At the confluence of rivers, fields and forests: A road trip through Mauricie, “the beauty next door”

To promote the region, Mauricie recently adopted the appropriate nickname, “the beauty next door.” It’s true that this region along the impressive Rivière Saint-Maurice is never far away. Ideally located between Montréal and Québec City, it offers a number of routes, where majestic rivers sparkle against forests and countryside. It also boasts La Mauricie National Park, a huge recreational area and a regional gem that rightly attracts a host of visitors.

Route 155 between Grand-Mère and La Tuque

Let’s get something straight right away: Route 155, which runs from Grand-Mère to La Tuque, ranks among the most beautiful roads in the province. If you’ve never driven it, now’s the time! Hugging 120 km of Rivière Saint-Maurice, every hill and turn is an opportunity to be awestruck. It’s no surprise that this stretch is a favourite of motorcyclists who, in nice weather, take Route 155 purely to enjoy the ride. The show really begins just north of Grandes-Piles, as the road heads down toward the river. Five km past the village, pull off at the rest stop to take in the venerable waterway. As you head up toward La Tuque, the scenery is so captivating, you won’t feel the minutes pass.


Route 155 – Photo Simon Jodoin


Route 155 – Photo Simon Jodoin

When you get to La Tuque, don’t just drive straight through. Located halfway between Trois-Rivières and Lac-Saint-Jean, Félix Leclerc’s birthplace makes for a natural stopping point. Parc des Chutes-de-la-Petite-Rivière-Bostonnais, at the entrance to the city, is the perfect spot to stretch your legs and have a picnic. On Rue Saint-Zéphirin, you’ll find the vibrant Microbrasserie la Pécheresse, which has won the hearts of Québec beer enthusiasts since 2015. At the time of writing, we were told that the bar is undergoing renovations and will soon reopen with a brand-new look. We’ll keep you posted!

Shortly past La Tuque, Route 155 veers away from Rivière Saint-Maurice and heads northeast, into the woods toward Lac-Saint-Jean. This area has an air of mystery to it, suggesting plenty of forest adventures. It would be a shame not to take a few detours, just for the fun of it. We strongly recommend that you take Rue Lac-Édouard, which leads to the hamlet of the same name. Locals refer to this wild 25-km stretch of road as a roller coaster.

Not far from the Coopérative du Lac-Édouard, a community-supported general store and co-op, is a well-known destination for fishing and forest enthusiasts, Seigneurie du Triton, accessible only by boat or air. Don’t expect to make an impromptu visit! Obviously, you will need a reservation to get in. However, if you’re looking to savour the charm of Haute-Mauricie, spending a few nights at this heritage outfitter with the feel of a family outdoor recreation centre is an ideal choice.


La Seigneurie du Triton – Photo Simon Jodoin

West of Rivière Saint-Maurice, the regional county municipality of Maskinongé

Rivière Saint-Maurice is the backbone of the region, which is dotted with lanes, fields and rivers that are a joy to discover amid the peaceful, little-known countryside. To the west, the entire regional county municipality of Maskinongé is worth exploring in depth. Start from Louiseville and head up Route 348 toward Sainte-Ursule. First stop: the lovely and refreshing Parc des Chutes de Sainte-Ursule, the perfect place for a family walk.


Parc des chutes Sainte-Ursule – Photo Simon Jodoin


Parc des chutes Sainte-Ursule – Photo Simon Jodoin

Afterwards, continue your journey north and head toward Saint-Didace on scenic Route 148. On the way, take a brief detour onto 3e rang du Grand-Portage for a postcard view. From the village, go up toward Saint-Alexis-des-Monts and then down toward Saint-Paulin. This whole area is worth exploring. We recommend that you put down your suitcases for a few days, because one day won’t be enough. The village of Saint-Paulin has two very nice options for lodging. First, the Aux berges du Lac-Castor cooperative, a friendly and unpretentious vacation centre, is well laid out and sits on the edge of a lake, making it popular for families and groups of friends. It also boasts a network of well-marked and maintained trails. For more upscale accommodations, opt for Baluchon Eco Resort, a sprawling estate crossed by Rivière du Loup, which meanders through the entire region, where you can go hiking and enjoy high-end meals, a spa and an eco-lounge. It has everything you need for an enjoyable time. Also be sure check out the activities available. For example, if you want to learn how to pick mushrooms, they offer workshops with experienced guides.


Le Baluchon Éco-villégiature – Photo : Québec Authentique, Damien Lair


Aux berges du Lac Castor – Photo : Simon Jodoin

While exploring the area, don’t miss the tiny village of Saint-Sévère, which may well surprise you. Between Saint-Paulin and Charette, look for Rang Saint-Joseph, then turn onto Rang de Bellechasse. This is a gorgeous spot for a walk. The village is very pretty and it has one of Québec’s nicest clothing stores, Rien ne se perd, tout se crée, specialized in clothing made from recycled fabric. The store also offers a whole line of products made in Québec, such as clothing created by Abaka, another M company, based in Shawinigan. You can also visit Passion Lavande and the Domaine & Vins Gélinas vineyard, both located in the village as well. With its 318 inhabitants, Saint­Sévère boasts the highest ratio of tourist attractions per capita in the province! This is a stop we highly recommend.


Rang de Bellechasse – Photo : Simon Jodoin


Saint-Sévère – Photo : Simon Jodoin

Following Rivière Batiscan through cowboy country

East of Rivière Saint-Maurice, the regional county municipalities of Chenaux and Mékinac deserve a closer look. From Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan, we recommend taking Route 361 toward Saint-Narcisse. Continue your exploration of the region’s rivers, as a few kilometres from the village sits Parc de la rivière Batiscan, a regional park that will win you over immediately. Here, the sound of rapids and whirlpools crashing against the rocky headlands lulls campers to sleep. You can easily spend a day or more here, since in addition to the pastoral picnic sites, the park includes trails and a Via Ferrata climbing route, an extraordinary way to experience the waterfalls.


Parc rivière Batiscan – Photo : Québec Authentique, Damien Lair

When you leave the park, head west on Route 352 toward Saint-Stanislas, where the village presbytery has been transformed into a great microbrewery. You can then continue on to Saint-Adelphe, following Rivière Batiscan along one of the most beautiful routes in the region. Past Saint-Adelphe, continue a little further toward Saint-Thècle, then turn west on Rang Saint-Émile, toward Saint-Tite.


Saint-Tite – Photo : Simon Jodoin

No tour of Mauricie would be complete without paying tribute to the valiant cowboy village which, in recent years, has revitalized itself masterfully thanks to the efforts of the entire community and the contribution of À la fût, a cooperative microbrewery. Such a success needs to be commended. The home of the famous Festival western de St-Tite no longer needs an introduction. It’s now a popular year-round destination in its own right and a great spot for a bite to eat, a good pint and maybe even a pair of Boulet boots, which are handmade in the village. Recently, the microbrewery opened a small inn right across the street from the restaurant and bar, where you can spend the night.


À la Fût – Photo : Simon Jodoin


À la Fût – Photo : Simon Jodoin

We could go on and on with this travelogue, because Mauricie is full of little-known roads that are worth exploring. Saint-Tite’s comeback is in keeping with the image of the region, the “beauty next door.” It’s an area that draws people back and always has an amazing story to tell.

OTHER STOPS ON YOUR ROAD TRIP THROUGH MAURICIE
Recommended by Tourisme Mauricie

Domaine Notcimik – 418 Rang Sud-Est, La Bostonnais, Haute-Mauricie


Domaine Notcimik – Photo : Gaëlle Leroyer

Domaine Notcimik will immerse you in Atikamekw culture through traditional lodging (tipis, prospecting tents and Capitowan), Atikamekw stories and songs, an introduction to medicinal plants or trapping, stargazing from a canoe, a purification ceremony, a sweat lodge, traditional meals, etc. It’s a timeless place that will bring you back to the basics.

Aire Nature Grandes-Piles – 250 Chemin du Lac-des-Îles, Grandes-Piles


Aire Nature Grandes-Piles – Photo : Olivier Croteau

Just 15 minutes from the beautiful village of Grandes-Piles, this protected biodiversity area boasts canoeing, kayaking, hiking, geocaching, fishing and access to the Jacques-Buteux section of the Sentier National, Québec’s national trail. Aire Nature Grandes-Piles offers rustic campsites, ready-to-camp sites and mini-cottages.

Auberge du Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire – 500 Chemin du Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts

Bordering the large majestic lake of the same name, the Auberge du Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire offers all the comforts and style of an upscale urban hotel in the heart of exceptional natural surroundings. You can enjoy all the features of a large estate, gourmet meals and the benefits of a health centre. In addition to the inn, there are outbuildings with luxury rooms and suites, modern apartments and more rustic cottages for an alternative but equally memorable experience.

Cité de l’énergie – 1000 Avenue Melville, Shawinigan


La Cité de l’énergie – Photo : Québec Authentique, Damien Lair

The Cité de l’énergie sits on the banks of Rivière Saint-Maurice in an exceptional natural environment. Things to do: Visit some very interesting exhibitions, enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the tower (the second highest tower in Québec), take a tour of the city, explore the historic centre and the Shawinigan-2 generating station dating back to 1911, a jewel of Québec’s electrical heritage. Be sure to check out Île-Melville and downtown Shawinigan, which boasts shops and a host of patios.

Musée POP – 200 Rue Laviolette, Trois-Rivières

This is a great place to learn about Québec’s people and culture. Located in downtown Trois­Rivières, the museum takes a modern and instructive look at the diversity and evolution of this unique Canadian identity. Its lively exhibitions and dynamic cultural and family activities will make the visit unforgettable. As part of the museum complex of the Old Prison of Trois-Rivières, which is a classified historical monument, the museum offers an unforgettable exhibition, In the Big House: Encounters Behind Bars.

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