Drummondville
A city that's full of surprises!
Oh, Drummondville! It’s not just a small Quebec town, sandwiched between Montreal and Quebec City. It’s a real treasure trove, where you’ll find an amazing story around every corner. So, get ready to discover fun and interesting facts that will make you see this regional metropolis in a whole new light. We bet you didn’t know all this!
Poutine: the pride of the region!
You can’t talk about Drummondville without talking about poutine!
Did you know that the original recipe for this beloved dish was created here, at Le Roy Jucep restaurant? It was Jean-Paul Roy, a talented saucier, who came up with the idea of combining fries, cheese and gravy.
The name “poutine” is said to come from “Ti-Pout,” a nickname given to the cook at the time. If you’re a fan of this dish, Drummondville is just the place to treat your taste buds.
Drummondville on the big screen
Drummondville is also a filiming destination! Series such as Entre chien et loup were filmed at the Village québécois d’Antan, an iconic location for period scenes.
Not to mention Le Grand Showman and Aurore, l’enfant martyr.
This makes it the perfect place for film buffs looking to capture some memories in photos.
Legends and celebrities
The names Marcel Dionne, one of the all-time hockey greats, and Yvan Cournoyer, another hockey giant, no doubt ring a bell.
Their legacy lives on in the city through facilities such as the Aréna Yvan-Cournoyer, named after this local hero.
And what about art?
Oh, the arts! Drummondville isn’t just about industry; its creative side also shines through. Soprema, a locally based international company, is home to a bronze mammoth statue, the largest of its kind in Canada.
You can also discover treasures at the Desjardins Museum of Photography, the only museum of its kind in the country, where photos of celebrities such as Elton John, Maurice Richard and even the Beatles are on display. A real eyeful!
La Poudrière: an explosive history
Before becoming a city of SMEs, Drummondville had its era of large factories. La Poudrière, for example, was an explosives factory during the First World War.
In 1916, this factory even delivered 3 million kilos of smokeless powder to the Tsar of Russia. Today, only a few vestiges remain… but you can still get an idea of the time’s booming industry!
A city of legends!
Drummondville is not just an industrial city, it also has a mysterious side. Its ghost stories are a real draw for fans of bizarre and unusual tales.
Perhaps you have heard of the Dame Blanche (White Lady) who haunted the local stage? Well, it was none other than the talented Brigitte Boisjoli, a hometown girl, who played this mystical character for six seasons.
What’s more, this show inspired the making of. . . Cavalia! Yep, Normand Latourelle’s spectacular equestrian show.
Named after a governor
Did you know that the city of Drummondville was named after Sir Gordon Drummond, the acting governor of Lower Canada at the beginning of the 19th century? But why? Did the founders hope to ingratiate themselves with him, or were they grateful to him for the land grant? It’s a mystery!
In any case, that’s how the city got its name in 1815 and began forging its history.