Mauricie Region – Québec Road Trip

Forested hills meet winding rivers and lakes for one of the best Québec road trip destinations. Welcome to the region of Mauricie, just between Québec City and Montréal. Here’s your guide to a Québec road trip through the Mauricie region in Canada. Lots of ideas for a day trip from Trois Rivieres plus trails and parks in the Mauricie region. I know you will agree that there are so many great things to do in the Mauricie Region of Québec!

About My Trip

During October, my friend Kim who is @WestCoastLife on Instagram and I went on a week-long road trip through three gorgeous regions in Québec – Mauricie, Lanaudière, and Eastern Townships. I’ve been to Québec several times and I continue to fall in love with every region I visit. Kim captured all these images, so you are in for a treat!

To begin our trip, we flew into Montréal and rented a car for our Québec road trip! We then stayed in a few different hotels throughout our journey.

About the Mauricie Region of Québec

The Mauricie Region is known for its miles of natural landscapes that intertwine forests, hills, lakes, rivers, and mountains in such a beautiful way. It’s about halfway between Québec’s main centers, Québec City and Montréal.

The best way to get to the Mauricie Region is to do a road trip starting from Montréal or Québec City.

Fun Facts about the Mauricie Region

• Trois Rivières is the main hub of Mauricie. The settlement was founded on July 4, 1634, which was the second permanent in New France, after Québec City was founded in 1608.
• Mauricie is 90% forest and open water, extending from the St. Lawrence River to the boreal forest.

• With its own national park, La Mauricie National Park is home to the Laurentian Mountains. They are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
• The Mauricie Region is nicknamed “La belle d’à côté” (the pretty one next door) thanks to its gorgeous natural terrain and friendly locals.

Authentic Québec

Known as Authentic Québec, Mauricie and Lanaudière are two of the most natural and dreamy regions of Québec thanks to their flourishing flora and fauna and loads of natural beauty at your fingertips. We have loved discovering the captivating spirit of these places, and we got lots of inspiration from Authentic Québec. So, check out their online magazine!

What to See and Do in the Mauricie Region

With days trips from Trois Rivieres and miles of trails and parks, there are so many great things to do in the Mauricie region of Québec. Let’s dive in!

Kayaking & Canoeing

From pretty lakes to winding rivers, there’s water in all directions in the Mauricie region! The best way to soak it up is to get out on it. That’s why kayaking and canoeing are easily one of the best things to do in the Mauricie region of Québec.

We explored the lovely Lac Sacacomie during sunrise at Hôtel Sacacomie right on the lake. We got to soak up the autumnal foliage and see the islands standing in the middle of the lake. The reflections onto the water are so gorgeous and we even had this mysterious mist rising from the lake. It was spectacular and felt like we were floating on a cloud.

Au Snooze Micro Spa

Unwind in a rustic, cozy oasis at the Au Snooze Micro Spa! We were surrounded by forested hills in a charming cabin, and we got to enjoy all the beauty from the terrace spa!

We booked a thermotherapy session at Au Snooze Micro Spa where we had access to the jacuzzi, sauna, and cold shower.

Then, there’s the option to add on an individual relaxing or therapeutic massage (Swedish or Californian massage) that is one hour long.

We loved that we had the facility just to us and the views at the Au Snooze Micro Spa were beautiful, making for a relaxing visit.

Pont Couvert de St-Mathieu

A little piece of history and rustic charm, this covered bridge is too cute to miss! Pont Couvert de St-Mathieu is a charming bridge that crosses at the quaint St-Maurice River. It’s about a 15-minute drive from downtown Shawinigan, and you can drive along the river and enjoy the views along the way.

Plus, it makes for a lovely day trip from Trois Rivieres, and it is a heritage piece thanks to its architectural design. It showcases the “Town québécois”, as several types of these covered bridges were built around Québec farm towns.

Visit a Sugar Shack

Hands down one of the best things to do in the Mauricie region of Québec is visit a sugar shack! Traditional sugar shacks are where they take maple tree sap and boil it into maple syrup. Yum! They are most popular in spring, with families spending the Easter weekend eating dinner at a local sugar shack. Many are closed during the rest of the months.

However, some are open throughout the year, like the Cabane à Sucre Chez Dany in Trois Rivières. Here you can try homemade maple syrup and taffy on snow, and even have a homey Canadian meal!

Walk Through Trois Rivieres

Trois Rivieres is rich in history and that is very apparent through its historic district! Stroll around and see the reminiscent architecture and monuments.

Then, just along the St. Lawrence River, downtown Trois Rivières is full of life! You’ll find many bars, cafes, restaurants big and small, and boutique shops. We enjoyed stopping at the Visitors Centre by the Port de Trois-Rivières. Plus, it is a cute photo spot!

Explore Shawnigan

Shawnigan is nestled along the Saint Maurice River and known to be the best of both worlds – city and nature. In Shawnigan you can enjoy the beauty of Mauricie National Park and also enjoy great restaurants, friendly bistros, microbreweries, cafés, bakeries and shops.

Have more Time? Check out These other Things to do in the Mauricie Region

Passion Escalade Rock Climbing

If you’re looking for a bit more adventure during your Québec road trip, head to Passion Escalade for a bit of rock climbing! Depending on the season, you can do rock climbing or ice climbing in the winter months.

Arbraska in Shawnigan

Take on the heights with a ropes course and zipline through in Ile Melville Park, right on the Saint-Maurice River. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in the Mauricie Region of Québec for my fellow outdoorsy people! Check out Arbraska to reserve your spot.

Where To Stay in the Mauricie Region

Hôtel Sacacomie

Hôtel Sacacomie is a 4-star hotel full of rustic, lodge charm! It’s right on Lake Sacacomie, one of the most stunning lakes in Mauricie. The hotel has been built in a forest, so it feels like a total getaway when you stay here. It’s a perfect escape into nature.

Their dreamy wooden-panelled rooms have stylish decor and are fully equipped with Wi-Fi and coffeemakers. Plus, if you want to be extra cosy, suites have fireplaces, balconies with lake views, and hot whirlpool tubs.

As for food and other amenities, there’s an on-site restaurant that uses fresh and local ingredients to whip up regional cuisine. It’s beautiful with log walls and a stone fireplace that really sets the mood. Then, you can meander over to the bar that leads out onto a terrace overlooking the lake. From local craft beers to artisan cocktails, it’s a lovely bar!

Then, as a lodge should, there’s a beautiful spa at Hôtel Sacacomie with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, and hammam. Here you can also book a massage or facial for a complete spa day experience.

It’s about an hour outside of Trois Rivieres, with charming towns and the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve nearby. If you’re on a Québec road trip, it’s an ideal place to stay.

Other recommended accommodations are:

CAMPagne

Get even closer to nature with a stay at the eco-friendly CAMPagne. There are 3 identical large domes at the foothills of a forest in the heart of Mauricie.

Auberge du Lac-à-l’Eau Claire

Between two lakes, Auberge du Lac-à-l’Eau Claire is a lovely waterfront resort in Mauricie. It is a Large estate with various lodging options.

Le Baluchon Eco Resort

Le BaluchonEco Resort is spread across different lodges on 1,000 acres of forested land. It has a Natural styled decor and onsite activities like farming, horseback riding, and boating.

If you are looking for more Quebec travel ideas, you might like The Laurentians – Québec Road Trip, Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region – Québec Road Trip or My Trip to Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

Where to Eat in the Mauricie Region

Here’s where to eat in the Mauricie Region as someone who is both celiac and dairy-free. Let’s go!

Hôtel Sacacomie

Our wonderful stay at Hôtel Sacacomie was half board so we got to have breakfast and dinner here each night of our stay! It definitely did not disappoint, and they were very accommodating with gluten-free and dairy-free options.

Considering how beautiful the dining hall is and the terraced bar, it was an easy choice already. Add in their delicious dining options and it was a total win-win. They use fresh, local ingredients to create quintessential Québec dishes.

Café Frida

Here’s one of the best lunch spots in Trois Rivières! Café Frida has an awesome vegan menu with gluten-free options, nice coffee, and even craft beer. The place is very simple and chill with indoor and outdoor seating. Plus, there are great views of the river!

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Sushi Taxi

At Sushi Taxi you can find super tasty and unique sushi flavour combinations. We went to the one in Shawnigan!

Other recommended dining options are:

Le Trou du Diable – Brewpub & Restaurant

Le Trou du Diable has a very rustic, pub flair and I’m here for it! They have a rotating list of craft beers, gluten-free options, and gastropub dishes.

Bistro Pub Le Chenapan

Pretty chandelier details meet exposed brick walls and great beer at Bistro Pub Le Chenapan. They have a variety of food from burgers and fish tacos to fresh salads and mac n’ cheese.

Pacini Shawinigan

Very hip with black and red leather seating, Pacini is a great place to eat Italian food in Shawinigan. They also have a variety of wines for pairings!

Le Pot Papilles et Cocktails

If you’re looking for cocktails in Trois Rivières, come straight to Le Pot Papilles et Cocktails! Beyond just gorgeous cocktails, they also serve a lot of seafood dishes with Asian and Hawaiian flair.

Archibald Bières & Restos

For quality beer, rustic charm, and good food, Archibald Bières & Restos is a wonderful choice in Trois-Rivières!

From an amazing cleanse at Au Snooze Micro Spa to the beautiful Hôtel Sacacomie, the Mauricie Region of Québec was amazing! Its forested landscapes, pretty covered bridges, and excellent food options leave me longing for more adventures here!

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