Regina the Impressionist

Population 226,404 (2021 census)(Suggested duration: 2 to 7 days)

In the heart of the Canadian shortgrass prairies, Regina is a city with an exceptional quality of life, sometimes unloved. Provincial capital destined for insignificance, one might have thought. Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones took great pleasure in saying about Regina: "the city that rhymes with pleasure". Regina has the naughty misfortune to have been named in honour of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Princess Louise – a woman of her time and daughter of Queen Victoria – did name the city after her mother. However, do not be fooled by gossip: Regina is infinitely more impressionist than Victorian.

Here, colour takes precedence with unique compositions. The open air showcases motifs of welcoming family life and abundant leisure opportunities. Wascana Park, the largest urban park in North America, is home to Wascana Lake, born from the labour of thousands of unemployed workers during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Today, you can rent a canoe or a kayak and enjoy this expanse of water, a vast section protected from human intrusion, an unequalled urban aquatic sanctuary for migratory birds.

Bicycle paths allow you to cross the city following the course of Wascana Creek, like the Bow River in Calgary, Cherry Creek in Denver, or the Red and Assiniboine rivers in Winnipeg. Museums and gastronomic stations, including small gems of micro-breweries, add to its charms. Let's not forget the Legislative Building and the residence of the Lieutenant-Governor. Regina is, after all, the provincial capital.

The surrounding land is fertile and conducive to agricultural development, leading the Canadian Pacific Railway Company to run its railway line in this part of the province. This decision had significant political repercussions for Regina, then chosen as the capital of the Northwest Territories in 1883 before becoming the capital of Saskatchewan in 1905 when Saskatchewan joined the Canadian Confederation.

Refine Search

Proximity Search

Clear