Mauricie Travel guide > Shawinigan
Shawinigan
The Lighted City of Quebec
Located only 20 minutes from Trois-Rivières, the city of Shawinigan offers numerous interesting attractions for each one of the members of the family. The name of the city comes from the Algonquin word “Shawinigan”, which means “portage on the ridge”. This comes from the fact that the Amerindians needed to go around the 50-meter-high waterfall on the Saint-Maurice River to reach the city.
The same river witnessed the installation of several electric power plants along its course, which allowed the city to be the first in Quebec to have a public electric lighting. It was also the first Canadian city to produce aluminium. The Shawinigan area also conceals numerous parks where visitors can observe the flora and fauna of the region.
Adventure
Observatories
Guided tours
Museums
Religious heritage
Concerts & Shows
National parks
Properties & Gardens
