As told to Le Québec maritime
Located in the interior of the region of Bas-Saint-Laurent only two and a half hours northeast of Québec City, Témiscouata is a unique vacation destination. Much to the delight of parents, this region has something to offer the whole family, from energetic younger children to teens who are difficult to impress.
Getting there is easy: take Highway 20 to Rivière-du-Loup or Highway 2 in New Brunswick to the Québec border, and then Route 185, which crosses the Témiscouata region. If you are coming from Maine, there are several roads that will take you Témiscouata. You can also explore the region by bike via the Petit Témis Interprovincial Linear Park, a 135-km (85-mi.) trail through urban and rural areas dotted with inns, campgrounds and tourist attractions.
An immense playground
“Living in Témiscouata is like being on vacation year-round,” says Denis Ouellet, director of the new Lake Témiscouata National Park. “After spending several years elsewhere, I appreciate the proximity of nature all the more. Témiscouata is a true paradise for hiking, hunting, fishing, cycling, skiing and snowshoeing, not to mention water activities of all kinds—Lake Témiscouata, which is nearly 115 km2 (45 sq. mi.), is big enough to be an inland sea.”
Active for many years in developing tourism in Témiscouata, Ouellet is proud of the tourism boom in his region—and for good reason. Few regions have so many new attractions to offer within such a small area.
New and existing attractions
“The
Pohénégamook Santé Plein Air resort is well known for the many activities it offers. In the 1990s, after the Temiscouata Railway was shut down, the old railway tracks from Rivière-du-Loup to Edmunston, New Brunswick, were converted into a section of the Route Verte cycling trail. This is a superb ride. The trail runs along Lake Témiscouata, which means cyclists can stop for a dip along the way, and its slope is never greater than 3%. Because of all the cycle tourists, several lovely inns and excellent restaurants have sprung up in the villages along the trail.”
From there, momentum quickly built, and various projects developed to capitalize on the region’s immense potential. “At the end of the 1990s, the Témiscouata Valley Golf Club opened its doors. Then the Bas-Saint-Laurent region built a segment of the National Trail, which runs for 144 km (90 mi.) from Trois-Pistoles to Dégelis. Most of the trail is in Lake Témiscouata National Park, which was created in 2009.”
The creation of this park has strengthened the region’s reputation as a nature destination. The region of Bas-Saint-Laurent is now home to two of Québec maritime’s ten national parks.
Lake Témiscouata National Park will finally open its doors to visitors in summer 2013, explains Ouellet. “Our interpretive and educational activities will focus on the historic significance of this area. It’s one of our main draws.”
Nearly 40 archaeological sites have been discovered within park boundaries, almost all of which are intact. Subject to border disputes between the British and the U.S., the area around Lake Témiscouata has been used throughout the years first as hunting and fishing grounds by First Nations peoples, then as a transportation route during the French regime, then as a refuge for the nature conservationist Grey Owl, and finally as a logging site, before being protected by the park.
About $30 million will be invested in the park to develop interpretive activities and services that help visitors discover the region’s attractions. “Hiking trails and boating areas will allow visitors to explore this exceptional protected area, which showcases Lake Témiscouata, but also forests of red and white pine, beavers and bald eagles. The park will also offer various lodging options and winter activities,” says Ouellet.
Other local attractions for the whole family
Another must-see family attraction is the new
Parc-Aventure Mont-Citadelle, which opened on June 29 this year. This adventure park offers unique and fun activities for the whole family, including Devalkarts, a miniature port, a giant zip line and crosskates!
Since vacations are also a time to indulge, visitors won’t want to miss the Fromagerie Le Détour cheese shop and the
Domaine Acer maple economuseum, which offers alcoholic beverages prepared with map sap. Both are worth discovering!
Friendly people
“What we offer is certainly representative of our region: it’s dynamic, friendly and accessible,” concludes Ouellet. With such an extensive program of activities, there is no doubt that Témiscouata will quickly go from being the region’s best-kept secret to a sought-after family destination!
Summer 