Auclair, Quebec: Winding Water and Precious Maple

If peace could be painted on a canvas, it would look like the scenery that unfolds in front of me: the dark blue water lays still. It reflects a few clouds of the beautiful summer sky. The lake stretches almost as far as the eye can look. On each side, the water is bordered by gently rolling hills covered with green trees. No noise cuts through the northern paradise except for the soft sound of tiny waves that are making their way to the rocky shore. Time seems to stand still. 

The water is still fresh even though it is one of the hottest days of the year. 
A few canoes and sailboats prove that the lake has a recreational use - mostly by locals that live right on the beach. Their houses are nestled along the shoreline, often with huge bay windows that boast spectacular views on the water.

This is Lac Squatec, an idyllic lake located in the municipality of Auclair, Quebec, Canada. The municipality had a population of 444 as of the Canada 2011 Census: A paradise for everyone that is seeking peace and tranquility. Even though a campground is located nearby, not a lot of tourists seem to make it Lake Squatec. 

The big cities Montreal and Quebec City seem an eternity away. In fact, five and three-and-half hours. Long enough to forget the hustle and bustle of the city, the traffic lights, the noise and the stress.

The municipality of Auclair is located on the south side of the mighty St. Lawrence river close to the border with New Brunswick. Auclair got its name from the French “d’eau clair” meaning “clear water”. The regional county municipality Témiscouata, which the village of Auclair is a part of, is an Indian name from the First Nations. It means “winding water”.

​Lake Squatec is 12,5 kilometres long. A large amount of wildlife uses this clear, winding water as its habitat. Water fowl like ducks, for example, Canada geese, and majestic swans.
The official tourism page of the region lists 29 kind of fish including trout, brown bullhead and yellow perch that are home to the region. “With nearly nine hundred lakes and with forest covering eighty seven percent of its territory, Témiscouata is a hunting and fishing paradise”, states the website. So true.

​The hunting and fishing paradise with its crystal clear bodies of water and intact nature bears another treasure: thousands and thousands of maple trees that release their precious sap every spring. This is where our 100% pure maple syrup and all other maple products come from. 

There are no smoking chimneys, no smog, no pollution, and not a lot of people that create waste, wastewater and other garbage. The main buzz of the Témiscouata region is its intact flora and fauna with stunning views and breathtaking sights.

​It is that natural pureness that you can taste in every spoonful of our golden syrup, our maple sugar, maple butter and all the other products we offer.

And who knows, maybe one day you’ll leave the city with its blinking lights behind and treat yourself to a little time off in Témiscouata. Make sure to bring a lot of time. When you step out of your car, take a deep breath. You are in for something amazing.