Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Quebec: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Notre-Dame-du-Lac is a lakefront sector of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac in Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region. It sits on Lac Témiscouata, with ferry access, cycling, waterfront services and road links that make it a useful stop in the Témiscouata area.
This page focuses on the former city of Notre-Dame-du-Lac, now part of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac. The local story is best understood through the lake, the old regional service role and the 2010 merger with Cabano.
How Notre-Dame-du-Lac Started
The Commission de toponymie says Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac is made up of two sectors, Cabano and Notre-Dame-du-Lac. The city name was officialized in 2011 after the merger of the two former cities.
The MRC de Témiscouata notes that the city was born from the 2010 fusion of Cabano and Notre-Dame-du-Lac. Before that, Notre-Dame-du-Lac served as an important local centre on the lake, with services connected to the wider Témiscouata region.
The place name and settlement pattern come from the lake setting. Notre-Dame-du-Lac grew where water, roads, local services and regional administration could meet in the valley of Témiscouata.
What Notre-Dame-du-Lac Is Like Today
Notre-Dame-du-Lac is no longer a separate census subdivision, so its 2021 census population is counted within Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac. The sector still has a distinct identity for travellers because the ferry, waterfront and local services are tied to the Notre-Dame-du-Lac side of the city.
The MRC profile describes Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac as the product of the two-sector merger, while Tourisme Témiscouata places the city inside a region known for lakes, forests and outdoor routes.
The present-day travel rhythm is practical and scenic. Visitors come through by car, bicycle, ferry, snowmobile or regional touring route, often using the lakefront as a natural pause.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Start with Lac Témiscouata. The ferry between Notre-Dame-du-Lac and Saint-Juste-du-Lac is the most distinctive travel feature, and Bonjour Québec lists it as a seasonal crossing linking the two villages across the lake.
Cyclists should look at the Parc régional linéaire Petit Témis. The MRC describes its managed section between Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac and the New Brunswick border, giving the area a strong rail-trail identity.
The waterfront, marina area, local services and views across the lake make Notre-Dame-du-Lac a good pause on a Bas-Saint-Laurent route. Travellers with more time can connect the sector with Cabano, Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata, Dégelis and other Témiscouata communities.
Quick Facts
- Province: Quebec
- Region: Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Community type: former city; sector of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac
- 2021 census population: counted within Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac
- Official website: temiscouatasurlelac.ca
- Main setting: Lake Témiscouata waterfront sector in the Témiscouata region
- Good for: lake ferry, cycling, waterfront stops, regional services and Bas-Saint-Laurent road touring
- Key routes: local roads around Lac Témiscouata, the ferry crossing and the Petit Témis corridor
Travel Notes
Check ferry schedules, trail conditions and seasonal services before travelling. In winter, confirm whether lake crossings, snowmobile routes and roads are operating before relying on them for trip planning.