Tours and programs

Take part in activities that will help you discover the site, such as a walking tour, an audio tour, an immersive character experience, a multimedia presentation, Xplorers children's program, and more.

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A Story Cast in Iron: a multimedia presentation

We recommend that you start with this activity to fully understand and familiarize yourself with the history of the Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site.

Attend a “sound and light show” featuring Forges du Saint-Maurice workers and a magnificent model of the village in 1845.

Combining video projection and 3D effects on both the large screen and the model, this multimedia presentation offers a page of history about the master of the Forges and the workers who brought the steel industry to the Mauricie region. Discover the industrial village at a glance!

Audience: all ages

Length: 20 minutes

Schedule: schedule varies; ask the guides at the Ironmaster’s House welcome desk. No reservation required.

Fees: included in admission fees

Location: on the second floor of the Ironmaster’s House

Languages offered: English and French

Accessibility: an elevator allows visitors to go up and down between the different floors of the Ironmaster’s House. There is also a staircase with several steps that allows visitors to move between floors. The room has bleacher seating (approx. 40). The presentation is narrated, with visual and audio information. The presentation is not subtitled.

Diabolus ex machina: an audio path by Fred Pellerin

You haven't heard or seen everything about Les Forges! Let us take you on an original audio tour narrated by storyteller Fred Pellerin.

Visit the Diabolus ex machina page to listen to an exclusive excerpt and find out more about this activity.

1600°C Trial by Fire: an interactive experience

Immerse yourself in the world of the Blast Furnace and transform yourself into a Forges worker during this interactive activity designed to put you to the test!

Once the video has started, follow the instructions of the furnace master and try to perform all the steps of the cast iron manufacturing process. Will you be able to shovel without tiring, and stand out from the crowd in the eyes of the furnace master? Heat it up!

Audience: all ages

Length: 15 minutes

Schedule: activity offered continuously. No reservation required.

Fees: included in admission fees

Location: inside the Blast Furnace building

Languages offered: English and French

Accessibility: there are two steps down to a platform where the interactive activity takes place. The platform is located in a dark, partitioned half-level space, dotted with sand. The activity takes place standing on the platform, and requires movement of the arms and torso. The screen displays an interactive video, providing visual and audio information. The interactive video has no subtitles.

Guided tour of the archaeological garden

New

Let yourself be guided through the archaeological remains of Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site—remarkable traces of Canada’s first ironworks industry. On this site, skilled workers once transformed iron ore into cast iron and wrought iron, marking the beginnings of industrial development in North America for more than 150 years.

Audience: all ages

Length: 60 minutes

Schedule: every day at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, no reservation required.

Fees: consult the Fees page.

Meeting point: at the map display at the end of the visitor parking lot, before the trail leading to the Ironmaster’s House. Make sure you wear appropriate clothing in case of rain, as the tour takes place outdoors.

Languages offered: English and French (upon request only)

Accessibility: the tour takes place outdoors across the grounds of Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site, including grassy areas and asphalt or gravel paths with a 125-step staircase and a gradient of around 10%. A few outdoor benches are available for resting.

A guided tour adapted for groups is also available. Visit the Group activities section for more information.

Blast Furnace workshop

New

This workshop is for visitors who want to learn more about how the Blast Furnace at Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site works and the steps involved in preparing, casting, and processing metal.

The activity also highlights the roles of the ironmaster as well as the tools and techniques required to practice this craft. Finally, you’ll have the chance to see the famous Ferris wheel turn right before your eyes.

Audience: all ages

Lenght: 30 minutes

Schedule: every day at 11:15 am, 2:15 pm, and 3:15 pm, no reservation required

Fees: consult the Fees page

Meeting point: at the map display at the end of the visitor parking lot, before the trail leading to the Ironmaster’s House. Make sure you wear appropriate clothing in case of rain, as the tour takes place outdoors.

Languages offered: English and French (upon request only)

Accessibility: the Blast Furnace is located at the end of an outdoor asphalt path with a slight incline. There are no steps at the entrance to the Blast Furnace. The entrance door is single, wide, and framed by a masonry structure. It has a threshold, but is equipped with a push button for automatic door opening. The exit door is double and has a threshold; it is also framed by a masonry structure. The concrete floor inside the building is level. Some sections of the building include steps leading up or down, as well as elevated walkways. The interior is dim in some areas. Some metal objects can be touched and handled. Audiovisual and interactive presentations offer visual and audio information, but do not include subtitles. Interpretation panels provide visual information and text to read (in English and French), but do not include Braille.

Self guided tour

You can visit all the buildings, trails, outdoor remains and exhibitions on your own.

Before beginning your exploration, we suggest you view the multimedia presentation on the second floor of the Ironmaster’s House.

To help you understand the site, you can ask questions to the guides at the Ironmaster’s House reception desk and at the Blast Furnace, and learn more about the Forges on the interpretation panels.

Audience: all ages, but particularly for those aged 16 and over who enjoy reading

Fees: included in admission fees

Interpretation panel languages: English and French

Accessibility: there is a wooden gangway and access ramp to enter the Ironmaster’s House. An elevator allows visitors to go up and down between the different floors of the Ironmaster’s House. There is also a staircase with several steps that allows visitors to move between floors.The Blast Furnace is located at the end of a slightly sloping outdoor asphalt path. There are no steps leading to the entrance of the Blast Furnace. The doorway is wide, framed by a masonry structure, and sheltered by an overhanging roof. Audiovisual and interactive presentations offer visual and audio information, but do not include subtitles. Interpretation panels provide visual information and text to read (in English and French), but do not include Braille. The outdoor grounds are grassed, with asphalt and gravel paths. There is also a 125-step outdoor staircase and a trail with a gradient of around 10%. Magnetic induction loops (M.I.L.s) are available on request and can be connected to the Diabolus ex machina portable audio devices.

Parks Canada Xplorers program

The Xplorers program is dedicated for children visiting Parks Canada sites with their families. At Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site, the Xplorers booklet takes children on a hunt for clues hidden around the site. On your marks, get set, “Xplore”!

Audience: the content is suitable for the whole family, but particularly suited for children ages 6 to 11

Fees: free; simply ask one of the guides for an activity booklet

Languages offered: English and French

Parks Canada Club Parka

“ Parent Enfant Nature” discovery kit

Borrow a Parent Enfant Nature seasonal kit and set off on a simple adventure. Through animal stories and activity suggestions, explore the natural wealth of the Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site and, above all, create magical family moments playing outdoors!

This activity is offered thanks to the Coopérative Enfant Nature (website in French only).

Audience: families with children aged 0 to 5

Language offered: French only