Trois-Rivières: passion and poetry

There is a city where architecture buffs, poetry fans and foodies alike will find their fill. No, we’re not talking about New York or Paris, but Trois-Rivières! With its rich history and vibrant cultural scene, it’s no wonder cruise guests make time to discover this unique place. We're fortunate as Marie-Pier Simeone, tourist information office supervisor and port of call manager, shares with us her top things to do among everything Trois-Rivières has to offer.

What to do

“One of our main selling points is that everything is very accessible from the port. Guests don’t have to walk far to stumble upon beautiful buildings, lovely cafés, quaint boutiques and more. History buffs should turn right to visit the old part of town, while those looking for a more vibrant scene can turn left to head downtown,” says Marie-Pier. What’s so great about Old Trois-Rivières? “In 1908, the greater part of downtown Trois-Rivières was destroyed by a fire. Now, there is a clear divide between the new buildings commissioned after the fire, and the older ones, which survived the fire,” she adds. Well worth a walk around!

What to eat

Trois-Rivières has the entire Mauricie region in its backyard, which explains why forest cuisine is gaining in popularity. Wild game, berries, mushrooms and everything else the forest has to offer: these ingredients are used to create aromatic dishes that melt in the mouth. For a great meal with an equally great vista, head to Musée Borealis. You’ll learn all about Trois-Rivières’s pulp and paper industry and history of log driving before enjoying a scrumptious lunch on its amazing terrasse. The view over the Saint-Maurice River is simply stunning.

What to drink

Thanks to its amazing location, Trois-Rivières is home to several outstanding microbreweries. Try the Gambrinus, the first craft brewery in Mauricie, or Le Temps d’une pinte brewpub, which features a great bistronomic menu with plenty of local flavours. Looking for something a bit stronger? Distillerie Wabasso produces a wide range of yummy adult beverages, including a spiced rhum that’s simply out of this world!

Did you know?

There is more to Trois-Rivières than meets the eye: the city was even dubbed "Capital of poetry" by famous artist Félix Leclerc. In addition to hosting the International Poetry Festival each year, it features over 400 plaques with verses in many languages. "Move over New York and Paris!" concludes Marie-Pier with a laugh.