Ville-Marie

Yes, once upon a time, there was a town in New France or Canada which was called Ville-Marie and which became the largest and the most beautiful city of Quebec… but we are talking here about another town of Ville-Marie, which is located on the shore of Lake Temiscamingue, a large freshwater lake in Abitibi-Temiscamingue region, western Quebec.

Actually, this town of Ville-Marie is a small town with a population of about 2900 and it covers about a surface area of 12 square kilometres, but it’s the largest city in the Temiscamingue county. Besides, Ville Marie is the oldest town in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.

The first religious mission was created here in 1874, and a few colonists settled here in the succeeding years. Thus, in 1897, the village of Ville-Marie was founded and in December, 1962, Ville-Marie was incorporated. Today, Ville-Marie bathes in a unique atmosphere of relaxation and peace, so conducive to vacationing.

Its century-old streets Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Notre-Dame and Sainte-Anne are filled with Victorian homes that bring tourists back to old times. Guests admire a former school of agriculture built of fieldstones. Many years ago, the only way to reach Ville-Marie was a boat Meteor. Today, this famous boat become the emblem of the town of Ville-Marie. The Centenary Park, starting point, The Green bicycle Route, offers a breath-taking view of the lake Temiscamingue. Many festivals and cultural events are held here all the year round. The municipal marina offers various services to the travelers, using the Outaouais River waterway.

Among the attractions of Ville-Marie, you can visit a grotto, situated at the eastern end of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes street, set up in 1904 to the likeness of the grotto in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, in France. The grotto is well known as a place of pilgrimage.

Every year, in mid-August, hundreds of pilgrims flocj here to join in the celebrations.

A top of local belvedere, new-comers get a stunning view of Ville-Marie and Lake Temiscamingue and a short walk away, a pedestrian trail leads to a nice picnic area.

A factory Temlam, of a famous enterprise Tembec is located in Ville-Marie, producing laminated veneer lumber. Guided tours of the Temlam are offered all year, Monday to Friday.

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