When you think of family travel in Quebec, your mind might jump straight to Montreal or the Eastern Townships. But let me drop a pin a little further north for you to consider, to Témiscamingue & Abitibi-Ouest.
Témiscamingue and Abitibi-Ouest, Quebec, are absolutely packed with under-the-radar adventures, meaningful cultural experiences, and wild beauty.
Miss M, Z Man and I spent six days exploring museums in old train stations, camping under the stars in national parks, walking in the footsteps of Indigenous communities and fur traders, sipping strawberry-rhubarb slushies on a farm, and getting our art fix in the coolest little city you’ve probably never heard of: Rouyn-Noranda.
Témiscaming and Abitibi-Ouest are two of the most underrated areas in western Quebec — and I say that as someone who just spent days digging into their lakes, trails, and towns with two curious kids in tow.
Where are Témiscamingue & Abitibi-Ouest?
Témiscamingue and Abitibi-Ouest are two areas in the southwestern part of the larger Abitibi-Témiscamingue region in northwestern Quebec. While Abitibi-Témiscamingue as a whole is renowned for its forests, lakes, and rich Indigenous and cultural heritage, these two subregions offer some of the most diverse and family-friendly experiences available in the region. Especially in the outdoors!
Témiscaming sits at the southern tip of the region, right on the border with Ontario. Surrounded by dense forest and perched on the shores of Lake Timiskaming, this town is small in size but big in scenery and story. It was built as a company town in the early 20th century, and you can still feel that legacy in its carefully planned streets, heritage buildings, and strong sense of community pride. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for adventures in Parc national d’Opémican.
Abitibi-Ouest, a rural area to the north and west, is where the landscape opens up into rolling farmland, boreal forest, and winding rivers. This area includes towns like La Sarre and Authier, and it’s where you’ll find everything from old-school cheese curds and local cafés to heritage schoolhouses and serious hiking trails at Parc national d’Aiguebelle, where we spent our days hiking and paddling a rabaska canoe across ancient fault lines. If you’re looking for a part of Quebec where outdoor fun meets meaningful cultural experiences, this is it.
Here’s what made this stretch of our road trip so incredible and why I think more families should add this region to their summer travel bucket list.
The Town of Témiscaming, Quebec
Témiscaming is the kind of town that surprises you. Located right on the Ontario-Quebec border, it was originally built as a company town in the early 1900s by a pulp and paper company. Témiscaming was fully planned, there are winding roads, stone buildings, and green spaces that feel more European than industrial.
It’s a small place, fewer than 3,000 people, and it holds a big role in the region. The town of Témiscaming is the southern gateway to Parc national d’Opémican and it’s an easy base for hiking, paddling, and exploring the natural beauty of the region of Témiscamingue. Beyond the outdoors, Témiscaming is a town that takes pride in its history and culture, with plenty of little surprises tucked into its quiet corners.
One important piece of information to share is that if you are heading out camping, you will find the grocery store – IGA and the SAQ (the equivalent of the LCBO in Ontario) for supplies.
And this is a note I wish I had learned before I went: The town is officially named Témiscaming, while the surrounding region is known as Témiscamingue. It’s not that I was confused, I just thought the town and the region were the same thing. They’re not.
The Musée de la Gare: Where History Meets Art
We arrived at the Musée de la Gare, the cultural heart of Témiscaming, where history comes alive. Housed in a beautifully restored 1927 train station, this museum tells the story of the town’s origins — from its days as a booming company town to the tenacity of the people who shaped its future. The permanent exhibit, Témiscaming: The Tale of a Town, brings local history to life through archival photos, stories, and artifacts. It’s a love letter to the people, the grit and guts that built Témiscaming.
But what really stood out to me was the featured exhibit we saw: Habiter la Ruche (Living in the Hive) by Émilie B. Côté. Created in collaboration with actual bees from Miel Abitémis, this sculptural installation blends art, nature, and activism. It’s a beautiful, eerie, and totally mesmerizing reminder of how interconnected we are — and how fragile that connection is.
If you’re visiting Témiscaming, this museum is a must — it sets the tone for everything else you’ll experience in the region.
Hot tip from me to you: Just behind the museum is the path to Gordon Creek, a short and scenic walking trail perfect for stretching your legs and checking out a roaring waterfall.
Camping at Parc national d’Opémican
Camping at Parc national d’Opémican is the kind of Canadian outdoor experience that sneaks up on you in the best way — rugged pine forests, peaceful lakes, quiet trails, and skies full of stars. Whether you’re tucked into one of their ready-to-camp tents (yes, with real beds and electricity!) or pitching your own tent or rolling in with a pop-up trailer, this park invites you to slow down and unplug. It’s perfect for families looking to swap screen time for shoreline time, with easy access to paddling, waterfall hikes, and campfire chats.
This park sits on Anicinabe (Algonquin) territory and is packed with geological history and cultural significance — something you’ll feel as much as see. The vibe is calm and low-key, without the crowds of some Ontario parks. If you’re craving nature without chaos, Opémican is the spot. We spent two nights here and loved it. Click here to read more about our family’s trip and everything you need to know before you go.
Obadjiwan–Fort-Témiscamingue National Historic Site
Obadjiwan–Fort-Témiscamingue National Historic Site is one of those places that awes you. Set on the shores of Lake Timiskaming, this site holds more than 6,000 years of Indigenous presence. The Anicinabek (Algonquin) people lived, travelled, and traded on this land long before European fur traders arrived. Their stories are etched into every inch of the landscape. Later, the site became a key outpost in the fur trade, as both French and English merchants set up shop and fought over control of the territory. The layered history is told thoughtfully through interactive displays, costumed interpreters, and a beautiful walking trail that winds through forest and shoreline.
The kids and I took a guided tour of this Parks Canada site. One of the most captivating parts of the site is the Enchanted Forest — a short trail that lives up to its name. Towering trees twist into each other, their bark gnarled and shaped by wind and time. Some are covered in moss, others arch dramatically overhead like something straight out of a fairytale. Poison Ivy keeps everyone on the main trail. The lore and fairytale of this forest is kind of cool. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but imagine a flute, a young girl and big emotions.
What was incredibly impactful on our tour was Karl, an Indigenous canoe builder and artist. He shared with us profound lessons rooted in cultural knowledge, environmental stewardship, and intergenerational respect. Here, they are reclaiming a site where canoes hadn’t been built for over 125 years. He reimagined the process not just as a craft but as a communal healing and legacy-making endeavour. Over time, he has invited visitors to physically contribute to building the canoe, embedding their names in the story and showing that history is not something one walks into alone. Karl emphasizes that building a canoe is more than creating transportation—it’s an act of ceremony and responsibility. Every part of the tree is honoured: bark, roots, wood, even the timing of harvesting, guided by natural cues like fireflies. In doing so, builders become creators, caretakers, and teachers. And this is what they bring their youth in to do.
Karl’s Indigenous teachings extend beyond canoe-building to a worldview centred on respect for all life. He explains how nothing is wasted—from moose hide and bones to porcupine quills and cedar bark—and how each piece holds purpose, medicine, and meaning. He shares that true legacy isn’t in giving children everything, but in teaching them respect, how to walk their path, and how to reconnect with the land. Through his stories, Karl reminds us that balance comes from understanding our relationship to the land, animals, and each other. When we walk with respect and awareness, we ensure survival not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
Just a note – with the Canada Strong Pass, this Parks Canada location is free to visit for the summer of 2025!
Eat Poutine in Ville-Marie and Get Strawberry Slushies at Nordvie
What’s a road trip without a casse-croûte? We detoured into Ville-Marie for a snack, which loosely translates to casse-croûte in French. La Fringale in Ville-Marie — greasy, delicious, and essential. And as I learned, it’s a tradition for locals who drive past the area. There is a great patio there on site or grab the food to go and head to the waterfront to eat. And if you love poutine, this is the place! I got the poutine with steak, my daughter went with the classic, gravy and curd.
Then we detoured to Ferme Nordvie for what was supposed to be a strawberry-picking mission, but surprise, they were already picked out! That’s a testament to how good their berries are. We still got to sip slushies to go made from their own strawberries and rhubarb. They have a self-serve system, and it’s a super sweet honesty notebook. That’s the kind of small-town charm I live for.
Rouyn-Noranda: Sleep, Sip, and See Art
I love camping and being outdoors, but one of the big highlights of our Témiscamingue & Abitibi-Ouest trip was the surprise we had in Rouyn-Noranda. What an incredible city. There is art that brings the city alive, and I can’t wait to tell you about our 24 hours there.
To clarify, every day was a highlight on this trip, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how cool the art scene is in Rouyn-Noranda.
We spent a night at Hôtel Albert par G5. It’s central, cozy, and surrounded by restaurants. Dinner was at Pub Deuxparquatre with our region’s host, Audrey-Anne, where we ate like royalty and soaked in the local vibe. I’ve seen deep-fried Mars bars other places before as a novelty, but here it’s a staple on the dessert menu, so we had to give it a try.
What was super cool is the main street of downtown in the city was closed to vehicle traffic and it’s come alive with art and shop interactions on the sidewalk and street. So pedestrian friendly!
Rouyn-Noranda Art: Walls That Talk Back
We dedicated a whole morning to art in this city, and it was really cool. First, we made a stop at MA, the Musée d’art de Rouyn-Noranda. I’m so glad we did. One of the current standout exhibits is Sous la lumière du Nord, which brings together the work of over 50 artists from across the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region in Quebec. This exhibit is more than just a collection; it’s a vivid reflection of place, emotion, and resilience. Through sculpture, painting, photography, and mixed media, the show captures the creativity of a region that often flies under the radar. It also thoughtfully includes Indigenous voices and doesn’t shy away from complex or painful histories, allowing for honest and necessary conversations through the lens of art.
What struck me most about MA was how accessible and unpretentious it felt. This gallery invites everyone in, whether you’re a seasoned art lover or simply here with your kids to wander and explore. Nothing feels off-limits, and in fact, it isn’t. What would be a closed-off section in other galleries is open for people to explore. Upon request, you can borrow an iPad to scan the art and obtain more information about it.
The space is open, welcoming, and designed to spark curiosity. We were free to ask questions, interact, and enjoy. It’s the kind of place where art isn’t locked behind glass or burdened with too much explanation — it’s there to be experienced by anyone who walks through the doors.
Before we said goodbye to Rouyn-Noranda, we squeezed in one last adventure — a walking art tour through the city that proves art doesn’t belong only in museums.
Since 2015, this northern city has been quietly transforming its streets, alleys, and even forgotten nooks into open-air galleries. And the result? A full-on explosion of murals and artistic expression that you and your kids can stumble upon around almost every corner.
We took on a public art tour — a mapped route of 19 works created by bold and mostly local artists. Most of the tour is totally doable on foot, and that’s how we saw the majority of it. You can also hop on a bike, as the tour is only 5 km long. However, if you’re short on time or riding with kids who “just cannot walk another step,” a car is also an option.
Here’s a hot tip from me to you: Download the BaladoDiscovery app before you go, and preload the route on wifi. Not only will you get voice-guided directions (so you don’t have to keep staring at your screen), but it also works even when you’re offline. No chewing up data!
The kids loved spotting unexpected art in surprising places — and I loved the mix of playful, provocative, and just plain beautiful works that added texture to the whole city. It’s a great reminder that art isn’t only found behind glass. Sometimes, it’s towering over a parking lot or hidden behind a café.
If you are interested in visiting Routn-Noranda and want to know where to stay, check out this map here:
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The Earth Tells Stories at Parc national d’Aiguebelle
Next stop: a step back in time. Parc national d’Aiguebelle is a wild classroom of ancient geology. This is not a new park; this one is an old one, but a good one. We checked into the Le Monarque chalet for two nights. It’s a cozy spot near the park’s reception area, which is the only place to grab a Wi-Fi signal in the park. Not that we needed it. Aiguebelle is the kind of park that gently demands your full attention and you don’t need to be plugged in anywhere.
Our chalet had a kitchen, a washroom and two bedrooms. Bedding isn’t included, and the water isn’t potable, so it’s a bit like camping but with cabin amenities. Our chalet also came with a canoe, which we took full advantage of. If you’re camping or staying in this park, be sure to bring your own water barrel or jugs of water. I brought our own water, and since we were in the chalet, I took full advantage of boiling water on the stove to be able to wash dishes with. Water that isn’t potable is fine to wash your body with, but it’s not fine to ingest. So please don’t drink it. If the sign says “potable water”, it’s okay to drink.
Parc national d’Aiguebelle is where two major watersheds meet and where the landscape still shows some gnarly scars of tectonic shifts and volcanic activity. Not only is there a good science lesson in our travels here, but this park is also a place for deep breathing, good hikes, and serious unplugging.
One of my daughter’s favourite moments during this trip came during a guided Rabaska canoeing excursion with a park naturalist. A Rabaska is a voyageur canoe. Picture a large, traditional canoe paddled in unison by a group. Together, we listened to stories about the land, and learned how glaciers left their mark here. We said hello to a giant erratic boulder on a short hike. My daughter was completely hooked, she loved being part of the team, paddling hard, learning about the geology, and taking in the quiet strength of the place. That kind of hands-on nature connection? Worth every kilometre to get here.
Beyond the canoeing, Aiguebelle’s highlights are exactly what you’d hope for in a family-friendly national park. La Traverse, one of the beautiful trails in the park, takes you to a suspended footbridge over a fault line in the lake. The views are a total showstopper, scenic and thrilling. The hike that the kids and I took was just under 4 kilometres. Despite the mosquitoes, I loved every step.
Elsewhere in the park, the beach can be found on Lac Matissard. This is in the main camping area is and where you can rent canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. There are showers for the campers over there and even a little indoor area for kids to hang out in.
If you’re into challenging trails, gentle nature walks, or just soaking up the calm, Aiguebelle has space for all of it.
Schooling You On the Past: École du Rang 2 d’Authier
After all that nature, and before we headed towards Ontario, we stepped into a perfectly preserved piece of Quebec’s past — a one-room rural schoolhouse from 1937. The École du Rang 2 d’Authier, built in 1937 and active until 1958, has been beautifully restored to look like class never let out and is waiting for it’s students to arrive.
Designated a historic site, it’s now one of the last of its kind in rural Québec. Step inside and you’ll find tall windows lighting up a single classroom, a cloakroom full of boots and coats as there would have been in 1945, and even the teacher’s tiny living quarters. With original furnishings and artifacts, it’s a glimpse into student life from over 50 years ago, as well as young teacher life.
The classroom, cloakroom, and even the teacher’s living quarters have all been outfitted with period furniture and original artifacts. We saw replicas of what the teacher was allowed to wear, what items she would have had, and how she lived and stored her food. It was a very restricted life, governed by the students’ parents and the parish.
My kids had so many questions, like “Did kids really use outhouses during the winter?” Yes. Yes, they did.
“What is that smell?” Wool socks on the line.
It’s a quick visit, but such a powerful way to connect to history.
Final Taste of Témiscamingue & Abitibi-Ouest in La Sarre
Before we hit the road toward Cochrane, Ontario – which is our next destination once we leave Témiscamingue & Abitibi-Ouest in Quebec, we took a detour to La Sarre for one last delicious bite. We had lunch at L’Acalmie chez Juliette. It’s a perfect stop for sandwiches, soups, fancy coffees, and pastries that somehow disappeared off our plates in record time. The seating area of the restaurant is family-friendly, welcoming and comfortable.
We had to get a quick cheese fix at La Vache à Maillotte. I was told that you can’t come through this region without stopping for curds. I got the cajun flavour and I can confirm, it’s incredible and was eaten by the time we hit Ontario.
Also worth noting, I made a quick trip to the SAQ so that I could pick up a bottle of Voyaguer’s whisky from Mariana Distillery. That’s a distillery in Trois-Rivieres that I visited in February of this year, and you can read about my girl’s trip there here: The Best Girls Getaway in Lanaudière-Mauricie and Quebec Winter Road Trip.
My kids found some local products they really liked at the IGA that we picked up as well, such as BBQ sauce, drinks, and honey.
From paddling pristine lakes to exploring art galleries and historic sites, our family adventure through Témiscamingue and Abitibi-Ouest revealed just how rich, rugged, and rewarding this corner of Quebec truly is. This is the perfect place to disconnect in nature, soak up culture, or chase stories that go back centuries. Abitibi-Témiscamingue delivers a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s a region that deserves a spot on every family’s road trip radar — and trust me, we’re already planning our return.
A big thank you to Audrey-Anne at Abitibi-Temiscamingue for the amazing hospitality and stay. The kids and I look forward to coming back again one day!
Disclaimer: The kids and I were paid as content creators to come and explore this region and cover it on my blog and social channels.
