Notre‑Dame Street Historic Tour

Here’s a truly fascinating invitation to explore the early days of Thetford Mines! 

Travel back in time and uncover the history of a town where the abundance of asbestos led many companies to set up operations. These companies became some of the most important asbestos producers in the world, shaping the city’s development and landscape.

EXPLORE

The interactive map available on BaladoDiscovery offers on-demand multimedia content based on key points of interest that played a major role in Thetford Mines’ history.

ON SITE

Enjoy an immersive experience in an authentic setting! Set out to explore the sites that shaped Thetford Mines’ past. With your phone in hand, the map shows your real-time location and helps you uncover the stories behind the places around you.

OPTIMIZED EXPERIENCE

For the best experience, we recommend using the BaladoDiscovery mobile app rather than the website. Among other features, the app allows you to access the tour offline using the Preload option. If you’re walking the route, we also suggest using headphones for a more immersive visit.

STARTING POINT

At the intersection of rue Saint-Alphonse and rue Notre-Dame Ouest.

GO BACK IN TIME

Quebec is experiencing its first real mining operations in the mid-19th century, in the southwest of the current Chaudière-Appalaches region, where Thetford Mines is localated. The place sees its mining vocation come to fruition following the discoveries of the various materials that can be extracted there. Some mineral resources are exploited, including chromium, talc, nickel or copper, but it is the discovery of asbestos on the site of the current town of Thetford Mines that marks the mining vocation of this region, making Quebec one of the largest producers of this mineral in the world.

The first discovery of an asbestos deposit in Thetford Mines took place in 1876. Three years later, no less than five mines are already in operation. The region is developing rapidly and, throughout its history, it remains committed to the requirements and needs of the asbestos industry, which will be its main economic engine. It was in fact the mining industry that justified the establishment and development of the future town of Thetford Mines in the late 19th century. The first urban core was built near the mining facilities and now forms the city center, with its main street, Notre-Dame Street.
 

Enjoy your visit !

CREDITS

PRODUCTED BY

Ville de Thetford Mines 

SPECIAL THANKS 

Government of Quebec  - Entente de développement culturel avec le ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec.

CREATIVE CREW

Service des loisirs et de la culture - Ville de Thetford Mines

COLLABORATION

Centre d’archives de la région de Thetford (CART)
Héritage centre-ville
Tourisme région de Thetford