Rivière-Héva is a charming municipality nestled in the northwestern region of Quebec, Canada. It is part of the La Vallée-de-l'Or Regional County Municipality. The town is named after the Héva River, a significant water body that flows through the municipality. The name 'Héva' has been in use since 1929, appearing on maps as Lac Heva (without accents). The origin of the name is shrouded in mystery, with theories ranging from it being named after Éva Girard, the wife of a surveyor, to it being derived from the Norman or Dutch word 'hève', meaning "hollow rock". There's even a possibility that it was inspired by a place in Acadia near Port-Royal called La Hève.
The history of Rivière-Héva dates back to 1935 when it was colonized as part of the Vautrin Settlement Plan. Initially, it was known as Aux Quatre-Coins, which translates to "At Four Corners" in French. The first settlers hailed from Amos and Barraute, attracted by the fertile soil along Lake Malartic. The settlement was named after the nearby Héva River.
On March 8, 1982, Rivière-Héva was officially incorporated as a municipality from previously unorganized territory. The first mayor to take office was Guy Authier. In 1988, the municipality acquired the former presbytery, which was transformed into its town hall. A significant expansion occurred on August 29, 2009, when Rivière-Héva absorbed the Unorganized Territory of Lac-Fouillac and the western portion of the Unorganized Territory of Lac-Granet.
The linguistic landscape of Rivière-Héva is predominantly French, with 97.3% of the population reporting French as their first language as of 2021. English speakers make up 1.7% of the population, while 0.7% of the residents are bilingual, speaking both English and French as their first language. Other languages account for 0.3% of the first languages spoken in the municipality.
Rivière-Héva, Quebec, is a testament to the rich history and cultural diversity of Canada. Its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty make it a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore the lesser-known gems of Quebec.
