A trip to Lanaudière and Mauricie

Many children dream of sleeping in a cabin perched in a tree or resting on stilts. That dream can come true, even for adults, at Kabania in the heart of the Ouareau forest. Accommodations that are eco-responsible.

While La Pimbina sector of Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, accessible via Sain-Donat, is less known than the Lac-Supérieur sector in the Laurentians, its natural setting is equally grandiose. Enjoy its many lakes for canoeing, kayaking and swimming.

At the end of the day, where better to rest than at Auberge du Lac Taureau, known for its local cuisine, health treatments and outdoor activities. Also called the Réservoir Taureau, this immense lake boasts 31.7 km (19.7 mi.) of sandy beach.

Spend the day at the site of Auberge du Lac Taureau, where you can enjoy many activities: horseback riding, water sports, fishing, swimming at a beach that runs for close to 32 km (20 mi.), tennis, golf and even tomahawk throwing!

Next, head to Auberge du Vieux Moulin, where families and couples can enjoy many relaxation packages, including the spa, fishing, outdoor activities and fine dining. For sleeping? Choose a room in the inn or a night in a cottage or tepee. Why not!

Without knowing it, you have just crossed into Mauricie. The Lac Blanc outfitter is a family resort that offers cottages and rooms in the inn. The perfect spot to spend the night in order to be in top shape the next morning for fun and adventure!

The Abbaye Val Notre-Dame, where you can buy cheese, cider, chocolate and other local products, is part of the “Through the green valleys” circuit. It’s one of the five gourmet routes of Goûtez Lanaudière. Ready for a bit of agritourism?

Spend the day at the Lac Blanc outfitter, which has 12 lakes abounding with fish. Between your fishing trip and visits to the aquatic centre and Indigenous site, enjoy an unforgettable helicopter ride over the region’s lakes.

Just a few kilometres from the Lac Blanc outfitter, the day comes to an end at Hôtel Sacacomie, offering you a luxurious stay in nature, and nothing less. This log-constructed hotel has an energy-saving spa and a restaurant.

After enjoying nature at Sacacomie, it’s time to leave the forest. The city of Shawinigan showcases its industrial past at the Cité de l’énergie, through exhibitions, an observation tower, a hydroelectric station and more.

If you enjoyed it before, you can sleep in a tepee again at the Auberge Refuge du Trappeur. Set the mood by going on a guided evening tour to spot black bears, and the next day take a canoe excursion at dawn to observe moose.

We leave our friends at the inn after visiting the Mokotakan Indigenous Ecomuseum. We are next to 526 km² (207 sq. mi.) of nature in the Mauricie National Park. In a day, you’ll be able to hike only a few trails, and go canoeing and swimming.

Late afternoon is the perfect time to fly over the region and its lake-spotted forest aboard a Hydravion Aventure seaplane. Its seaplane base is located in Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, south of Shawinigan.

The day ends with a check-in at the comfortable Delta Hotel, in downtown Trois-Rivières. You’ll soon be ready to take in the city’s cafés or bars if you’re not too tired after spending the whole day outdoors.

There is a sugar shack that is open year-round, not just in the spring! At the Cabane à sucre Chez Dany, Québec customs are very much alive, including traditional music, meals based on maple syrup and taffy on snow.

At times running along the St. Lawrence River, King’s Road is the country’s oldest ridable road. It’s an attraction in and of itself, with heritage buildings as well as the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum in Berthierville, honouring a car racing legend.

Our trip ends with a stop at the Musée d’art de Joliette. You wouldn’t know that this was one of Québec’s most important art museums. It’s worth taking the time to discover its contemporary art collections and its activities.