About the
Parc Marie-Victorin
Situated in Kingsey Falls, in the Centre-du-Québec region, the Parc Marie-Victorin is one of Quebec’s biggest gardens. Created by passionates, the Parc pays homage to the Frère Marie-Victorin, famous botanist who would have been 100 years old in 1985, year of the site’s inauguration.
Some important facts
cultivar
species
visitors per
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annuals
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A flourishing story
In 1980, an idea is sown!
The idea of making the 100th birthday of the most famous Kingsey Falls citizen, Conrad Kirouac, who became the Frère Marie-Victorin. The Parc aims to showcase his work and heritage.
About the
Frère Marie-Victorin
In 1903, the Frère Marie-Victorin suffered internal bleeding. He was then prescribed rest and fresh air to relieve him of his tuberculosis. Nature, which had become necessary for his health, became his great ally. Later, he began a career as an educator and botanist. The Frère Marie-Victorin founded the Montreal Botanical Garden in 1931 and is the author of La Flore Laurentienne, drawing the floristic inventory of the St Lawrence Valley. Imbued with Marie-Victorin’s own poetry, the book is still THE reference in the field today.
The Parc
Marie-Victorin’s story
To carry out this project in honor of this historic symbol, Cascades agrees to sell a three-acre piece of land on the banks of the Nicolet River. Volunteers transformed a former dry matter dump into an enchanting site including flowerbeds, rocks gardens, a gazebo with a view of the falls, trees and shrubs as well as plants donated by various institutions across the province. Over time, the site is embellished and flourished.
During its first season in 1985, 8,000 to 10,000 visitors from all across Quebec fill the Parc’s paths. Later, a big touristic and educational ecological garden is born. Today, the Parc accounts for 6 themed gardens and holds a tropical greenhouse.
The Frère Marie-Victorin
Prizes and awards
Grand Prix du tourisme québécois
Prix Or du Grand Prix du tourisme québécois en 2013
Prix Normand-Maurice du développement durable en 2019