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Quebec · Canada
City from 1634 between Montreal and Quebec, at the meeting of the Saint-Maurice River with the Saint Lawrence: historic center, former prison, paper museum and a large shrine.
In the photo: Saint-Maurice River in Trois-Rivières
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Trois-Rivières sits on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River, halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. It was founded in 1634 and is the second-oldest city of New France after Quebec City. The name comes from the mouth of the Saint-Maurice River, where two islands divide the water into three channels.
Vieux Trois-Rivières preserves streets with 18th- and 19th-century houses, the Ursuline convent dating from 1697, and the cathedral. A 1908 fire destroyed much of the downtown, which was rebuilt with brick buildings. Along the river, the port park has a boardwalk and viewpoints.
In the 20th century the city became one of the world’s largest paper-producing centers, a history told at the Boréalis museum. The former prison, in use from 1822 to 1986, offers guided tours, and across the Saint-Maurice is the Notre-Dame-du-Cap shrine, one of Quebec’s main pilgrimage sites.
Trois-Rivières is a good stop on the route between Montreal and Quebec City, or a base for exploring the Mauricie region.
This destination brings together 1 city: Trois-Rivières.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), in Montreal · 150 km to Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières is about 140 km from Montreal and about 130 km from Quebec City via Autoroute 40. There are buses connecting the three cities. The nearest international airport is Montreal (YUL).
The local experience
Stone prison from 1822, in use until 1986, with guided tours of the cells, corridors and dungeons. It is part of the Musée POP complex.
Marian shrine on the shore of the Saint Lawrence, with a 1964 octagonal basilica, the small 1720 stone sanctuary and gardens; a pilgrimage center of Quebec.
Museum of the history of the paper industry in a former factory water-filtration station by the river, with underground galleries and a papermaking workshop.
The oldest streets of downtown, with the Ursuline monastery from 1697, 18th- and 19th-century houses, the cathedral and the waterfront park promenade along the river.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From June to September, with the river boardwalk, downtown balconies and music and poetry festivals. Autumn brings the foliage colors of the Mauricie, north of the city.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
One or two days: one for the historic center, the prison and the river; another for Boréalis and the shrine.
The historic center, near rue des Forges and the river, has hotels and inns a few steps from the museums. There are highway hotels along Autoroute 40.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Yes, for travelers between Montreal and Quebec City: the historic center, the former prison and the river can be seen in one day.
About 140 km, roughly an hour and a half by car.
Not in the center. For the shrine and the Mauricie region, it helps.
Because of the mouth of the Saint-Maurice River, where two islands split the water into three channels.
The same as Montreal and Quebec City: UTC−5, and UTC−4 from March to November.
