The prospectors, settlers and adventurers are
the pioneers of this vast territory (116 000 square km ) located
in the Northern part of the Quebec territory. Ontario,
Outaouais, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Northern Quebec/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 country.
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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
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very good, and, just like the generosity of its
fellow-citizens, the portions are generous. |
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 to 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. 25 percent
of the population's work force get their 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.
City 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 the 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 to modern life. Fortunately, the
extraction techniques of the ore were 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 searches 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 remnants of an old trading post.. The
commercial activities lasted for 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 iinvites you to a course in history.
(La Corne, Abitibi)
Relive the history of timber floating, in the
Témiscamingue region, board the T.E. Draper with
skilled 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 be
missed, 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 with you.
Channeled energy
The regional Hydro-Quebec center (Rouyn-Noranda, Abitibi)
and the power station of Premières Chutes (Notre-Dame-du-Nord,
Témiscamingue) offer guided tours . Reservations can be
made at the tourist information office. Flat and closed
shoes required. Free.
Global Reservation: Lodging and accomodation, Abitibi-Témiscamingue region
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