Lac-Mégantic 
©A. Samson
The regional capital of the eastern section of the Townships, the town of Lac-Mégantic was created in 1907 – long after Malcolm Matheson, a businessman from Lewis Island in England, built his house and opened his store in 1877. Its constitution dates back to the merger of two towns: the village of Megantic, which was founded in 1885 by two French Canadians, Télesphore Lemay and Antoine Roy; and the village of Agnes, which was dubbed by Scottish colonists in honour of Sir John A. Macdonald’s wife, who accompanied the first prime minister of Canada and minister John Henry Pope to inaugurate the last section of the International Railway. Twinned with the Québec Central in 1889, this railway supported Lac-Mégantic’s rapid expansion into a ‘railway capital.’ Your awe will extend far beyond the railway station (a jewel of the past in its own right) into the entire town – a land traveled by Native nations and explored by Samuel de Champlain’s associates. A number of buildings in the downtown core will interest architecture enthusiasts: Sainte-Agnès Church (1913), a Catholic temple in the neo-gothic style, featuring a splendid London stained glass behind the main altar; Saint-Barnabas Church (1892), in neo-Queen-Anne style; the Presbyterian Chapel (1890); and Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Church (1948). Located in the town hall, the Namesokanjik museum houses a collection of different artifacts that will fascinate history lovers. Bordering Lake Megantic, the second largest in the region, Lac-Mégantic is a tourist destination beyond compare thanks to its many lodging facilities and activities. Throughout the year, two Québec national parks, Frontenac and Mount Megantic, and the Complexe Baie-des-Sables (recreo-tourism centre) offer a number of possibilities to outdoor enthusiasts. Activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, camping, fishing, swimming, water sports and, in winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing and tube sliding. The golf course is another attraction. Close to the marina, downtown, is the tree-lined Veterans Park. Snowmobile fans can take advantage of a multitude of groomed trails with snow in abundance. Megantic’s citizens have the added advantage of a thriving economy, thanks to the woodworking industry. Experience a unique outing aboard the Coudrier Mégantic, the only cruise ship that lets you admire the beautiful mountains surrounding Lake Megantic.
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City of Lac-Mégantic
5527, rue Frontenac, bureau 200, Lac-Mégantic (Québec) G6B 1H6
819 583-2441
Fax: 819 583-5920
Email: direction.generale@ville.lac-megantic.qc.ca
Internet: www.ville.lac-megantic.qc.ca
Population: 5949
©André Samson
