​Founded in 1634, Trois-Rivieres is North America’s second-oldest French speaking city.  It was the first city in Quebec to be named Cultural Capital of Canada. The cruise dock is close to the center of town making for an excellent jumping off point for excursions into the city. In fact, the port is only a 10-minute walk from the historic center. An amazing number of historic sites, museums, boutiques, restaurants and nature activities make it a popular cruise stop in Canada.

The city is most popular for its Old Town, only a 10-minute walk from the terminal and filled to the brim with historical landmarks. Throughout the whole area there are plaques and panels telling visitors how the buildings and monuments relate to the history of the city. Visitors will have the chance to walk in the footsteps of Trois-Rivieres’ first settlers. For more history, the Old Prison is an excellent site to visit. Within the historical building, visitors can experience what life was like for the prisoners in the 60’s and 70’s, as told by former inmates. Once the longest operating prison in Canada, it’s a unique tour experience. Within walking distance of the Old Prison is the ever popular Musee POP! which allows visitors to experience and learn about modern Quebecois culture. A historic tour of Trois-Rivieres would not be complete without a visit to the Forges du Saint-Maurice, a National Historic Site of Canada. This site holds old iron industry forges from 1730 and preserves over 150 years of industry operations. Visitors can spend the day on the property touring historic architecture and the impressive natural sights of the banks of the Saint-Maurice River. For more industry exploration, the Borealis museum takes a deep look into the industry that grew Trois-Rivieres paper making. This museum features an indoor tour of the factory as well as an outdoor tour into the forest to learn about the logging aspect of the paper industry.

Trois-Rivieres also offers two gorgeous natural sites for the curious outdoor explorer. The La Mauricie National Park spans the Laurentains mountain chain against the Saint Lawrence River.  Hiking and canoeing are the best activities in this park. Visitors will see traces of glaciers, visit a First Nation camp, or spend time observing wildlife. Additionally, the Lac Saint-Pierre hosts many chances for ecotourism. This UNESCO-appointed Biosphere Reserve is frequented by protected waterfowl and offers boating, swimming and fishing along its waters.

Trois-Rivieres has a modern downtown culture and is a hub for shopping and restaurants. During the year, several festivals are held in this area and live performances can be found year-round.

Trois-Rivieres is a quaint town with a number of activities within walking distance of the port.  As one of nine cruise ports along the Saint Lawrence, it’s a city full of art and history and is often included in Saint Lawrence itineraries.

Image Credit: cruisesaintlawrence.com