The tourist area of Abitibi-Témiscamingue

The prospectors, settlers and adventurers are the pioneers of this vast area (116 000 square km) located in the northern part of the Québécois territory. Ontario, Outaouais, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Nord-du-Québec/Nunavuk border Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The témiscabitiens are proud and robust people, with hearts as big as the territory they live on. They never hesitate to devote their energy for the prosperity of their county.

Abitibi and Témiscamingue complement each other. The first is harsher, land of mines, metal industries and forests, whereas the latter is rather delicate, primarily rural, where lakes and farms make up the landscape.

The architecture of this region is astonishing. The lodging facilities are varied in order to meet the various needs of its visitors. Restaurants are well quoted, and, just like the generosity of its fellow-citizens, the portions are generous.

Accommodation

Golfing

In 1998, there were some 400 farms including 9 sheep-folds on the territory of Témiscamingue.

Not to be missed: Témiscamingue's local cheese, as well as the Lamb Festival which is held in June.

Nicely covered

The region with its 100 000 lakes, has the greatest concentration of covered bridges in the province of Quebec. There are 22 of them; witnesses of many lovers' first kiss, away from indiscreet eyes. Originally, bridges were covered to protect them from bad weather; built during the " big crash" (1929), the funds were obtained from the governments and were meant to create jobs rather than to develop the region.

Some people called them ''settlers bridges or recession bridges ''.

Abitibi, mining country

Copper and zinc abound in the region's subsoil. Twenty five percent of the population's work force obtains its revenue directly or indirectly from the mining industry. In 1998, 25 mines were in operation , generating yearly incomes of close to 2 billion dollars. Rouyn-Noranda is the national capital of copper.

Town of Amos

Well worth the experience!

It's fascinating yet frightful to descend into the earth's inner space, to listen to the pulse of night life, where the dampness goes right through you; these closed-down mines, where man, guided only by his courage but often to the detriment of his health, extracted small pieces of rock containing treasures with shiny facets, so essential now in modern life. Fortunately, the extraction techniques of the ore developed considerably, facilitating the life of the miners. To fully appreciate your underground adventure, it's important to wear warm clothing. (Abitibi)

The less adventurous can make more usual activities like golfing or visit museums and ore-interpretation centers which explain the various stages, from prospection to transformation. A visit to a metallurgy center is also possible in which case one must wear trousers, long sleeves and closed shoes.

A talkative background

Make a detour to the public library of Gallichan, the Joseph Bérubé collection holds a series of various objects, the result of archaeological digs undertaken in the Sixties. Mr. Bérubé discovered 5 American Indian sites and a French trading post around the Abitibi lake. (Abitibi)

The national historical site of Fort-Témiscamingue includes the vestiges of an old trading post. The commercial activities lasted nearly 2 centuries. (Témiscamingue)

The Opémican corporation takes its visitors back to the last centuries. The inn built in 1883, accommodated the raftsmen and the workers of this old nautical center and the boat and wharf repair center.(Témiscamingue)

The "centre thématique fossilière" traces back the marine life of 480 million years ago. (Témiscamingue)

One day reenactment

During summertime, actors Jos and Agnès Dumulon welcome you at the Dumulon House; a tourist site composed of a period general store and post office. (Abitibi)

The nurse's dispensary, where for 40 years, Gertrude Duchemin acted as nurse, midwife, veterinary surgeon and administrator, invites you for a course in history. (La Corne, Abitibi)

Relive the history of timber floating, in the Témiscamingue region, board the T.E. Draper with entertaining guides and visit Gédéon's lumber camp. (Angliers, Témiscamingue)

Art is beautiful

The arts are very present in Abitibi-Témiscamingue; in the fall, Rouyn-Noranda is the host of the International cinema festival, much appreciated by fans of the silver screen. Permanent and mobile art and cultural exhibits are omnipresent in the more important suburbs. Not to miss, the Visual Arts Symposium, a recent but novel and audacious event.

Craftsmen (artists, jewellers and others) using local ressources, produce beautiful souvenirs to take back.

Channeled energy

The regional Hydro-Quebec center (Rouyn-Noranda, Abitibi) and the power station of Premieres Chutes (Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Témiscamingue) offer guided tours. Reservations to be made at the tourist information office. Flat and closed shoes required. Free.