After four days in the Montreal area it was time to move on. (For those following along, without a telescope). We decided to head up to the Lac Saint Jean area as we haven’t previously visited there.

Since we don’t plan our trips we have the freedom to stop anywhere we like when we see something of interest. Today that was Les Forges Du Saint-Maurice, a National Historic site operated Parks Canada. The Saint-Maurice Ironworks was the first industrial community in Canada and was active from 1730-1883.

The construction of the Ironmaster’s house began in 1737. Like all other building at the Forge du Saint-Maurice, it was abandoned when the production stopped in 1883 and destroyed some years later. It was rebuilt on its original foundations in 1990.

The exhibits at the visitors centre explain the history of the site, its management over the years, the products it produced over the years, and the processes by which iron ore is transformed into usable objects.

A blast furnace simulator allows you to actively learn what it was like to work there.

No visit to Quebec is complete without a visit to Rotisserie St. Hubert and today was our day. For those accustomed to Swiss Chalet in Ontario, beware, the Quebec chickens are substantially larger. Order accordingly!

For tonight we found a little park right at the lake in Shawinigan where you’re allowed to stay for up to 24 hours free of charge. Can’t beat that! We had a nice walk along the lake, considered going for a swim or kayak but ultimately we talked at length to a young woman who had two husky mix dogs.