Monasteriorum Pilgrimage trail: follow in the footsteps of the trappist monks

For hiking enthusiasts and pilgrims, here is a trail tailor-made for you: the Monastérium. This nearly 30-kilometer trail along the Rivière aux Rats between Dolbeau-Mistassini and Saint-Eugène-d’Argentenay showcases the remarkable heritage that bears witness to the invaluable contribution of the Trappist Fathers to the north of Lac Saint-Jean for over 125 years.

Along the route, you’ll discover the sites of the three monasteries occupied by the Trappist monks since their arrival in the northern Lac-Saint-Jean region in 1892.

The pilgrimage route will take you from the historic Pointe-des-Pères area to the Chocolaterie des Pères economic museum and the Cistercian abbey, where some 14 guest rooms and a monastery shop are available.

In Saint-Eugène-d’Argentenay, the church will be open to the public and will even welcome pilgrims wishing to spend the night there. A riverside park and a walking trail leading to an illuminated cross round out the local experience.

Beyond its historical and religious significance, this trail, built along an old rural road, reveals all the charm and poetry of the meandering Rivière aux Rats as it flows to Dolbeau-Mistassini. It also offers a chance to admire the distinctive natural beauty of the northern lake region in all its splendor, winding through blueberry fields and boreal forest.

Starting point of the Monastérium

The suggested starting point is the Regional Park Visitor Center in Dolbeau-Mistassini. Eventually, as is often the case in France and elsewhere in Quebec, a pilgrim’s passport will be available as a souvenir. It is used to collect stamps, as well as to record personal reflections on the experience.

32nd Pilgrimage Route of the Province

The Monasteriorum Pilgrimage Route is the 32nd pilgrimage route in Quebec. It builds on other religious tourism offerings in the region, such as l’Ermitage Saint-Antoine du Lac-Bouchette and Notre-Dame-de-Kapatakan, Pilgrimage Route, which stretches 215 km between Rivière-Éternité and Lac-Bouchette.

For more information, visit the website of the Grandes-Rivières Regional Park of Lac Saint-Jean: https://grandesrivieres.com/