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Saint-Michel-des-Saints Voyage Tips and guide

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    Saint-Michel-des-Saints (in Atikamekw: Matawak) is a super-recreational tourism municipality encompassing a large portion of the magnificent Taureau Reservoir and a segment of the Matawin River. This municipality, with its many tourist attractions, is part of the Matawinie Regional County Municipality (MRC) in the Lanaudière administrative 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.;
    • Sports and recreation facilities: library, municipal parks, community halls, etc.;
    • Programming of community, cultural (libraries, workshops), sports, and tourism activities/events.

    Understand

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    Village landscape

    Geography

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    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

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    By bus

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    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

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    Routes from major cities
    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

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    • 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. Saint-Michel-des-Saints Aerodrome (Q3914702) on Wikidata Saint-Michel-des-Saints Aerodrome on Wikipedia (updated Jul 2025)
    • 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. (updated Jul 2025)

    Get around

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    Map
    Map of Saint-Michel-des-Saints

    See

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    • 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. (updated Jun 2025)
    • 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. (updated Jun 2025)

    Tours

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    Places of worship

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    Do

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    Water activities

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    Land Activities

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    Events

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    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. (updated Jul 2025)
    • 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! (updated Jul 2025)
    • 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. (updated Jul 2025)
    • Festival Mémoire et Racines (Memory and Roots Festival). Annually, the last weekend of July. (updated Jul 2025)
    • 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. (updated Jul 2025)

    Hiking Trails

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    • 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. (updated May 2025)

    Events

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    • 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. 

    Buy

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    • 1 Boulangerie St-Michel Enr, 681 Rue Brassard (on Route 131), ☏ +1 450-833-6633. Bakery. Takeout orders. (updated May 2025)

    Eat

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    Restaurants

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    Fast Food Restaurants

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    Drink

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    Sleep

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    Hotels

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    Inns

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    • 2 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. (updated May 2025)
    • 3 Auberge Kan à Mouche, 7639 Chem. Brassard, ☏ +1 450-833-6662. Three-star inn. (updated May 2025)

    Cottages and B&Bs

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    The Saint-Michel-des-Saints region offers numerous accommodation options, including cottages, condos, and more.

    Campground

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    Outfitters

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    ZEC (Controlled Harvesting Zones / Zones d'exploitation contrôlée)

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    • 14 Zec Lavigne, 1611 Chem. Matawin O, ☏ +1 450-421-4258. (updated May 2025)
    • 15 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. Controlled Harvesting Zone (ZEC). (updated May 2025)
    • 16 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. (updated May 2025)

    Connect

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    • 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. The MRC reminds the public that 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

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    Municipal services

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    Recreation
    • 1 Saint-Michel-des-Saints Library, 390 Matawin Street, ☏ +1 450-833-5471, . This library is affiliated with the Lanaudière BIBLIO Network, offering various digital services online. (updated May 2025)
    • 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. (updated May 2025)

    Go next

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    Routes through Saint-Michel-des-Saints
    FIN ←  N  S  → Joliette → Lavaltrie


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