Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site

The Forges du Saint-Maurice is a historic iron production site with preserved blast furnaces and workshop buildings spread along the Saint-Maurice River. The location combines industrial structures with open landscape and walking paths that guide visitors through the grounds.

The production facility was founded in 1730 and was the first ironworks in New France, supplying materials for military fortifications. British and French ownership changed hands over time until production ended in the mid-1800s.

The site reflects how iron production shaped daily life in the region and brought together people from different backgrounds. Craft techniques and working conditions are shown through displays that reveal how industrial labor influenced local communities.

The grounds are accessible year-round on foot and equipped with paths suitable for different mobility levels. Visitor centers have varying hours depending on the season, so checking ahead before your visit makes sense.

Underground remains of the original blast furnace system are preserved beneath the surface, revealing both French and British engineering approaches. These buried discoveries show technical solutions that workers developed more than 250 years ago.