Mauricie

Set in the heart of the Mauricie, on the banks of the majestic Saint-Maurice River, Shawinigan is a city that brilliantly weaves together an industrial past, spectacular nature and a good way of living. About 155 kilometres from both Montreal and Quebec City, it sits strategically halfway between the two, which makes it an ideal base for exploring the region. Its name means "portage on the ridge" — a nod to the Indigenous roots of the area. Shawinigan is above all a city born of water and human daring. Founded in 1901, it came into being through the construction of hydroelectric stations and the industrialization that followed. The first Canadian city to produce aluminum, it was also one of the first Quebec cities to have an urban plan. Its history is tightly bound to hydroelectricity, pulp and paper and chemicals — an industrial heritage still palpable in its architecture and its historic sites. La Cité de l'énergie, the city's marquee attraction, tells that fascinating saga superbly. Today Shawinigan has reinvented itself admirably as an outdoor destination. La Mauricie National Park spreads out 536 km² of forest, mountains and some 150 lakes: hiking, canoeing, cycling, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing make it an extraordinary playground all year long. The parc de l'Île-Melville, a vast 160-hectare wooded space right in the middle of the city, is a favourite for hiking and mountain-biking trails. In summer you can rent kayaks, canoes or paddleboards there to get out on the Saint-Maurice River. "Shawi", as locals affectionately call it, also has a lively downtown. Avenue Willow, known for its terraces, microbreweries and restaurants, adds a spirited note to the experience. The famous Microbrasserie Le Trou du Diable, a flagship of the Quebec brewing scene, was born here — a must for craft beer lovers. The promenade du Saint-Maurice, for its part, invites fine walks along the river, with the emblematic silhouette of the Cité de l'énergie tower as a backdrop. 

Founded in 1634, Trois-Rivières is one of the oldest cities in Quebec, tucked in halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, where the Saint-Maurice River meets the majestic St. Lawrence. A port city in full transformation, it has reinvented itself as a festive, stylish urban centre, proud of its rich past. Between its soulful historic quarter, its fascinating museums, its lively festivals and its unbeatable view over the river, Trois-Rivières is a destination that surprises and wins you over at every turn. For our first outing, though, we chose a nature activity: guided mushroom foraging.