Auberge du Lac Taureau: Lodge, Beach & Sunken Village

Few Quebec lakes hide a story as surprising as Lac Taureau’s, where beneath 95 square kilometers of water lies a village deliberately flooded decades ago. This guide unpacks the facts about Auberge du Lac Taureau—who runs it, what you can do there, which beaches are worth your towel, and how a community ended up underwater.

Number of units: 189 · Lake surface area: 95 km² · Shoreline length: 270 km · Year built: 1998

The resort’s key numbers, sourced from its own promotional materials and travel trade databases, tell a consistent story about size and amenities.

Who is the owner of Auberge du Lac Taureau?

The resort is independently owned and operated. According to a LinkedIn profile belonging to Mario Gouin (the only public source found), he lists himself as the owner. No major chain affiliation appears on the resort’s website or in travel trade listings such as Travel Weekly. The implication: the ownership is a private, likely local enterprise.

Where is Auberge du Lac Taureau located?

The property sits at 1200 Chemin Baie du Milieu in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, a small town in the Lanaudière region of Quebec (Travel Weekly). The resort occupies a peninsula on the shores of Lac Taureau. Google Hotels describes it as wood buildings overlooking the lake and notes it is 15 km from Quebec Route 131 (Google Hotels). Montreal is roughly 2.5 hours south by car. The resort itself states it is “less than two hours from Montreal” (Auberge du Lac Taureau).

The pattern: conflicting travel times highlight the difference between optimistic resort marketing and realistic drive times from downtown Montreal.

How to get to Auberge du Lac Taureau?

From Montreal, take Autoroute 40 east to Autoroute 31 north, then follow Route 131 north through Saint-Michel-des-Saints. The final 15 km to the resort are well‑signed. For travellers flying into Montreal–Trudeau International Airport, the drive is about 2.5 hours.

What can you do at Lac Taureau?

The lake and its surroundings are a year‑round playground. The resort’s promotional page lists summer activities such as mountain biking, canoeing, paddle boarding, sand castle building, watercraft adventures, swimming, and a heated outdoor pool (Auberge du Lac Taureau). Hiking trails offer a quieter alternative. Expedia adds beach volleyball, archery, and volleyball to the on‑site roster (Expedia). In winter, the region supports snowshoeing and cross‑country skiing.

What to do in Saint-Michel-des-Saints?

The town itself offers cultural events, local dining, and access to the surrounding wilderness. Visitors often combine a resort stay with a day trip to the Matawin River or the nearby Réserve faunique Mastigouche.

The catch: the resort’s official activity list is extensive but seasonal; check availability before booking.

Which is the best beach at Lac Taureau?

The most accessible sandy beach is Plage de l’Auberge, located right on the resort’s grounds. Expedia notes it comes with sun loungers, beach umbrellas, and beach towels (Expedia). The resort also rents water sports equipment on the beach. Other beaches along the 270 km shoreline are reachable only by boat or hiking trail, offering more privacy. The trade‑off: convenience vs. seclusion.

What amenities are available at the beaches?

Plage de l’Auberge includes picnic areas, equipment rentals, and a designated swimming zone. During summer, the resort’s heated pool provides an alternative to the lake. For those willing to explore, the unserviced coves on the far side of the lake reward with stillness and wildlife.

Which village is submerged in Lac Taureau?

The village of Saint-Ignace-du-Lac lies at the bottom of the reservoir. It was deliberately flooded when a dam was built on the Matawin River in the mid‑20th century to generate hydroelectric power. Remnants of the original settlement—foundations, stone walls, and roadbeds—can still be seen during periods of low water. The resort organises lake cruises that pass over the site and narrate the history.

How did the village become submerged?

Construction of the Matawin River dam raised water levels dramatically, joining several smaller lakes into the present 95‑km² Lac Taureau. Residents were relocated, and the land was inundated. Today, Hydro‑Québec manages the water levels, which fluctuate seasonally and occasionally expose the ghost village.

The implication: lake cruises are not merely scenic—they are a direct encounter with Quebec’s hydro‑electric history and the human cost of resource development.

The pattern: what is confirmed relies heavily on the resort’s own promotional materials; independent verification of ownership and pricing remains thin.

Profitez d’un hébergement qui vous offre plus de 189 unités…

— Auberge du Lac Taureau, official promotional material

Magnifique batiste en bois rond construit en 1999… (Paraphrased: “Beautiful log‑cabin resort built in 1999…”)

— TripAdvisor reviewer

For Quebec families looking for a lake escape that mixes recreation with a dose of local history, Lac Taureau delivers. The choice is clear: stay at the resort for convenience and amenities, or venture beyond the property to discover the ghost village and wilder shores. Either way, the lake rewards those who come prepared.

Related reading: Great Wolf Lodge Ontario: Worth It? Reviews, Prices, Access

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