Trois-Rivières Live Cam

The economic and cultural hub of the Mauricie region



History

Trois-Rivières, located in the province of Quebec, Canada, is one of the oldest cities in North America. Its history is rich and diverse, dating back to the early days of European exploration and colonization.

Early Indigenous Presence: Before the arrival of Europeans, the area around Trois-Rivières was inhabited by various Indigenous peoples, including the Algonquin, Abenaki, and Huron-Wendat. These tribes engaged in trade and had established communities along the St. Lawrence River.

European Exploration: In 1535, the French explorer Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River and arrived in the Trois-Rivières area. He referred to the area as "Trois-Rivières" (meaning "three rivers" in French) because of the three mouths of the Saint-Maurice River that flow into the St. Lawrence nearby.

Founding and Early Settlement: In 1634, Samuel de Champlain, often referred to as the Father of New France, founded a permanent settlement at Trois-Rivières. It was initially a fur trading post and a mission for the conversion of Indigenous peoples to Christianity.