Trois-Rivières, QC
Trois-Rivières is Quebec’s second oldest city, dating back to 1634. This means that it is a charming city with century-old buildings, narrow winding roads and an old economy. In fact, it is one of the oldest industrial cities in the country and was once known as the pulp and paper industry capital of the world. Today, Trois-Rivières’ main industries are in metal, electronics and cabinet making. It is also the economic and cultural hub of the province’s Mauricie region. The city is divided into two by the Saint-Maurice River, sitting right where it flows into the Saint Lawrence River, directly opposite the city of Bécancour.
Living in Trois-Rivières can be quite a fantastic experience, as you will get to learn about the history and culture of the region. This is specifically true in the Old Town, which is home to Boulevard des Forges. This beautiful street is the best place for shopping and dining, as it is lined with boutiques, cafés, bars and restaurants, many of which are within historic buildings. Rue Notre-Dame Centre along the riverside is also a great place to spend an evening. Both of these areas are great places to live, as they are extremely convenient, as well as being affordable.
There are six boroughs within Trois-Rivières, with Trois-Rivières, Cap-de-la-Madeleine and Trois-Rivières-Ouest being the most popular area for Trifluviens –what residents are known as-. It is also a very family-friendly city, with the majority of the population being between the ages of 20 and 64. Trois-Rivières is a Catholic city, being home to Cathédrale de l'Assomption de Trois-Rivières and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap. Schooling is done in French, even at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, though there are a couple of English-language schools for families with an English-speaking background. There is also a good transportation system in the city, which just adds to the great reasons to live here.
Trois-Rivières’ history makes it a fascinating city, with much to see and do. Many people stop here when travelling between Montreal and Quebec City to visit places like the Québec Museum of Folk Culture, The Old Prison of Trois-Rivières and Boréalis. A Trois-Rivières guide will also recommend going to one of the city’s great annual festivals, like the Festival International de la Poésie, the MetalFest de Trois-Rivières and the 10-day the FestiVoix de Trois-Rivières. Not to mention heading to the Circuit Trois-Rivières for the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.
Parc Gilles-Lupien
