The Mauricie region, located between the cities of Montréal and Québec, runs alongside the St. Lawrence River, but its 40,000 km2 (24,855 mi2) territory also forges deep inland, into the dales of the Canadian Shield. To the delight of outdoor enthusiasts, the vast spread of land is made up of 85% untamed nature. The La Mauricie National Park of Canada is one of the region’s major attractions, offering visitors 536 km2 (333 mi2) of lakes and forests where they can enjoy numerous activities, including rabaska canoeing, cross-country skiing, canoe camping and hiking. And thanks to its large expanses of land, the Mauricie region is also known as a snowmobiling paradise in the wintertime. Exploring Mauricie’s cities will bring you most notably to Trois-Rivières. Founded in 1634, Trois-Rivières is the second-oldest French city in North America, after Québec. One of the country’s first ironworks was founded there in 1730: the Forges-du-Saint-Maurice establishment was in operation for over 150 years and today, the historic site is open for visits. Among other attractions in the Mauricie region are the Musée québécois de culture populaire and La Cité de l’énergie, excellent places to visit for those seeking fun and educational activities.