Exploring the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region

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Wild flowers in Parc national d’Opémican

Kabane Rose

Fort-Témiscamingue

Casse-Croûte in Ville-Marie

A short hike in Opémican

Livresse bookshop café

Murals in Rouyn-Noranda

Iced coffee from St-Honoré

Abitibi-Témiscamingue is known for its pristine rugged landscapes, thousands of lakes, and incredible hiking, fishing, and hunting. It’s an outdoor adventurist’s dream destination – but there is more to discover and enjoy in the region. There are intriguing historic sites, charming villages, a thriving arts scene, good food, and incredibly friendly locals.

It’s easy to fall in love with Abitibi-Témiscamingue, especially if you arrive with an open mind, ready to embrace whatever adventures come your way.

[see the full map here]

Abitibi-Témiscamingue Highlights

Rouyn-Noranda

Obadjiwan Fort-Témiscamingue

Parc national d’Opémican

Ville-Marie

Musée d’Art de Rouyn-Noranda

Station Boréale

Miellerie de la Grande Ourse

A little Abitibi-Témiscamingue History

Located on a watershed divide (best seen in Parc national d’Aiguebelle), Abitibi-Témiscamingue is the ancestral land of the Algonquin and Cree tribes. In the Algonquin language Abitibi means ‘where the water divides’ and Témiscamingue means ‘place of deep waters’. The first European explorer to visit the area was Pierre-Esprit Radisson in 1670. Radisson was a French fur trader and along with fellow trader Médard des Groseilliers played an integral role in the creation of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Fort Témiscamingue was built on Anishinaabe lands off the shores of Lake Timiskaming in 1720. Abitibi was the fur trading base owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company until 1868 when Canada bought the area. Thirty years later it was annexed to Quebec (Témiscamingue was already a part of the province).

Gold and copper were discovered in the area in the early 19th century, which ushered in an era of mining and the creation of the region’s two largest cities, Rouyn-Noranda and Val d’Or. The population boom happened in the 1950s and 1960s – seen in much of the architecture, especially in Rouyn-Noranda.

Today, Abitibi-Témiscamingue remains a resource for logging and minerals. It’s actively trying to reverse some of the negative environmental impacts of these industries.

Abitibi-Témiscamingue Articles

Falling In Love with Rouyn-Noranda

I fell in love with the Rouyn-Noranda within a few hours of my arrival from Ville-Marie. Here’s everything I did in 24 hours!

Road Trip Guide: 4 Days in Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Attention road-trippers, Abitibi-Témiscamingue in North Quebec is a fabulous way to travel from Ontario to Quebec City! Get ready for beauty, culture, food, art

road trip abitibi-témiscamingue

This mini guide features a 4-day road trip itinerary based on my travels in the region. It’s a perfect starter trip, which may have you planning a return before you’re done!

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Abitibi-Témiscamingue Travel Planning Resources

Snuggling against the Ontario border just north of North Bay, Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a great way to travel to Quebec City – albeit a long way (ha!). Even better, for Ontarians, it’s a perfect region for a weekend getaway or small road trip adventure.

It’s an 8-10 hour drive to Abitibi-Témiscamingue from Quebec City, making it an ideal destination for a fun road trip adventure or a long weekend getaway. When I’m planning a trip to this region of Quebec, I scour Instagram and Google Maps, look at tourism websites, and ask friends for advice.

Here are some of the resources I use that you may find helpful.

Tourisme Abitibi-Témiscamingue has a wonderful website that’s easy to use and filled with great tips. I love that their tourism guide and maps are available for download.

Sépaq is Quebec’s national parks operator, handling 29 provinces’ parks, including two in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Visit the website for information on fees, hours of operation, etc.

Parks Canada operates several historic sites and parks, including one in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Visit the website for information on fees, hours of operation, etc.

National Geographic: National Historic Sites of Canada: This little guidebook is one of my favourites. It’s filled with gorgeous photos, histories, and fascinating details on Canada’s National Historic Sites.

DK Eyewitness Canada: I love the DK Eyewitness guidebooks, they are filled with interesting histories and detailed diagrams and maps. It’s great for kids and adults who want to dig deeper.

Abitibi-Témiscamingue