Spanning northwestern Québec and eastern Ontario, this vast region, boasting some 22,000 lakes and rivers, covers two territories bearing Anishinabe names (from the Algonquin family of languages): Témiscamingue (deep water) and Abitibi (where the waters divide).
How to get there
Distance between main cities
Did you know?
To be discovered absolutely
Abitibi-Témiscamingue has something for everyone, whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, wildlife aficionado or culture buff.
Parc national d’Opémican
It’s not every day that a national park of this scale “opens its doors”… welcoming visitors into a world of pristine forests, lakes, rivers and islands.
Discover everything this new, giant playground has to offer: hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking and camping. You can even enjoy a whitewater rapids adventure down Rivière Kipawa, with its 90-m (295- ft.) drop over 16 km (10 mi.).
The park was named one of the coolest things opening around the world in 2019.
Covering 250 km2 (97 sq. mi.) and three sectors, and located at the juncture of the boreal and deciduous forests, Parc national d’Opémican boasts a rich biodiversity. Its territory is bordered by Lac Kipawa and Lake Timiskaming, a widening of the Ottawa River. Bearing witness to the 6,000-year-long presence of the Algonquin people and the forest industry with its log drives, the park also features archeological remains and is steeped in history and legends.
Refuge Pageau
Meet the Dr. Doolittle of the forest: Michel Pageau. Imagine a place where wounded or orphaned animals are sheltered, cared for and then released back into the wild. That place would be Refuge Pageau! Not only does the shelter restore resident animals to good health, it offers a fascinating experience to visitors, who are able to get a close glimpse of—and sometimes even touch—moose, partridge, wolves and other wil.
Since not all the animals get released, you may bump into a few along the wooded path that winds through the site, including Chewbacca the porcupine and Tiby the moose. Every animal is named and has its own story. Take the guided tour to learn more. The shelter is a wonderful reflection of Michel Pageau’s passionate life.
Refuge Pageau can accommodate up to 200 wild animals.
Emerging Music Festival
The Emerging Music Festival is an end-of-summer must, featuring four days of entertainment from all musical horizons: rock, metal, hip-hop, punk, alternative, indie... Over 60 artists from Québec, elsewhere in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Close to 120 concerts, including free shows (announced last minute on the festival’s mobile app), performed in some 40 different venues. The festive and friendly ambiance is yours to enjoy.
Creating this festival was a bold move: In 2003, the young organizers invited up-and-coming artists to perform in Abitibi. Guests were housed at an outfitter and shows were arranged for them in Rouyn-Noranda. Who would have thought that this idea of attracting emerging musical talent to an outlying area would morph into an ongoing, international-scale event?
The EMF is eco-friendly: reusable water bottles, water fountains for filling them, etc.
