Located between Montréal and Québec City, Mauricie is a region of stunning natural beauty. It spans 40,000 km2 (15,450 sq. mi.), from the St. Lawrence River to the heart of the boreal forest. Mauricie is famed for its picturesque scenery, dense forests, history, heritage and welcoming people.
Winter in Mauricie is anything but boring! In fact, it’s paradise. Get outside and breathe in the fresh air on a hike or snowshoeing excursion in La Mauricie National Park. Crazy about snowmobiling? The region has 2,800 km (1,740 mi.) of well-maintained, snow-covered trails. Take advantage of your visit to the region to ride the legendary Gazoduc (gas pipeline) trail in Mékinak or Sentier 360 (trail no. 360) in Matawin, or to trek along the shores of the mighty Rivière Saint‑Maurice.For an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world, discover Atlantic tomcod fishing in Sainte‑Anne‑de‑la‑Pérade while in the comfort of a warm riverside cabin. Bliss! Animal lovers will enjoy dogsledding at Manitou Mushers, where magnificent huskies have a field day! And how about skating in heart of nature? The Domaine de la forêt perdue labyrinth offers more than 10 km (6 mi.) of skating trails through the forest.Mauricie is synonymous with wide open natural spaces, forests, lakes and rivers. La Mauricie National Park, a nature conservation area, is paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, cycling, camping, canoeing, kayaking and observing wildlife. The Park also offers a wide range of watersport activities.Paddle the still waters of one of the region’s lakes or the Rivière Batiscan. For a more thrilling ride, tear down the Rivière Saint‑Maurice on a jet-ski, or descend the Matawin River in a kayak or raft. If you feel like angling for trout, northern pike or walleye, La Tuque in Haute‑Mauricie is the largest hunting and fishing area in Québec, at 30,000 km2 (11,500 sq. mi.). The odds are in your favour!The region’s history tells the story of industrialization in Québec. Founded in 1634, Trois‑Rivières is the second oldest Francophone city in North America. The city’s Boréalis paper industry museum pays tribute to the lumberjacks and log-drivers. The Forges du Saint‑Maurice Natural Historic Site showcases Canada’s first iron industry (1730), which contributed to the region’s economic growth for over 150 years. And let’s not forget Shawinigan, where hydroelectric development would shape Québec’s energy future. Mauricie is also a hotbed of culture, and home to some 30 festivals, multiple museums, the town of Saint‑Élie‑de‑Caxton and its storyteller Fred Pellerin, the Cirque du Soleil in Trois‑Rivières, the majestic Our Lady of the Cape Shrine, thrilling cultural experiences like the Old Prison of Trois‑Rivières, and much more!