Le centre-ville historique de Trois-Rivières — point de départ pour s'installer.
1. Trois-Rivières at a glance
Trois-Rivières is the main city of the Mauricie, halfway between Montréal and Quebec. It has about 140,000 residents.
Founded in 1634, it's the second-oldest city in Quebec after Quebec City. Recognized as the world capital of poetry.
2. Errands at City Hall
Trois-Rivières's City Hall handles municipal services. Errands online via v3r.net.
Dial 311 for any question.
3. Libraries and services
The Trois-Rivières library network is free for residents. The Maison de la culture, downtown, is the main municipal cultural centre.
4. Your landmarks
A few places to know to orient yourself:
- Vieux-Trois-Rivières: summer pedestrian streets — historic and tourist heart
- Notre-Dame-du-Cap Sanctuary: major pilgrimage site
- Quebec Museum of Popular Culture: understand regional identity
- Old Prison: transformed into a museum — judicial history
- Île Saint-Quentin Park: large urban park on an island — picnic, swimming, cycling
- Galeries du Cap-de-la-Madeleine and Les Rivières mall: shops, restaurants, services
5. Cost of living and regional access
Trois-Rivières offers one of the most accessible costs of living in Quebec among same-size cities, with a central position halfway between Montréal and Quebec.
The table below compares a typical rent and travel time to the major centres.
For newcomers, it's an excellent entry point: moderate cost, services present, and geographic flexibility to reach Montréal or Quebec in 1 h 30.
| Criterion | Trois-Rivières | Montréal |
|---|---|---|
| 4½ rent (2026) | $700 to $1,000/month | $1,200 to $1,600/month |
| Grocery, gas, services | Standard Quebec prices | Standard Quebec prices |
| Distance to Montréal | 1 h 30 (Highway 40) | — |
| Distance to Quebec | 1 h 30 | 2 h 30 to 3 h |
| Intercity train | None (VIA Rail stopped serving the city in 1990) | VIA Rail (central station) |
| Intercity bus | Orléans Express | Orléans Express + others |
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on settling in Trois-Rivières: school quality, living without a car, and finding local work.
Are Trois-Rivières's public schools good?
Yes — the Centre de services scolaire du Chemin-du-Roy schools rank consistently above the provincial average.
- Many primary and secondary schools
- Cégep de Trois-Rivières and UQTR for post-secondary
- Welcome classes for immigrant children available
Free registration for permanent residents and naturalized citizens.
Can you live in Trois-Rivières without a car?
Yes, if you live:
- Downtown
- Near UQTR
The STTR network covers the city well — especially the downtown → UQTR → CEGEP axis.
For occasional out-of-town trips:
- Orléans Express: the main affordable option — Trois-Rivières has no VIA Rail passenger service (it ended in 1990)
- Uber (available since 2022) and local taxis for shorter trips
For outlying sectors (Saint-Louis-de-France, Pointe-du-Lac), a car becomes necessary.
Many students manage carless for years.
What are the job opportunities in Trois-Rivières?
Diversified.
Major employers:
- UQTR and the Cégep
- CIUSSS Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec: regional hospital network
- Hydro-Québec: regional offices
- Marmen: industrial manufacturer
- Innofibre: research
Education, healthcare, public administration dominate.
Manufacturing exists but smaller than in Drummondville.
For technology and finance: often commute to Montréal or remote work.
Unemployment rate: typically near the Quebec average.
7. See also
To go further once settled in Trois-Rivières:
- Read finding housing in Trois-Rivières to take advantage of one of Quebec's lowest housing costs.
- See STTR — public transit in Trois-Rivières to plan your trips to UQTR and downtown.
- Discover UQTR and student life in Trois-Rivières if you arrive to study.
- Prepare with living through winter in Mauricie for snow removal, gear and seasonal activities.
8. Official sources
Dial 311 for any question.
Author's Note: Trois-Rivières offers a much lower cost of living than Montréal or Quebec. The Poetry Festival in October is a unique experience.