Vieille prison de Trois-Rivières (1822). Photo: Damien Lair
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Old Trois-Rivières

4.6
·937 reviews·Trois-Rivières, Canada

Explore the historic heart of Trois-Rivières, featuring a fascinating old prison and museum showcasing Quebec's rich culture.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more relaxed pace

CrowdLow
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Vieille prison de Trois-Rivières (1822). Photo: Damien Lair

Old Trois-Rivières

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more relaxed pace

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore the historic heart of Trois-Rivières, featuring a fascinating old prison and museum showcasing Quebec's rich culture.

4.6
(937 reviews)

"The Old Prison tour is very interesting, full of history, and takes you all over the prison."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎟️ Book Prison Tours Early

The Old Prison tours are popular and often sell out. Book your tickets in advance to secure your spot!

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking, and the Old Prison has many stairs. Prioritize comfort for your feet!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 937 reviews

Type

Tourist Attraction

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Old Prison

The Old Prison

Attached to the POP Museum

Step back in time within the walls of this historic prison, brought to life by engaging guided tours and preserved prisoner markings.

POP Museum Exhibits

POP Museum Exhibits

Old Trois-Rivières

Discover Quebec's rich culture and history through fascinating exhibits that offer a glimpse into the region's past.

Harbourfront Park Views

Harbourfront Park Views

St. Lawrence River

Enjoy scenic vistas of the St. Lawrence River from this picturesque park, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

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Planning Your Visit

Navigating Old Trois-Rivières

Explore the charm of Old Trois-Rivières, a historic gem. Consider booking tickets in advance, especially for the Old Prison tour, to avoid disappointment. Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking, and be aware that some areas have stairs.

Language and Tours

While information boards may offer English translations, the primary language for guided tours is French. If you're an English-only speaker, consider using translation apps or focusing on the visual aspects of the historic prison and museum exhibits.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed pace
Crowd
Low
When
Summer mornings
Why
Pleasant weather for exploring
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#zoukrétro🙏🏻Zouk Machine 🌹pisime zouk💕👍#trois-Rivières en drone 😘🙏🏻
@kallymike
5.6K likes • 243.6K views

🎟️ Book Prison Tours Early

The Old Prison tours are popular and often sell out. Book your tickets in advance to secure your spot! Reddit

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking, and the Old Prison has many stairs. Prioritize comfort for your feet! Reddit

Cité Lescure a été construite en 1957. Les anciens qui se souviennent de cette époque vous dirons que sur le terrain il y avait à la place une vieille prison. Un quadrilatère de 12 500 mètres carrés pour une cié HLM de 600 logements composée de 5 immeubles . Dans le temps et à son achèvement elle apparaissait aux yeux du public une cité des plus modernes. En plus des ascenseurs elle possédait pour...
@nabiluxxprod
5.2K likes • 197.1K views
Algonquin Woman's Incredible Story: Tragedy to Triumph! Discover Metiokoku's courageous story, an Algonquin woman's journey of resilience in 17th-century Trois-Rivières. Explore themes of loss, love, and cultural identity. A tribute to a life lived with dignity, respect, and enduring love. Uncover the significance of 'Old Grandmother'. #AlgonquinWoman #IndigenousHistory #CanadianHistory #WomensHis...
the_weird_canadian
124 likes • 2.1K views

🗣️ French Tour Focus

Guided tours are primarily in French. Use Google Translate or focus on visual elements if English is your only language. Reddit

🏛️ Explore the Old Town

Wander through the charming streets to appreciate the architecture of ancestral homes and historic buildings. Instagram+1

Old town charm and summer energy- Trois-Rivières 💛 #troisrivieres #quebec #canada
tewari_esha
4 likes • 1.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎟️ Book Prison Tours Early

The Old Prison tours are popular and often sell out. Book your tickets in advance to secure your spot! Reddit

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking, and the Old Prison has many stairs. Prioritize comfort for your feet! Reddit

🗣️ French Tour Focus

Guided tours are primarily in French. Use Google Translate or focus on visual elements if English is your only language. Reddit

🏛️ Explore the Old Town

Wander through the charming streets to appreciate the architecture of ancestral homes and historic buildings. Instagram+1

📸 Drone Views

Capture stunning aerial perspectives of the city, especially the historic areas. TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.6
(937 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the historical facts and the Old Prison tours very interesting, with knowledgeable guides. However, some note that tours can feel rushed and that the prison's many stairs can be a barrier for older visitors or those with mobility issues. English-only speakers may find the French-dominant tours challenging.

"The place and historical factoids presented are interesting and the guides know their stuff. It really could help lasting an additional 15 minutes so they don't need to rush the group or cut some of the crunchy details.
Lots of stairs, an older folk had to skip a few rooms."

Vincent Carle

"The Old Prison is attached to the POP Museum. You can see the Prison for 22$, POP for 18$, or both for 31$. The price of admission for the old prison comes with a mandatory tour guide. The tour was very interesting, full of history. It takes you all over the prison and shows you what it would have been like to be a criminal in years past."

Sean Carver

"The site is amazing but as English only visitors our experience was very limited . We had to join a tour which was only in French . It cost $21 each and was supposed to be 1hr . We were told information boards around the site had English translation. Unfortunately these were few and far between . Our tour guide was enjoying the group and after 1hour was only half way through . Google translate worked overtime but still disappointing not to have got the whole story. We still had another 1hr of driving to do so left tour after 75mins ."

Ros Williamson

What People Like

Interesting historical facts
Engaging prison tours
Historic architecture

What People Dislike

Stairs can be challenging
Tours feel rushed
Language barrier

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Old Trois-Rivières is accessible by car, with parking available in the vicinity. Public transportation options may also be available within the city. TikTok

Yes, the old town is very walkable, with major attractions located close to each other. Instagram

Walking is the best way to soak in the atmosphere of the old town. Consider a guided tour for deeper historical insights. Reddit

Parking can be found, but it's advisable to check for designated lots or street parking regulations upon arrival. TikTok

Information on specific bus routes or public transport to the historic center can be found on local transit websites. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Admission for the Old Prison is approximately $22, with combined tickets for the POP Museum available for around $31. Reddit

It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance, especially for the guided tours, as they can sell out. Reddit

Opening hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official website for the most up-to-date information. Reddit

Consider purchasing a Carte Musées if you plan to visit multiple museums in the area, as it can offer value. Reddit

Yes, the entrance to the Old Prison includes a mandatory guided tour. Reddit

🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience

The guided tour takes you through various parts of the prison, sharing stories and anecdotes from its operational years. You can still see prisoner carvings. Reddit

The Old Prison has many stairs, which may pose a challenge for individuals with mobility issues. Some visitors have had to skip rooms. Reddit

The primary language for guided tours is French. English information boards are available but can be sparse. Reddit

The POP Museum features exhibits on Quebec's culture and history, offering a broader context to the region. TikTok

The tour is usually around 1 hour and 15 minutes, though it can sometimes run longer depending on the guide and group. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Photography policies can vary. It's best to check with your guide or look for signage regarding photo restrictions inside the prison. TikTok

The historic streets, ancestral homes, and the St. Lawrence River from Harbourfront Park offer great photo opportunities. Instagram+1

Drone usage may be subject to local regulations. Always check for signage and local bylaws before flying. TikTok

Street photography capturing the old town's charm and architectural details is popular. Instagram

Yes, Harbourfront Park provides excellent vantage points for capturing scenic views of the river. Instagram

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