Nestled in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts is a parish municipality that offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. This charming community is located in the Laurentian Mountains, characterized by its valleys and rounded hills, with altitudes ranging from 150 metres (490 ft) to 560 metres (1,840 ft).
Saint-Alexis-des-Monts is a paradise for nature lovers, boasting more than 600 lakes, 400 of which are named and another 200 are unnamed minor lakes. The majority (65%) of its territory is part of the Matawin Wildlife Reserve. The town's economy heavily relies on outdoor tourism, which increases its seasonal population to between 8000 and 10,000 persons.
The history of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts dates back to 1865 when the first settlers from Saint-Paulin established the community on the banks of the Du Loup River. On October 30 of that year, Alexis Lefebvre Boulanger (1812-1885), a pioneer and farmer, donated the land on which the village's chapel was built in 1867, and the church in 1884. The town was named after him. The post office, identified as Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, opened in 1876, and the Parish Municipality of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts was formed in 1877.
In 1973, a portion of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts separated and formed the Municipality of Belleau, named in honour of Sir Narcisse-Fortunat Belleau (1808-1894), former lieutenant-governor of Quebec. However, Belleau rejoined Saint-Alexis-des-Monts on April 21, 1984, expanding the parish municipality's surface area to more than 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi). On December 9, 1995, an additional 763 square kilometres (295 sq mi) was added following the annexation of the Lac-Marcotte and Lac-au-Sorcier unorganized territories.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts had a population of 2,999 living in 1,593 of its 2,136 total private dwellings, a slight increase of 0.6% from its 2016 population of 2,981. With a land area of 1,035.74 km2 (399.90 sq mi), it had a population density of 2.9/km2 (7.5/sq mi) in 2021.
The population trend over the years is as follows:
As for the mother tongue of the residents:
Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, Quebec, with its rich history and natural beauty, is a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique blend of culture and outdoor adventure.
