Laval, QC
I’m located between the Laval and Montréal river banks. The current is very strong between the two cities! Built in the 1920s, my architecture is influenced by the Art Deco style and, not that I want to brag, but people usually find me rather pretty!
People are often (pleasantly) surprised by my interior: my floors, beams and equipment are painted blue, red or yellow. Just because I’m a hydropower generating station doesn’t mean I should always wear gray! Colors are so much livelier!
When you come see me, in addition to admiring my appearance, you’ll get to:
Believe me, you’ll love your outing, whether you come alone, as a couple or with your family! And it’s free! By the way, if you’re hooked on fishing, there’s a footbridge nearby where you can cast your line!
Have a look at these pictures for a hint of what your guided tour has in store for you!
First painted dark green, beige and black, my interior got a makeover when it opened to the public in 1977. To brighten it up, Hydro‑Québec decided to add color. My decor was inspired from modernism and the De Stijl movement, which embraced a return to primary colours.
Imagine! Each of my generating units weighs 110 tonnes, as much as 22 elephants! Those are numbers worth trumpeting!
I’m the only generating station to be located in the heart of the largest energy consumption area in Québec, between Montréal and Laval.
My construction practically coincides with the beginning of Montréal’s electrification, which means that I’m part of history! But I was once all the rage with my architecture that reflects the trends of my time, the Art Deco style, like the Beauharnois generating station built during the same years as I was.
1914–1918: World War I
With industrialization in full swing, discussions about my construction began between the Montreal Island Company and the Québec government in 1923. Construction to finally began in 1928.
1928: Construction of cofferdams – first development work for the future generating station.
Source: Hydro‑Québec Archives
1929: Stock market crash
1939–1945: World War II
1960: Beginning of the Quiet Revolution in Québec
1963: Second phase of electricity nationalization in Québec
1976: The Parti Québécois is elected for the first time
2001: September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States
Don’t take our word for it: this is what the people who visited the generating station with our guides had to say.
Thank you for offering these tours. Everyone should take advantage of them!
Thank you, Simon, for a great guided tour!
Lots of interaction, very enriching!
Visitors aged 18 and over must present official photo ID.
(Accepted ID: health insurance card, driver’s license or passport)
Reservations are required at all times and must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
About 90 minutes
Tours start at set times. We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes in advance.
From mid-June to the end of August
Tour times
Four tours per day: 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Looking for original tours featuring science, history and technical know-how? Hydro-Québec’s got just the ticket!
Check it out!
Rivière‑des‑Prairies Generating Station – Interpretation Center
3400, rue du Barrage
Laval (Québec) H7E 5A2
Tel. : 1 800 365-5229 (between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.)Tel. : 1 800 365-5229 (between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
Get in touch by email.
For additional information
Free admission
Reservations are required at
all times
and must be made at least
24 hours in advance.
To reserve a free guided tour in
English, please call
1 800 365-5229
1 800 365-5229
.
Get in touch by
email.
