La Tuque

La Tuque is a town in Haute-Mauricie (Upper-Mauricie), in the province of Quebec in Canada. It is the second largest municipality in Quebec by area after the municipality of Baie-James.

Named after a nearby rock formation that resembles the famous French Canadian hat, La Tuque is a city of in the Mauricie. It's best known as the birthplace of Québécois singer Felix Leclerc.

Understand

Downtown La Tuque

A town of over 11,000 people (2011), its local economy is based on pulp and paper; the city has a pulp-milling centre and a major hydroelectric station. As the gateway to the upper Mauricie, La Tuque's economy also offers outdoor tourism opportunities and caters to hunting and fishing trips in its large hinterland; the city is known as the Queen of Haute-Mauricie and the Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie canoeing race begins at La Tuque.

The paper mill in La Tuque

History

The territory of La Tuque was first inhabited by Atikamekw indigenous people. In the early 1850s, settlers were drawn to the area to exploit the forest resources. The La Tuque Post Office opened in 1887, but the area remained isolated from the rest of the Mauricie until the early 1900s when the National Transcontinental Railway was built, prompting industrial development and the growth of a community on the east bank of the Saint-Maurice River where there was a large set of falls.

In the 1940s, the hydro-electric generating station on the Saint-Maurice River was built, resulting in the partial destruction of the rock formation that gave the town its name.

Founded in 1911, the city occupies a site known to the French since 1651. In 2003, the city merged with the municipalities of La Bostonnais, La Croche, Lac-Édouard, the municipality of the village of Parent, as well as all the non-organized territories within the Haut-Saint-Maurice RCM. La Tuque therefore becomes the second largest municipality in Quebec for its area.

In May 2010, some 120 forest fires broke out around La Tuque, burning until June. Smoke from these fires reached portions of Eastern Ontario and southern Quebec, including the cities of Ottawa and Montreal, as well as the northern US states.

Tourist information centre

• 1 Tourist Information Centre, 550, rue St-Louis, ☏ +1 877-424-8476. 9:30 until 16:30. Wi-Fi. Located in the heart of downtown fitted out in the train station, close to shops and services. This center contains information on accommodation, restaurants, businesses, controlled harvesting zones (zones d'exploitation contrôlée: zec), outfitters, conventions or meetings, tourist attractions, events (e.g.: guided tours, festivals) and public services. (updated Oct 2021)

Get in

The village of La Tuque is accessible by air, road and rail.

By car

• From Trois-Rivières (161 kilometres (100 mi), time: 1:50 min), take highway 55 north; then take route 155 (northbound), from the Grand-Mère sector.
• From Chambord (intersection of route 169) (133 kilometres (83 mi), time: 1:28 min), to Lac-Saint-Jean, take route 155 (westbound) to La Tuque.
• From La Tuque, the village of Parent is accessible by forest road 461 (25) (211 kilometres (131 mi), time: 4:10 min). From Saint-Michel-des-Saints, the road to Parent is (242 kilometres (150 mi), time: 5:10 min). From Val d'Or (Abitibi), the road to Parent is (346 kilometres (215 mi), time: 7:09 min).
• From La Tuque, the village of Obedjiwan is accessible by forest road 461 (25), then RO-450 (424 kilometres (263 mi), time: 6:13 min).
• From La Tuque, many forest roads give access to remote areas (hamlets, zec, hunting and fishing camps, forest camps).

By plane

On runway

• 1 La Tuque Airport, 1249, boulevard Ducharme, La Tuque, QC, G9X 3S1, ☏ +1 819-523-8932 (Gaston-Hamel terminal), fax: + 1 819-523-5646, aeroportlatuque@airaviation.ca. La Tuque Airport (YLQ) is directly south of the town's centre on Route 155. The airport is located at an altitude of 167 m. It has no commercial flights, but is available to those with a private airplane or who wish to charter a flight. Its geographical location allows airport users to be close to shops and services, including those offered directly by the airport and its suppliers. The asphalt track is 1524 m. in length (magnetic variation: 16 degrees west). A helipad is also set up there. (updated Feb 2018)
• 2 Casey Airport, Casey sector, La Tuque, QC, G0X 3P0, ☏ + 1 819-523-8932 (Gaston-Hamel de La Tuque terminal), +1 819-523-6555 (weather forecast). Former military airport built in 1953 during the cold war. Its track with a length of 2438 m. on concrete surface (1 m) is still in good condition. This airport located near the Ruban River is now abandoned. Nevertheless, on occasion certain groups of aviation enthusiasts meet there for collective reunions. No service. Possibility of camping on site in autonomous mode. Accessible by truck, quad and off-road motorcycle. A chapter of the book on the centenary of La Tuque (published in 2011) was devoted to this airport. Writer Yvan Savignac made this airport the backdrop for his novel "La piste MAUDITE" (published in 2011). In June 1973, a 120,000-pound plane tasked with spraying insecticides on forests crashed shortly after takeoff. No charge. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Parent Airport, 50, rue du Pont, Parent sector, La Tuque, QC, G0X 3P0, ☏ +1 819-523-8932 (Gaston-Hamel de La Tuque terminal), +1 819-523-6555 (weather), aeroportparent@airaviation.ca. Airport with a 426.72 m runway. on gravel surface and a helipad. Free Wi-Fi with long-range access point. Camping under the wing in the parking lots since 2021. No charge. (updated Feb 2018)
• 4 Weymontachie Airport, Weymontachie, La Tuque, QC, G0X 3R0. Airport located at an altitude of 357 m. (updated Oct 2021)

Hydrobase

• 5 La Tuque hydrobase, La Tuque, QC, G9X 3N8, ☏ +1. The La Tuque hydrobase is located 152 m. altitude north of the village of La Tuque, on the water basin generated by the Beaumont dam on the Saint-Maurice river. The Bostonnais river discharges into this body of water. Several outfitters in Haute-Mauricie transport their clients from the La Tuque hydrobase. (updated Oct 2021)
• 6 Lac-à-Beauce hydrobase, 30, chemin Contour-du-Lac-à-Beauce, La Tuque, QC, G9X 3N8, ☏ +1 819-523-9616 (local), +1 855-523-9616 (toll free), info@aviationlatuque.com. Created in 1947 under the aegis of Air St-Maurice, this hydrobase is located in Lac-à-Beauce, south of the village of La Tuque. From this hydrobase, Aviation La Tuque (name used since 2002) offers overflight services of the region (by reservation), air taxi and seaplane piloting training. (updated Feb 2018)
• 7 Hydrobase du Barrage Gouin, Barrage Gouin, La Tuque, QC, G0W 3B0. Hydrobase widely used for fishing activities at the Gouin Reservoir, in particular by the Pourvoirie Barrage Gouin & Magnan which includes a heliport (N48.21154; W74.06115), a hydrobase (N48.21508; W74.06387) and a runway. airplane on wheel (N48.19687; W74.01610). (updated Oct 2021)
• 8 Hydrobase du Lac Duchamp, Clova, La Tuque, QC, G0W 3B0. Hydrobase serving the Clova hamlet. The waterplane are landing on Duchamp Lake. (updated Feb 2018)
• 9 Parent Hydrobase, Parent, La Tuque, QC. Hydrobase serving the village of Parent. The seaplanes land on Lake Mauser. (updated Oct 2021)

By car

• La Tuque is on Quebec Route 155. From Trois-Rivières, you take route 55, which becomes Route 155 north of Shawinigan. Route 155 connects La Tuque with Shawinigan to the south and the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region to the north.
• From La Tuque, the village of Parent is accessible by forest road 461 (25) (211 kilometres (131 mi), in 4 hours and 10 min). From Saint-Michel-des-Saints, the road to Parent is (242 kilometres (150 mi), in 5 hours and 10 min). From Val d'Or (Abitibi), the road to Parent is (346 kilometres (215 mi), in 7 hours and 9 min).
• From La Tuque, the village of Obedjiwan is accessible by forest road 461 (25), then RO-450 (424 kilometres (263 mi), in 6 hours and 13 min).
• Numerous forest roads provide access to remote zones (hamlets, zec, hunting and fishing camps, forest camps).

By bus

• Transport collectif Haut St-Maurice. Bus service from Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan. (updated Feb 2021)

By train

Via Rail has a thrice-weekly service that connects La Tuque to Montreal by train. It departs Montreal on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 08:15, arriving La Tuque at 13:18. On the return it departs La Tuque Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:53, or 14:53 on Sundays, arriving back from Montreal at 17:15 and 20:15, respectively. The train station is at 550 Rue St-Louis.

• 10 La Tuque railway station, 550 Rue St Louis. (updated Jun 2020)

Get around

• Taxi La Tuque, ☏ +1 819-523-2525. (updated Apr 2019)

Charging stations

• 11 Electric vehicle terminal, 575 rue St-Eugène, La Tuque, QC, G90X 2T5, ☏ +1 800-686-9243. Charging station for electric vehicles. (updated Oct 2021)

See

There is a rock formation just outside the city resembling a hat, from which the city gets its name.

• 1 Parc des Chutes de la Petite Rivière Bostonnais (Falls-of-the-Petite-Rivière-Bostonnais Park), 3701, Blvd Ducharme, ☏ +1 819-523-5930, toll-free: +1-877-424-8476. May to October. Regional park. See the 30-m waterfalls. Walk to the observation tower to take a look at the panorama of the Saint-Maurice River. Kids' playground. (updated Apr 2019)
• 2 Parc des Trois Soeurs (Three Sisters Park), Route 155, La Tuque, QC, G9X 1L5, ☏ +1 819-676-5091, toll-free: +1-877-424-8476. Eleven kilometers of trails. Municipal park on the west bank of the Saint-Maurice river, facing the hamlet of Carignan, south of the village of La Tuque. Campsite at Lake Bédard. Gratuit. (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Parc Saint-Louis (Saint-Louis Park), 320, rue de la Plage, ☏ +1 819-676-5091, toll-free: +1-877-424-8476. Municipal aquatic park with Lake Saint-Louis and the Sakihikan Center (La Tuque Native Friendship Center (CAALT)) offering a complete immersion in the life of the Native people. Park located in the northwestern part of the town of La Tuque. Park with mature trees, decorative fountains and a water fountain in the center of Lake Saint-Louis. This park offers the public many services and activities, including rental of nautical equipment and changing rooms, swimming on a supervised beach, walking, picnic and rest areas. Floating docks are placed on the lake. The park is a natural amphitheater and a place of large gatherings (eg: National Aboriginal Day and National Day of Quebec). The site was redeveloped in 2018. The lake was seeded in 2015. Gratuit. (updated Oct 2021)
• 4 St-Zephirin Church, 308, rue St-Joseph, ☏ + 1 819-523-3166. Built in 1930, the Saint-Zéphirin church is the work of architect Heldwige Laberge, who applied a mid-Renaissance, half-Roman style. In 1944, under the direction of parish priest Louis Caron, artist Albert Gilles carried out the interior decoration. Over a period of 14 years, he made the brass inside and was responsible for the stained glass windows made by Maison Maumejean in Paris. Entrance doors, adorned with embossed copper, weigh ½ ton each. In 1958, the factory repaired the facade of the church. Following the 1961 fire, marble was added to the walls and a mural by Walter Del Mistro. Stations of the Cross were made of embossed copper on a background of eggshells crushed into pieces. In 1962, the Parish Factory purchased a new organ from Casavant Frères limited in Saint-Hyacinthe. The organ has 4230 pipes. It is a French and neo-classical harmonization of 52 stops, with an electro-pneumatic type mechanism. (updated Oct 2021)
• 5 Complexe culturel Félix-Leclerc (Félix-Leclerc Cultural Complex), 725, boul. Ducharme, ☏ +1 819-523-9280; +1 819-523-2600FORMAT, . Cultural complex administered by the La Tuque Arts and Culture Development Corporation. Building with six rooms including four workshop rooms; these rooms are available for conferences, training, meetings of organized groups. The program of shows is posted on the website of the cultural complex. (updated Oct 2021)

Do

• Go Snowmobiling. The city has 650 kilometres (400 mi) of well-maintained snowmobile trails with a multitude of services. (updated May 2017)
• Deverichie Trail (within walking distance of the city center), ☏ +1 877-424-8476 (to reserve the camping platforms) or the refugeFORMAT. Linear trail from 2 km to 10 km. 22 km loop including 6.7 km of main roads. In the first two kilometers, the trail runs alongside a stream with several waterfalls and ponds; then several ascents and descents. This park has a camping site equipped with five platforms and a refuge. Snowshoeing in winter. Free for the trail; compulsory membership card at a cost of $ 10 for the campsite and the refuge. (updated Oct 2021)
• 6 Centre Municipal de Ski La Tuque, 700, Rue Desbiens. Winter only. A drop of 166 m a few steps from the city centre. An exceptional amount of snow on its 13 slopes, 9 of which are illuminated for evening skiing. Also a snowpark, a slope-school, and a descent in tubes. (updated Apr 2019)
• 7 Club de golf La Tuque & Curling La Tuque, 35, rue Beaumont, ☏ +1 819-523-3122. Winter only. Public golf course located near the Saint-Maurice river, between the Beaumont street and the Ducharme boulevard. 18-hole course. Storage service for sticks and lockers. Golf course. Curling leagues. (updated Oct 2021)

Events

• Thursdays Downtown. From June 29 to August 10, free shows are presented every Thursday evening. Visitors can take the opportunity to get in the mood by having a meal on one of the welcoming terraces. (updated May 2017)
• International Classic of Mauricie canoes, 253, 3e rue de la Pointe, C.P. 1, suite 207, Shawinigan, QC, G9N 6T8, ☏ + 1 819-537-9221, fax: + 1 819-537-6392. Since 1934, this canoe classic has gained international fame. This classic includes a series of sporting (over 200 km, in three stages between La Tuque and Trois-Rivières) and cultural events. About 70,000 visitors attend all stages of the canoe race and events. This race starts in La Tuque. (updated Sep 2021)

Buy

• 1 Galeries La Tuque, 1200 Boulevard Ducharme. Small shopping mall with a Canadian Tire store and a liquor store. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Place des artisans (summer and Christmas market) (Craftmen Place), rue Commerciale, La Tuque, ☏ +1 819 676-3055, infoservice@ville.latuque.qc.ca. A small market outside the city center offering items (gift ideas) in small cottages designed by local producers or artisans, including: woven blankets, knits of all kinds, salvaged goods, handmade soaps and lots of finds. Occasionally, lively activities are organized there. (updated Oct 2021)

Eat

• 1 Le Boke, 556 Commercial, ☏ +1 819-523-2991. W-F 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00, Sa 17:00-21:00. Steaks, fish, poke bowls, burgers, stir fry, salads. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Restaurant Le Parasol, 359 St-Francois Street, ☏ +1 819-523-7551. Tu 11:00-14:00, W-F 11:00-14:00 and 16:45-close, Sa 17:00-close. Sandwiches, seafood, ribs, grills, pasta, pizza. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 Pizzeria Italia, 371 Rue St-Francois, ☏ +1 819-523-9517. Su-Th 11:00-22:00, F Su 11:00-23:00, Sa 11:00-00:00. Pizzas, pastas, fries, salads and Ricco chicken. (updated Apr 2019)

Drink

• 1 Brassette du Coin, 276 Rue St-Joseph, ☏ +1 819-523-9460. Daily 08:00-03:00. A small bar on the corner (updated Apr 2019)
• 2 La Pecheresse Microbrasserie, 355 Rue Saint Zéphirin. W-Sa 16:00-02:00. You can accompany your tasting with a quick or full meal from the restaurant Le Boké. Order at the pub or on the terrace and your meal will be delivered quickly. Improv evenings some Sundays (in French). Musical events some evenings. (updated Apr 2019)

Sleep

Camping

• Camping La Tuque, 1 rue de la rivière, La Tuque, G9X 3N6, ☏ + 1 819 523-4561, campinglatuque@campingunion.com. Campsite with 388 sites with patio, table and fireplace on each. Includes heated swimming pools, water games and a navigable river with a boat landing and kayak rental. 26$ - 50$. (updated Oct 2021)
• Quoquochee Plein air et Camping du lac Flamand, forest road RO 461 (25), La Tuque, QC, G9X 3P1, ☏ + 1 819 523-7379, quoquocheepleinair@gmail.com. Campsite with 85 locations in the wilderness. Five motel units with wood stove. $22 - $26. (updated Oct 2021)
• 1 Camping Haut de la Chute (camping top of the fall), 555, chemin des Pionniers, La Tuque, G9X 3N6, ☏ +1 819 523-7575 ou +1 450-491-3180 (out of season)FORMAT. This campsite located northwest of the village of La Tuque. It has 121 sites including 100 with three services. Community room with a capacity of 40 peoples. Campsites for travelers: 45%. Ready-to-camp available: a tent-caravan and a rental chalet. Now accessible by two quad trails. Snack (casse-croûte). $32-47. (updated Oct 2021)

Hotel

• 1 Hotel Marineau Centre La Tuque, 1100 Boulevard Ducharme, toll-free: +1-888-323-9501. Free coffee, office in the room, individual air conditioning/heating, mini fridge, free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi. From $91. (updated Apr 2019)
• 2 Hotel Marineau La Tuque, 3250 Boulevard Ducharme, ☏ +1 819-709-4551, toll-free: +1-888-333-5717. Coffee maker, small fridge, adequate work area and plug-ins, good internet service and a very big, bathroom. On-site restaurant/lounge. From $116. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 Gite aux Trois Pignons, 643 Rue Roy, ☏ +1 819-523-3042. Non-smoking rooms with shared bathroom. Free Wi-Fi. From $94. (updated Apr 2019)
• 4 Pizzéria Italia, 371, rue Saint-François, ☏ +1 819-523-9517. Deux unités sont disponibles à l'emplacement à la journée ou à la semaine au deuxième étage de la Pizzeria Italia . From $115. (updated Oct 2021)

Outfitters

• 5 Odanak Club, C.P. 638 Lac Castor, La Tuque, QC, G9X 3P5, ☏ +1 819-523-8420, https://www.clubodanak.com/FORMAT. Forest inn and outfitter with exclusive rights to Lac Castor. Occupying three buildings erected on a wooded hill. This tourist complex is located on the shores of Castor Lake. Activities: canoeing, hunting, snowmobile excursion, winter sliding, interpretation of Aboriginal culture, interpretation of nature, kayaking, wildlife observation, ice skating, fishing, ice fishing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, indoor games room, cross-country skiing, mountain biking. Species hunted: ruffed grouse, moose, black bear. Types of hunting: crossbow / bow, firearm, daily hunting. (updated Oct 2021)
• 6 Pourvoirie Barrage Gouin & Magnan, 431 Réservoir Gouin, La Tuque, G0X 1R0, ☏ +1 877-720-8900, pourvoirie@barragegouin.com. Hunting & fishing outfitter located at the top of the Gouin dam, serving two sectors: Gouin dam and Magnan sector. Accommodation offer in inns or chalets for the dam sector; in houseboats or exile chalets, in the Magnan sector. Package: expedition, snowmobile, luxury houseboat. Fishing circuits. Marina for seaplanes. Airplane track on wheels: N-48.19687; W74.01610 (updated Oct 2021)

Go next

Routes through La Tuque

Ends at ← Lac-Saint-Jean ←	N  S	→ Shawinigan → Trois-Rivières
Senneterre ←	N  S	→ Hervey → Shawinigan

• 2 Zec Borgia. Controlled harvesting zone (ZEC) located northeast of the city of La Tuque. More than 194 lakes have been counted in the territory of this zec, including 59 exploited for fishing. It covers an area of ​​556 kilometres (345.48 mi). (updated Oct 2021)
• 3 Zec de la Bessonne, ☏ + 1. Controlled harvesting zone (ZEC) covering 524.5 kilometres (325.91 mi), straddling the territories of La Tuque, La Bostonnais and Lac-Édouard. It is located 10 km east of downtown La Tuque. Six rivers cross its territory. (updated Oct 2021)
• 4 Zec de la Croche, ☏ +1. Controlled harvesting zone (ZEC) located 18 km north of La Tuque. It has 97 lakes in an area of ​​351.8 kilometres (218.60 mi). This zec takes its name from the Croche river which crosses it. (updated Oct 2021)
• 5 Zec du Gros-Brochet. Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) created in 1978. A first reception station is located at the southern end of the territory, that is to say just south of Lac des Pins-Rouges, therefore accessible via route 131 via Saint- Michel-des-Saints. The second reception station is located on the east side of the Rivière-aux-rats bridge which spans the Saint-Maurice river. This zec extends into the cantons of Bisaillon, Dupuis, Laporte and Sincennes. (updated Oct 2021)
• 6 Zec Frémont, information@zecfremont.ca. Controlled harvesting zone (ZEC) located southwest of the city of La Tuque. More than 250 lakes have been counted in the territory of this ZEC, the main one being Lake Sincennes. (updated )
• 7 Zec Jeannotte. Controlled harvesting zone (ZEC) located in the municipality of Lac Édouard, about thirty kilometers east of the town of La Tuque. Its territory, which turns out to be an island, is more or less framed by Lake Édouard, the Jeannotte River and the Batiscan River. (updated )
• 8 Zec Kiskissink. Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) located northeast of the city of La Tuque. It covers an area of 829.5 kilometres (515.43 mi). (updated )
• 9 Zec Ménokéosawin, ☏ + 1. Controlled Harvesting Zone (ZEC) located in the municipality of Lac-Édouard and La Tuque. It has 162 lakes in an area of 298.5 kilometres (185.48 mi). (updated )
• 10 Zec Wessonneau. Controlled Harvesting Zone (ZEC) covering the townships of Baril, Turcotte, Geoffrion and Polette. The reception station of the zec Wessonneau is located west of the Saint-Maurice River, near the rivière aux Rats.  
• 11 Lac-Édouard. Municipality of Haute-Batiscanie, the village of Lac-Édouard is located on the edge of Lake Édouard, 60 km (by road) from downtown La Tuque. This municipality merged with La Tuque in 2003 and was reconstituted in 2006. This locality is renowned for its sanatorium which was in operation during the first half of the 20th century, for its economic vocation in forestry and for its recreational tourism activities (resort, outfitters, water sports, snowmobiling, mountain biking). (updated Oct 2021)
• 12 La Bostonnais. Municipality of Haute-Mauricie, the village of La Bostonnais is located 15 km (by road) northeast of downtown La Tuque. It shares its boundaries between La Tuque and Lac-Édouard. This municipality merged with La Tuque in 2003 and was reconstituted in 2006. (updated Oct 2021)
• 13 Wemotaci (From downtown La Tuque, take rue Tessier (northbound), rue Bostonnais (northbound) which becomes chemin Fitzpatrick; take the forest road RO-461 (25) (westbound) to the village of Wemotaci.). 33.3 kilometres (20.69 mi) Indian reserve managed by the Atikamekw council with a population of 1280 individuals in 2019. The Atikamekw community of Wemotaci also manages the Indian reserve of 0.06 kilometres (0.04 mi) of Coucoucache; this territory is located on the north shore of Réservoir Blanc which constitutes an enlargement of the Saint-Maurice River, between Rapide des Coeurs Powerhouse and the Rapide-Blanc Powerhouse. (updated Oct 2021)
• 14 Obedjiwan (From downtown La Tuque, it is quicker to take route 155 (northbound); then take route 167 (westbound) through Saint-Félicien.). 9.27 kilometres (5.76 mi) Indian reserve located on a peninsula, between Kamitcikamak lake (to the west) and Wapisiw bay (to the east) on the north shore of the Gouin Reservoir. It is isolated in the agglomeration of La Tuque. Its population is 2,100 people. (updated Oct 2021)