Saint-Michel-Des-Saints

Saint-Michel-des-Saints is a destination for varied days spent by the water, on hiking trails, and discovering the region’s history. Lac Taureau shapes the range of experiences on offer: you can explore the lake from the water, spend time on its sandy shores, or discover trails through a wide variety of landscapes. When planning your stay, it is therefore worth first considering whether you would rather focus on boat tours, active days on land, or culture and history.

Lac Taureau: Sandy Shores and Experiences on the Water

Lac Taureau is a 95 km² reservoir with almost 270 kilometres of shoreline. More than 32 kilometres of sandy shores are used for swimming and recreational boating. At Parc régional du Lac Taureau, you can rent non-motorized canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards at the Baie-du-Milieu reception post. If you would rather stay aboard, Croisières Lac Taureau offers trips with 360-degree panoramic views. Stops are included depending on the cruise you choose, so the options also differ in whether you want to focus mainly on the journey or spend time at a particular place.

One special option is the Croisière au Barrage du Lac Taureau. It includes a 45-minute visit to Barrage Matawin, accompanied by experienced guides, where interpretive information panels are displayed. The Croisière à l’île du Village includes a landing on the beach and a stay of about 60 minutes on the island. These specific differences can help you choose between a guided visit and time on the island for your trip.

Hiking Trails for Different Interests

The 23-kilometre trail network at Parc régional du Lac Taureau is suitable for hiking and mountain biking. The trails range from easy to difficult and are suitable for beginners and experienced visitors. Snowshoeing, dog sledding, and cross-country skiing are also among the activities available there. If you are planning a family trip, this variety offers different ideas for days on land, without everyone needing to choose the same pace or type of outing.

The individual trails offer their own distinctive landscapes: the Sentier de l’Île Jaune loops around the island through mature forest, along beaches, and through wetlands; two viewpoints add to the hike. The Sentier de la Baie-du-Milieu is 5.5 kilometres long, connects with the Sentier de la Baie-Dominique, and offers a viewpoint over Baie-du-Milieu. This gives you a choice between a loop through varied natural settings and a trail with a clearly specified length and a viewpoint.

History Revealed from the Water

The Taureau reservoir fundamentally changed the history of the area. The government approved its creation in 1931; construction of the dam on the Rivière Matawin flooded, among other things, the entire village of Saint-Ignace-du-Lac. The Sentier de l’île du Village interpretive trail tells the story of the vanished village. Note the special access arrangements for this outing: the trail can only be reached by watercraft or via Les Croisières du Lac Taureau.

The two-hour historical cruise aboard Le Saindon also focuses on local history. It is available on request for groups and covers Saint-Michel-des-Saints as well as the heritage of the forestry industry, which was the region’s economic driver for a long time. Another historical site is the Église de Saint-Michel-des-Saints, a religious heritage property in the municipality. Its construction is dated to around 1924.

More Options for Active Days

Saint-Michel-des-Saints is also home to Golf Lac Taureau: the golf course is more than 6,600 yards long, offers views of Mont Trinité, and is bordered by the Rivière Sauvage. Those interested in fishing can explore several fishing spots on lakes or rivers in a wilderness setting during a stay at Pourvoirie Pignon Rouge Mokocan. You can also take a watercraft trip on the Rivière Matawin, departing from Maison Longpré with Jeunes Entrepreneurs de la Haute Matawinie (JEHM). The options therefore include golf, fishing, and a river trip, in addition to trails and cruises.

When looking for a vacation rental in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, you can choose based on the focus of your planned vacation: the lake and boat tours, hiking trails, history, or other activities. This lets you choose accommodation based on the experiences that interest you most on this trip.

More Destinations

If you’d like to discover other places: Entrelacs, Saint-Jean-De-Matha, Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, Saint-Zénon, Sainte-Béatrix, Saint-Damien, Saint-Donat-De-Montcalm, Saint-Côme.

For the broader travel overview: Matawinie.