Joliette offers a range of ways to explore its city history and culture, as well as trails and outdoor activities. The Cathédrale Saint-Charles-Borromée, the Musée d’art de Joliette and a historical walking tour each offer a different focus. If you prefer spending time outdoors, you’ll find a citywide cycling network, trails on Île Vessot and a loop in the Réserve naturelle Marie-France-Pelletier. This lets you explore Joliette according to your interests without having to combine the options into a single tour.

Art, History and Architecture

The Musée d’art de Joliette has a collection of 8,300 works of art. It features permanent and temporary exhibitions, and also offers guided tours, educational activities and cultural programs. The combination of its collection, exhibitions and interpretation programs makes it a versatile destination for art lovers.

The historical walking tour of Joliette offers a different perspective on the city’s history. Its 39 stops trace the history of Joliette and Village d’Industrie, with information panels along the way. Those wishing to explore local history in greater depth can consult the archival collections of the Société d’histoire de Joliette-De Lanaudière by appointment.

The Cathédrale Saint-Charles-Borromée de Joliette also combines history and architecture: the Catholic cathedral was built from 1887 to 1892. Its design is eclectic, particularly on the façade, and its features include three turrets topped with bell towers. Opening hours are a practical consideration when planning a visit: the Cathédrale de Joliette is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Opening hours may change, so check them before your visit.

Cycling and Outdoor Trails

Joliette’s citywide cycling network is almost 50 kilometres long, including 10 kilometres of off-road routes. These details can help you decide whether to explore Joliette by bicycle and what kind of route might suit your plans.

For a walk, the Réserve naturelle Marie-France-Pelletier has a large 2-kilometre loop. The trails are not mechanically maintained in winter, so take this seasonal difference into account when planning. Île Vessot has a pedestrian bridge and trails. The island trails and the measured loop in the nature reserve are separate options for spending time outdoors; they do not have to be combined into a single route.

Water Activities and Seasonal Offerings

Seasonally, the Pavillon Gilles-Beaudry rents single and double kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards for adults and children. There is a clear limit on where rented watercraft can go: on the L’Assomption River, they may only be used upstream from the rental location. As this is a seasonal offering, check in advance whether it will be available during your travel dates.

Events also give Joliette a cultural focus. The three-day Festi-Glace de Joliette is a winter festival on the banks of the L’Assomption River and has helped shape the region’s traditions and reputation for several years. The three-day Festival du Rire de Joliette presents comedy shows, outdoor performances and interactive activities in the city centre, under a large tent on Place Bourget. Bastringue is a circus festival under the artistic direction of the Le Cirque Alfonse family troupe. It takes place in the heart of Joliette and spreads out from the big-top tent across the city centre. Festival programs may change, so check dates and details before planning your trip.

Culture and Markets

The Centre culturel Desjardins presents and promotes cultural and artistic activities across the greater Joliette region. It presents more than 200 performances a year; its program and scale may change. This adds a wide-ranging program of events to the offerings of the art museum and festivals.

At the Marché de Noël de Joliette, regional producers and artisans sell their goods in decorated wooden chalets. The Marché public de Joliette on Place Bourget has a different focus: producers and artisans offer fresh, high-quality food there. Both markets connect visitors with local vendors and a range of goods; the wooden chalets are a distinctive feature of the Christmas market.

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