Hydro-Québec invites interested Suroît residents to learn more about its power plants by visiting them during the summer vacations. A total of 16 hydroelectric facilities belonging to the Société d'État will be opening their doors to the public to give them a behind-the-scenes look. 

Those taking part closer to home are: 

Centrale de Carillon - 240, rue du Barrage, Saint-André-d'Argenteuil (Québec) J0V 1X0

On its website, here's the description of the province's very first hydroelectric generating station, built under the supervision of French-Canadian engineers. 

You could even say I marked a turning point in the history of electricity in Quebec.

Located in the Laurentian region, I'm a beautiful run-of-river power station near Long-Sault, the site of a historic battle between Iroquois and settlers from New France. Here, the Ottawa River forms a natural border between Quebec and Ontario. 

But that's all I can tell you. If you come to see me, our guides will tell you all my secrets (well, almost all!). A suggestion: after your visit, don't forget to take a stroll through the Carillon Canal National Historic Site. It's right next door! You can watch the boats passing through the lock and picnic nearby.

Admission is free and reservations are required at all times, at least 24 hours in advance. Tours last about 90 minutes and start at set times. It's best to arrive 15 minutes in advance.

Opening hours until the end of August: Wednesday to Sunday at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. 

Beauharnois Generating Station - 80 boulevard de Melocheville, Beauharnois, QC, J6N 0M1: 

Also on its website, Hydro-Québec has this to say about this power station, which is one of the largest in the world and the 5th largest in Quebec: 

I have 36 turbine-generator units lined up over a distance of nearly one kilometer. Yes, I know, it's huge, and I'm pretty proud of it. I was built in the 1930s and, without boasting, my Art Deco-inspired architecture is very stylish. In fact, I've even won awards for my good looks and been designated a National Historic Site of Canada (classy, eh?).

Come and see me, I'm only 40 kilometers from downtown Montreal! To impress you, I'll let you climb down one of my turbine shafts. And don't forget my interpretation center: it's sure to captivate you! A guide will accompany you on your visit and explain who I am in every detail. You'll see, our guides are pros and very pleasant!

When you leave, I bet you'll know everything there is to know about generating electricity. I'll be waiting for you! The tour is free of charge.

Free admission and reservations are required at all times, at least 24 hours in advance. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and start at set times. It's best to arrive 15 minutes in advance.

Opening hours until the end of August: daily at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. 

Other facilities in James Bay, Côte-Nord, Montreal, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Laval, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Outaouais, Mauricie, Estrie and Sainte-Julie are also open to the public.

To find out more, visit https://www.hydroquebec.com/visites-installations/visites-grand-public/.