Vacations, activities and going out
Activities and Attractions
Numerous tourists from here and abroad have enjoyed visits to various religious sites in the Mauricie region over the years. Pilgrims and art lovers are free to contemplate these historical riches, learn more about our long history or simply walk around outside the hours of Mass. The calm and beauty surrounding these churches and monuments can provide a most welcome moment of peace and quiet in a busy life. The Mauricie area has a large selection of church sites to visit, from small chapels to a cathedral, as well as a splendid sanctuary overlooking the Saint-Lawrence River. Many of them can be found along the chemin du Roy (King’s Road) and others still stand guardian in the village centers. Christmas is a special time to catch an orchestral concert or family event with animation. In summertime, lots of guided tours are available. Religious tourism can be rounded out with concerts, pilgrimages, conferences, workshops, ceremonies or visits to a museum.
Did you know that historical religious personalities have influenced many aspects of local culture? Marie de l’Incarnation, Father Frédéric Janssoone and more recently Pope John-Paul II, have all made contributions to the area. A priest-moviemaker named Albert Tessier was the originator of the name “Mauricie,” which was long a kind of a nickname for “the Saint-Maurice valley.”
Église Saint-Pierre - Fabrique Sainte-Marguerite D'Youville
The Church of Saint-Pierre houses one of North America’s most beautiful collections of stained glass, created by Italian artist Guido Nincheri between 1930 and 1968, as well as a symbolic representation illustrating the life of St. Peter. With its new Italian Renaissance... ( Next )
Sector activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism -
Les Oeuvres d'Ozias Leduc - Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Présentation
Within the walls of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Présentation church, a Canada’s national historic site, is the last great project of Ozias Leduc, the twentieth century’s greatest painter of religious art. Take a guided tour to learn about his life, his works, his techniques and... ( Next )
Sector activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism -
Archives du Séminaire de Trois-Rivières
Although the archives of the Séminaire Saint-Joseph de Trois-Rivières belongs to a prestigious teaching institution founded in 1860, it was not until 1918 that the archives centre took on an importance all of its own when a young priest, Albert Tessier, was assigned to the... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Cultural & experience tourism - Free sites & attractions - All year long -
Église de Saint-Léon-Le-Grand
The parish of Saint-Léon-le-Grand, founded in 1802, is honoured to have the oldest parish church in the diocese of Trois-Rivières. Thanks to donations from benefactors supporting various members of the Fondation du patrimoine culturel et religieux du Québec, major restoration... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Free sites & attractions - Seasonal -
Église de Saint-Narcisse
Built between 1871 and 1873 by the architect and entrepreneur Edouard Hamelin, this granite church is the second in use. It is shaped like a Latin cross, and the façade originally included a belltower. Inside are 29 paintings by the painter and decorator Louis-Eustache Monty, a... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Free sites & attractions - All year long -
Église la Visitation-de-la-Sainte-Vierge
This church was rebuilt in 1882 over the walls of the former church, which was erected in 1844 and destroyed by fire. It houses sculptures by Léo Arbour, one of Canada’s great religious artists. In the church choir, visitors can admire nine paintings done in 1915-1916 by the... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Cultural & experience tourism - Free sites & attractions - Seasonal -
Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation de Champlain
Built in 1879 by the architect-entrepreneur Gédéon Leblanc, the church is the fourth to be used in the parish. The fine frescoes adorning the vaulted ceiling and the walls are the work of the painter François-Xavier-Édouard Meloche (Montréal 1855-1914).Nine magnificent old... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Chemin du Roy - Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Cultural & experience tourism - Free sites & attractions - All year long
Église Saint-François-Xavier de Batiscan
Built in 1866 by the architect Zéphirin Perreault de Deschambeault, the church is one of the oldest plasterwork churches left in Québec. The main altar, the side altars, the pulpit and sounding board, neo-gothic in style, are remarkable for their exuberance of design and rich... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Cultural & experience tourism - Free sites & attractions - Seasonal -
Église Sainte-Anne
Built in 1855, this church was designed by the Montréal architect Casimir Coursolles, who took his inspiration from the Notre-Dame Church in that city.The gothic arches, rose windows and two steeples are all hallmarks of the gothic style, imparting to the Sainte-Anne church the... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Cultural & experience tourism - Free sites & attractions - Seasonal -
La Féerie de Noël
December to January Are you looking for a great idea for the holiday season? Something original and accessible the whole family, the office or your friends can enjoy, and all this set in a magical scenery? Come to La Féérie de Noël, happening from December to January at... ( Next )
Sectors activities : Churches, shrine and religious tourism - Events and festivals -
