Road map area of Sorel city, Quebec Canada

Lanaudiere      

Lanaudiere's residents, the Lanaudois, proudly call , their  home La region ve/te-Land of the Green. Indeed, the region is a vibrant  study in green: it can be seen in the roaming countryside, city parks,  the grassy shores of the St. Lawrence River, the lush Berthier Islands,  the greenish-yellow tobacco fields, and in the rolling hills of  evergreen spruce trees. You can uncover Lanaudiere's history in the many  native sites, seigneuries, manors, churches, and beautiful stone homes  along the "Chemin du Roi" (King's Way)-the first working carriageway in  Canada, inaugurated in 1737. Now Highway 138, the King's Way stretches  between Berthierville and Trois-Rivieres, in the southern reaches of the  Mauricie region. As you follow this winding road along the north shore  of the St. Lawrence, listen for the strains of the traditional Quebecois  folk tune "Sur la route de Berthier" (On the Road to Berthier).      

Berthierville [D4]      

Home to the oldest Protestant church in Quebec, Chapelle des  Cuthbert (built in 1786 by James Cuthbert), Berthierville is also a  required pit stop for auto-racing enthusiasts. At the Gilles-Villeneuve  Museum, you can relive Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve's wins and losses,  as well as view racing cars, movies, and interactive exhibits.      

Joliette [E2] In summer, classical musicians and connoisseurs  alike come to Joliette for the Festival international de Lanaudiere, the  largest outdoor classical music festival in Canada. The Musee d'art de  Joliette houses a sterling collection of contemporary art from Quebec as  well as a unique collection of medieval and religious art.      

Nicolet [B8-C8] Many religious congregations settled in  Nicolet and left their mark through the fine architecture of their  churches. Other heritage buildings worth a visit are the Police  Institute (formerly the Nicolet Seminary, founded in 1803) and the home  of Rodolphe Duguay, Canada's early-20th-century master of engraving.      

Odanak [D6] In the early 17th century, the Native Abenaki  settled along the banks of the St. Francois River, and named their  village Odenak, which means "at home." The Abenaki Museum provides  insight into Abenaki culture, through dance, song, and legends. Annual  Abenaki festivities are held in Odanak on the first Sunday in July.      

Rawdon [E1]      

Picturesque Rawdon boasts the spectacular Dorwin Falls Park,  where a 2.5 km ecological trail runs along the gorge of the Ouareau  River. In summer, an entertaining Theatre-in-the-Park presentation  depicts the regional legend of Algonquin sorcerer Nipissingue and how he  created the falls.      

Sorel [E5] Located at the confluence of the Richelieu and St.  Lawrence rivers, Sorel is a key port favored by marine buffs. The  Governor's Manor was built in 1781 for Baron Friederick von Riedesel,  who was the first to decorate a Christmas tree in Canada that same year.  Also of architectural interest are Saint-Pierre's Church and the  opulent mansions of the Old Quarter. Sorel's ferry is in operation  year-round for boat cruises or a ferry ride to the lovely Sorel Islands.      

Trois-Rivieres [A8]      

Named after the three channels that form the mouth of the St.  Maurice River, Trois-Rivieres first established itself as a fur-trading  post and was the site of Canada's first iron foundry, the Forges du  Saint-Maurice (1730), before emerging as a major port. The best way to  see Trois-Rivieres's rich past is on foot, whether on the signposted  Heritage Circuit or the Poetry Promenade, featuring 300 plaques bearing  excerpts from famous love poems.      

ATTRACTIONS      

BERTHIERVILLE      

Chapelle des Cuthbert Gilles-Villeneuve Museum      

JOLIETTE      

Musee d'art de Joliette Maison Antoine-Lacombe      

NICOLET      

Nieolet Cathedral Museum of Religions      

Des Sceurs de I'Assomption Museum Rodolphe-Duguay Manor Boise du Seminaire Park Police Institute      

ODANAK      

Abenaki Museum      

RAWDON      

Dorwin Falls Park Canadiana Village      

SOREL      

Governor's Manor Saint-Pierre's Church      

Chalifoux Dairy Governor's Art Gallery Sorel Islands Boat Cruises      

TROIS-RIVIERES      

Heritage Circuit Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site Champlain Park City Hall The Culture House Poetry Promenade