Mauricie
What to do in Mauricie
Between the Saint Lawrence and the boreal forest, Mauricie is lived on the water, on the trail and under the snow. Discover the region season by season — and the cottage to make your base.
Mauricie, the country of the Saint-Maurice River
Set on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence, halfway between Montréal and Québec City, Mauricie takes its name from the Saint-Maurice River, which crosses it from the south up to the great northern forests. Water and woodland set the pace here: thousands of lakes, immense wildlife reserves and a well-loved national park.
The region brings together lively towns and true wilderness: Trois-Rivières and its historic quarter by the river, Shawinigan and its reinvented industrial past, La Tuque and the Haute-Mauricie, gateway to the wide open north. An easy region to reach, and a fine place for a cottage stay in Mauricie, summer or winter.
COTTAGES TO RENT IN MAURICIE
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Cottages in Mauricie: explore by experience
HOLIDAYS IN MAURICIE
Who is Mauricie for, and when should you go?
An easy-going destination that suits families and outdoor lovers alike. The right time depends mostly on what you are after.
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With family
A family holiday in Mauricie: an easy-going national park, La Cité de l'énergie, beaches and farms to visit.
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As a couple
A waterfront cottage, a private hot tub, forest and deep quiet.
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Outdoors & fishing
Mauricie for the outdoors: wildlife reserves, outfitters, canoe camping and ice fishing.
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With friends
Large cottages, snowmobile trails and winter outings.
When to visit Mauricie
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Spring
The forest waking up, and maple sugar season.
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Summer
Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking and evenings at the cottage.
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Fall
Colour across the hills — the finest season for photographs.
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Winter
Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
WHAT TO DO IN MAURICIE
What to do in Mauricie: activities by season
Things to do in Mauricie with family, in summer as in winter. Pick a theme to see the matching activities — every place named here is real.
With family
- La Mauricie National Park Easy trails, swimming and picnics in the forest (Parks Canada).
- La Cité de l'énergie — Shawinigan A museum, an observation tower and a historic hydroelectric station.
- Notre-Dame-du-Cap Shrine — Trois-Rivières A great basilica and quiet grounds by the river.
- Old Trois-Rivières Historic streets and a riverfront, in one of Québec's oldest cities.
- Farm visits in Les Chenaux & Maskinongé Farms, local produce and country landscapes.
- Beaches and lakes Swimming and splashing about in summer, minutes from the cottages.
In summer
- Canoeing & kayaking on the Saint-Maurice River The river that defines the region, at every skill level.
- Hiking in La Mauricie National Park More than 110 km of trails through lakes and hills.
- Canoe camping — Mastigouche & Saint-Maurice wildlife reserves Backcountry trips across networks of lakes (Sépaq).
- Fishing Wildlife reserves and outfitters known for lake and river fishing.
- Cycling & wildlife watching Gravel biking, birdlife and star-filled skies in the national park.
- Swimming & beaches Lakes and streams to cool off in, close to the cottage.
In winter
- Snowmobiling One of Québec's great snowmobiling destinations, with trails reachable from the cottage.
- Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing — La Mauricie National Park A network of groomed trails deep in the forest (Parks Canada).
- Tommy cod ice fishing Villages of ice huts at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade — a tradition all its own.
- Winter hiking & Nordic walking Trails open all winter across several areas.
- Downhill skiing — Vallée du Parc A well-regarded ski hill near Shawinigan and Grandes-Piles.
- A cosy cottage stay A fireplace, a hot tub and room to breathe — winter in Mauricie at its best.
COTTAGE RENTALS IN MAURICIE
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Our cottages to rent in Mauricie
On a lake or along the Saint-Maurice River, with a private hot tub and room to breathe. Details come straight from our listings — click through for availability and rates.
ITINERARY
A weekend in Mauricie: our itinerary
A suggested three-day route starting from your cottage. The links lead to official sources.
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Day 1 — Trois-Rivières & the river
Wander through Old Trois-Rivières, follow the Saint Lawrence, then take a quiet moment at the Notre-Dame-du-Cap Shrine.
Tourisme Trois-Rivières ↗ -
Day 2 — La Mauricie National Park
Head for the wild: hiking or canoeing in summer, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in winter. Set aside the whole day.
Official activities ↗ -
Day 3 — Shawinigan
Finish with La Cité de l'énergie and its observation tower, before one last sunset at the cottage.
Tourisme Shawinigan ↗
WHAT TO SEE IN MAURICIE
The essential sights of Mauricie
Places we have checked, and that keep their appeal year after year. Each card links to the official source so you can plan your visit.
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SHAWINIGAN · ST-MATHIEU-DU-PARC
La Mauricie National Park
parcs.canada.caThe region's natural jewel: lakes, forests and more than 110 km of trails. Canoeing and hiking in summer, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
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SHAWINIGAN
La Cité de l'énergie
citedelenergie.comA historical and science site built around Shawinigan's hydroelectric adventure, with its panoramic observation tower.
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TROIS-RIVIÈRES
Notre-Dame-du-Cap Shrine
sanctuaire-ndc.caOne of Canada's great pilgrimage sites: a commanding basilica and wide gardens on the riverbank.
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SÉPAQ
Saint-Maurice Wildlife Reserve
sepaq.comA vast expanse of lakes and forest, known for fishing, canoe camping and stays deep in the wild.
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SAINTE-ANNE-DE-LA-PÉRADE
Tommy cod ice fishing
tourismemauricie.comEvery winter, villages of brightly painted huts take over the ice — a Québec tradition found nowhere else.
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THROUGHOUT THE REGION
The Saint-Maurice River
tourismemauricie.comThe thread running through Mauricie, from the Saint Lawrence up to the Haute-Mauricie. Canoeing, kayaking and long views the whole way.
The 6 areas of Mauricie
The region divides into six areas, from the river up to the great northern forests. Each has its own character — pick the one that matches the mood you are after.
Trois-Rivières — the city, the river, history and festivals.
Shawinigan — town and nature together, gateway to the national park.
Des Chenaux — countryside, river and farm visits.
Maskinongé — rural landscapes and local flavours.
Mékinac — wilderness and forest.
La Tuque & Haute-Mauricie — the wide open north.
FAQ
Holidays in Mauricie: common questions
Where is Mauricie?
Mauricie is Québec's administrative region 04, on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence, halfway between Montréal and Québec City. The Saint-Maurice River runs through it; its main towns are Trois-Rivières, Shawinigan and La Tuque.
When should you visit Mauricie?
All year round. Summer for canoeing, hiking and swimming; fall for the colours; winter for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and ice fishing; spring for maple sugar season.
What is there to do in Mauricie in winter?
Snowmobiling — the region is a major trail hub — along with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in La Mauricie National Park, winter hiking, and the celebrated tommy cod ice fishing at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade.
What is there to do in Mauricie with family?
La Mauricie National Park, La Cité de l'énergie in Shawinigan, the Notre-Dame-du-Cap Shrine, Old Trois-Rivières, and the beaches and farm visits of Les Chenaux and Maskinongé.
Can you rent a cottage in Mauricie with Chalets Confort?
Yes. Chalets Confort has several cottages to rent in Mauricie — Le Missionnaire, Chalet du Barrage and Le Repère among them — many on the water and with a private hot tub. See available cottages →
Ready to explore Mauricie?
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