It's fascinating yet frightful to descend into the earth's inner space, to listen to the pulse of the night life, where the dampness goes right through you; these closed-down mines, where man, guided only by his courage but often to the detriment of his health, extracted small pieces of rock containing treasures with shiny facets, so essential now to modern life. Fortunately, the extraction techniques of the ore were developed considerably, facilitating the life of the miners. To fully appreciate your underground adventure, it's important to wear warm clothing. (Abitibi)
The less adventurous can make more usual activities like golfing or visit museums and ore-interpretation centers which explain the various stages, from prospection to transformation. A visit to a metallurgy center is also possible in which case one must wear trousers, long sleeves and closed shoes.
Make a detour to the public library of Gallichan, the Joseph Bérubé collection holds a series of various objects, the result of archaeological searches undertaken in the Sixties. Mr. Bérubé discovered 5 American Indian sites and a French trading post around the Abitibi lake. (Abitibi)
The national historical site of Fort-Témiscamingue includes the remnants of an old trading post.. The commercial activities lasted for nearly 2 centuries. (Témiscamingue)
The Opémican corporation takes its visitors back to the last centuries. The inn built in 1883 accommodated the raftsmen and the workers of this old nautical center and the boat and wharf repair center.(Témiscamingue)
The "centre thématique fossilière" traces back the marine life of 480 million years ago. (Témiscamingue)
The arts are very present in Abitibi-Témiscamingue; in the fall, Rouyn-Noranda is the host of the International cinema festival, much appreciated by fans of the silver screen. Permanent and mobile art and cultural exhibits are omnipresent in the more important suburbs. Not to be missed, the Visual Arts Symposium, a recent but novel and audacious event.
Craftsmen (artists, jewellers and others) using local ressources, produce beautiful souvenirs to take back with you.
Discover everything about your future neighbourhood.
