Plessisville is a city located in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec, Canada. It serves as the seat of the L'Érable Regional County Municipality. Situated along the Bourbon River, the community is approximately 185 kilometers (115 miles) east of Montreal and 95 kilometers (59 miles) southwest of Quebec City.
History and Administration The area was originally part of the Somerset Township, which was opened for settlement in 1804. The village was officially incorporated in 1855 and named Plessisville in honor of Monseigneur Joseph-Octave Plessis, the Bishop of Quebec at the beginning of the 19th century.
For much of the 20th and early 21st centuries, the territory was divided into two distinct legal entities: the Town of Plessisville (the urban core) and the Parish Municipality of Plessisville (the surrounding rural area). On January 1, 2024, the two entities officially merged to form the current City of Plessisville.
Economy and Culture Plessisville is widely recognized for its prominence in the maple syrup industry. It is often referred to as the "World Capital of Maple" (Capitale mondiale de l'érable) and has hosted the Festival de l'Érable (Maple Festival) since 1958. The local economy is supported by agricultural production and a manufacturing sector that includes machinery, metal products, and furniture.
Geography The city is characterized by the flat, fertile plains typical of the St. Lawrence Lowlands, transitioning toward the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is accessible via Route 116 and Route 165, which serve as primary transportation links for the region.
Demographics The population is predominantly Francophone. According to the 2021 Canadian Census data (prior to the 2024 merger), the combined population of the town and the parish was approximately 9,000 residents.