Sites and Attractions
By Bonny Rochefort
In Rouyn-Noranda, there are must-see attractions. Let’s start with Parc Aiguebelle. Located in the Mont-Brun district, this magnificent national park of the SEPAQ is a huge playground and the guardian of a rich natural and cultural heritage with its 2.7 billion years old rocks and the presence of the watershed line on its territory. Through the beauty and diversity of the landscapes it protects, Aiguebelle is full of short and long hiking trails that allow you to appreciate all its splendour. They will take you to a suspension bridge crossing a fault lake, lead you to a spiral staircase running along a vertiginous escarpment, take you to the top of the Abijévis hills or climb into a real fire guard tower. Birdwatching, exploring fault lakes in a canoe, following incredible landscapes in a rabaska, crossing a lake in a sea kayak or reliving the history of the place thanks to a theatrical presentation are just some of the many other activities that take place here.
The Dumulon General Store is a historic site in the township of Rouyn, founded by the Dumulon family in 1924. Currently, the permanent exhibition “La Ruée vers Rouyn” is on display there. Structured around the biographical trajectory of four characters, it presents the birth of Rouyn and Noranda and the effervescence that reigned in the Sister Cities at the time. You can also shop among souvenirs and regional products in the boutique.
Don’t forget our walks in town and in our rural neighborhoods. Using the Balado Découverte application, interpretation panels, audio capsules and public works of art, explore our territory at your own pace.
A museum institution dedicated to the arts of the Americas, the MA – Musée d’art de Rouyn-Noranda houses a collection of nearly 1,000 works, which focus mainly on Quebec art. In order to enjoy an optimal museum experience, the Musée d’art offers free guided tours.
Located on the sandy shores of splendid Joannès Lake, the Parc-Aventure Joannès invites you to experience a unique day full of life-size pleasure! With family or friends, enjoy a multitude of activities to make your visit to an unforgettable event. Giant maze carved out of the forest, fitness trail, minigolf, biking or walking trails… all you have to do is choose! The Parc-Aventure Joannès is also host to the D’Arbre en Arbre aerial adventure park, which will make you experience strong emotions from spruce to spruce, several meters above the ground!
Also discover the Parc botanique À fleur d’eau and the Jardin géologique, a veritable gem of greenery located in the heart of downtown Rouyn-Noranda! You can find more than 25,000 plants, trees and shrubs adapted to the climatic conditions of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. Wheelchair-accessible trails, a boardwalk surrounding Edward Lake, a small artificial waterfall, a waterfall on the rocks, a gentle stream, relaxation areas and several picnic areas are at your disposal. The park’s geological garden features huge mineral samples and provides a wealth of information on the geology and mining development of the area.
Finally, you cannot miss the guided tour of the Horne Foundry, the only copper smelter in operation in Canada. During this visit, you will discover the secrets of copper transformation by visiting one of the most specialized smelting factories in the world, host to unique technologies. You will first enter the imposing Guest House, where leading figures from the mining, metallurgical and political fields of the early 20th century stayed. You will then head to the metallurgical facilities, where the Horne Mining Museum will reveal the secrets of the story of Edmund Horne, the prospector behind the discovery of the immense copper and gold deposit named after him. You will then dive into the heart of copper transformation activities, in the smelting plant, where copper flows freely. The vast expanse of this metallurgical plant reflects the importance of its industrial activities for the city of Rouyn-Noranda and all of Quebec. An impressive journey you will remember!
