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municipality in Quebec, Canada
North America > Canada > Quebec > Central Quebec > Mauricie > Les Chenaux > Champlain (Quebec)

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

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History

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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

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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

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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

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

By coach

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By car

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  • 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

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Map
Map of Champlain (Quebec)
  • 1 Borne véhicule électrique (Electric vehicle terminal), 04, rue Massicotte, ☏ +1 800-686-9243. Charging station for electric vehicles. (updated Oct 2021)

Heritage tour

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  • Sacred circuit, 1000, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-325-2475, . 4th Sunday in June to 3rd Sunday in August, Wednesday to Sunday, 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.. (updated Oct 2021)
    • 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.
  • 1 Parc de la Fabrique (Fabrique Park), 989 rue Notre-Dame. free. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 2 Les écuries PCD, 169, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-376-9690. Equi-Quality certified western riding school. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 3 Phares sur Champlain, 1030 Main Street. Symposium family activities (updated Oct 2021)

Events

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Heritage tour

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  • 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. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 1 Complètement Raison, 1139, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-818-3365. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 2 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. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 3 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. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 4 Le Simon de l'Atlantique, 881, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3787. Agri-food shop of seafood products. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 5 Marché Champlain, 1260, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-619-0066. Market and hardware store. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 6 Mercier autoroute 40 sortie 220, 1220, boul. de la Visitation, ☏ +1 819-295-1122. Building materials store. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 7 Royaume Bleuets & Fraises, 1000, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-3787. Pick your own berries on a farm operated by Pierre Hivon. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 8 Somasté Chats Sibériens (Somasté Siberian Cats), 635, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-448-0208, . Siberian cattery Neva Masquerade. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 9 Zebel Atelier-Galerie, 336, rue Notre-Dame, ☏ +1 819-295-1031. Museum and art workshop. (updated Oct 2021)

Drink

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Sleep

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Chalet, gîte, inn

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Cope

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  • 4 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. (updated Oct 2021)

Go next

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Map

  • 1 Saint-Maurice (Les Chenaux)
  • 2 Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes
  • 3 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).
  • 4 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).
This rural area travel guide to Champlain is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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