When you take the Chemin du Roy (King’s Road), you’re already immersed in history. But to deepen your experience even further, there are several historical attractions along the way that will allow you to discover our past from another angle. These seven must-see tourist sites are definitely worth the visit!
1. Discover Traditional Crafts at the Moulin de La Chevrotière Mill
When you visit the Moulin de La Chevrotière mill in Deschambault, you’ll discover the traditional trades of wood, iron and stone, as well as the profession of a St. Lawrence River pilot. It’s the perfect opportunity to enrich your knowledge while exploring a building constructed in 1802 and classified as a historical monument since 1976.
2. Meet Key Historical Figures of Quebec
The new exhibition at the Domaine seigneurial de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade Heritage Site invites you to discover the lives of three emblematic figures who once lived there: Madeleine de Verchères, Elizabeth Hale and Honoré Mercier. By the end of your visit, you’ll know all about their fascinating stories.
3. Sail the Saint-Maurice River to Discover Its History
The Histoire sur l’eau experience, offered by the Boréalis museum in Trois-Rivières, takes you back in time in a captivating way through an immersive cruise. As you glide along the water, an audio guide narrates the evolution of the Saint-Maurice River from past to present.
4. Step into 17th-Century Bourgeois Life
Fascinated by the manners and customs of bourgeois life? Discover its secrets by visiting the permanent exhibition at the Manoir Boucher de Niverville museum, located in the heart of downtown Trois-Rivières. Politics, professions, social events: you can almost imagine yourself at one of the most prestigious parties of the era.
5. Make Bread the Old-Fashioned Way
Get hands-on by participating in a bread-making workshop using traditional methods at the Moulin seigneurial de Pointe-du-Lac mill. You’ll learn the history of bread, prepare your own loaf and bake it in a traditional outdoor bread oven.
6. Shop at an Authentic General Store
Did you think all general stores have disappeared? Think again! Take a step back in time by visiting the Magain général Le Brun, a typical 19th- and 20th-century general store. The site features a museum, a shop, a performance hall and the historic Chez Eugène café.
7. Board a Raft Like the Cagers of the Past
Immerse yourself in the world of raftsmen at the La Maison des cageux du fleuve Saint-Laurent museum, in Lanoraie. The guided tour includes an exhibition, a short film and the opportunity to climb aboard a historic raft reconstruction to relive the experience of our ancestors.
Tempting, isn’t it? These experiences are just a few of the many historical attractions on the King’s Road.
To extend your journey into Quebec’s rich past, check out our article Travel Back in Time with These 8 Historic Accommodations. You’ll find inns, hotels and tourist residences that will perfectly complement your epic journey.
Ready to trace the footsteps of history? Plan your itinerary now and set out to conquer the Chemin du Roy.