The Forges du-Saint-Maurice National Historic Site brings industrial history to the contemporary visitor. At the Grande Maison, or "Ironmaster's House," a sound-and-light show and exhibits describe the production of pig iron. This archeological site includes workers' dwellings. Students can study the creek's role in the industrial process, view the wheel of the blast furnace and handle artifacts and tools. Visitors can participate as apprentice molders as they prepare molds for molten metal and produce a foundry object. Outdoor amenities include nature trails by the St. Maurice River and picnic and play areas.
Forges du-Saint-Maurice National Historic Site of Canada
10000 Boulevard des Forges
Trois Rivieres QC G9C 1B1
Canada
819-378-5116
trailcanada.com
Trois-Riviere's leisure and outdoors activities include a network of 100 miles of cycling lanes. Cyclists of all abilities can pedal more than 20 miles of bike paths. A biking and outdoors map details the family-friendly Chateaudun bike path and the Saint-Louis Trail. For long-distance routes, the loops range from 40 to 60 miles.
Trois-Rivieres Tourist Information Office
1457 Rue Notre-Dame Centre
Trois-Rivieres QC G9A 4X4
Canada
819-375-1122
tourismetroisrivieres.com
Harbourfront Park offers a walking area, ice skating and a festival venue. Three-level walking area features a terrace view of Canada's longest river, the St. Lawrence. In October, the promenade hosts the Festival International de la Poesie with works composed by poets in attendance. This international reading includes poems in French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and other languages.
Harbourfront Park
1300 Rue du Fleuve
Trois-Rivieres QC
Canada
819-372-4614
Festival International de la Poesie
1497 Laviolette
C.P. 335
Trois-Rivieres QC G9A 5G4
Canada
819-379-9813
fiptr.com
In June, the Festival International Danse Encore presents 40 professional shows to kick off the summer season. Indoor and outdoor venues host 250 artists that 45,000 downtown visitors view. Classes and competitions include free style, jazz, ballet, hip hop and contemporary for various age groups, ranging from children to semi-professional.
Festival International Danse Encore
1425 Place de l'Hotel-de-Ville
Trois-Rivieres QC G9A 5H3
Canada
819-601-2673
festival-encore.com
The Quebec Museum of Folk Culture is home to 70,000 artifacts from daily agricultural life such as farm tools, clothing and folk art. Known as "The Craziest of Museums," this site includes the Vieille Prison de Trois-Rivieres or "Old Prison" of Trois-Rivieres with its 1822 heritage architecture. On-going exhibitions to 2013 include "Quebec Criminally Speaking." Visitors can pay $60 non-refundable bail for the "Sentenced to One Night" experience that includes fingerprinting and an overnight stay in a jail cell. Following a prisoner's breakfast of porridge and toast, the jail warden releases the visitors. The Old Prison offers discounts for school groups.
Quebec Museum of Folk Culture
200 Rue Laviolette
Trois-Rivieres QC G9A 6L5
Canada
819-372-0406
culturepop.qc.ca
enprison.com
