La Mauricie National Park
536 km² managed by Parks Canada. 150 lakes (41 canoe-accessible), 63 km scenic loop, 90 km of hiking trails. Green season: mid-May to mid-October.
Cottages for rent · Mauricie
Cottages for rent in Mauricie
Chalets for rent in Mauricie — Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, Lac-Mékinac, Shawinigan, Trois-Rivières. Wild rivers, La Mauricie National Park, and affordable chalets midway between Montreal and Quebec City.
Mauricie sits at Quebec's inhabited geographic centre — between Montreal and Quebec City, between the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships. It's also one of the province's most forested regions, defined by the Saint-Maurice River that flows from the wild Upper-Mauricie down to Trois-Rivières. La Mauricie National Park (536 km²) is the centrepiece, with 150 lakes and 70 km of scenic park roads.
Our chalets for rent in Mauricie cluster around Saint-Alexis-des-Monts (Quebec's largest private-lake chalet area), Lac-Mékinac, Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc (gateway to the national park), and Grandes-Piles (Saint-Maurice valley). Expect 20–30% less than the Laurentians for comparable chalets — ideal for travellers prioritizing wilderness and quiet over ski and nightlife.
Book direct, skip the Airbnb fees, reach a 7-day concierge with on-the-ground partners in Trois-Rivières and Saint-Alexis. Every property is CITQ-registered.
Expanding region
We’re growing into Mauricie
Our direct catalog still concentrates on the Laurentians and Charlevoix today, but our partner network already covers Mauricie. Talk to our team : we’ll match you with verified chalets through our partners, or add you to the priority list for new properties we onboard here.
Towns and destinations
Where to stay in Mauricie
Saint-Alexis-des-Monts
Quebec's private-lake chalet capital. The municipality counts 75+ lakes; Auberge du Lac-à-l'Eau-Claire anchors the scene.
Cottages in Saint-Alexis-des-MontsSaint-Mathieu-du-Parc
South gateway to La Mauricie National Park. Lakes, hiking, and family chalets 2 hours from Montreal.
Cottages in Saint-Mathieu-du-ParcLac-Mékinac
An 18 km lake hemmed in by mountains — one of central Quebec's most spectacular waters. Excellent for fishing and canoeing.
Cottages in Lac-MékinacGrandes-Piles
Historic village in the Saint-Maurice valley. Wood architecture, Cité de l'énergie 10 minutes away, river access.
Cottages in Grandes-PilesShawinigan / Trois-Rivières
For travellers who want chalet plus city access. Cité de l'énergie, Festival International de la Poésie, Trois-Rivières craft beer scene.
Cottages in Shawinigan / Trois-Rivières
On site
Things to do in Mauricie
Cité de l'énergie (Shawinigan)
Museum complex on Quebec's hydroelectric industrial history, set in an early-1900s power station. 115 m observation tower. Historical multimedia. Half-day visit.
Auberge du Lac-à-l'Eau-Claire and its spa
The flagship complex in Saint-Alexis. Nordic spa, gastronomic restaurant, dogsledding in winter. Several of our chalets are 5–15 minutes away.
Mauricie fishing
Walleye, pike, bass, brook trout. Season opens late April (brook trout) and peaks mid-June through August. Several chalets include a canoe or rowboat.
- Best season
- Summer (June to August) for swimming and fishing, early fall (mid-September to early October) for foliage in the national park, winter (mid-December to mid-March) for cross-country ski, snowmobile, and dogsledding. The region runs year-round.
- From Montreal
- 1 h 45 (Trois-Rivières) to 2 h 30 (Saint-Alexis-des-Monts) via Highway 40.
- From Quebec City
- 1 h 30 (Trois-Rivières) to 2 h 15 (Saint-Alexis) via Highway 40.
FAQ
Renting a cottage in Mauricie
How much does a chalet in Mauricie cost?
Rates start around $175/night off-season for small log cabins in Saint-Alexis or Saint-Mathieu, climbing to $450-$650/night for large lakefront properties in peak season. Median across the regional portfolio is $285/night — Mauricie typically offers Quebec's best price-to-quality ratio.
Which lakes are best for chalet rentals?
For fishing and seclusion: the private lakes around Saint-Alexis-des-Monts (Lac-à-l'Eau-Claire, Lac Sacacomie). For family swimming: Lac-Mékinac, Lac des Piles, Lac à la Tortue. For national-park proximity: Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc and Lac-aux-Sables.
Can I combine Mauricie with the national park?
Yes — it's the most common use case. Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc sits 5 minutes from the park's south entrance, and our Grandes-Piles or Saint-Alexis chalets are 30–45 minutes from entrances. Buy Parks Canada permits online before arrival to skip the gate queue.
Are there waterfront chalets in Mauricie?
Yes — it's the regional signature. Mauricie counts 17,000+ lakes; our waterfront chalets typically include private docks, canoes, pedal boats, and rowboats. Top areas: Saint-Alexis, Lac-Mékinac, Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc.
When should I book for fishing season?
Opening weekends (mid-May for walleye, late April for trout): 3–4 months ahead. Fully-equipped chalets (canoe included, direct lake access) sell out first. June-July weekdays: 6–8 weeks.
Are the chalets CITQ-registered?
Every chalet in Mauricie on this site holds a valid CITQ permit, per Bill 67 in force since September 2023. The number appears on every property listing and in your booking confirmation.
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