The Lac-Taureau regional park (French: Parc régional du Lac-Taureau) is a protected area extending in the locality of Saint-Michel-des-Saint], as well as in the unorganized territories of Baie-de-la-Bouteille and Lac-Matawin, in Matawinie, in the administrative region of Lanaudière.

The mission of this regional park is to ensure the conservation of nature while offering services and recreational activities to users. This park is an exceptional site for vacationing, including camping, hiking trails, sport fishing, nautical activities including boating and swimming.

Understand

Geography

This regional park includes in its centre Lake Taureau, which constitutes an immense reservoir of 95 km² (37 sq mi) in area, comprising 45 islands, 270 km (170 mi) of shores, numerous bays and 32 km of sandy shores. This reservoir has many magnificent beaches with fine sand. Its main islands are Île Lacroix, Île Lapierre, Île de France and Île du Village (Baie Ignace). The Taureau reservoir has a watershed of 4,070 km (2,530 mi).

The Taureau reservoir is mainly fed by the rivière Mattawin (flowing into the bay of the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints), the rivière du Poste (flowing into Baie du Poste), the rivière du Milieu (flowing into Baie du Milieu), the rivière Sauvage (flowing into the bay at the top of the dam) and the rivière aux Canelles (flowing into the bay at the top of the dam). The other main tributaries are the Canot Rouge stream (flowing into the Baie du Canot Rouge), the Lacroix stream (coming from the north), the Price stream, the Brûlé stream and the Bouteille stream (flowing into the Bay of la Bouteille) and Ignace stream (flowing into Ignace Bay).

The Matawin dam is operated by Hydro-Québec for the production of hydroelectricity. The draining of the Taureau reservoir begins annually in November and is completed in early April in order to be able to contain the water resulting from the melting snow. Hydro-Québec manages the water level in the reservoir by matching the demand for electricity with the needs of the various users of the water body.

The Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve located south of the Matawin river. This reserve shares a common border with the Lac-Taureau regional park, because its western limit is the eastern shore of the Taureau reservoir (ie the Baie de la Bouteille sector). The reservoir is surrounded by beautiful mountains. The shape of the tank looks like a capital A, followed by a U; and the regional park follows this shape by generally covering a riparian strip of land between 400-500 m from the shore, sometimes more than a kilometre.

The village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints is located at the end of a bay on the southwest side. And the hamlet of Saint-Ignace-du-Lac is on the edge of the west shore of Baie Ignace.

Tourist information

Visitors can inquire at the park entrance:

• Lac-Taureau Regional Park. 

Recreational tourism activities

The Lac Taureau Regional Park is a great destination for recreational tourism (including swimming, water sports and boating), camping and forest hikes (hiking, snowmobile and Quad trails). The Pointe-Fine municipal beach, located at the north end of a long peninsula attached to the south shore, offers a bucolic setting surrounded by nature. Visitors have several choices of rustic campsites (notably that of Baie du Milieu and Baie du Poste), cabins, lodges, landing stages and nature trails. Users have access to septic emptying areas at designated locations.

In the Dominique Bay sector, a well-marked 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) trail gives access to bucolic panoramas of Lac Taureau. This nature trail also offers the possibility of completing a 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi) loop. In this area several other trails designed for the public are operated by third-party organizations, in particular the pedestrian network of the Auberge du Lac Taureau (western part of the lake) established at the end of the peninsula separating the "middle" bays (in the North-West) and "of the village" (in the South-East).

The amateurs of nautical activities benefit from the offers of outfitters for excursions with various types of boats, thus giving access to the wild nature in zones out of the ordinary. The Nerrivik Aventures team, member of Aventure Écotourisme Québec, offers kayak rental services, guided excursions and kayak expeditions to the Baie du Milieu. Other outfitters also offer discovery tours in sea kayaking.

Snowmobiles and ATVs

The passage of snowmobiles and ATVs can cross on the Matawin dam, located in the unorganized territory of Baie-de-la-Bouteille. A snowmobile trail is set up from the Auberge du Lac à l'Eau Clair (Saint-Alexis-des-Monts) to the Lac Taureau dam. It is possible to make the grand tour of the Lac Taureau regional park by a quad/snowmobile trail.

History

The Matawin River valley has been the subject of intense logging since the middle of the 19th century. This economic development of this sector is mainly dependent on forestry. The large winter logging allowed the accumulation of large piles of logs deposited on the ice of the river. In the spring, the timber was transported by flotation down the current of the Matawin river; if necessary, loggers redirected the logs in the current. Thus, the logs flowed downstream to the Saint-Maurice river in order to feed the pulp and paper mills that are downstream, in particular those of Grand-Mère, Shawinigan and Trois-Rivières.

Get in

Routes to the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints:

• From Montreal (164 km, 1 hr 59 min), take highway 40 eastbound, until the Joliette exit; take route 131 (northbound), bypass the town of Joliette on the east side to the village of Saint-Félix-de-Valois; continue on road 131 to the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints.
• From Quebec (134 km, 3 hr 7 min), take highway 40 westbound to Yamachiche; take route 138 (westbound) to the village of Louiseville; take route 348 to the junction of route 131; take road 131 to the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints.

North of Saint-Michel-des-Saints, the relief is mountainous. Forest roads provide access to many beaches, marinas or landing stages, several hiking trails, and several campgrounds. The Manawan road (connecting Saint-Michel-des-Saints to Manawan) serves the west shore of the reservoir Taurus.

Get around

To travel in the Forêt Ouareau, Sept-Chutes and Lac Taureau regional parks, visitors must access the online ticket office offered by the MRC de Matawinie. Anyone accessing the park facilities must pay either the right of access (including the users of the campsites). Camping is only allowed in the places indicated and reservations are required.

• Carte du parc régional du Lac Taureau (Map of Lac Taureau regional park), toll-free: +1-866-266-2730. Maps and information on trails, campsites, cross-country skiing. Visitors should inquire in advance online at Info-Sentier of the park. Trail maps are available on the Ondago mobile application: https://www.parcsregionaux.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/NOUVEAUT---ONDAGO-AFFICHE.pdf This free application on smart mobile phones allows to know the location of the hikers in real time on the map. https://www.parcsregionaux.org/formulaire-de-reservation/. (updated Nov 2021)

See

• 1 Barrage Matawin (Matawin Dam), Chemin vers le Barrage (accessible by the forest road "chemin vers le Barrage"). Dam built at the mouth (eastern area of the reservoir) of Lake Taureau. (updated Nov 2021)

Do

Visitors to the park must bring their hiking equipment: ski touring, snowshoes, trekking poles, camera, etc. Several outfitters offer the rental of certain equipment.

Winter activities

In winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers (cross-country skiing) can venture into the park's territory. Snowmobile tours are very popular.

Summer activities

• The walks on the beaches or the marked trails allow you to admire the magnificent forest and mountain scenery surrounding Lake Taureau.
• Pleasure craft hikes allow access to the various bays of the reservoir.

Ornithology and mycology enthusiasts and nature lovers regularly come to visit this regional park.

• 1 L'Aventurier du Lac Taureau, 341, chemin du Lac-Taureau, ☏ +1 450-547-8978, info@aventureseltoro.com. Rental service for various types of boats: pontoon, house boat, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats. Life jackets and safety equipment are provided to users. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Marina Le Nautique IV, 401, chemin du Lac-Taureau, info@nautique-iv.com. At the end of the Bay of the village. (updated Nov 2021)
• 3 Plage municipale Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 351, chemin du Lac-Taureau, ☏ +1 450-886-4502. Beach at the end of the Bay of the village. This beach is connected to the municipal campsite. (updated Nov 2021)
• 4 Sentier du promontoire panoramique de la Baie-Dominique (Baie-Dominique panoramic promontory trail), 44-210 chemin Ferland, ☏ +1 450-751-4219. Mountain trail 4.6 km (2.9 mi) in length from the Ferland road parking lot, with the possibility of completing a 3.1 km (1.9 mi) loop. From a lookout, hikers can admire the panorama of Baie-du-Milieu, Lake Morissette, Île de la Gauche and Baie Morissette. (updated Nov 2021)
• 5 Sentier de la Baie-du-Milieu. From the parking lot on the edge of Baie du Milieu, this trail is 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi). This trail joins the Baie-Dominique trail (south side) and the Beach trail (northeast side). (updated Nov 2021)
• 6 Sentier de la Plage. The beach path stretches for 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) passing over an Indigenous site and along the west shore of the Baie du Milieu to the peninsula where the Auberge du Lac is located. Taurus. (updated Nov 2021)
• 7 Sentier de l'île du Village. Interpretive trail on the history of the area relating in particular the immersion in 1931 of the site of the former village of Saint-Ignace-du-Lac, following the erection of the Matawin dam. Île du Village is in the middle of Ignace Bay, opposite the hamlet of Saint-Ignace-du-Lac. The island of the village is accessible by boat or seaplane. (updated Nov 2021)

Eat

The various trails around the lake include several picnic table areas.

• Port Saint-Michel, 401, chemin du Lac-Taureau, ☏ +1 514-953-2833 (marina), +1 514-984-2833 (hydrobase), info@nautique-iv.com. Restaurant at the Marina Le Nautique. 

Interested parties can consult the list of restaurants or businesses offering ready-to-take meals in Saint-Michel-des-Saints.

Sleep

Hotels

• 1 Auberge du Lac Taureau, 1601, chemin de la Baie-du-Milieu, ☏ +1 450-833-1919. Rustic 4-star hotel with lake view. Cottage and condo rental service. Various recreational tourism activities offered by the inn including the magnificent beach. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Camp Taureau Altaï Canada, 1, baie du poste, Saint-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 873-803-4225. Three-star hotel. Rental chalets. Boat rental services: canoes, stand up paddle kayaks. Cani-cross and kennel. Dog sled excursions. Snowmobile. Snowshoes. This camp is part of the global network of local nature and adventure agencies. (updated Nov 2021)

Inn, gîtes and chalets

• 3 Amisk Aventure, 90 chemin Bruneau, St-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 450-8003-6760, info@amiskaventure.ca. Huts not accessible by car; accessible by quad, hiking and kayaking. (updated Nov 2021)
• 4 Auberge de l'Eau Vive, 89 chemin du Lac-Taureau, St-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 450-833-1758. Inn on the east bank of the Matawin River, near its mouth. (updated Nov 2021)
• 5 Chalets du Vieux Moulin, 2450, chemin de Saint-Ignace, ☏ +1 514-831-6880. (updated Nov 2021)
• 6 Chalet du Lac Taureau, chemin des Conifères, Matawinie, ☏ +1 450-752-7005. (updated Nov 2021)
• 7 Chalet Ô Toro, 7031, chemin de Saint-Ignace, Saint-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1. (updated Nov 2021)
• 8 Gîte Chemin des Vallons, Matawinie. Gite located near St-Ignace campsite and facing Village Island, on the southwest shore of Ignace Bay. (updated Nov 2021)
• 9 Gîte du Lac Taureau, 100 ch. St-Benoît, St-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 450-833-6006. (updated Nov 2021)

Campsites

This regional park offers a variety of wilderness camping sites on the beaches and islands of the lake.

• 10 Camping Baie des Embranchements, chemin vers le Barrage, Saint-Damien, ☏ +1. (updated Nov 2021)
• 11 Camping Saint-Ignace, 340 rue Alexandre-Bellerose, Saint-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 450-833-6037, cacoopstignace@gmail.com. (updated Nov 2021)
• 12 Camping Des Roses, 180 Chemin des Roses, St-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 450-833-5556, info@campingdesroses.ca. (updated Nov 2021)
• 13 Camping Dynastie, 100 Chemin Perreault, St-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 450-833-1024, info@lecampingdynastie.ca. (updated Nov 2021)
• 14 Camping municipal du lac Taureau, 350 ch. du Lac-Taureau, St-Michel-des-Saints, ☏ +1 450 833-1161. Campsite in the northern part of the village, at the end of the Bay of the village. (updated Nov 2021)

Cope

• Park regulations. Safety regulations and advice. (updated Nov 2021)
• Safety in the park. The level of the Taureau reservoir can vary significantly depending on the season, the heavy rains and the management of the Matawin hydroelectric plant. In winter, the gradual drop in the water level can cause inconvenience for snowmobilers and ATV riders to leave the area of the body of water; the deposit of ice on the shores can involve certain risks. In case of high winds, this body of water has many bays to protect itself from big waves. It is suggested to hikers, boaters and campers to consult the weather forecast in order to anticipate periods of bad weather and to protect themselves accordingly. Park users should be aware of the presence of wildlife, including bears, raccoons and foxes. Campfires must be made on fire sites intended for this purpose. Campfires must be supervised at all times. Waste must be returned to the places provided. (updated Nov 2021)

Go next

• 1 Saint-Ignace-du-Lac Former village flooded in 1931 following the construction of the dam creating the Taureau reservoir. Today, the hamlet of Saint-Ignace-du-Lac sits on the southwest shore of Baie Ignace which penetrates to the southeast the south shore of Lac Taureau.
• 2 Saint-Michel-des-Saints Resorts and recreational tourism services: hotel services, lodges, inns, providers of nautical activities, shops to meet the needs of tourists, two covered bridges over the Matawin river near the village.
• 3 Saint-Zénon Locality in a forest zone in Lanaudière between the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve and the Mont-Tremblant National Park. The main economic activities in Saint-Zénon are forestry and recreational tourism.