Perhaps you have heard of Marie-Charlotte de Lanaudière. She is the namesake of this beautiful region. Lanaudière. It is one of Quebec’s seventeen administrative regions. It sits just northeast of Montreal.
Lanaudière boasts a rich history. It perpetuates the memory of Marie-Charlotte. She was the daughter of the lord of Lavaltrie. More importantly she was the wife of businessman Barthélémy Joliette. He was a descendant of the famous explorer Louis Jolliet. The name evokes the lineage of the lords De Lanaudière. Over seven generations they helped defend and develop the French colonies in America. They served France and this very region.
The Lanaudière region is part of central Quebec. It is nestled between the Saint Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains. It lies between Mauricie and the Laurentides. Vacationers find Lanaudière very attractive.
Lanaudière covers 12,413.73 square kilometers. That is 4,792.97 square miles. It stretches northwest from a 60 kilometer shoreline on the Saint Lawrence River. That is 37 miles. The area is generally rural. Urban areas are concentrated in the south. Think of Repentigny, Terrebonne and Berthierville. The altitude rises as you head north. It starts at 20 meters near the Saint Lawrence River. That is 66 feet. It climbs to almost 800 meters near Saint-Donat and Saint-Zénon. That is 2,600 feet.
Lanaudière breaks down into three distinct geographical areas. The southern plain features cities and farming villages. It includes many historical locations. The piedmont in the center has become a popular vacation spot. It is known for numerous lakes and natural attractions. The Laurentian Plateau sits in the far north. This forested country is known for its fishing and hiking.
The three main entry points for Lanaudière are all in the south. They are Terrebonne, Repentigny and Berthierville. Lanaudière’s road network developed along three north-south axes. These are routes 25-125, 31-131 and 347. Few links exist to neighboring regions. This internal network is almost entirely secondary roads.
Lanaudière has two wildlife preserves. They are Rouge-Matawin and Mastigouche. It also includes part of Mont Tremblant park. Further north, about an hour from Saint-Michel-des-Saints, lies the Atikamekw indian reserve of Manawan.
In 2016, the total population was 494,796. That is a 4.9% increase over 2011. By 2019, the population had grown to over 528,000.
The region is divided into six regional county municipalities. These include D’Autray, Joliette and L’Assomption. Others are Les Moulins, Matawinie and Montcalm.
Lanaudière is more than just a region. It is a testament to history. It is a place of natural beauty. It is a vibrant part of Quebec. Remember the name Lanaudière. Remember the legacy of Marie-Charlotte. Think of the region’s contributions to Canadian history.