Batiscan

Batiscan is a municipality of Les Chenaux Regional County Municipality, Mauricie. Along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, this picturesque municipality is crossed by Chemin du Roy (route 138); this road infrastructure links Trois-Rivières and Quebec City.

Batiscan is a member of the "Association des plus beaux villages du Québec" (Association of the most beautiful villages of Quebec). This locality has many ancestral and well restored houses. In the summer season, many boaters enjoy boating on the Saint Lawrence River and Batiscan River.

History
In 1639, the seigneury of Batiscan was granted to the Jesuits; their objective was the evangelization and the settling of the Indigenous communities living there. The territory of the seigneury is more or less consistent with the current territory of the municipalities of Batiscan and Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan. The first row lots along the river were allocated to the censitaires by the seigneury.

The territory of Batiscan has three rows which are arranged parallel to the river; these ranges extend to the south bank of the Batiscan river. The civil erection of the municipality was promulgated in 1855.

Geography
The municipality of Batiscan is on the northwest shore of the St. Lawrence River, more or less between the confluence of the Champlain and St. Lawrence rivers on the west side and the limit of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade on the east side. Batiscan is opposite the confluence of the Rivière aux Originaux and Saint-Pierre-les-Bescquets which are on the south shore.

At Pointe à la Citrouille (north shore) and the rivière aux Originaux (south shore), the Saint-Laurent river forms a curve to direct itself downstream to the northeast. A temporary lighthouse had been installed in 1892 at Pointe à la Citrouille, comprising a shelter for the keeper and a light. This tower rose 12 m above the water level at high tide. It should be visible for 18 km on a clear day. In the spring of 1896, the ice breakup moved the lighthouse and its wooden foundations. The lighthouse was replaced by providing it with a stone foundation 4 m high. In 1949, this tower was replaced by a new tower 16 m high.

Throughout history, the confluence of the Batiscan River served as a refuge for small boats in the event of high winds on the St. Lawrence River.

Economy
In the past, agriculture, forestry and fishing were the engines of the local economy. Until 1930, a boat transport service linked the municipalities of Batiscan and Sainte-Geneviève-de-Batiscan. From Batiscan, it was possible to reach Quebec and Montreal by waterway. The fishing industry has developed throughout history, particularly because of the Atlantic tomcod; nevertheless, after 1950, the tomcod abandoned the Batiscan river and only sport fishing continued.

A port was built on the Batiscan river and a village of the Station was formed. After the mid-20th century, vacationing took off significantly along the river. Several second homes have become permanent residences.

In the 21st century, the economy of the town of Batiscan is focused on recreational and tourism activities (resorts, boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, docks, museum), agriculture, local businesses and certain services.

Get in
The village of Batiscan is accessible by road, boat (via Batiscan River and Saint Lawrence River), snowmobile and all terrain vehicles.

By car

 * From Montreal (. Time: 2 hr 29 min.), take highway 40 (north shore) heading east, to Batiscan (exit 229); take route 361 (southbound); take route 138 (westbound) to the village of Batiscan.
 * From Quebec City (. Time: 1 hr 14 min.), take highway 40 westbound to Batiscan (exit 229); take route 361 (southbound); take route 183 (westbound) to the village of Batiscan.

Heritage tour

 * Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade: Erected from 1855, over 14 years, the church of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade has exterior walls made of stones from Deschambault and transported to the corvée. It was finalized in 1869. The bell towers measure 110 feet. The distance from the floor to the top of the arch is 54 feet. The architecture of this church is similar to the Gothic style: pointed arches associated with the height of the place; the light appearance of the general architecture, and generous lighting provided by the large windows. Its architectural and grandiose elegance is similar to the style of the great cathedrals. The magnificent stained-glass windows from 1877, from France, characterize the symbols of Christianity. The large portico of the church has in its vault the granite statue of Saint Anne which stands 96 feet above the ground. One of the great treasures of the church is the statue of Saint Anne carved in oak from Belgium. Visitors can admire the Stations of the Cross, the old organ from 1902, the bells and interior renovations from 1951.
 * Batiscan: church erected in 1866 reflecting a neo-Gothic architecture of great value. Visitors will appreciate the exuberant interior design: height of the chancel and the nave, the ribbed vault, the interior decoration, the interior reliefs. A large outdoor statue perched on a raised plinth and decorated with a magnificent flower arrangement on the ground, guards the front facade of the church. The Batiscan presbytery reflects a great history of the locality, with its objects, old furniture and architecture.
 * Champlain: Champlain Church is an exceptional listed heritage building. During the interior visit, use digital technology (e.g., tablet, smartphone) to view story sections in augmented reality. Discover the daily life of Champlain residents around 1908. By moving the tablet towards the vault, the woodwork, the works of painters and the stained-glass windows, visitors will discover the architectural and design secrets of this picturesque church. In addition, play "Halte là salle jerk" in augmented reality, helping the character Lucien the dog hauler to find dogs that have infiltrated the church... under the benches.
 * Champlain: Champlain Church is an exceptional listed heritage building. During the interior visit, use digital technology (e.g., tablet, smartphone) to view story sections in augmented reality. Discover the daily life of Champlain residents around 1908. By moving the tablet towards the vault, the woodwork, the works of painters and the stained-glass windows, visitors will discover the architectural and design secrets of this picturesque church. In addition, play "Halte là salle jerk" in augmented reality, helping the character Lucien the dog hauler to find dogs that have infiltrated the church... under the benches.