2016-2017 THE TRAVEL MAGAZINE FOR THE LANAUDIÈRE AND MAURICIE REGIONS THE ESSENCE THE QUEBEC YOU’VE OF LA BELLE PROVINCE DREAMED OF! IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH WILDERNESS EXPERIENCING REAL WINTER TAKING THE ABORIGINAL PULSE DISCOVERING LOCAL FOODS REMEMBERING THE AREA’S FOUNDERS AND MUCH MORE! QUEBECAUTHENTIQUE.COM © Stephane Daoust TABLE OF CONTENTS 06 WELCOME 36 OUTDOORS 56 URBAN PLEASURES To understand For the wealth of Because city life Authentic Quebec experiences that await you means inspiration and social interaction 12 WILDERNESS 39 WINTER PLEASURES To discover the parks, Because here, the cold 62 FAVOURITE ADDRESSES front-row seats for wildlife-watching is your best friend Our best suggestions for your visits 20 RESORTS 42 HEALTH AND WELL-BEING to Authentic Quebec Because hospitality is a sixth sense To banish stress and stop time 65 KEY EVENTS 26 OUTFITTERS 44 LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTS This year’s events For hunting, fishing, AND FLAVOURS in the Mauricie and so much more! To discover inventive gems and Lanaudière regions created by local food artisans 34 FIRST NATIONS 66 TRAVEL LOGS For the double dose 48 HISTORY AND HERITAGE Recommendations of authenticity Because Authentic Quebec for every season that Aboriginal tourism provides has a long memory Managing editor Tél. : +1 819 536-3334 General Director In partnership with: David Lang Fax : +1 819 536-3373 Denis Brochu Les Éditions Neopol Inc [email protected] www.tourismemauricie.com Marketing Director 460, Sainte-Catherine Street West THE ULTRA-BELLE PROVINCE Sylvie Lapointe Montréal (Quebec) H3B 1A7 Canada Writers General Manager Marketing Advisor Tél. : +1 514 279-3015 Québec Le Mag, Valérie Fortier, David Lang, André Nollet Jason Saunders Fax : +1 514 279-1143 special supplement Olivier Pierson, Philippe Renault, Marketing Manager Marketing Advisor www.neopol.ca Issue 16, Fall 2015. Not for sale. Frédérique Sauvée. Anaïs Laurent Marc-Olivier Guilbault [email protected] Marketing and Communications General coordinator, Cover photo Coordinator, non-Quebec Québec Le Mag’ General Director project manager 2016-2017 : © Tourisme markets is published by: Jonathan Chodjaï Audrey Lorans-Garbay Lanaudière, Guy Hamelin Karine Gélinas Les Éditions Neopol France Business and Administrative [email protected] 2017-2018 : © Tourisme Mauricie, Coordinator, non-Quebec Director Michel Julien market development Limited liability company with an Audrey Lorans Garbay Advisor, follow-up Jacinthe Doucet equity of 22,500 euros. Coordinator Steve Derome Collaborating Gérant : Jean-Marie Bernard Eleonore Guetny with Authentic Quebec: TOURISME LANAUDIÈRE RCS Dijon B789158888 Art direction, 3568, rue Church, 2, allée du Clos du Roy Printing house graphic design TOURISME MAURICIE Rawdon (Québec) J0K 1S0 Canada 21380 Messigny-et-Vantoux, France Solisco Numérix Grand National Studio 1882, rue Cascade, Shawinigan Tél. : +1 450 834-2535 Tél. : 03 80 44 91 00 4050, rue Jean-Marchand, [email protected] (Québec) G9N 8S1 Canada www.lanaudiere.ca www.quebeclemag.com bureau 100, Québec (QC) G2C 1Y6 Lanaudière / mauricie 003 LANAUDIÈRE - MAURICIE THE ULTRA-BELLE PROVINCE Known as Authentic Quebec, the Lanaudière and Mauricie regions offer a host of scenic vistas, experiences and encounters that immerse visitors in the heart and soul of Quebec. WORDS David Lang / PHOTOS Authentic Quebec © Tourisme Mauricie © Tourisme 006 authentic quebeC Lanaudière / mauricie 007 N WELCOME CANADA QUÉBEC LESS THAN AN HOUR’S DRIVE FROM MONTRÉAL AND QUÉBEC CITY, IT’S THE QUÉBEC YOU’VE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT... WWW.QUEBECAUTHENTIQUE.COM É.-U. USA Lac Kempt LAC ÉDOUARD MANAWAN LA TUQUE Rivière Saint-Maurice PARC RÉGIONAL DU LAC TAUREAU RÉSERVE FAUNIQUE ROUGE-MATAWIN RÉSERVE FAUNIQUE SAINT-MAURICE Lac Taureau TROIS-RIVES (SECTEUR RIVIÈRE-MATAWIN) SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS 155 PARC NATIONAL DU CANADA RÉSERVE FAUNIQUE DE LA MAURICIE MASTIGOUCHE PARC NATIONAL DU MONT-TREMBLANT SAINT-ZÉNON SAINT-TITE 131 RÉGION DE QUÉBEC 153 SAINT-MATHIEU-DU-PARC TO QUÉBEC SAINT-ALEXIS-DES-MONTS (60 minutes) SAINT-DONAT 350 SAINT-CÔME SAINTE-ÉMILIE-DE-L’ÉNERGIE 349 347 SHAWINIGAN 138 SAINTE-ÉLIE SAINT-PAULIN DE CAXTON - SAINTE-ANNE-DE-LA-PÉRADE PARC RÉGIONAL DE LA FORÊT OUAREAU SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA TROIS-RIVIÈRES 55 40 20 LOUISEVILLE 125 348 RAWDON 138 40 131 Lac Saint-Pierre © Tourisme Lanaudière, Jimmy Vigneux Tourisme © BERTHIERVILLE Réserve mondiale de RÉGION DU CENTRE-DU-QUÉBEC JOLIETTE la biosphère de l’UNESCO 125 40 31 LEGEND 55 he Lanaudière and Mauricie regions, on the north shore of RÉGION DES LAURENTIDES 20 TOWNS LIKE A DISTILLATION OF THE BEST 25 the Saint Lawrence River, have limitless appeal. Authentic OF “LA BELLE PROVINCE”; QUEBEC 138 CHEMIN DU ROY Quebec is first and foremost the natural blending of these TO U. S. A (2.5 hours) MAIN AND REPENTIGNY SECONDARY ROADS T IN ITS FINEST NATURAL ATTIRE, SUCH TERREBONNE two areas. Geographically speaking, it is a nexus point: between TO MONTRÉAL HIGHWAY the province’s two urban hubs, Quebec City and Montreal, AS WE PICTURE IT IN OUR DREAMS (15 minutes) feet anchored in the Saint Lawrence River to the south and head facing the northern stars. From the river’s fertile plain to the bold Laurentian Mountains, Authentic Quebec offers all that of the heroes of the country’s commercial and industrial These two regions also provide both country and city-based Route of the Canadian Shield’s most compelling assets in terms of era, when fur, wood, paper and hydroelectricity were leading attractions, the former through its craft and gourmet offerings, landscapes, life and diversity. It’s a distillation of the best of la commodities. the latter through its urban pleasures on a human scale, such as des rivières Belle Province! It’s Quebec in its finest natural attire, such as can be found in Trois-Rivières, Terrebonne, Joliette, Shawinigan or Among the themed circuits we picture it in our dreams! It’s landscapes that shift with the FORCES OF NATURE La Tuque, but with a vibrancy that will charm even the most citified of the Lanaudière and seasons, from the lush greens and sparkling blues of summer AND A CULTURAL BREEDING GROUND of city dwellers. The heritage, the meetings, events and evolving Mauricie regions, the river to the blazing colours of fall to the majesty of winter. It’s the Energy plays a big role in Authentic Quebec. That postcard-like cultures – these are all as intrinsic to these regions as are the wide- circuit is worth its weight in expanses of untouched nature, deep forests replete with birds beauty is anything but static. The Lanaudière and Mauricie regions open spaces and the delights of the outdoors. And when it comes scenic value. From the Saint and beasts, and the lakes and rivers guarding legendary fishing are destinations meant to be experienced through immersion to added value, what makes these destinations unforgettable Lawrence River, beautiful Route 155 brings you up to adventures. It’s the Quebec of First Nations people, lumberjacks, and action. And this is possible through privileged access to is their authenticity. You can develop true relationships here by the Haute-Mauricie region, and backwoodsmen, and all the great human adventures that the immense natural world made available by the national and taking the time to get to know the people and by talking to them – following the Saint-Maurice have shaped the identity of this area over the centuries. These regional parks, as well as by the many resorts, inns, cottages and this is Quebec hospitality in its most natural and endearing form. River: a magic carpet leading lands preserve the memory of the pioneers of New France and outfitters that offer direct contact with these huge playgrounds. Authentic, through and through! n © Sébastien Larose to wide-open spaces! 008 authentic quebeC Lanaudière / mauricie 009 WELCOME © Tourisme Mauricie, Buzz Productions Tourisme © Lanaudière, Jimmy Vigneux Tourisme © © Tourisme Mauricie, Michel Julien Tourisme © Mauricie, Buzz Productions Tourisme © Photos © Michel Julien © Tourisme Lanaudière, Jimmy Vigneux Tourisme © Lanaudière, Olivier Croteau Tourisme © Authentic Quebec at a glance - The Lanaudière and Mauricie regions together cover 52,000 km2 - The largest city is Trois-Rivières (approx. 135,000 inhabitants) founded in 1634, followed by Terrebonne, Shawinigan, Joliette and La Tuque. - The Lanaudière and Mauricie regions contain two large national parks, some fifteen regional parks, and three wildlife reserves. - No fewer than 30,000 lakes are found within these two regions! — — 010 authentic quebeC HOSPITALITY AMBIANCE TRADITIONAL MEALS… WILDERNESS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH WILDERNESS The untouched world in all its diversity puts on a show in nature’s vast amphitheatre, made up of the lakes, rivers, forests and protected areas of Authentic Quebec. Designed to protect and share, the parks put you in a front-row seat. WORDS Frédérique Sauvée © Tourisme Lanaudière, Jimmy Vigneux Tourisme © 012 authentic quebeC Lanaudière / mauricie 013 PARKS © Tourisme Lanaudière, Olivier Croteau Tourisme © © Tourisme Mauricie, Michel Julien Tourisme © In the Lanaudière region (above), Parc National du Mont-Tremblant is one of several locations where you can witness the splendour of Québec’s wide open spaces. The many lookouts in La Mauricie National Park of Canada (opposite page) allow visitors to feast their eyes on a sea of unspoiled nature. he star protagonists are well-known: shield. A few choice pieces? You’ll hear black bears, those plantigrade them as you lean against the railings of Tpredators who are so adept at the lookouts at Parc régional de la Forêt hiding while waiting for supper; elegant Ouareau and admire the panoramic moose, the kings of Quebec’s forests; as view of the Matawinie Regional County well as small game, birds of prey and river Municipality, or as you cool off at the foot fish. Among the most beautiful pieces of of Chute-à-Bull’s waterfall. scenery, set up to thoroughly impress you, the Mauricie and Lanaudière regions NICE PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES have two national parks, fifteen regional AND WATER GALORE Lanaudière, Jimmy Vigneux Tourisme © Mathieu Dupuis © SÉPAQ, parks and three wildlife reserves.