"Simonneeddy's new Shawinigan Page" Shawinigan by Simonneeddy

Shawinigan Travel Guide: 15 reviews and 52 photos

"SHAWINIGAN IS THE ALGONQUIN INDIAN NAME FOR "Portage over the crest" (The indians had to carry their canoes around the falls)

Because of the hydro electric power stations this is a famous HYDRO ELECTRIC town. They call it "LA CITÉ de L'ENERGIE" It was the first city to be lighted by Electricity in Quebec.
Founded in 1901. In 2002 after the merger the city now consists of "Grand-Mere, Shawinigan-sud, and the municipalities of Saint-Gerard des Laurentides , Saint-Georges-de-Champlain, Lac-a-la-Tortue and Saint-Jean-des-Piles."
It is 20 minutes from Trois-Riviers and is the 14th largest city in Quebec.
It was famous for the "Shawinigan
Water Falls" 50 meters high, which is only a few meters lower than NIagara Falls (Ontario) in height. It was called the Niagara of the east.

Unfortunately when I took this picture the dam that controls the flow of water ( to make electricity) was mostly closed. In spring when the water level is high due to snow and ice melt the falls is beautiful.

Sunset from Tower La Cité de l'énergie

sunset Shawinigan

We went up in the elevator to the top of the tower and I took many fine pictures from there. This is one.

Home of Canada's first aluminum plant. Now moved to a bigger plant. The original is just under the sun in this picture.

Shawinigan Power DAM, gates

Shawinigan dam

Picture taken from the tower.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Excellent tourist city. Great River for boating
Cons:none
In a nutshell:Really worth a tour. and see the show Kosmogonia

Last visit to Shawinigan: Jul 2005
Intro Updated Jul 31, 2005
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Reviews (9)

Freight train Transportation (3)

We had to wait for this freight train to clear the track for our passenger train. A 15 minute delay. more travel advice

Simonne boarding train Transportation (3)

more travel advice

Via Rail ( train from Joliette) Transportation (3)

Our group went by train and we had a big surprise THE TRAIN WAS STOPPED FOR OVER HALF AN HOUR AND SEARCHED FOR A... more travel advice

Great Buffet Restaurants (1)

excellent roast beef more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All A TOUR OF THE CITY
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Comments (9)

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kenHuocj Mar 16, 2002 at 7:46 AM

is it the S-gate ???
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sim1 Nov 30, 2001 at 10:34 AM

Great view from the observation tower!
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Slydevil May 4, 2001 at 6:38 PM

beautiful!! :)
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Carmanah Apr 27, 2001 at 4:36 PM

I`ll have to keep an eye out for this when I`m out east :)
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rachel_sun Apr 6, 2001 at 6:12 PM

i would not go up obsevation tower,im frightened of heights
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bugalugs Mar 6, 2001 at 8:04 AM

nice info and pics
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richiecdisc Feb 12, 2001 at 5:33 PM

Saw alot of a pass though!
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JRW Jan 23, 2001 at 11:14 AM

Cool!
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Krystynn Jan 23, 2001 at 8:01 AM

I think I like the Observation Tower best! Exciting!!!!