Trois-Rivieres offers a taste of French Canada with its historic architecture, gourmet restaurants and flourishing arts and cultural scenes. The town is anchored by a historic downtown core and picturesque promenade hugging the St Lawrence River. Venture out of town to explore the magnificent La Mauricie National Park.

Things to do

Trois-Rivieres is a melting pot for the arts. You can admire contemporary Canadian works at the Centre d’exposition Raymond-Lasnier, enjoy a show at the Art-Deco Salle J. Antonio-Thompson theatre and watch Cirque du Soleil perform under the stars at the open-air Cogeco Amphitheatre.

The Musée Québécois de Culture Populaire celebrates the unique identity of French Canada. Inside you'll find a diverse collection of exhibitions covering traditional folk costumes, antique farming equipment, contemporary sculptures and tongue-in-cheek cartoons.

Discover the town's grisly past at Vieille Prison, a historic jail dating back to 1822. Guided tours are often run by former inmates and offer a glimpse at the jail's underground cells. Just out of town, the Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site introduces the birthplace of Canada's iron industry with costumed guides.

Set on the river, Le Poivre Noir offers one of Québec's most memorable dining experiences. It's run by chef José Pierre Durand and serves up creative French-Canadian cuisine, including Québécois deer and bison tartare. Pair your meal with a bottle of red, white or sparkling from the impressive wine list.

Getting around

Downtown Trois-Rivieres is easy to explore on foot, especially around the historic district and riverfront promenade. The town is serviced by local buses and taxis, as well as shuttles to Quebec City and Montreal. Trois-Rivieres Airport is a 15-minute drive out of town.