By car : Route 155, 168 km (105 mi.) north of Trois-Rivières, 135 km (85 mi.) south of Chambord.

By ATV : From Rivière-à-Pierre, Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Chambord, Roberval and Shawinigan, follow signs to La Tuque

By snowmobile : Trail # 73

“The name La Tuque would appear to be the translation of an Indian name describing a rock formation that resembled a tuque, or hat, above the falls on the Saint-Maurice.”¹ Today, it can be seen that the mountain’s summit was cut during construction of the La Tuque hydroelectric dam.

1 Source: Itinéraire toponymique de la Mauricie à l'Outaouais, Commission de toponymie du Québec

The birthplace of Félix Leclerc, who lived here for the first 14 years of his life, La Tuque is both the region’s administrative capital and its primary service centre. The territory extends as far south as the agglomeration of Rivière-aux-rats, located on the Saint-Maurice. The name of this hamlet, a former Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, is thought to be the translation of a First Nations place name describing the river as a muskrat habitat.¹

Today, La Tuque is a major forestry centre. As you continue north on scenic Route 155 along the Saint-Maurice, magnificent cliffs come into view.

A few miles further north is the Parc des chutes de la Petite rivière Bostonnais, which features a tourist information centre, facilities for numerous outdoor activities, and several interpretation centres (including the Centre et circuit Félix-Leclerc).

Continuing on, you come to downtown La Tuque, whose main attractions are described below.

At the northern exit, two private campgrounds offer a range of activities. A seaplane base is your gateway to backcountry adventure, and the ATV and snowmobile trail that crosses the city provides access to numerous tourist products and services.

Located some 7 km (4 mi.) from downtown La Tuque on Route 155 South, this 50-ha (123-acre) regional park boasts an impressive waterfall with a 35-m (115-ft.) vertical drop. Activities and services include a tourist information office, the Centre et circuit Félix-Leclerc, a fur trade interpretation centre, a nature interpretation centre, walking and interpretation trails, and an observation tower on the Saint-Maurice.

Beckler Street 

Beckler Street is characterized by its early-20th-century British architecture, which hearkens back to the times of the village of La Tuque Falls (1910). Notable buildings include the Anglican Church of St. Andrew, the Brown Community Club and several residences.

The luminous cross

Erected in 1954 and located to the east of the Laurentian peak, the luminous cross watches over the city’s residents. Standing 12 m (40 ft.) high, it attests to the influence of the clergy in the region’s development.

The BMX track 

Located on Des Érables Street, the fenced-in BMX track meets the standards of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and runs for some 500 m (about 1/3 mi.). Access is free.

Église Saint-Zéphirin

Designed by architect Heldwige Laberge, this Catholic church was built in 1930 and blessed by Mgr Louis Réhaume in 1931. Stylistically, Saint-Zéphirin is a mixture of Renaissance and Romanesque features. Self-guided tours are available throughout July and August from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. The tours are free; however, visitors are asked to call before coming.

Suspension bridge

Located west of the Smurfit-Stone factory, the suspension bridge provides access to the western bank of the Saint-Maurice. Built in 1908, its primary function was to support the drinking water pipe from Lac Parker. Only one vehicle can cross the bridge at a time. The bridge spans the great river, whose headwaters are found in the Gouin reservoir.

Located within easy reach of downtown, the municipal ski hill boasts 11 trails, 8 of which are lit for night skiing. With a vertical drop of 166 m (545 ft.) and equipped with a T-bar and chairlift, it offers a range of services that are sure to please ski buffs.

This pleasant green space near the pubic library has a children’s playground, public swimming pool and water park, tennis court and skate park. The perfect place for family fun!

Parc Bertrand has four newly fitted tennis courts.

A 12-km (7.5 mi.) bike path starts at Parc des chutes de la Petite rivière Bostonnais and ends at the La Tuque campground.

Located near Ducharme Boulevard, the centre’s four cross-country ski trails amount to a total length of 40 km (25 mi.).

Petanque fans can hone their skills on two practice grounds, one of which is located in the Terrasse Saint-Maurice district, the other in Parc Saint-Eugène.

To make the most of summer, a beach volleyball court is located at Parc Corbeil.

In 2000, Hydro-Québec built an outdoor amphitheatre and pier on the Saint-Maurice—a historic site that has served as the starting point for the Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie since 1934. The amphitheatre is named Dénommé-Goyette in honour of these glorious canoeists.