Saint-Narcisse, Quebec, is a parish municipality nestled in the heart of the Mauricie region. This charming community is located on the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence River, approximately 30 km from downtown Trois-Rivières.
The city territory of Saint-Narcisse, Quebec, spans an area of 104.87 km2. It is divided into rows, including Grande Ligne, Saint-Felix, Sainte-Marguerite, and Du Barrage. The territory also features the popular "Lake Morin," located north of the Grande Ligne.
A line of mountains traverses the municipal territory, separating the Middle Mauricie plateau from the Lower Mauricie plain. The watershed is primarily part of the Batiscanie, with the exception of the southwest area. Five rivers cross the municipality: Batiscan River, Rivière des Chutes, Rivière-au-Lard, Rivière-aux-Fourches, and Rivière La Tortue.
A wetland sector covering three municipalities is located southeast of Lac-à-la-Tortue. This area serves as a water head between the Lac-à-la-Tortue watershed, the Turtle River, and Rivière des Chutes. The wetland spans several rows and lots, including areas in Hérouxville, Saint-Narcisse, and Radnor Township.
The first pioneer, Louis Cosset, established himself in Saint-Narcisse around 1804. Many early settlers came from neighboring parishes of the St. Lawrence River. The settlement's expansion led pioneers to cross a moraine, known as the "Saint-Narcisse Moraine," which is approximately 120 kilometers long. This geological formation was shaped about 11,000 years ago, at the end of the last glacial period.
The town was named in honor of Saint Narcissus, with a statue of him sitting atop the main altar of the Saint-Narcisse church. Born in Palestine in the late first century of the Christian era, Narcissus was appointed the third Bishop of Jerusalem at the age of 80.
From 1982 to 2012, the community of Saint-Narcisse organized the "Fête de la Solidarité" (Solidarity Fair). This festival aimed to strengthen the social fabric of the city and included musical performances, exhibitions, and fireworks. However, due to a lack of volunteers, the festival was discontinued in 2013.
Saint-Narcisse, Quebec, is known for its production of mattresses, prefabricated homes, and the sale of farm tractors.
Built in 1871, the Dupont House served as a public meeting place for parishioners, especially after church services. This classic 19th-century style house is now owned by the municipality and serves as an arts center and exhibition hall.
Constructed between 1895 and 1897, the hydroelectric power station of Saint-Narcisse harnessed the great falls of the Batiscan River. This plant helped build the first high voltage line of the British Empire, linking Saint-Narcisse to Trois-Rivières.
As of the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Saint-Narcisse had a population of 1,801 living in 851 of its 916 total private dwellings. The majority of the population speaks French as their first language, with a small percentage speaking English or other languages.
