Saint-Paulin

History

The municipality of the parish of Saint-Paulin was erected in 1847 by detachment from the municipality of Saint-Léon-le-Grand. The first wooden chapel was erected in 1848, and the stone parish church in 1887.

The heart of the village was built around the intersection of rue Laflèche (north-south direction) which is parallel to provincial road 349, and rue Lottinville which is partly provincial roads 349 and 350. The Centre Multiservice Réal-U.-Guimond was erected in 1994 and was inaugurated in March 1995. The locality celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2000.

Geography

The Rivière du Loup forms a north-facing semicircle, the radius of which varies between 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and 4.0 km (2.5 mi) around the centre of the village of Saint-Paulin. After heading north (in the northeastern part of the municipality), the course of the river branches off to the southeast (i.e. in the northeastern part of the municipal territory). Then, the Loup River successively crosses the Trembles Falls, the Chaudières Falls and the Magnan Falls. These falls are attractions for visitors. Upstream from the Hunterstown Rapids, a hamlet in the northern part of Saint-Paulin territory, the river surface is 150 m (490 ft) above sea level; after this series of falls and rapids, the surface is at 66 m (217 ft) at the foot of the fall in Magnan (located south of route 350), i.e., a drop of 84 m (276 ft).

The village of Saint-Paulin is crossed from west to east by the Saint-Louis River. The rivière du Roi (King's River) flows in the northern part of the municipality; before its mouth, its course bypasses Juneau Island (length: 1.9 km (1.2 mi)).

Economy

Economic activities in Saint-Paulin have mainly been: agriculture, forestry, small industries (e.g., sawmill), local businesses and local services (e.g., municipality, elementary school education). Recreational and tourist activities have intensified, particularly with Le baluchon Éco-villégiature and various other accommodations.

By car

• From Montreal (131 km (81 mi), 1 hr 34 min). Take Highway 40 (north shore) eastbound, to Chemin Caron in Louiseville; take Chemin Caron (northbound); take route 148 (eastbound) through the village of Louiseville; take route 349 (northbound) to the village of Saint-Paulin.
• From Quebec City (175 km (109 mi), 1 hr 57 min). Take Highway 40 (westbound), to Trois-Rivières; take highway 55 (northbound) to the village of Saint-Étienne-des-Grès; take Chemin des Dalles (westbound); take the 2nd row (northbound); take route 350 (westbound) to the village of Saint-Paulin.

By bus

• 🌍 Les navettes Express, 2860, rue Laflèche (église), ☏ +1 819-840-0603, info@ctcmaskinonge.org. Monday to Friday: four daily return trips between Sainte-Angèle-de-Prémont and Trois-Rivières for the Express-Vert, five daily round trips between Saint-Alexis-des-Monts and Louiseville for the Express-Orange. (updated Nov 2021)

By train

See also: Rail travel in Canada

• 🌍 Gare ferroviaire de Saint-Paulin (Saint-Paulin station), Route 350 (1.8 km south of the centre of the village). Station served by the VIA Rail Canada passenger train. (updated Nov 2021)
  • VIA Rail Canada, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Operates train routes across Canada. (updated Mar 2022) The following routes serve Saint-Paulin:
    • Between Jonquière and Montreal including stops in Hervey-Jonction, Shawinigan, Saint-Paulin, Saint-Justin, and Joliette. Operates one day per week. Route operates as a wilderness service: a request stop may be made at any point along the route for those who want to hike and kayak in the remoter regions of Quebec that the train passes through.
    • Between Senneterre and Montreal including stops in La Tuque, Hervey-Jonction, Shawinigan, Saint-Paulin, Saint-Justin, and Joliette. Operates one day per week. Route operates as a wilderness service: a request stop may be made at any point along the route for those who want to hike and kayak in the remoter regions of Quebec that the train passes through.

Heritage tour

• 🌍 Presbytère Saint-Paulin et église (Saint-Paulin rectory and church), ☏ +1 819-268-2015. The church was built in 1887, with stone walls. In 1898, the current presbytery was built. (updated Nov 2021)

Foods

• 🌍 Boucherie Des 4 Saisons, 1665, rue Lottinville, ☏ +1 819-268-5184. Grocery store. (updated Nov 2021)
• 🌍 Marché Tradition, 2456, rue Laflèche, ☏ +1 819-268-2028. Grocery store. (updated Nov 2021)
• 🌍 Marché Croisetière St-Paulin - SAQ Agence, 2456, rue Laflèche, ☏ +1 819-268-2028. Wine and spirits market (updated Nov 2021)
• 🌍 La ferme du Loup (The Wolf farm), 3660, chemin des Allumettes, ☏ +1 819 535-5856. Agri-food producer. Maple products. (updated Nov 2021)

Other businesses

• 🌍 Pharmacie Familiprix Daniel Deschênes, 2851, rue Laflèche, ☏ +1 819-268-2697. (updated Nov 2021)

Sugar shack

• 🌍 Les boisés d'Amélie (érablière), 3600, chemin du Lac Castor, ☏ +1 819-244-2846, lesboisesdamelie@gmail.com. Sugar bush. Meal in the cabin. Maple and local products shop. (updated Nov 2021)

Chalet, gîte, inn

• 🌍 Gîte Le Grandelinois, 3401, chemin de la Grande-Ligne, ☏ +1 819-268-2252, info@gitegrandelinois.com. Five rooms available to visitors. (updated Nov 2021)
• 🌍 Le Baluchon Éco-villégiature, 3500, chemin des Trembles (accommodation areas on the banks of the Loup River, between the Chemin de la Grande-Ligne and the Chute des Trembles.), ☏ +1 800-789-5968, info@baluchon.com. Main places of accommodation under the aegis of Le baluchon Eco-resort: Auberge sur île (Île Baribeau), Auberge Damphousse, Chalet Le Canotier, Auberge de la Rivière and Auberge Le Baluchon. The Eco-resort bundle offers in particular: a health spa, Nordic spa, services for business meetings, gourmet table d'hôte, equestrian activities. hiking trails (35 km), mountain biking or oversized tires (fatbike). In winter, visitors can indulge in snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Le baluchon Éco-villégiature also operates a farm that raises Highland cows, parks, yaks, sheep and chickens. Visitors can also take a horse-drawn carriage ride on the site. Accommodation packages. Also offers a season pass.. (updated Nov 2021)
• 🌍 Aux berges du Lac Castor, 3800, chemin des Allumettes (accessible by the Chemin du Lac Castor), ☏ +1 819-268-3339, info@laccastor.com. Accommodation service and outdoor activities: canoe, rabaska, kayak, pedal boat, volleyball, iron, pétanque, children's play area, hiking trails. In winter: sliding, skating rink and snowshoeing. Offer of shows and events. (updated Nov 2021)

Camping

• 🌍 Camping Belle Montagne, 2470, chemin de la Belle Montagne, ☏ +1 819-268-2881. Offer of 120 camping pitches (tent, trailer or motorized vehicle) and four rental chalets. Section for seasonal campers. (updated Nov 2021)