Victoriaville is a city in central Quebec, Canada, on the Nicolet River. Victoriaville is the seat of Arthabaska Regional County Municipality and a part of the Centre-du-Quebec region. Beginning in 1963, a terrorist group that became known as the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) launched a decade of bombings, robberies and attacks on government offices and at least two murders by FLQ gunfire and three violent deaths by bombings. ... Arthabaska Regional County Municipality is located in Central Quebec. ...

2001 Population: 38 841 2005 Population: 40 105

Bold textLatitude:Bold text 46° 03' 17 Nord Bold textLongitude:Bold text 71° 57' 36 Ouest Bold textGeographical Area:Bold text 81,96 km² Bold textDensity:Bold text 489.3 people/km²

In June 1993, the municipalities of Sainte-Victoire-D'Arthabaska, Arthabaska and Victoriaville merged to form the city of Victoriaville. The city was named after Queen Victoria, who spent a night at the Grand Union hotel. However, the vast majority of residents speak French as their first language.

Victoriaville is the home of a prominent Lactantia dairy plant, 2 shopping malls (La Grande Place Des Bois-Francs and Le Carrefour Des Bois-Francs), a CEGEP and a quaint downtown shopping area on Rue Notre-Dame.

The Parc-Linéare Des Bois-Francs bike trail traverses the town. There are many paths for cyclists throughout the town, including ones leading to the summit of Mont Arthabaska, at the southern limits of the town. The Laurier Museum commemorates the summer home of former Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier.

Many festivals are held throughout the year including the Week-end En Blues series of concerts and the Exposition Agricole in the summer. 97,3FM is headquartered in Victoriaville. The current mayor is Roger Richard, whose term expires in 2005.

Investment in the industrial park has buoyed the town and spurred new residential and commercial development. It is the home of a prominent Lactantia dairy factory, 2 shopping malls (La Grande Place Des Bois-Francs and Le Carrefour Des Bois-Francs), a CEGEP and a vibrant downtown core on Rue Notre-Dame.

The Parc-Linéare Des Bois-Francs bike trail traverses the town. There are many paths for cyclists throughout the town, including ones leading to the summit of Mont Arthabaska, at the southern limits of the town.