Mékinac

Home to the legendary Festival Western de Saint-Tite, the RCM of Mékinac welcomes nearly 600,000 cowboys and cowgirls every year who come to celebrate with rodeos and country music. But beyond the line dancing to “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” 🎵, Mékinac is also a land of culture and adventure, marked by vast forests and the storied Saint-Maurice River.

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Regional Snapshot

The name “Mékinac” comes from the Algonquin word “Mikinak” (meaning “turtle”), inspired by a local mountain said to resemble the shell-backed creature. We know—you’re already starting to fall for the place. 🐢

But that’s not all. The region is crossed by major rivers like the legendary Saint-Maurice, Batiscan and Sainte-Anne, which played a crucial role in its economic history. Think back to the days of log drives and lumber camps, stories you can relive at the Village du Bûcheron (Logger’s Village). There, you’ll hear tales from true woodsmen that prove Mékinac has held onto the rugged, authentic character that defines it to this day.

With its 4,665 lakes and vast network of waterways (including Lake Mékinac, which alone spans 23 km²!), the region is a paradise for outdoor recreation, hunting, and fishing.

Mékinac is also home to charming towns and villages perfect for nature escapes or agrotourism adventures—Grandes-Piles, Sainte-Thècle, and Saint-Tite, to name a few. With around 4,000 residents (plus the 600,000 festival-goers during the Western Festival), Saint-Tite is the largest municipality in the area.

Other villages that make up the region include Hérouxville, Lac-aux-Sables, Notre-Dame-de-Montauban, Saint-Adelphe, Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac, Saint-Séverin, and Trois-Rives.

Must-sees

The ten rural municipalities of Mékinac never fail to charm visitors. Offering a perfect blend of culture, nature, and flavour, they’re ideal for both adventurers and those who simply want to slow down and enjoy life.

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For more tips and activities, ask the pros!

Tourisme Mauricie is a bit like a loving mom. She has six “kids” — the six territories of the region — and she loves them all equally (well, almost. Everyone knows the mischievous one is always the most endearing 🤫). And as a good, impartial mother, she’ll tell you that all her children are the BEST. So don’t hesitate to reach out for advice and activity ideas about each territory! (Did we really just compare ourselves to a mom who bakes cookies?)

Visit Tourisme Mékinac's website