The heart of the Old Village — and the reason it exists. Lake Mercier is a beautiful, calm lake surrounded by forest and dotted with charming inns and B&Bs along its shoreline. The village grew around the Lac-Mercier railway station after the P’tit Train du Nord line was extended here in 1904, and its quaint architecture still carries that heritage.
In summer, swimming, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular. In the fall, the surrounding hills light up with Laurentian foliage. In winter, the frozen lake becomes a quiet snowshoe destination.
It’s the kind of lake that makes you slow down and breathe. About 130 kilometres northwest of Montreal, the Old Village offers a quieter, more authentic Laurentian experience than the bustling resort 10 minutes up the road.
Photo: O.Taillon, flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
