planted to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Jacques-Cartier in New France.

St-Georges College was built in 1938. In 1942, the International Paper Company launched its operations in Rivière-à-Pierre. The Victory Bridge was built in 1945. In 1947, Shawinigan Water and Power purchased the electricity company. That same year, the fire tower was built and the municipality bought the first fire pump. The Rivière-à-Pierre boarding school ceased to operate in 1970.

In 1998, the multi-purpose S.P.J.C./summer cycle path was built on the right-of-way of the railway line. In winter, this path is used as a trail for snowmobilers.

Get in

The territory of Rivière-à-Pierre is accessible by road vehicle, ATV, snowmobile and even with light boats (via the Batiscan river).

By car

• From Montreal (259 km (161 mi). Time: 2 hr 56 min. Take highway 40 (north shore) eastbound, to Trois-Rivières; Highway 55 North, to the Saint-Maurice River; Route 153 North, passing through Saint-Tite, Sainte-Thècle, Hervey-Jonction and Lac-aux-Sables, where you have to take the Chemin de la Traverse to the village of Notre-Dame-des-Anges; then road 367 north-east, passing through the Rousseau hamlet, to the village of Rivière-à-Pierre.
• From Quebec. (118 km (73 mi). Time: 1 hr 25 min. Take highway 440 and highway 40 westbound to Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures; then take route 367 north-west, passing through Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, bypassing Lac Sergent to the north, crossing the village of Saint-Raymond, the village of Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf, to the village of Rivière-à-Pierre.

By train

• 1 Rivière-à-Pierre train station (Gare de Rivière-à-Pierre), 470 rue Principale, ☏ +1 888-842-7245. Train departures are: M W 12:34, F 13:29, Tu Th 12:40, Su 15:40. The train station is served by the Montreal–Jonquière train line. The picnic tables near this train station are made of granite. (updated Oct 2021)

Get around

Gas station

• 2 Coopérative de solidarité alimentaire de Rivière-à-Pierre, 294 rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-323-0101. This food store also offers gasoline, diesel and propane. (updated Oct 2021)

See

• 1 Parc des Chutes de la Marmite, 1, chemin St-Laurent (follow rue Principale (north-east) for 4.4 km north-east of the village of Rivière-à-Pierre), ☏ +1 418-323-2117 ext 7, agent@riviereapierre.com. The Chutes de la Marmite are a major tourist attraction in Rivière-à-Pierre. In 1920, a hydroelectric dam was built there to supply the territory of Rivière-à-Pierre with electricity, mainly industries. This park has a magnificent hiking trail (easy level) stretching over one km. This wilderness park has picnic tables and snack areas. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Centre d'interprétation du granite, 835, rue Principale (in front of the town hall), ☏ +1 418-323-2112, agent@riviereapierre.com. Open during the summer season. Set up in 2003, the mission of this interpretation centre is to introduce visitors to the exploitation, processing and market of granite. It also tells snippets of the history of Rivière-à-Pierre granite. Although there are twelve types of granites in the Rivière-à-Pierre quarries, only certain types of granites are being exploited industrially. Rivière-à-Pierre granite is known worldwide for its properties. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Église catholique Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne (Saint-Bernardin-de-Sienne Catholic Church), 605 rue de l'Église, ☏ +1 418-323-2115, fabriquerap@globetrotter.net. Church of Catholic denomination. Many of the materials in this church are granite: steps, the pulpit for the homilies, etc. (updated Oct 2021)
• 4 Cimetière Saint-Berdardin-de-Sienne, 605 rue de l'Église, ☏ +1 418-337-2517. The monuments in the cemetery are generally made of granite. (updated Oct 2021)
• Le Belvédère de l'O.T.J., 110, rue des Loisirs (behind the field of the O.T.J.), ☏ +1 418-323-2930. This belvedere turns out to be an observation post offering a magnificent panorama of the village of Rivière-à-Pierre. (updated Oct 2021)
• Croix du centenaire (Centenary cross), 110, rue des Loisirs (behind the field of the O.T.J.), ☏ +1 418-323-2930. Granite cross erected in the village during the centenary festivities of Rivière-à-Pierre. (updated Oct 2021)

Do

• Parc municipal Lacrouzette, ☏ +1 418-323-2112. This park has a gazebo, swings for adults and children as well as play areas. (updated Oct 2021)
• 1 L'O.T.J. de Rivière-à-Pierre, 110 rue des Loisirs, ☏ +1 418-323-2930. Rivière-à-Pierre playground area. In 2016, the Carnival reached its 56th edition. Free. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Réserve faunique de Portneuf (Portneuf Wildlife Reserve), Route du Moulin, ☏ +1 800-665-6527. The Portneuf Reserve used to consist of public land leased to private clubs. The first steps with the provincial government to constitute the Portneuf Reserve stretched over four years, starting in the early 1960s. In 1995, the Portneuf Reserve was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Société des establishments de plein air du Québec. (Sépaq). Covering an area of ​​over 775 km², this wildlife reserve annually hosts nearly 85,000 user days. On the territory of this Reserve, there are mixed forests predominantly deciduous. These forests are mostly made up of birch, maple, fir and spruce. This reserve has 375 lakes and 11 rivers (including the Batiscan River). The flora and fauna are varied. This wildlife area is used over four seasons. Aquatic fauna includes brook trout (speckled trout), lake trout (lake trout), arctic char, muskellunge and ground trout. Terrestrial wildlife includes moose, black bear, wolf, coyote, fox, beaver, marten, raccoon and hare. The winged fauna includes the ruffed grouse, the spruce grouse, the owl and the blue heron which nest in forests or live near bodies of water. La Réserve faunique has a campsite with 50 sites, and offers 45 cabins which have a capacity of 2 to 14 people. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Piste multifonctionnelle (Multifunctional track), 96, avenue Saint-Jacques, ☏ +1 418-337-7525, info@velopistejcp.com. A 68-km multifunctional trail for cycling in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter season on an old Canadian National Railway line. There is a reception post with permanent toilets. Visitors can view the interactive map on the Internet. This trail has several dozen picnic tables, restaurants, lodges, rest areas, toilets and drinking troughs. It also has information panels announcing attractions. (updated Oct 2021)

Scenic tours

• Route Lac-Édouard à Rivière-à-Pierre (Route Lac-Édouard to Rivière-à-Pierre). 2 hr 38 min on 112 km. The forest course and sometimes winding between the village of Lac-Édouard and the village of Rivière-à-Pierre, recalls the great epic of logging, the railway and navigation in Batiscania: ice roads, logging, up the river with hordes of hundreds of horses and their sleds heading for the forest sites, the logs flowing down the stream. From the village of Lac-Édouard, the traveller takes rue Damasse, crosses the bridge spanning the Batiscan river, walks along the southeast shore of Lake Édouard, crosses the Judith-De Brésoles ecological reserve, crosses the ZEC Jeannotte, approaches the course of the Batiscan river and the railroad, to a bridge spanning the Batiscan river. From there, travelers cross the Portneuf wildlife reserve to the village of Rivière-à-Pierre, where granite mining has marked local history. From there, the traveler can return via Notre-Dame-de-Montauban, Lac-aux-Sables, Sainte-Thècle, Saint-Tite, Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac and Trois-Rives. (updated Oct 2021)

Buy

Food

• Coopérative de solidarité alimentaire de Rivière-à-Pierre (Rivière-à-Pierre food solidarity cooperative), 294 rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-323-0101. Complete food store. Prepared meals. Beer and wine. This cooperative also offers spaces for rent: ATVs, snowmobiles. (updated Oct 2021)

Eat

• 1 Casse-croûte au Bois Rond, 311, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-323-2121. Restaurant open in summer season. Meals on site. Take-out orders. Snack-style menu. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Auberge Chez Zacharie, 101, rue Commerciale (in the village of Rivière-à-Pierre), ☏ +1 418-323-0003, +1 418-654-5002 (textos). From mid-June to mid-September, by reservation.. Snowmobile and ATV relay. Seasonal family restaurant with 42 seats. Host table. Seats on the terrace. Take-out orders. Rental of rooms. Room meal service. A 34-seat bar with fireplace. (updated Oct 2021)

Sleep

Chalet, gîte, inn

• 1 Auberge Chez Zacharie, 110, chemin des Mésanges, ☏ +1 418-323-0003, +1 418-654-5002 (texts), info@laclabbe.com. The hostel offers 11 rooms to visitors, 4 of which are doubles. Snowmobile and ATV relay. Seasonal family restaurant. Rental of rooms. 34-seat bar with fireplace, large screen and various drinks. The terrace has 20 seats. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Domaine Lac Labbé, 708, rue du Lac-Labbé (from the village of Rivière-à-Pierre, take rue de l'Église Est (north); turn left at rue du Lac Vert; turn left at rue du Lac-Labbé), ☏ +1 418-323-1223, info@laclabbe.com. Chalet Le Bourgeois (10 people, max. 8 adults) is a large house with two separate suites. Chalet Le Manoir (6 people, max. 4 adults) is an open concept house with a panoramic view of Lake Labbé. (updated Oct 2021)

Camping

• 3 Réserve faunique de Portneuf, ☏ +1 800-665-6527. The Portneuf Wildlife Reserve is administered by SÉPAQ. It has nearly 375 lakes and 11 rivers in the six accommodation sectors: Travers, Lapeyrère, Desrochers, Rivière-à-Pierre, Bellevue and Talbot. Visitors can enjoy several activities: fishing, hunting, skiing, sliding, skating, observing flora and fauna, camping or swimming. (updated Oct 2021)

Connect

• Bibliothèque municipale (Public Library). (updated Oct 2021)

Go next

• 1 Portneuf Wildlife Reserve A wildlife reserve in the MRC de Portneuf, in the Capitale-Nationale. It is administered by SÉPAQ.
• 2 ZEC Tawachiche ZEC mainly in the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables (Hervey-Jonction sector), and partly in the unorganized territories of Lac-Masketsi and Lac-Lapeyère. This area is located to the south of the ZEC de la Bessonne. The Tawachiche and Tawachiche Ouest rivers cross its territory. This ZEC in Moyen-Mauricie is popular for recreational and tourist activities.
• 3 ZEC de la Rivière-Blanche The ZEC de la Rivière-Blanche is a controlled exploitation zone located in the unorganized territory of Lac-Blanc, in the MRC of Portneuf, in Haute-Batiscanie. This ZEC offers infrastructures and services for the practice of recreational tourism activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, nautical activities, forest expeditions by mountain bike or snowmobile. Its only reception station is at the "Chutes" de la Marmite 4.4 km (2.7 mi) northeast of the village of Rivière-à-Pierre.
• 4 Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf The municipality of Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf has an economic vocation, especially agriculture and forestry. Nevertheless, recreational tourism activities (vacationing, hunting & fishing) developed significantly in the 20th century. Its main tourist attractions are the Clear Water Page which is reserved only for swimming. The Centre vacances Lac Simon is a leisure and sports centre for social gatherings with family or friends. The Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf Vélopiste crosses the village, being fitted out on the old railway right-of-way stretching 68 km between Rivière-à-Pierre and St-Gabriel-de-Valcartier. A cross-country ski centre has 25 km of marked trails divided into five trails.
• 5 Notre-Dame-de-Montauban Notre-Dame-de-Montauban is a picturesque rural parish comprising two villages: Notre-Dame-des-Anges and Montauban-les-Mines. The resort and camping are developed thanks to its lakes, the Batiscan river and the national trail. The Parc des Chutes de Montauban has a path and an elevated terrace allowing you to admire the Chute du Neuf (upstream of the village of Notre-Dame) on the Batiscan river. Approximately 8 km of boating is possible on the Batiscan River, between the Chute du Neuf and the Chute du Huit.