Les Tisserands: A Riverside Neighbourhood
At first, you’ll notice the old stone church flanked by two bell towers, as well as the red-brick buildings that once housed textile mills. But these landmarks are surrounded by a humble riverside neighbourhood with a rich history. Discover it for yourself!
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Memphrémagog Library
Take a step inside the Art Deco building. See for yourself why the efforts to redesign and renovate this former church earned an honourable mention from a jury of archivists, librarians and architects in 2013. When the sun is shining, the shimmering light brings to life the daisies depicted in the strikingly modern stain glass windows. The building bears witness to the arrival of a large French-speaking Catholic population during the first half of the 20th century.
Looking for something to read? Between September and June, library volunteers operate a small bookstore, open Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. Look for the door marked “Fondation” in the parking lot.
Magog River
Leave the library parking lot and head toward the river along Saint-Patrice Street East, until you reach the Route Verte trail. Take a break on a public bench and feast your eyes on the Magog River. Its course, flow and appearance changed tremendously over the 20th century. Historian Maurice Langlois describes the river as the common thread running through the town’s history. Step back in time and imagine a convoy of Abenaki canoes making their way from Odanak. They would travel up the Saint-François and Magog Rivers, before crossing the lake and following the Barton River on the way to their ancestral lands along the Connecticut River. When the local Indigenous population was displaced in the 19th century, European settlers began harnessing the river’s swift current for textile mills. Today, five dams and three hydroelectric power stations can be found along the river's 31.8 km length.
Textile Factories
The building that houses La Shop, a village café, once served as offices for textile mill bosses. The welcoming décor bears witness to this local history. Stop by for a bite to eat or visit the Fitch Bay Café right next door. Before entering, take a moment to read the commemorative plaque that summarizes the story of this National Historic Site of Canada.
Espace Saint-Luc
This new park was created by transforming a heat island, roughly 22,000 square m2 in size, into a cool oasis in the heart of the historic Tisserands neighbourhood. The site was previously occupied by the town’s public works department and waste management centre. Local residents helped make the blueprint for Espace Saint-Luc at consultations held in February 2021. The design includes areas for picnicking, games, urban agriculture and exercise. A sliding area will be set up in winter.
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