Champlain (Quebec) travel guide

Champlain is a rural municipality, picturesque and offering recreational tourism, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, in the regional county municipality Les Chenaux, in Mauricie. The town is part of the Association des plus beaux villages du Québec (Association of the most beautiful villages of Quebec).

During the summer season, the population increases significantly because of vacationing and second homes. In summer, nautical activities on the river are particularly intense: boating, sailing, and fishing.

Understand

History

During his exploratory trip to America, Samuel de Champlain, founder of New France, lent his name to designate the Champlain River which flows in the eastern part of the current territory of the municipality of Champlain. The first European inhabitants settled in Champlain in 1664 or 1665.

In 2014, the citizens of Champlain declared their 350th anniversary of the founding of the seigneury of Champlain.

Geography

The municipality of Champlain is located along the St. Lawrence River, between Cap-de-la-Madeleine (Trois-Rivières sector since 2003) and the municipality of Batiscan. This territory faces Gentilly, on the south bank of the river. The meandering course of the Champlain River passes through the eastern part of the municipality of Champlain.

This relatively flat territory of the St. Lawrence River valley includes areas of marshes extending parallel to the north shore of the St.Lawrence River, between the limits of Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap and the Champlain River, i.e., on either side of Autoroute 40. The area near the Champlain River is designated “Petite Batture Champlain”; the area near the Hertel stream is designated Le Haut-de-Champlain, facing the flats of Gentilly. The main hamlets are: Bas-de-Champlain, Haut-de-Champlain, Trou-des-Roses and Village Sainte-Marie. Carignan Island is located on the river, near the southwestern limit of the municipality.

The dwellings are mostly surrounded by the edge of the St. Lawrence River (with greater density in Haut-de-Champlain) and on either side of Route 138.

Economy

In the past, agriculture, forestry and fishing were the engines of the local economy. After the mid-20th century, vacationing took off significantly along the river. Several second homes have become permanent residences.

In the 21st century, the economic vocation of the town of Batiscan is focused on recreational and tourism activities (vacationing, boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, docks, museum), agriculture, local businesses and certain services.

Get in

The village of Batiscan is accessible by road, boat (via Saint Lawrence River), snowmobile and all terrain vehicles.

By coach

• Orléans Express, 1000, rue Notre-Dame. Quebec-Trois-Rivières-Montreal line, ticket not available at Champlain (stop on request).

By car

• From Montreal (downtown) (167 km (104 mi). Time: 1 hr 46 min. From Montreal, take highway 40 (north shore) heading east, to Champlain Exit; take route 359 (southbound) to the village of Champlain.
• From Quebec City (downtown) (110 km (68 mi). Time: 1 hr 10 min. From Quebec City, take highway 40 westbound to Champlain Exit; take route 359 (southbound) to the village of Champlain.

Get around

• Borne véhicule électrique (Electric vehicle terminal), 04, rue Massicotte, ☏ +1 800-686-9243. Charging station for electric vehicles.

See

• Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation, 989, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3544. In summer, from 10:00-16:30. Heritage church built in 1879. Free.
• Observatoire du Cégep de Trois-Rivières (Observatory of the Cégep de Trois-Rivières), 300, route Sainte-Marie, ☏ +1 819-295-3043, observatoire@cegeptr.qc.ca. Observatory built for the Cégep de Trois-Rivières. $10.

Heritage tour

• Sacred circuit, 1000, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-325-2475, tourisme@batiscan.ca. 4th Sun in June to 3rd Sun in August, Wed to Sun, 10:00-17:00. This tourist circuit on the Chemin du Roy allows you to appreciate the religious heritage of three Catholic churches (Champlain, Batiscan and Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade), an old presbytery (Batiscan) and a unique crypt (Sainte-Anne- de-la-Pérade). Entrance to churches: free; entrance to the crypt of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade: $1.40/person; admission to the Old Presbytery of Batiscan: $5/person..
  Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade: Erected from 1855, over 14 years, the church of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade has exterior walls made of stones from Deschambault and transported to the corvée. It was finalized in 1869. The bell towers measure 110 feet. The distance from the floor to the top of the arch is 54 feet. The architecture of this church is similar to the Gothic style: pointed arches associated with the height of the place; the light appearance of the general architecture, and generous lighting provided by the large windows. Its architectural and grandiose elegance is similar to the style of the great cathedrals. The magnificent stained-glass windows from 1877, from France, characterize the symbols of Christianity. The large portico of the church has in its vault the granite statue of Saint Anne which stands 96 feet above the ground. One of the great treasures of the church is the statue of Saint Anne carved in oak from Belgium. Visitors can admire the Stations of the Cross, the old organ from 1902, the bells and interior renovations from 1951.
• Batiscan: church erected in 1866 reflecting a neo-Gothic architecture of great value. Visitors will appreciate the exuberant interior design: height of the chancel and the nave, the ribbed vault, the interior decoration, the interior reliefs. A large outdoor statue perched on a raised plinth and decorated with a magnificent flower arrangement on the ground, guards the front facade of the church. The Batiscan presbytery reflects a great history of the locality, with its objects, old furniture and architecture.
• Champlain: Champlain Church is an exceptional listed heritage building. During the interior visit, use digital a tablet or a smartphone to view story sections in augmented reality. Discover the daily life of Champlain residents around 1908. By moving the tablet towards the vault, the woodwork, the works of painters and the stained-glass windows, visitors will discover the architectural and design secrets of this picturesque church. In addition, play "Halte là salle jerk" in augmented reality, helping the character Lucien the dog hauler to find dogs that have infiltrated the church under the pews.

Do

• Parc de la Fabrique (Fabrique Park), 989 rue Notre-Dame. free.
• Les écuries PCD, 169, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-376-9690. Equi-Quality certified western riding school.
• Phares sur Champlain, 1030 Main Street. Symposium family activities

Heritage tour

• Deux circuits patrimoniaux de Champlain (Two heritage tours of Champlain) (from the church of Champlain Village). From Champlain Church, participants in the local heritage tour can take the following route: A. Circuit going down Champlain (towards Quebec, or towards the Champlain River):1. Fourth Champlain Church (current church) erected in 1879.2. Convent of the Good Shepherd (1882-83).3. Municipal wharf overlooking the St. Lawrence River.4. Ancestral land of the Juneaus, located at 1215, rue Notre-Dame.5. Forge shop owned by Thomas Marchand, the last blacksmith, located at 1442 Notre-Dame.6. Site of the first two churches (erected respectively in 1666 and in 1700), of the Convent of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame (around 1700), as well as of the first two presbyteries (around 1720). Site located opposite 46 avenue Lefrançois.7. Site of the old manor house.8. Site of Village Laborde where the first settlers settled.B. Circuit going up Champlain (direction Trois-Rivières):9. Presbytery from 1903.10. Maison Chartier (around 1835), located at 741, rue Notre-Dame.11. Former school house no. 2 opposite the road to Batoche. House located at 580 Notre-Dame.12. Site of the first concessions - Fiefs Hertel and Marsolet.13. Valdor Island on the St. Lawrence River. free.

Buy

• Complètement Raison, 1139, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-818-3365.
• Ferme La Champlinoise (La Champlinoise Farm), 1396, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3213. Ancestral vegetable farm offering pick-your-own berries operated by Sébastien Marchand.
• Ferme Lessard (Lessard Farm), 635, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3231. Pick your own berries and sale of agro-food products. Farm operated by Sylvain Lessard.
• Le Simon de l'Atlantique, 881, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3787. Agri-food shop of seafood products.
• Marché Champlain, 1260, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-619-0066. Market and hardware store.
• Mercier autoroute 40 sortie 220, 1220, boul. de la Visitation, ☏ +1 819-295-1122. Building materials store.
• Royaume Bleuets & Fraises, 1000, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3787. Pick your own berries on a farm operated by Pierre Hivon.
• Somasté Chats Sibériens (Somasté Siberian Cats), 635, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-448-0208, s.chartier@samaste.ca. Siberian cattery Neva Masquerade.
• Zebel Atelier-Galerie, 336, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-1031. Museum and art workshop.

Eat

• Casse-Croûte La P'Tite Bouffe, 1625, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-619-0060. April to October. Meals on site, take-out and delivery.
• Manoir Antic, 1073, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3737. Meals on site and take out orders.

Sleep

Chalet, gîte, inn

• Gîte Maison Marie-Rose, 944, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-5235, contact@maisonmarierose.ca. $80CAD and $90CAD with breakfast.
• Le Murmure Des Eaux Cachées, 528, rue Notre-Dame, meby47@hotmail.com.

Cope

• Halte routière et Rampe municipale de mise-à-l'eau (Rest area and municipal boat launch), 819, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3979. Launching ramp on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. Picnic tables, view of the river. free.

Go next

Saint-Maurice (Les Chenaux)

• Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes
• Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan Located in the MRC des Chenaux, Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan has agricultural land in the Saint-Laurent plain, overlapping part of the moraine that delimits the Laurentians. Its economy is mainly agricultural, partly forestry, with a significant increase in recreational tourism activities (sugar maple groves especially in the moraine, resort).
• Batiscan Located in the MRC des Chenaux, Batiscan includes agricultural land in the St. Lawrence plain. Its economy is mainly agricultural, partly forestry, with a significant increase in recreational and tourism activities (vacationing and boating on the St. Lawrence River).

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