The Cité de l’Énergie

ntournable en Mauricie! Fondé en 1997 dans un environnement naturel exceptionnel, ce site comprend un centre de sciences, une tour d’observation, un spectacle multimédia et le Musée du Premier ministre Jean Chrétien. En 2001, les anciennes usines d’Alcan, ont été désignées lieu historique national du Canada et portent maintenant le nom d’Espace Shawinigan. 

A one-of-a-kind museum complex in the heart of Shawinigan - a flagship of Quebec and Canadian industrialization!

La Cité de l’énergie offers visitors of all ages a fascinating journey into the world of energy and industry! At the Science Centre, explore the delicate balance between nature, energy, and human society on a global scale through the exhibition and multimedia show Planet Energy. Discover Shawinigan’s industrial, urban, and natural heritage from a unique perspective atop the Hydro-Québec Observation Tower, accessible by a panoramic elevator. Enjoy temporary exhibitions, a family play and relaxation area, and Canada in the World, an exhibition presented by the Musée du Premier ministre Jean Chrétien. Hop aboard a shuttle to reach the hydroelectric sector. There, explore the N.A.C. Power Station, featuring its historic penstock and an impressive collection of hydroelectric production equipment, as well as a century-old hydroelectric generating station still in operation—a true gem of Quebec’s industrial heritage! At the heart of the former potrooms of Canada’s first aluminum smelter, take a guided tour and discover the captivating story of the beginnings of Canadian aluminum: its founders, machines, workers, and global impact. Witness a live aluminum pour and immerse yourself in an experience that transports you through three different eras of the smelter. In the evening, attend ilia, a nighttime show presented in a one-of-a-kind rotating outdoor amphitheatre. This modern fable, inspired by the history and legends of the Mauricie region, features four performers at the heart of a breathtaking technological universe. With a compelling narrative, striking sets and tableaux, projections, and special effects, the show unfolds in a fully immersive 360-degree scenography within a remarkable natural setting. La Cité de l’énergie also offers gardens, walking trails, picnic areas, and a children’s playground, all set along the banks of the Saint-Maurice River.