A warm welcome and the beauty of nature is what the Saint-Antoine Hermitage promises for your family vacation!
*Accommodation and restaurant are closed for the winter period, except from December 22 to 29, 2021. Reservations for the Christmas season are now open.
Ermitage Saint-Antoine is a natural sanctuary and spiritual oasis on the shores of Lake Ouiatchouan. Located in the municipality of Lac-Bouchette, the Hermitage offers a host of activities and services for families wishing to vacation in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Located at the gateway to Lac-Saint-Jean from Mauricie (route 155), the Hermitage has been welcoming families since 1907.
What to do at the Saint-Antoine Hermitage?
The Hermitage has a wide variety of services. Three types of accommodation, a family restaurant, an artisanal bakery, cultural guided tours, an immersive multimedia experience, and historic chapels. Walking trails, bicycle rentals, kayak and paddle board rentals to enjoy the lake, a 25-meter observation tower, and a nearby beach allow guests to discover the exceptional nature that surrounds the site. Some activities are free of charge, just ask!
Forget the simple hotel with a choice of exceptional accommodations
Do you like cottage or hotel life? Ermitage Saint-Antoine welcomes you to its fully equipped family cottages located near walking trails, which can accommodate up to seven people per unit. Two units form a duplex, so it is possible to bring the extended family together by accommodating a total of fourteen people in one cottage (when sanitary conditions permit)
For a couple’s night, three small cozy cottages on the lake’s shore can accommodate two people each. Ideal for enjoying a relaxing stay in nature and watching the stars by the fire.
If you like to travel “all inclusive”, it is possible. Fifty-four hotel rooms, some with a view of the lake, are available..
A 4-star campsite offers serviced and unserviced sites, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Some campsites have an exceptional view of the lake, while others are located near the forest and hiking trails.
A completely renovated sanitary block and a laundry room are at your disposal. Playgrounds for children, an observation tower, a lakeside dock, small boat rentals, and bicycle rentals are all available. You can also access the municipal beach by bike or on foot in a few minutes.
A gourmet Hermitage!
The family restaurant Le Campanile has a dining room and a terrace, both overlooking the water. In addition to its varied daily menus, à la carte menus and tasty tables d’hôtes, Le Campanile offers you its delicious Lac-Saint-Jean tourtière and fresh products from the artisanal bakery every day.
At cocktail hour, let yourself be tempted by a good regional microbrewery beer. Children 10 and under can enjoy the same great meal as mom and dad, at half price. All-inclusive packages are available, whether you are alone or with your family.
The artisanal bakery La Mie de Saint-Antoine offers a range of fresh breads, including its popular soft and scrumptious home baked bread. To take home or enjoy during a picnic by the water, their delicious pastries will charm you.
A unique experience in Quebec
Your visit would not be complete without attending the immersive show Origine, unique in Canada. Projected in the heart of the forest, in a historic building converted into a state-of-the-art performance hall, this multimedia experience gives you a moment to reflect on the respect for nature and the environment. The show is suitable for audiences of all ages and is free of charge for ages 14 and under.
A bit of history on the founding of the Saint-Antoine Hermitage
In 1907, a priest from the Chicoutimi diocese, Father DeLamarre, moved to the shores of Lake Ouiatchouan to build a summer residence near his relatives who lived in Lac-Bouchette. He named this residence Ermitage San’Tonio and built a small chapel there. At the time, he had no idea what was in store for this site.
While walking on his path along the lake, he discovered a modest grotto which resembled the one in Lourdes, in France. In 1912, the Virgin Mary invited herself to the Grotto and, through a miraculous healing, the Abbot understood that God had greater plans in mind for his Hermitage.
The rapid influx of pilgrims confirmed to him that he was right. The Ermitage Saint-Antoine lived through the era of popular fervour and major construction projects were sketched out; then, it has adapted to the changes of modern society with serenity.
Peace, quiet, and the beauty of nature are the main benefits sought by pilgrims and visitors to the Hermitage today. Welcome to all!
What to do after a visit to Ermitage Saint-Antoine
Combine hiking and culture!
Extend your discovery of spirituality, nature, and culture by hiking part or all of the Notre-Dame-Kapatakan trail. This regional "little Compostela" extends over 215 km, from Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay in Rivière-Éternité to the statue of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes at the Ermitage Saint-Antoine. On your way, stop in the small municipality of Saint-André-du-Lac-Saint-Jean to have a picnic near the Métabetchouane River and its magnificent Chute de l’épouvante.
Go on foot in a completely different direction on the Ouiatchouan trail, a 30 km route that connects the Ermitage Saint-Antoine and the Historical Village of Val-Jalbert! Immerse yourself in the mature forest and walk along the majestic Ouiatchouan River.
Family stops
Once your visit to the Hermitage is over, why not enjoy an ice cream with your feet in the fine sand of Lac-Bouchette municipal beach? Walk along Lac Bouchette for 1 km for a magnificent view (1.5 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine). Please note that the beach is not supervised and swimming is not recommended.
Have fun with the kids both young and old at the Auberge Éva Nature Vacation Centre. Among the activities to do on site, a mini-farm accessible at all times, a beach with a boat ramp, a network of hiking and hebertism trails, bike rentals, and a host of other activities for the whole family (2.4 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).
Visiting the area in July? Strawberries are available at the kiosk or pick-your-own at the Fraisière biologique de Chambord (30 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine). Are you visiting in August? It's blueberry season! Go to the Bleuetière touristique de Saint-François-de-Sales to pick famous Lac Saint-Jean blueberries with your family (25 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).
For the rest of your stay in Lac-Saint-Jean, don't forget to visit our family favourites, including the Historical Village of Val-Jalbert (31 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine), the Amerindian Museum of Mashteuiatsh (48 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine), the Perron Old Cheese Factory (52 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine) and the Saint-Félicien Wild Zoo (72 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).
Where to sleep near the Hermitage?
Several accommodation options are available in Lac-Bouchette and the surrounding area. For a night in the heart of nature, book a cottage, a campsite, or the magnificent family loft located at the Auberge Éva (2.4 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).
For spectacular sunsets and a magnificent panoramic view of the Bouchette and Ouiatchouan lakes, relax at the Auberge Motel Panorama (3 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).
For a well-priced option with a view of the lake, opt for the Motel Christine, which offers fully equipped family rooms and a terrace (3 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).
For camping enthusiasts, the Municipal camping of Saint-François-de-Sales offers a peaceful place to spend your family vacation, close to many of the attractions of Lac-Saint-Jean (12 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).
Where to eat near the Hermitage?
The Resto Pub St-Patric at Auberge Éva offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a friendly and festive atmosphere. A friendly bar also allows you to get together with your friends or your partner for a warm moment. Children's menu available (2.4 km from Ermitage Saint-Antoine).