Ferme-Neuve, Quebec: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Ferme-Neuve is a Hautes-Laurentides municipality in Quebec’s Laurentides region, set along the Lièvre River, Lac des Journalistes and the road north from Mont-Laurier. It is one of the region’s strongest outdoor bases, with village services close to Parc régional Montagne du Diable, Chute Windigo, beaches, outfitters and the Baskatong Reservoir.
The place makes sense when you connect its forest origin with its present-day recreation role. Ferme-Neuve began as a supply and logging landscape; travellers now use that same backcountry edge for hiking, skiing, paddling, camping and lake time.
How Ferme-Neuve Started
Ferme-Neuve’s name comes from La Ferme de la Montagne, a large farm established by the James MacLaren logging company in the nineteenth century to supply lumber camps working the red and white pine forests. The Lièvre River and surrounding forest made the area valuable long before it became a formal village.
Cyrille Lafontaine acquired the farm in the late 1880s, and settlement expanded as farming, forestry and colonization work pushed farther into the Upper Laurentians. Lac des Journalistes recalls a 1902 model-farm project associated with Montreal journalists who promoted settlement and helped fund local schooling.
The present municipality was formed through the 1997 merger of the former village and parish municipalities, joining the settlement core with a large rural and forested territory.
What Ferme-Neuve Is Like Today
Ferme-Neuve had 2,716 residents in the 2021 census. It is larger than many rural Laurentian communities and functions as a service point for residents, cottagers, outdoor operators and travellers heading into the forest-lake country north of Mont-Laurier.
The village has municipal services, local businesses, visitor information and access to water and trails. The surrounding territory is expansive, with lakes, forest roads, campgrounds, beaches and recreation areas. Visitors should think of Ferme-Neuve as both a community and a practical staging area for outdoor days.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Parc régional Montagne du Diable is the headline attraction. Bonjour Québec lists hiking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, fat biking, mountain biking, paddling rentals and year-round access around the mountain. The park’s high points, forest roads and accommodation options make it useful for both day trips and longer stays.
The municipal attractions list also points travellers to Chute Windigo, the Baskatong Reservoir, beaches and local campgrounds or outfitters. Lac des Journalistes gives an easy community landmark, while the Lièvre River helps orient the village.
In town, stop at the tourist office if you need trail conditions, park directions or lodging advice. Mont-Laurier is the main nearby service centre, but Ferme-Neuve has enough local infrastructure to start the outdoor day close to the trailhead.
Quick Facts
- Province: Quebec
- Region: Laurentides
- Municipality type: Municipality
- 2021 census population: 2,716
- Official website: https://municipalite.ferme-neuve.qc.ca/
- Main visitor anchors: Montagne du Diable, Chute Windigo, Lac des Journalistes and Baskatong access
Travel Notes
Book lodging and campsites early for summer, fall-colour weekends and winter trail periods. Check park conditions before heading to Montagne du Diable, especially after storms. Distances on forest roads take longer than they look on a map, and winter travel requires proper tires, warm clothing and a flexible schedule.