TheMauricie region ofQuebec stretches from the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, about halfway betweenMontreal andQuebec City, deep into the Laurentian Mountains. Populated by French settlers under theseigneurie system in the 17th and 18th centuries, it has some of the oldest towns and villages in Quebec. TheSt. Maurice River, which gives the region its name, has its source in the Gouin Reservoir, then meanders through Mauricie to its mouth atTrois-Rivières.
A region of contrasts, beauty, history and culture, the Mauricie promises an energizing stay. The territory, made up of 85% of the great outdoors, has something to delight outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to the Saint-Maurice River, some 17,500 lakes are available to fans of all kinds of nautical activities. Nearly2,500 km (1,600 mi) of marked trails await snowmobilers and1,125 km (699 mi) of trails are available to ATV enthusiasts while 80 outfitters delight hunters and fishermen. La Mauricie is home to the most important place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary inCanada, the Notre-Dame-du-Cap sanctuary, located inTrois-Rivières. In the vast valley of its hinterland and along the Chemin du Roy, Canada's first motorable road, the Mauricie reveals to travelers its ancestral sites, its festive towns and its wild nature.
Mauricie is considered the cradle of industrialization in Canada because around 1730, the Forges du Saint-Maurice became the first steel company in North America.
| La Tuque Region |
| Les Chenaux |
| Maskinongé Region |
| Mékinac |
| Shawinigan |
| Trois-Rivières |
There are bus connections from Quebec City and Montreal to Trois-Rivières.
Via Rail Canada offers a transport service by train, connecting:
The nearest airports with commercial service are in Montreal and Quebec City. Nevertheless, the Trois-Rivières airport is very active. In addition, several airports in Haute-Mauricie (e.g., La Tuque, Parent, Weymontachie, Kanawata) allow access to remote areas.
From Trois-Rivières, route 55 takes you to Shawinigan, where it becomes Route 155 and continues north to La Tuque.
La Mauricie is acyclotourism[dead link] destination of choice, in particular thanks to:
TheGrand Prix deTrois-Rivières at the beginning of August is the largest motor racing event to take place on a street circuit in the Americas. }}
TheClassique internationale de canots de la Mauricie is an annual competition on the Labour Day weekend in early September. This canoe, kayak and rabaska competition follows a course from La Tuque to Trois-Rivières.
TheFestival Western deSaint-Tite is the most important western festival in Eastern Canada. Great shows and equestrian competitions.
TheFestival de la galette de sarrasin deLouiseville in early October over 10 days celebrates buckwheat pancake and local products.
| Thisregion travel guide toMauricieis ausable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but pleasefeel free to improve itby editing the page. |
