Village du Bûcheron

Located in Grandes-Piles, a picturesque village overlooking the Saint-Maurice River, Village du Bûcheron meticulously reconstructs the daily world of the forest workers who shaped the economic and social history of the Mauricie region for decades. More than 25 round-log buildings—including a provisions cache, blacksmith shop, foreman's office, stables, and bunkhouses—make up this open-air museum complex, where each structure reflects a specific aspect of logging camp life in the early 20th century, when thousands of men would leave their villages each autumn to spend the winter isolated in the forest, felling trees that would feed the region's pulp and paper mills. While self-guided visits are possible, the guided experience—brought to life by costumed storytellers and musicians—is highly recommended to fully grasp the cultural and human dimensions of this demanding way of life, marked by the harshness of physical labor but also by strong community solidarity and a rich oral and musical tradition unique to logging camps. The site complements a broader discovery of the Route des rivières, which follows the Saint-Maurice River from Louiseville to La Tuque in Upper Mauricie, passing through several villages that embody the region's forest heritage and identity.