Three Days on the Saint-Maurice
Discovering Trois-Rivières from Riverfront to Rooftops
Trip Overview
This itinerary probes the historic core of Quebec's second-oldest city. You will follow the fur trade route along the Saint-Maurice River, explore limestone buildings in the old quarter, and encounter the city's current creative energy. The schedule is unhurried, mixing museum stops with slow walks and neighborhood meals. Key sights are the imposing Ursuline Monastery, the transformed industrial power of the old pulp mill, and the calm riverside parks where freighters slide past.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$80-120 per day
Best Seasons
Late spring through early fall (May to October)
Ideal For
History enthusiasts, Couples seeking a quiet city break, Travelers interested in Quebec culture beyond Montreal
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Old Stones and River Views
Old Trois-Rivières and the Port
Begin with the city's historic core. Go from its founding spot to a grand monastery, then finish with a walk by the water.
Morning
Trois-Rivières Founding Site and Old Prison
Start at Parc Portuaire. A stone monument marks the 1634 founding. Listen to the water against the quay. Walk up Rue des Ursulines to the Vieux Palais de Justice. Its old prison cells sit behind thick stone walls. The narrow streets here are filled with 18th and 19th-century houses. Their wooden shutters are painted deep blues and greens.
Lunch
Cafe Morgane in the old town
Afternoon
Ursuline Monastery and Museum
Step into the monastery's cool chapel, founded in 1697. Catch the faint scent of old wood and wax. The nearby museum displays the Ursuline nuns' needlework. Gold thread shines on old religious textiles. The garden is a quiet green space. High stone walls block the city noise.
Check the museum's seasonal hours, as they can vary.
Evening
Dinner and sunset at the marina
Eat locally caught fish at Restaurant Le Temps d'une Pinte. Its terrace overlooks the Saint-Maurice. Afterward, walk the Promenade de la Rivière at sunset. Feel the evening breeze. Watch lights dance on the dark water.
Where to Stay Tonight
Downtown Trois-Rivières, near Rue des Forges (A centrally located hotel or a historic bed and breakfast)
You will be close to the old quarter's restaurants. You will also be near the next day's start.
See all Troisrivieres accommodation options →Stop at Confiserie Zeema on Rue des Ursulines. Grab a bag of 'grand-pères', soft cake doughnuts. Eat them by the river.
Day 1 Budget: $90
2
Paper, Pulp, and Performance
Cité de l'Énergie and Downtown
Investigate the city's industrial history at a large site. Then see its current art scene.
Morning
Cité de l'Énergie
Approach the old Canadian International Paper plant. Its soot-streaked brick smokestack is now a park centerpiece. Hear echoes in the vast turbine hall. Ride the glass elevator up the 115-meter stack. See Trois-Rivières and the river's curve. Interactive exhibits below simulate the rumble of old pulp machinery.
Purchase tickets online to guarantee your elevator time slot.
Lunch
Bistro du Boulevard near the park
Afternoon
Musée Pop and Gallery Hopping
Visit the Musée Pop for Quebec's pop culture. You could hear old radio jingles. You might see TV show props. Walk back downtown along Rue des Forges. Step into smaller galleries like L'Espace JAC. The air often smells of coffee from independent cafes.
Evening
Performance at Salle Anaïs-Allard-Rousseau
Look at the schedule for this downtown theater. It may have a play, concert, or comedy show. Eat dinner first at Restaurant L'Authentique. It serves inventive Quebecois food. Dishes may have foraged mushrooms or maple-glazed meats.
Where to Stay Tonight
Downtown Trois-Rivières (Same as previous night)
A central hotel makes evenings and days simpler.
See all Troisrivieres accommodation options →Summer visits to Trois-Rivières can include Cité de l'Énergie events. Outdoor concerts or films play against the industrial buildings. It's a good contrast.
Day 2 Budget: $110
3
Gardens, Glass, and Gentle Farewells
Jardin du Gouverneur and Laviolette Bridge
Spend a calm morning in flower gardens. Find fine glass art. See one last city view.
Morning
Jardin du Gouverneur and Boréalis
Walk the formal flowerbeds of the Governor's Garden. Smell roses in season. Visit Boréalis, the paper industry museum. It's in a former water plant. The best part is going down into the cool underground reservoir. Multimedia projections move on the concrete walls.
Lunch
Le Sacristain in the old convent building
Afternoon
Verrerie d'Art La Mailloche
Watch glassblowers work in their studio. Hear the furnace hiss. See molten glass shaped into vases. The workshop heat differs from the cool finished pieces. Each piece for sale is one of a kind.
Call ahead if you want to ensure a blowing demonstration is scheduled.
Evening
Final views and a relaxed meal
Cross Pont Laviolette by car or foot. Look back at the Trois-Rivières skyline. For a final dinner, choose Le Bonaparte. Its wood-paneled room serves classic French food.
Where to Stay Tonight
Downtown Trois-Rivières (Same as previous nights)
This plan lets you return for luggage before an evening departure.
See all Troisrivieres accommodation options →Many small shops in Trois-Rivières close on Mondays. This includes the glass workshop. Plan this day for Tuesday through Saturday.
Day 3 Budget: $95
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Explore Trois-Rivières on foot in the old town. For Cité de l'Énergie, take a taxi, rideshare, or bus. It's a 25-minute walk from downtown. A car helps for the bridge view and outer areas. It is not required. Paid street parking and lots are easy to find.
Book Ahead
Book your hotel early, in summer. Reserve Cité de l'Énergie elevator tickets online. Secure your time slot. Check the theater schedule. Book ahead if a show matches your dates.
Packing Essentials
Wear good shoes for cobblestones. Bring a jacket for cool river evenings. Pack an umbrella. Weather shifts fast. A French phrasebook helps outside main tourist spots.
Total Budget
$275-355 for three days
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
See free sights: the founding park, monastery exterior, riverfront walks, and Rue des Forges windows. Visit Boréalis but skip Cité de l'Énergie paid exhibits. Eat lunch at bakery-cafes like Première Moisson. Picnic in the parks. Stay in a motel outside downtown.
Luxury Upgrade
Book a private, guided historical walk through Trois-Rivières' old town. Stay at the upscale Gouverneur Hotel for panoramic city views. Dine at the refined Restaurant L'Authentique. Choose the wine pairing. For scenery, take a sunset river cruise on the Saint-Maurice. Skip the bridge walk. Hire a car and driver for the day. Visit the vineyards of the Mauricie region. It is efficient.
Family-Friendly
Kids love the hands-on exhibits at the Cité de l'Énergie and Boréalis. The Governor's Garden provides open space to run. Skip the glassblowing studio. Drive to the Aquarium du Québec instead. For meals, seek out family-friendly poutine spots like Chez Ti-Poil. They are popular. Select a hotel with a swimming pool. Plan accordingly.
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