Drummondville

North of the Eastern Townships region, Drummondville is the nearest VIA Rail station to this year-round sports and leisure destination area. But the small city and its surroundings along the Saint-Francois River have their own pleasures. The area shows influences of the various cultures that have settled or passed through – the Abenaki, French, Scottish Irish and Loyalists. The Village Quebecois d’antan re-creates life in a typical Québec village in the century between 1810 and 1910, with activities and displays in 70 original buildings and 20 more replicas, inhabited by costumed “villagers” who demonstrate skills, crafts and activities of ...

North of the Eastern Townships region, Drummondville is the nearest VIA Rail station to this year-round sports and leisure destination area. But the small city and its surroundings along the Saint-Francois River have their own pleasures. The area shows influences of the various cultures that have settled or passed through – the Abenaki, French, Scottish Irish and Loyalists. The Village Quebecois d’antan re-creates life in a typical Québec village in the century between 1810 and 1910, with activities and displays in 70 original buildings and 20 more replicas, inhabited by costumed “villagers” who demonstrate skills, crafts and activities of daily life. Camera fans will have a field day there, and can learn more about this artistic medium at the Popular Photography Museum, easy to find in the basement of St. Frédéric's Catholic Church. Those interested in local food should visit the Musee de la cuisine, a museum of Québec gastronomy at Domaine Trent (Trent Manor) in Parc Voligeurs, along the Saint-Francois River just north of the city. Not far south of the city is Ulverton Woolen Mill, where the early textile industry still thrives. The 1849 Woolen Mill uses a turbine and original wool-producing machinery, and is the last of these to operate in Québec. Those who relish old-time objects can shop for antiques in St. Eulalie, west of Drummondville along Route 20.

About the Expert

Barbara Radcliffe Rogers has written or coauthored more than 30 guidebooks, including The Portugal Traveler, Drive Around Portugal, City Spots Munich, City Spots Helsinki, City Spots Stockholm, Eating New England, and the Maine section of Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA.