Road Trips, May 1, 2017 2017-05-01 2017-05-01 Quebecgetaways quebecvacances.com Laviolette Bridge Distance : 1.8 km (1 mi.) A trip through the streets of North America’s second oldest French-speaking city, located about halfway between Montréal and Québec City, will give you a chance to appreciate all the charm of the city of Trois-Rivières. Beyond the bistros and restaurants with welcoming outdoor dining, you will uncover traces of the past as you walk through the streets of the old city. A. Start at the Trois-Rivières tourist information office. Here you can get all the information you need about this region and city, which has a rich historical background. Should you wish to take one, city tours are organized and led by colourful guides. But for an overview of the area, follow this proposed itinerary. B. By the River. Upon leaving the tourist information office, get on Forges Boulevard and head towards the river and the Trois-Rivières Harbourfront Park. From here, you will enjoy an exceptional view of the St. Lawrence River, the port and Laviolette Bridge. C. A Trip to the Ursulines Museum. Hug the river until Hôpital Street, then turn onto Ursulines Street, where you will find yourself in front of the Ursulines Museum. This establishment highlights heritage as it relates to local history, and more specifically, the history of the Ursulines, which was the first religious community to settle in Trois-Rivières, with the purpose of educating young women and caring for the sick. When you finish your visit of the museum, continue east on Ursulines to see old buildings like the Tonnancour Manor, the Médard Chouart des Groseillers Home or the De Gannes House. At the end of the street, you will find Terrasse Turcotte and Le Flambeau, a sculpture offered to the city by the city’s youth to commemorate its 300th anniversary. Old Prison D. Local Culture. From this point, take a right on des Casernes, then on Notre-Dame to get to Laviolette Street. By continuing on to the left, you will arrive at the Québec Museum of Folk Culture and Old Prison. The museum has bold, unconventional exhibitions related to Québec culture. Adjoining the museum, the Old Prison of Trois-Rivières, which is a historic monument, offers an experience tour in the company of guides, many of whom are ex-inmates. E. Continue down Hart Street. Just a few steps farther, you will find yourself alongside Champlain Park, a lively site favoured for holding huge events that is popular with many musicians. Just on the opposite side of the park, you can catch sight of L’Assomption Cathedral, featuring neo-Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows by Guido Nincheri. L'Assomption Cathedral F. A Perfect Ending. The end of the circuit will bring you back to your starting point on Forges Boulevard, one of the liveliest places in the city. At sunset, the boulevard closes to motor traffic, so pedestrians can sit at a lovely terrace while savouring a delicious meal or raising a glass to a day of exceptional discovery.