A region rich in history and culture, the Laurentians are a veritable journey through time. The region is renowned for its beautiful scenery, picturesque villages, and vibrant cultural heritage. Over the years, the Laurentians have become a popular destination for artists and creators in search of inspiration. Spectacular landscapes, immense forests, and scenic lakes have inspired many artistic masterworks. Towns like Saint-Sauveur, Sainte-Adèle, and Mont-Tremblant have become vibrant cultural centres, with art galleries, festivals, and cultural events year-round.
Come Explore the Route des Belles-Histoires
As one of Quebec’s official tourist routes, Route des Belles-Histoires offers a new way to discover the Laurentians and invites us to play historian on a journey into the region’s forestry, agricultural, and tourism past. From Saint-Jérôme to Mont-Laurier, along Route 117 and P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park, visit museums, heritage stations and historical monuments, and explore multiple historic routes along the way. Complement your immersion by downloading the BaladoDiscovery mobile app. The audio guide uses historical facts to help you along the route. The interactive map in BaladoDiscovery also gives information on request and lets you see your location in real time vis-à-vis points of interest whether you take the suggested itinerary or not. Audio capsules describe more than 40 points of interest to enhance your journey in the footsteps of Father Labelle and other pioneers of the region. Let them tell our stories and guide your discovery of the rich heritage in the Laurentians!
Exceptional performance halls
Theatre lovers, take advantage of the quality and quantity of performance halls scattered across the region. There is a considerable selection of shows to choose from. Attend a grandiose concert, an unforgettable play, a comedy show, or a dance show, and admire the local creative and artistic talent. Come check out the diverse programming at Odyscène in Sainte-Thérèse, Théâtre Le Patriote in Sainte-Agathe, Théâtre du Marais in Val-Morin, Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault in Saint-Jérôme, and Le Petit Théâtre du Nord in Boisbriand. Young and old are invited to the curtain call! Immerse yourself in local culture and discover the full programming of Laurentian performance venues.
Museums to Explore
If you love art and culture, be sure to stop at one of our local museums and check out their fascinating exhibits. Dive into the history of the Laurentians with a visit to the Laurentian Ski Museum in Saint-Sauveur, which has tasked itself with preserving the history of skiing and the region to which the sport owes its extraordinary expansion. The museum’s collection of more than 7,500 artifacts reflects a passion for the sport of skiing and the season of winter. In addition to a voyage back in time, the museum helps visitors better understand how skiing has shaped the Laurentians. In Saint-Jérôme, the Musée d’art contemporain des Laurentides greets visitors with a variety of exhibitions. From now until May 5, 2024, come discover “Quand la collection présente l’avenir” by Didier and François Morelli. With 40 years of experience and a collection of 650 works, the museum is also fun for younger visitors. For your next outing, why not fill up on culture?
Through the eyes of local artists
Downtown Lachute’s Centre d’art d’Argenteuil has nine visual arts exhibitions, open to the public, that showcase artists from Quebec and elsewhere and have widely varied approaches and techniques. Be sure to stop by the arts and crafts boutique, which represents more than 70 craftspeople and artists from the Laurentians. The Centre d’exposition de Val-David has visual arts temporary exhibitions that feature painting, sculpture, photography, arts and crafts, lectures, workshops, and even guided tours. The Centre now has three exciting exhibitions that will run until May 26, 2024! Located in the former presbytery of Saint-Faustin, Maison des Arts Saint-Faustin invites you to come see its group exhibition L’art on l’aime nature. You’re encouraged to see nature through the eyes of artists who use their medium to explain the drive behind their relationship with nature. Be sure to visit Saint-Faustin on your next trip to the region!
Discover Laurentian Heritage
Hit the road to discover all of the historic sites in the Laurentians. In Saint-Eustache, explore the streets of Old Saint-Eustache and visit the Légaré mill, a flour mill from 1762 that is still operational! To this day it still produces nearly 40 tonnes of wheat and buckwheat flour a year. Buy them at the boutique for your next recipes! The Ancienne-Pisciculture (old fish farm) site in Mont-Blanc is a unique ecotourism destination in Quebec for families and nature lovers. Built in 1933, the Ancienne-Pisciculture has been completely restored and offers a multitude of activities year round! Access is free of charge and open to all. Explore the site’s history through its audio guide, available in five languages. Then continue exploring and walk up Calvaire d’Huberdeau for a panoramic view of Rouge Valley and its surroundings. A leading pilgrimage site, the summit features 27 statues at least 2 metres tall! Do you want to explore the roads in the North? The Route du Lièvre Rouge crosses 16 municipalities in the Antoine-Labelle RCM to present the history of the region and its residents.
Mark Your Calendar!
The region is full of cultural events that offer a perfect opportunity to discover new things. Presented by Patrimoine culturel Vieux-Saint-Eustache at the Espace Muséal du Manoir Globensky until May 5, 2024, you’re invited to explore the family-oriented Parcours Historique du P’tit Train du Nord. Accompany Laurentian animals from station to station, from Mont-Laurier to Saint-Jérôme, where they come to honour the good Father Labelle. A walk in tribute to our local heritage, flora and fauna, written and illustrated in vibrant colours by Laurentian author/illustrator Isabelle Charbonneau. At Place des Citoyens in Sainte-Adèle from March 8 to 24, 2024, Bolieu’s Commedia Dell’Arte expo-theatre will celebrate art in a number of forms, fusing past and present in a haunting way. Each painting is surmounted by the authentic mask of its emblematic character, accompanied by a narrative inviting us to delve deeper into the history and psyche of these iconic figures. Until March 10, 2024, Expo-thématique de Blainville-Art will give visitors a chance to discover the work of many talented local artists through a wide array of works produced under the theme “Poésies Québécoises.” Stay tuned for all our upcoming events!
For all tourism-related questions: info-tourisme@laurentides.com or call: 450 224-7007 | 1 800 561-6673.