Saint-Michel-des-Saints (in Atikamekw: Matawak) encompasses a large portion of the magnificent Taureau Reservoir and a segment of the Matawin River in the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Canada.
Saint-Michel-des-Saints is known for its extensive recreational tourism offerings. The main attractions are:
- water sports on Taureau Lake (boating, canoeing, fishing, docks, boat launches, fishing, cruises), as well as waterfront attractions (numerous sandy beaches, parks, hiking trails, etc.);
- Resorts: cottage and condo rental services are well developed;
- Camping;
- Controlled Harvesting Zones (ZECs) offering accommodations (camping, camps, etc.) and numerous forestry activities (hunting, fishing, excursions, swimming, wild berry picking, boating, family vacations, etc.);
- Recreational tourism expeditions: lake cruises, dog sledding excursions, ATV and snowmobile excursions, etc.
Understand
[edit]
Geography
[edit]The distance by water (by the shortest route) between the Taureau Reservoir dam and the confluence of the Matawin River upstream (north side of the village) is 33 km. This vast 95 km² body of water offers numerous natural attractions (bays, beaches, surrounding mountains, forested surroundings, islands) and numerous water activities.
The upper reaches of the Matawin River, coming from the southwest, meander through the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints from south to north.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]Route 32 - Joliette / Saint-Michel-des-Saints covers a 97.1-km route. The municipalities served along the route are: Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Saint-Zénon, Sainte-Émélie-de-l'Énergie, Saint-Jean-de-Matha, Saint-Félix-de-Valois, Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Notre-Dame-des-Prairies and Joliette. Information: Click here.
In car
[edit]| Ville | Distance by road (en km) |
Routes to follow |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | 165 | A-25 (north); A-40 (east); A31 (north); route 131 (north) |
| Joliette | 97,1 | route 131 (north) via Sainte-Émélie-de-l'Énergie |
| Manawan | 88,1 | chemin Manawan (north) |
By plane
[edit]- 1 Saint-Michel-des-Saints Aerodrome (' IATA), chemin Kataway (7.1 km west of the village centre). Public airport operated by the municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Saints. Elevation: 418 m. A 914-m gravel runway.There are unhandled parameters: facebook;
- 2 Hydrobase du Lac Kaiagamac (' IATA) (3.4 km south of the village centre along Route 131). Kaiagamac Lake is 2.45 km long and has a maximum width of 1.0 km.There are unhandled parameters: facebook; wikipédia;
Get around
[edit]
Map of Saint-Michel-des-Saints
See
[edit]- 1 Chute à Ménard, 90 Chem. du Lac-Taureau. A footbridge overlooks the falls, the mouth of the stream, and a bay in Lac Taureau.
- Maison Longpré. Building dedicated to cultural, recreational, and community activities. The site has parking and a bike path. Visitors can rent watercraft to paddle down the Matawin River. Visitors can purchase artisanal products on site (e.g., soaps, bath bombs, bath milks and salts, lip balm, etc.). Visitors can also reserve a rustic campsite located on Baribeau Island.There are unhandled parameters: Schedule; Direction; Phone; Price; Latitude; Address; Longitude; Fax;
Tours
[edit]- 2 Les Croisières du Lac Taureau, Chem. du Quai (Baie Dominique), ☏ +1 450-883-2730. Cruise service on Lac Taureau.
Places of worship
[edit]- 3 Church of Saint Michael of the Saints, 401 Rue Brassard, ☏ +1 450-833-6777. Catholic church.There are unhandled parameters: 1;
Do
[edit]Water activities
[edit]- 1 Saint-Michel-des-Saints Municipal Beach, 351 Chemin du Lac-Taureau, ☏ +1 450-886-4502.There are unhandled parameters: description;
- 2 Boat launch on the south shore of Lac Taureau, 150 Chem. du Lac-Taureau.
- 3 Port Saint Michel, 401 Chem. du Lac-Taureau, ☏ +1-514-953-2833. Marina, seaplane base, restaurant.There are unhandled parameters: Price; Fax; Directions;
- Lac Taureau Boat Rentals. Boat rental dock.There are unhandled parameters: Alt; URL; Phone; Lat; Email; Long; Fax; Address; Price; Directions;
- 4 Marina Pointe-Fine Inc, 1260 Chemin de la Pointe-Fine, ☏ +1 450-833-5791. Marina on the south shore of Ignace Bay in the Taureau Reservoir.
- 5 Lac Taureau Boat Launch (on the west shore of Ignace Bay, Lac Taureau). Boat launch.There are unhandled parameters: Alt; Price; Phone; Url; Email; Address; Fax;
Land activities
[edit]- 6 Golf Lac Taureau, 220 Chemin du Mont-Trinité (on the east side of the village). Golf course.
- Évasion Nature Expéditions K9. Dog sledding service.There are unhandled parameters: Phone; Lat; Long; Address; Fax; Directions;
- Snowmobile rental company.There are unhandled parameters: Alt; URL; Phone; Lat; Email; Long; Fax; Name; Address; lstedit; Directions;
Events
[edit]The local events calendar is available on the town's website at: [Calendrar
- Fête nationale du Québec (Quebec National Day). Annually, around June 24. Large public celebration with fireworks.There are unhandled parameters: 1;
- Festival-Glace de Joliette (Joliette Ice Festival). This winter festival has been maintaining the tradition and reputation of our region for many years. With the natural skating rink on the L'Assomption River now closed, these winter celebrations will now take place along the banks of the L'Assomption River. A seasonal festival perfect for families everywhere!
- Festival de Lanaudière (musique) (Lanaudière Festival (music)). Annually, generally throughout July, until the beginning of August. The Lanaudière Festival is the largest classical music festival in Canada. An internationally renowned event with prestigious musical artists.
- Festival Mémoire et Racines (Memory and Roots Festival). Annually, the last weekend of July.
- Festival du Rire de Joliette (Joliette Comedy Festival). Annually, the 4th weekend of August. Every year, for three days, more than 40 comedians and some twenty shows are presented in six venues. This festival brings downtown Joliette to life, transforming it into the comedy capital of the Lanaudière region.
Hiking trails
[edit]- 7 Cross-country ski and snowshoe trail (snowshoe trail accessible from the recreation chalet; this trail is next to the Serge Dessureault Recreation Park, behind the ball field; follow the signs and the red-orange ribbons). This cross-country ski trail is 6.7 km long (round trip). The estimated duration is 30 minutes. Snowshoe and cross-country ski rental services for children and adults are also available at the recreation chalet.
- Hiking Trail (Lac Taureau-Baie Dominique). 4.6-km trail. Difficulty level: beginner, intermediate. Walkers also have the opportunity to complete a 3.1-km loop.There are unhandled parameters: direction;
- Baie-du-Milieu Trail. 5.5-km trail. Difficulty level: beginner, intermediate. This trail connects to the Baie-Dominique trail. Developed lookout. Magnificent view of Baie-du-Milieu.
- Les sentiers du Lac Taureau (The trails of Lac Taureau). Trails developed in collaboration with the Auberge du Lac Taureau. This network includes 23 km of multi-use trails (hiking, mountain biking) for beginners and intermediate levels. Walkers particularly enjoy the popular Beach Trail, which connects Baie-du-Milieu to the Auberge du Lac Taureau.
- Sentier de l'Île Jaune (Yellow Island Trail). This hiking trail circles Île Jaune, passing through mature forest, beaches, and exceptional wetlands. This trail features two lookouts.
- 8 Village Island Trail. This interpretive trail explores regional history through interpretive panels. Walkers discover Village Island and the nostalgic history of Saint-Ignace-du-Lac, a village that disappeared underwater in 1931 during the construction of the dam that created the Taureau Reservoir. Accessible by watercraft only or via Les Croisières du Lac Taureau. Village Island has Normandy Beach at its southern tip.There are unhandled parameters: Price; Fax;
- 9 Espace Nature Haute-Matawinie (Haute-Matawinie Nature Area), 1501 Chem. de la Sagacité, Matawinie (on the south side of the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints). Nature park.There are unhandled parameters: Price; Fax;
Events
[edit]- 10 Boat Fest, chemin de la Pointe-Fine E (on Pointe-Fine (end of a peninsula attached to the south shore of Lac Taureau)), ☏ +1 450-803-3410. Mid-July. Organized by Évènement St-Michel, in collaboration with Club Motoneige St-Michel #677.
- Le Rendez-vous Country 2025, Rue Brassard, ☏ +1 450-365-4286. The 12th edition takes place from August 28 to 31, 2025. Singers on site, bar service from Resto-Bar Le Pub 111 and food. Several exhibitors. Main activities: bingo night, outdoor line dancing, various activities in the heart of the village, and shows.There are unhandled parameters: direction; ulastedit;
Buy
[edit]- 1 Boulangerie St-Michel Enr, 681 Rue Brassard (on Route 131), ☏ +1 450-833-6633. Bakery. Takeout orders.There are unhandled parameters: prices;
Eat
[edit]Restaurants
[edit]- 1 Crèmerie Saint-Michel, 300 Rue Brassard, ☏ +1-514-250-8592. Ice cream counter. Takeout orders.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- 2 Le Pub 111, 111 Rue Brassard, ☏ +1 450-833-6222. Restaurant. Dine-in. Takeout. Delivery.There are unhandled parameters: direction; departure; arrival;
- 3 Au Vieux Moulin à Scie, 340 Rue Saint-Maurice E, ☏ +1 450-833-6656. Restaurant.There are unhandled parameters: Price; Departure; Arrival; Fax; Directions;
Fast Food Restaurants
[edit]- 4 Casse-Croute DiDi, 201 Rue Brassard (near the river), ☏ +1 450-833-6622. Restaurant. Dine-in. Takeout.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
Drink
[edit]- 1 Microbrasserie du Taureau, 862 Rue Brassard, ☏ +1 579-424-0125. Craft brewery. Dine-in. Takeout orders.
Sleep
[edit]Hotels
[edit]- 1 Hôtel St-Michel, 199 Brassard (on the south side of the village), ☏ +1 450-833-1616. Free laundry. Breakfast available ($10).
- 2 Hôtel Central, 510 Rue Brassard (in the heart of the village), ☏ +1 450-833-1331, toll-free: +1-877-833-1331. Pool, indoor spa, bar, and restaurant. Double from $95.
Inns
[edit]- 3 Auberge du Lac Taureau, 1200 Chem. de la Baie-du-Milieu (15 km from Route 131), ☏ +1 450-870-0133. Four-star inn. Rustic and chic hotel complex housed in log buildings overlooking Lac Taureau. Located in a forested area, this inn offers a vacation, business meeting, and conference experience. Main attractions: indoor and outdoor pools, hiking trails, marina, beach, chalets, excursions, and more.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- 4 Auberge Kan à Mouche, 7639 Chem. Brassard, ☏ +1 450-833-6662. Three-star inn.There are unhandled parameters: direction; departure; arrival;
Cottages and B&Bs
[edit]The Saint-Michel-des-Saints region offers numerous accommodation options, including cottages and condos.
- 5 Auberge Kan à Mouche, 7639 Chem. Brassard (on the north shore of Lake Carmelle), ☏ +1 450-833-6662. Three-star hotel.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- 6 Yogi Inn, 1090 Rue Laforest, ☏ +1 450-833-1663. Group retreat centre.There are unhandled parameters: direction; departure; arrival;
- 7 La Villageoise, Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 740 Rue Brassard, ☏ +1 514-235-6126. Vacation home.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- 8 Au P'tit Gibier, 7920 Chem. du Lac-Kaiagamac, ☏ +1 877-833-6714. Tourist B&B.There are unhandled parameters: direction; departure; arrival;
- 9 Chalet Famille Marleau, Chem. des Pins (on the east shore of England Lake). Tourist B&B.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- 10 Aventures El Toro, 30 Chem. Des Quenouilles, ☏ +1 450-547-8978. Cottage rental agency.There are unhandled parameters: direction; departure; arrival;
- 11 Amisk Aventure (Administrative Office), 90 Chem. Bruneau, ☏ +1 514-889-1706. Chalet rental.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- 12 Chalet Lac Taureau, Chem. des Conifères. Non-smoking vacation home.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
Campground
[edit]- 13 Taureau Lake Municipal Campground, 350, chemin du Lac Taureau (at the end of a small bay on the south shore of Dominique Bay), ☏ +1 450-833-1161. Campground offering a superb sandy beach.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
Outfitters
[edit]- 14 Pourvoirie du Milieu, 8040 Chem. Brassard, ☏ +1 450-833-5335. Hunting and fishing outfitter.There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- Pourvoirie Richard. Hunting outfitter.There are unhandled parameters: Price; Departure; Long; Arrival; Phone; Lat; Address; Fax; Directions;
- Hunting outfitter.There are unhandled parameters: Alt; URL; Phone; Lat; Email; Long; Name; Address; Directions;
ZEC (Controlled Harvesting Zones / Zones d'exploitation contrôlée)
[edit]- 15 Zec Lavigne, 1611 Chem. Matawin O, ☏ +1 450-421-4258. There are unhandled parameters: direction; departure; arrival;
- 16 Zec Collin, 8370 chemin Brassard (main office on the south side of the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints, along Route 131), ☏ +1 450-833-5195. There are unhandled parameters: departure; arrival;
- 17 ZEC des Nymphes (Zénon post), 4320 Chem. Brassard (reception centre between the villages of Saint-Zénon and Saint-Émélie-de-l'Énergie), ☏ +1 450-889-8796.There are unhandled parameters: description; departure; arrival;
Connect
[edit]- Saint-Michel-des-Saints posts a calendar of activities on the town's website.
- [https://www.sopfeu.qc.ca/carte/ SOPFEU - map to see the fire danger index, restrictions in effect, and active forest fires. It is prohibited to light or keep a fire burning in the open air or on recreational sites when a fire ban notice is issued by the SOPFEU.
Cope
[edit]- 1 Saint-Michel-des-Saints Library, 390 Matawin Street, ☏ +1 450-833-5471, [email protected]. This library is affiliated with the Lanaudière BIBLIO Network, offering various digital services online.There are unhandled parameters: direction; facebook;
- 2 Serge-Dessureault Recreation Park, 195 Rue Chagnon, ☏ +1 450-886-4502. A park is designated for children. Main recreational facilities: play structures, a basketball court, a baseball field, splash pads, a skate park, a soccer field and a double tennis court, an outdoor skating rink, an asphalt pump track, a pickleball court, and a running track.There are unhandled parameters: direction;
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Saint-Michel-des-Saints |
| FIN ← | N  S
|
→ Joliette → Lavaltrie |