Discover the Pioneer Mill in La Doré
The perfect experience of life in the pioneer era
The tourist site Moulin des Pionniers offers a variety of activities that will please the whole family. Come live in the era of colonization, in the present moment!
The star attraction, the mill, is classified as a heritage building, measuring 15 m2. Proud representative of the colonization of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, this hydraulic sawmill, built in 1904, has been in operation for more than 70 years! You can admire the workings of the mill as you follow the virtual guide. Stroll inside the mill as if you were in the early 1900s and immerse yourself in the tools and customs of the time through the permanent exhibits. Did you know that the mill also produced electricity to light the settlers' homes? Come and discover all the mill’s secrets.
A quick visit to the Félix Trottier & Fils workshop will satisfy your curiosity. Dating from 1894, it is a worthy ambassador of the blacksmith's work of the time with all its equipment. Over the years, the Trottier family has been quite busy, participating in the construction of 25 sawmills and numerous grain mills, shingle mills, turbines, and engines. Come and discover its history and how this trade has strongly contributed to the birth of the generation before industrialization.
Activities for all tastes
Do you have ants in your pants? Enjoy the natural scenery while practicing an aquatic activity on the rivière aux Saumons (Salmon River), such as kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, pedal boat, etc. The site also offers thematic play structures and water games that will cool you down on hot summer days. The whole family can have fun on a giant trampoline, an enormous slide, and a hebertsim course on the ground. There's no shortage of activities!
You can also take advantage of the hiking trails, mountain biking trails, ATV trails, or simply a moment of relaxation on the site.
Not afraid of heights? The Fireguard's Tower, which once allowed the Fire Guard to scan the horizon for forest fires, invites you to climb it and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surroundings.
Enjoy onsite accommodations
Spend the night on site in one of the themed cottages and fall asleep to the sound of the lapping of the river. Would you prefer to sleep like the owners of the mill in an ancestral house or in a dormitory, as in the days of logging camps? The choice is yours. Several options are available to you depending on the number of people and the experience you would like to have.
At the Moulin des Pionniers, you can take the time to live, breathe the fresh air, and savour every moment.
What to do after a visit to the Pioneer Mill
Discover all the secrets of cheese making by visiting the Vieille fromagerie Perron, in Saint-Prime. Also known as the Cheddar Museum, you will learn about the history of one of the oldest cheese factories in Quebec (30.9 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
Play outside near the Pioneer Mill
Your stay in Lac-Saint-Jean would not be complete without a visit to one of our favourites, the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien. Once at the Wild Zoo, take a stroll aboard the Nature Trails Park train, a one-of-a-kind experience! Surrounded by several animal species, you will be charmed by the natural environment in which they live (13 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
Fancy a sport activity to burn off your energy? Ride your mountain bike on the trails of Club Tobo-ski, in Saint-Félicien (22.1 km from the mill). To keep the adrenaline going, take part in a family race at Go-Kart et Karting Saint-Félicien (13.2 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
If you want to play a game of mini-golf, you will be surprised by the fun course at the Rigolfeur, in Saint-Félicien, which entertains the whole family (13.3 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
For a walk in the heart of nature, the Parc de la Chute à Michel is ideal for a walk or a picnic with the family (14.8 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
Local delicacies
While you’re out and about in La Doré, take the opportunity to make a little detour to Miel Boréal! The beekeepers will serve you all kinds of honey that will satisfy your sweet tooth (6.2 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
To discover the taste of bread made in the old fashioned way, the Boulangerie La Moisson d’or in Saint-Félicien offers over thirty artisanal breads and a few hand-made pastries (19.7 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
For cheese lovers, the Fromagerie au Pays-des-Bleuets of Ferme 3J offers delicious products made fresh daily (17.5 km from the Moulin des Pionniers). As for the Bouchard Artisan Bio cheese factory, their organic and artisanal cheeses will delight your taste buds (24.5 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
Where to eat near the Pioneer Mill?
Enjoy a magnificent view of the Ashuapmushuan River and share a good meal with the family at the Ô pied marin restaurant, in Saint-Félicien (20.2 km from the Moulin des Pionniers). At the Le Baumier restaurant at the Hôtel du Jardin, discover boreal and local flavours in a delicious family meal (18.8 km from the Moulin des Pionniers). Also in Saint-Félicien, savour an exquisite daily menu in a warm atmosphere at the Bistro at Gîte la Maison Banville (19.7 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
Where to sleep near the Pioneer Mill?
A few steps from the Moulin des Pionniers, stay at the Refuge du Moulin d´Eau, an immaculately clean lodge with guaranteed comfort (1.4 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
Located on the banks of the Ashuapmushuan River, Auberge des berges offers a family atmosphere and a prime location in the heart of Saint-Félicien (23.2 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
For accommodation in the heart of nature, the Domaine des Trois Îles offers you the opportunity to rent one of its Coolbox mini-homes and small watercraft to have fun in the water (23.8 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
For an option with an indoor swimming pool, the Hôtel du Jardin will satisfy the whole family with its sumptuous rooms (18.8 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
For an enchanting awakening with a view of the Ashuapmushuan River, the Hôtel de la Boréalie offers you a quality stay at a good price (21.1 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).
Finally, for camping enthusiasts, Camping Saint-Félicien offers several activities for the whole family (13.5 km from the Moulin des Pionniers).