Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Green space galore, air like champagne
Right on Montréal’s doorstep, Lanaudière spells outdoor pursuits par excellence! From its southern reaches, where fertile lands line the St. Lawrence, to the vast open spaces and forest-cloaked hills of the north, Lanaudière is a snowmobiler’s dream—not to mention a prime destination for hikers, cycle tourists, ATVers and winter sports enthusiasts (skiing, skating and tube sliding). If sports activities and events abound, so do cultural happenings, like the Festival de Lanaudière—just the most prestigious classical music festival in Canada—which brings Joliette and its surrounding churches alive each summer. Lanaudière, one of the first areas to be farmed in Québec, also provides endless opportunity for sampling regional specialties as you roam its country roads.
An oasis of relaxation
The region also features many nature conservation areas. East of Berthierville, the Lac-Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve, which provides sanctuary for some 288 bird species each year, is the largest waterfowl staging area in North America. Along with the Rouge-Matawin and Mastigouche wildlife reserves is Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, number one among outdoor enthusiasts for its unbeatable canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, and cycling. Three waterfall parks, the Chutes-Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles, Parc des Cascades and the Chutes-Dorwin offer up spectacular (and refreshing!) settings for family strolls and picnics. Visitors with a taste for the unusual will appreciate the Tourbières de Lanoraie: a protected peat bog featuring a northern landscape and flora not usually found at this latitude, and the only ecological reserve in Québec that’s open to the public.Where art and history come together
Numerous historic sites and museums attest to the rich history of the Lanaudière region, bisected by the King’s Road, the highway that has linked Québec City and Montréal since the mid 17th century. The Île-des-Moulins historic site in Terrebonne features a sawmill, flourmill and wool-carding mill, all of which date back to the 19th century. The house in which Sir Wilfrid-Laurier was born, today a national historic site, chronicles the early years of the illustrious Canadian Prime Minister. As for fine art, the Musée d'art de Joliette houses dazzling collections from the Middle Ages to modern times that will astonish you with their range and diversity. Last but not least, the Musée Gilles-Villeneuve honours the late Formula 1 race car driver, while the Musée-halte Louis-Cyr recounts the exploits of the man once reputed to be the strongest in the world!Fill up on culture and fresh air in the Lanaudière!
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