Abitibi-Ouest | Authentic stay | Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Abitibi-Ouest is often described as a land rich in nature, but also in people. Nestled in the corner of the administrative territory of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Abitibi-Ouest has its share of small municipalities and nice secrets, sometimes too well guarded. To find out if the belief is a fantasy or reality, I dipped in it. Here’s my itinerary in Abitibi-Ouest.

First stop: La Pourvoirie Fern

Nestled on the shores of fish-rich Lake Duparquet, Pourvoirie Fern has been working in this field for over 20 years. Its small white and black cottages dot the shores of this great lake in Abitibi-Ouest. These comfortable shelters allow you to live a cozy stopover while being in a wild environment.

When I arrived, Chantal greeted me with a smile. She was waiting for me. Chantal and her husband, Réjean, are familiar with the rules of hospitality. Apparently, the connection is easy. Smiling in the corner and with tenderness in the voice, the lovebirds tell me their debut. In their thirties, they decided to buy this outfitter from "Fern", the "OG" Fern. Réjean recalls, "I had a lot of energy in those days. We worked hard to get to the outfitter that we have today." Chantal tells me that her children grew up in this setting and now, it is the little children who learn life at the outfitter during their visit.

La Pourvoirie Fern offers stays of at least one week, for fishing or vacation in summer. On site, you can rent a boat.

Also, there is a guided bear hunting experience in the spring. Chantal explains that some customers come to spend time at the outfitter, and this, year after year. They have made it a tradition. It’s easy to believe when you visit the place!

Tourist chronicle - La Pourvoirie Fern

(French only)

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Second stop: The Duparquet Public Market

On Thursday afternoons during the summer, starting at 4:30 p.m., local producers gather in a park in Duparquet. When I arrived, sound checks were underway, and the artisans were setting up with their fresh harvests of the day. Slowly, the locals began to arrive at this gourmet meeting spot. The Duparquet Public Market is a much-anticipated event where people take the opportunity to chat with their favorite producers. Some enjoy a bite to eat and gather around picnic tables to share a conversation. Meanwhile, a local band strums guitars and belts out tunes, creating a warm and lively atmosphere. It’s a delightful way to do your shopping!

Third stop: La Vache à Maillotte

Is it really a visit to Abitibi-Ouest if you don’t stop by the La Vache à Maillotte shop? Located in the heart of La Sarre, the shop offers a great selection of regional products, including all the items from La Vache à Maillotte. I took the opportunity to grab a bag of cheese curds from the fresh bar. What a joy to choose the seasoning for my precious cheese nuggets! Now I’m ready, and I’ve stocked up for my stay!

Fourth stop: The Val-Saint-Gilles Fire Guard Station

The small village of Val-Saint-Gilles is about twenty minutes north of La Sarre. Once home to a fire guard, the buildings have now been restored and serve as a restaurant and entertainment venue for the community. Snowmobilers and quad riders use the restaurant as a rest stop.

Since the Poste du garde-feu is located deep in the forest, you can also go hiking in the summer and skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. On top of that, you can stay overnight in a yurt or a cabin! That’s exactly what I did. I wanted to try out their cozy, all-wood cabin.

Before retreating to my cozy nest for the night, I made sure to visit the restaurant. I had the pleasure of meeting two women who work there. They were curious to know where I was coming from. One of them shared her experience working at the station and the joy she finds in it. The other served me with warmth and hospitality. I finally returned to the cabin with one of their delicious pizzas.

Minimalist yet comfortable, the cabin extends over one and a half floors. A mezzanine, accessible by a ladder, serves as a bedroom. Downstairs, you’ll find everything you need to store and cook food. A wood stove sits almost in the center of the room. Of course, a full bathroom awaits for your evening and morning routines!

Fifth and Final Stops: Fred's Mountain and the Grand Héron Trails

Rich in nature, hiking in Abitibi-Ouest seemed like a must. To end this trip on a high note, I headed to Fred's Mountain.

I had already heard a lot about it. The scenery along the hike is sometimes sparse, and the forest is clean. The ground is covered in lichen and moss, with plenty of blueberry bushes, and I even spotted a few mushrooms! I eventually reached the rock river, crossed by an ingenious wooden bridge. It’s a 4.2 km trail through the forest that’s well worth the effort.

The second hike on the itinerary was the Grand Héron Trails. I regretted doing this one second since the first half of the hike is an uphill climb. My calves were a bit sore. However, the view from the top of the observation tower—a 360-degree panorama of Macamic Lake and its islands—made the leg workout worth it. You can even spot a heronry. Need I say that cheese curds taste especially delicious after these hikes?

La vue depuis la tour d'observation des sentiers du grand héron, dans le secteur de Macamic en Abitibi-Ouest.

La tour d'observation est à mi-chemin dans les sentiers du grand héron, en Abitibi-Ouest. De là-haut, on peut y voir le lac Macaminc et ses îles.

Between the cozy cabin at Pourvoirie Fern, the warm encounters at the Duparquet Public Market, the delights at La Vache à Maillotte, the discoveries at the Val-Saint-Gilles Fire Guard Station, and the hikes at Fred's Mountain and the Grand Héron Trails, each stop on this journey confirms the welcoming and authentic reputation of Abitibi-Ouest. Here are more ideas for a stay in Abitibi-Ouest.