FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mauricie is located between Montréal and Québec City, north of the St. Lawrence River.
You can get here by car via Autoroute 40 (from Montréal and Québec City), Autoroute 55 (from Centre-du-Québec), Route 155 (from Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean), and by the King’s Road (Chemin du Roy) (also between Montréal and Québec City).
The region is also accessible by bus and train.
Highlights of the region include La Mauricie national park, the Batiscan river park, the Saint-Maurice river (perfect for a variety of water activities), historic King’s Road (Chemin du Roy), the Cogeco Amphitheater and its shows, downtown Trois-Rivières, the Cité de l’énergie, FestiVoix in summer, and the region’s gourmet food scene.
Check out the Things to Do section to discover the activity that will become YOUR must-see in Mauricie!
To see what’s happening now or coming up, explore our event calendar!
The real challenge in Mauricie is NOT finding a peaceful spot to paddle! With 17,500 lakes, the region is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts looking for calm waters. Of course, there’s La Mauricie national park, where motorboats are prohibited. You’ll also find the Croche river in La Tuque, the Gouin reservoir in northern Mauricie, and the Saint-Maurice river around Shawinigan, Grandes-Piles, and Saint-Jean-des-Piles.
In short, peaceful paddling spots are everywhere! For inspiration, check out our page on Canoe, Kayak and SUP.
Anglers will love the many outfitters in Mauricie, as well as the countless lakes across the region. For ideas, see our article on fishing spots in Mauricie.
The region’s dining scene stands out for its flavours and culinary quality. There’s something for everyone—from casual snack bars to fine dining and microbreweries.
Visit the Where to Eat section to find your ideal restaurant. Use the interactive map to spot foodie destinations nearby, or apply filters to find restaurants that match your interests.
For mountain biking, try Énergie CMB in Trois-Rivières (great for families and beginners), Parc de la rivière Gentilly (on the south shore of Trois-Rivières), and Mont SM in Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc (a true gem with a range of trails for all levels).
Beyond that, the Route verte, local bike paths, country roads, and urban circuits offer endless options for cycling in the region!
Tourist information offices across the region have copies of the official Mauricie travel guide. It can also be viewed or ordered online.
The term Mauricie (derived from the Saint-Maurice River) was first used in 1933 by Monseigneur Albert Tessier to describe the area between Trois-Rivières and Lac-Saint-Jean. Before that, it was simply called the Saint-Maurice Valley.
Until 1977, the region was officially known as Mauricie–Bois-Francs, which also included what is now Centre-du-Québec. Even though the two regions later split, we can’t forget our first love. 💛 Sincerely, Tourisme Centre-du-Québec. 😌
The Saint-Maurice river was originally called Métabéroutin, an Algonquin word meaning “discharge of the wind.” The Abenaki called it Madôbaladenitekw, while the Atikamekw and Wendat nations referred to it as Tapiskwan and Oquintondili respectively.
On the European side, Jacques Cartier first named it “Fouez.” Although the official reason remains unknown, it may have referred to the Foix family (connected to the governor of Brittany) or an old spelling of the word foi (faith). By the late 16th century, the name was replaced with “3 Rivieres,” and by the 1730s–1740s, it became Saint-Maurice—in honour of Maurice Poulin de La Fontaine, Crown prosecutor in Trois-Rivières.
