Mostly all old bridges were built with roofs to prevent premature
aging and thus, save on construction costs. In addition to their primary
function they also served as meeting places and sites for posting notices.
Today, covered bridges are part of our heritage. Built with local materials
in the traditional Town style, the Maurice-Duplessis (1943), Pionniers
(1948) and des Souvenirs (1954) bridges all span the Turgeon River. The
Taschereau bridge (1943) crosses Leslie Brook. The Val-Paradis, Villebois
and Beaucanton bridges are still in excellent condition and can be crossed
in a car, on bike or on foot. Their wooden structures are engraved with
love messages written by young couples seeking a place to hide from indiscrete
onlookers.
In 1997, a major fire swept through the township of Perron and almost burned down Val-Paradis. You can walk (wear a good pair of running shoes) or cycle through this large burned out area and observe the process of regeneration taking place in the forest. Then, as you go through a patch of forest spared by the fire, you will discover strange formations of erratic blocs, waterfalls and builtin lakes - a stunning reminder of the ancient passage of glaciers! The Saint Joachim catholic church was built in 1948 and is one of the rare buildings in Québec erected in the Dom Bellot architectural style. Paul Bellot, a Benedictine monk born in Paris and exiled to Canada, gave his name to this style recognisable by its sharp angled windows. Today, this historical monument, built of fieldstone and carved granite, is the pride of Beaucanton.
For further information on Villebois, please contact us by phone
at :
(819) 941-4441
Chibougamau - meeting place-is located in mountainous terrain, on the shores of Gilman Lake, near Aux Dorés and Chibougamau Lakes. It is the largest community in Northern Québec. Initially, the name Chibougamau designated a territory covering over 1600 square kilometers traversed by the fur route, a seaway linking Lac St-Jean to James Bay. Chibougamau was frequented as early as the 17th Century by many merchants, explorers and «coureurs des bois» . Father Charles Albanel also crossed the region to get to Hudson Bay in 1671. One of the many lakes that dot the region carries his name. The first official exploratory mining excursion to the territory was conducted in 1870 by James Richardson. The discovery of a gold-bearing quartz lode in 1903 by Peter McKenzie, a fur trader, generated intermittent waves of intensive exploration of the sector. However, the exploitation of the rich polymetallic deposits (gold, copper and silver) got underway only in 1975, with the opening of the Campbell Mine.
First founded as a mining village in 1950, Chibougamau
obtained its status of municipal corporation in 1954. Although still considered
a mining town, the town’s economy has diversified over the years and its
population has developed a strong sense of nordic identity. Today, forestry
employs as many people as the mining industry, and Chibougamau has become
the main service centre for neighbouring communities. In recent years,
tourism has grown considerably due, among others, to the Mining Centre,
opened in 1997.
This town was founded in 1963, largely as a result
of mining and forest activity in the area. The name Matagami means «meeting
of waters»; the town is located at the confluence of the Bell, Allard
and Waswanipi Rivers flowing into Matagami lake. In earlier days, the discovery
of vast halieutic resources in the region led to a fishing industry with
the Nottaway Fish Company supplying the Hudson Bay Co. post. Dr. Robert
Bell, a geologist working for the Canadian Government, explored the region
in 1895. His discoveries and analysis gave birth to the area’s first mining
operations. In 1960, timber companies set up shop and a new industry was
born. Today, Noranda and Domtar are two of the main employers in this town.
Matagami’s development was also a result of the hydroelectric projects
undertaken in James Bay. These major dam projects were the reason behind
the construction of another engineering marvel: the James Bay highway.
At Km 10, James Bay Highway Mount-Laurier is a site of exceptional beauty
and a favourite destination for photographers and those who love trekking.
A nature trail leads to the summit and to a spectacular panorama of the
town, Matagami lake and the boreal forest in all its splendour!