Ville-Marie between history, culture and culinary delights

Ville-Marie brings together local history, culture, regional specialties and routes for active days. Its oldest surviving building, a biennial miniature art exhibition, chocolate-making and Parc du Centenaire each offer something different. When planning your stay, consider whether history, culinary discoveries, cycling or time by the water will shape your itinerary. These interests can also help guide your search for a vacation rental in Ville-Marie.

History that lives on in a house

Maison du Frère-Moffet is the oldest surviving building in Ville-Marie. It was designated in 1978; the following year, it was moved to a property provided by the Ville-Marie parish near Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire Church and its presbytery. After a complete restoration, the house opened to the public in 1980. Known as Maison du Colon, it serves as an interpretation site for the Société d’histoire du Témiscamingue. The sequence of relocation, restoration and opening to the public makes the house’s history a subject of the visit in its own right.

Audio-guided tours focus on the pioneers and their families. Also associated with the Maison is “Le Secret Encré,” a one-hour augmented-reality game that can be enjoyed in a group, with family or with friends. If you would like to include it in your plans, check in advance whether it will be available during your visit.

Art, performing arts and craftsmanship

Le Rift brings together exhibitions, performances and films in its gallery, theatre and cinema. You can check the specific program before your trip. Since 1992, Le Rift has presented the Biennale internationale d’art miniature in even-numbered years, featuring 500 works by artists from around the world; confirm the date of the next edition before making plans.

Parc des pas perdus is located at the corner of rue Notre-Dame Nord and rue Sainte-Rose. This open-air museum is an initiative of a group of artists from Ville-Marie. Demonstrations of lampworking at La Verrerie de la Montagne offer another perspective on craftsmanship. So, alongside local history, your itinerary can include outdoor art and a glimpse of a traditional craft.

Chocolate, markets and regional tastings

Les Chocolats Martine in Ville-Marie specializes in fine chocolate and pastries. The boutique also carries coffee, cheeses from Québec and other regions, specialty foods, gift ideas and regional products. The public market is in the town hall parking lot, at the intersection of rue Saint-Gabriel Sud and rue Saint-André. The Foire Gourmande pairs tastings of regional products with musical performances in Ville-Marie. These offer different ways to enjoy artisan sweets, a market visit and an event featuring regional tastings; check the event dates in advance for the Foire Gourmande.

Cycling routes and time by the water

The Cyclo-voie de la ligne du Mocassin follows a former railway line as a linear park with a compacted stone-dust surface, connecting Angliers to Ville-Marie via Laverlochère and Lorrainville. The marked trail in Parc linéaire du Témiscamingue, La ligne du Mocassin, is 45 kilometres long; the first 1.4 kilometres are paved. Route verte 2 also begins in Ville-Marie. For a cycling outing, the route between these towns, its length and the change in surface are useful points of reference.

Parc du Centenaire is open year-round. Its facilities include a supervised municipal beach and a 375-metre swimming lane; beach conditions and amenities may vary by season. The park rents pedal boats, single and double kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Ask the municipality about seasonal availability. The park also has an outdoor amphitheatre; if you plan to visit it, briefly check its condition before your visit.

Bicycle taxi rides through the streets of Ville-Marie share anecdotes and introduce notable figures from local history. If this kind of exploration interests you, check in advance whether rides are offered during your travel dates. This lets you choose between a ride on the longer route, an excursion focused on history, or time at the beach or on the water.

Accommodation to suit your travel interests

Suites de la chocolaterie is located in the heart of Ville-Marie and offers four rooms overlooking Lac Témiscamingue. When searching for a vacation rental, the balance you want between culture, regional cuisine and outdoor activities can be a useful starting point. Consider which of these themes you would like to include in your stay, and check the availability of your preferred accommodation for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Bruno-De-Guigues.

Back to the regional travel overview: Témiscamingue.