Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan

Understand

It is located in Basse-Mauricie and Basse-Batiscanie, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, in the regional county municipality (MRC) Les Chenaux. The village is located at the confluence of the rivière-à-Veillet and Batiscan River. This locality has a territory of 100 km2 (39 sq mi) where 1060 inhabitants reside. The main village is on the north bank of the Batiscan River; nevertheless, a hamlet is established on the south bank opposite the village. This municipality is relatively close to shops and services. The village is 5 minutes by car from Highway 30 and about 20 minutes from shopping centres in the Cap-de-la-Madeleine sector of Trois-Rivières. It is the central municipality of the MRC des Chenaux. Route 361 runs along the south bank of the Batiscan River. Perpendicular to the first road, the chemin de la rivière à Veillet (continuation of the rue de l'Église) provides a direct link between Saint-Prosper-de-Champlain from the north and the bridge spanning the Batiscan River; on the south side this road is designated "Champlain village road".

Economy The local economy used to be based on forestry, agriculture and partly on navigation by the Batiscan River to reach the river, because the roads were generally primary and difficult to pass, especially in spring or in the event of heavy rains. In the 19th century, Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan was the business centre of the current Mauricie territory and the capital of Batiscanie. In the 21st century, its economy is based on recreational and tourism activities (vacationing, hunting and sport fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiles, nautical activities, boating on the Batiscan river, Batiscan river park, Parc de la Péninsule campsite), agriculture, forestry, several public services (including a credit union (caisse populaire) and a post office) and some local shops.

History The colonization of the current territory of Sainte-Geneviève de Batiscan began in 1685 with the grant of a first lot of land. The c

Getting there

The village of Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan is accessible by road, boat (via Batiscan River), snowmobile and all terrain vehicles.

By car From Montreal (176 km (109 mi). Time: 1 hr 56 min. From Montreal, take highway 40 (north shore) eastbound, up to the exit to take route 361 (ie before the bridge spanning the Batiscan river); take road 361 (westbound) to the village of Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan. From Quebec City (101 km (63 mi). Time: 1 hr 7 min. From Quebec City, take highway 40 westbound to the exit to take route 361; take route 361 (westbound) to the village of Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan.

Getting around

1 Electric vehicle terminal (Electric vehicle terminal), 32, rue St-Charles. Battery charging station for electric vehicles. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Station-service Sonic (Sonic gas station), chemin de la Rivière-à-Veillette, ☏ +1 800-207-6642. Service station for motor vehicles. (updated Oct 2021)

See

1 Église de Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan (Church of Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan), rue de l'Église. Catholic church in Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Cimetière de Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan (Cemetery of Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan), chemin Haut de la Grande Ligne. Local cemetery. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Calvaire de la rivière-à-Veillet (Calvary of the Rivière-à-Veillet), rue du Centre. Calvary sculpted around 1827 and located since 2006 behind the church of Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan. (updated Oct 2021) 4 Centrale hydro-électrique de Saint-Narcisse (Saint-Narcisse hydroelectric power station), chemin du barrage. Built in 1897 on Batiscan River by the North Shore Power Company, the Saint-Narcisse hydroelectric centre has a great history. It was enlarged in 1904. The dam was rebuilt in 1926. In July 2021, Hydro-Québec announced the final shutdown of the plant. The best way to view this dam, the falls and rapids downstream, is through the Batiscan River Park. Several forest trails in the moraine allow you to appreciate the landscapes and the force of the water current of the Batiscan river. (updated Oct 2021)

Do

2 Batiscan River Parc, 522, rang des Forges, ☏ +1 418-328-3599, [email protected]. Regional park covering the municipalities of Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan, Saint-Stanislas and Saint-Narcisse. Offer of services: camping (rustic cabins and yurts, grouped sites, ready-to-camp, unusual refuges), Via Batiscan (high adventure course, in particular a course in the trees including several zip lines or the large zip line) or the Via Ferrata (route on a rock wall) and marked trails for hiking. free. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Camping Parc de la Péninsule, 20 route de la Grande Pointe, ☏ +1 418-362-2043. Family campsite with 598 sites, the largest in Mauricie. Established on a large peninsula bypassed by the Batiscan River, it has a water park (equipped with the highest water slide in Mauricie), a mini-golf course, a small train, a swimming pool. It also offers sandy beach activities, fishing, and kayaking. The community hall has a capacity of 600 people. This campsite has a whole program of social events including musical shows and singing. The campsite offers three rental cabins and trailers. free. (updated Oct 2021) 4 Halte Desjardins (Desjardins Rest Area) (in the village, on rue Duval, near the bridge and along the Batiscan river). Public park with sanitary service, picnic table, dock and launching ramp for pleasure craft. free. (updated Oct 2021)

Buy

1 SAQ Agence - Café - Dépanneur Le Gourmet, 170 rue de l'Église, ☏ +1 833-5877-2727. Liquor store. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Ferme Paquette Dessureaux, 371, chemin de la Rivière à Veillet, ☏ +1 418-362-2829. May to September. Family market garden since 1976. Wide variety of fruits and vegetables sold by pick-your-own, at kiosks or wholesale. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Pranasens inc, 90b rue de l'Église, ☏ +1 418-362-2499, [email protected]. Organic farm since 2010. Organic cultivation. Orée is a professional brand that was created by Pranasens. (updated Oct 2021)

Sleep

Camping 1 Parc de la Rivière Batiscan (secteur Grand Bassin) (Batiscan River Park (Grand Bassin sector)), 522, rang des Forges, ☏ +1 418-328-3599, [email protected]. Regional park offers services: camping (rustic cabins and yurts, grouped sites, ready-to-camp, unusual refuges), Via Batiscan (high adventure course, in particular a course in the trees including several zip lines or the large zip line) or the Via Ferrata (route on a rock wall) and marked trails for hiking. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Camping Parc de la Péninsule (Batiscan River Park (Grand Bassin sector)), 20 route de la Grande Pointe, ☏ +1 418 362-2043. Family campsite with 598 sites, the largest in Mauricie. Established on a large peninsula bypassed by the Batiscan River, it has a water park (equipped with the highest water slide in Mauricie), a mini-golf course, a small train, a swimming pool. It also offers sandy beach activities, fishing, and kayaking. The community hall has a capacity of 600 people. This campsite has a whole pro