"Trois-Rivières: A Town with a Past and More" Trois-Rivières by Marjara

Trois-Rivières, founded in 1637, is the second oldest town in Canada after Quebec City. It was one of the main trading posts on the fur route between the interior of Canada and France. Good quality iron ore was discovered about 15 kms north of the city. The forges were set up there as early as 1670. By the middle of the nineteenth century, when industries began to be established in Lower Canada, the forges became one of the principle sources of the supply of iron and steel. The forges gave their name to the principal streets of Troi-Rivères. The Rue des Forges begins at the port (from where the photo was taken) and ends 15 kms away at the Canada National Park and Museum, which have been set up to highlight the historic importance of the site. The port as well as street close to it is designed to attract people to walk around, relax and enjoy the view of the St. Lawrence River. Many activities take place there all through the short summer. Go up the steps to la Rue des Ursulines or go along the wharf past the cafés until you come to the end of it and turn left to go up. You will come to the convent and the Museum of the Ursulines, the order of teaching nuns that was established in this town in 1697, the second one after Québec City.

The Cathedral of Trois-Rivères

Go up a few Meters on Rue des Forges until you come to Rue Hart. Turn right on it and walk about a hundred meters. You will see a square and a park on the left. This is where you will find the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). The park has a fountain that works off and on. Across the park from the City Hall is the cathedral of Trois-Rivières. Its interior is ordinary yet its Gothic exterior adds its charm to the general ambiance of the place. If you do want to see a beautiful church in the vicinity of the town you have to go across the St Maurice River to Cap de la Madeleine. The basilica attracts busloads of devout Catholics from all over North America. It is as worth seeing inside as outside. It is well-known for its stained glass windows and for one of the biggest organs in Canada. Pope John Paul II visited it in 1984.

Pont Laviolette across the St. Lawrence River

Trois-Rivières is a pulp-and-paper and university town and lies at the confluence of the St. Maurice River with the mighty St. Lawrence River. If you cross the bridge over the St. Maurice you come to Cap de la Madeleine and if you continue in that direction on highway 40 you will reach Quebec City in just over an hour. If you cross the Laviolette Bridge over the St. Lawrence you come to the south shore of the river. The St. Lawrence River was the life-line of the original settlements in Québec and the villages were mostly located on its shores both in the north and the south. If you turn left just after crossing the bridge you will come to the village of Bécancour and Gentilly next to it. Gentilly became notorious for the controversial nuclear power plants that were built there. If you turn right just after crossing the bridge, it will bring you to Nicolet and Sorel. The old road that links these villages often goes quite close to the river giving a scenic view of the river. A drive along either of the roads will surely be a delightful experience.

• Pros:Quiet though not sleepy town with charm all its own.
• Cons:Public transport is inadequate and taxis are expensive. Have your own means of transport if possible.
• In a nutshell:A good place to stop between Montreal and Quebec City.