# La Haute-Yamaska

La Haute-Yamaska is a regional county municipality (RCM) in the administrative region of Eastern Townships (Estrie) in Quebec. Its capital is Granby.

## Understand

La Haute-Yamaska is inland on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, in the Estrie region. Its territory covers an area of 650 km$^2$ (250 sq mi) and has approximately 93,000 residents.
Recreational tourism activities are a significant economic activity. The main events are the public markets (e.g., Granby Farmers' Market, the Waterloo Christmas Market which is usually held in Waterloo in December). The main centres of interest are the Granby Zoo and the Yamaska National Park.

### History

The built heritage and historical information panels of La Haute-Yamaska tell the great regional history in terms of religion, businesses, residences, industries, institutions, recreational tourism activity centres, railways, etc.

## Cities

The MRC of La Haute-Yamaska has eight municipalities/cities:
* 45.4-72.7333331 Granby (Quebec) — A city.
* 45.4833-72.66672 Roxton Pond — A municipality.
* 45.3333-72.81673 Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby —
* 45.4833-72.754 Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton — A municipality.
* 45.45-72.53335 Saint-Joachim-de-Shefford — A municipality.
* 45.45-72.53336 Shefford (Quebec) — A township municipality.
* 45.37857-72.513497 Warden — A municipality of village.
* 45.35-72.5166678 Waterloo — A city.

### Other nearby destinations

* 45.4297-72.61641 Yamaska National Park — A Quebec National Park created in 1983, straddling the Rivière Yamaska Nord on which the Choinière reservoir is. This park offers many outdoor recreational and tourist activities in the Appalachian lowlands: water activities (pleasure boating such as canoes, recreational kayaks, paddle surfing, rowboats, pedal boats, supervised swimming and fishing) and land activities (hiking, cycling, beach volleyball). In winter, outdoor enthusiasts can go snowshoeing, snow hiking, fat biking, ice fishing and sliding. Outdoor enthusiasts can picnic and observe the flora and fauna. This park has interpretive trails, and offers recreational equipment rentals in the summer seasons.

## See

* 45.4166-72.71931 Granby Zoo (Zoo de Granby), 525, rue St-Hubert. Zoo, water park and amusement park. Home to nearly 1,500 animals of over 225 different species, including elephants, giraffes, gorillas and tigers. It hosts a Fête des Mascottes ("Mascot Festival") every July. (updated Dec 2024)

## Do

The main parks in the region are:
* 45.41524-72.68671 Lac Boivin Nature Interpretation Centre (Centre d'interprétation de la nature du Lac Boivin), 700 Rue Drummond, ☏ +1 450-375-3861. This centre offers many attractions and activities in all seasons, including discovering wetlands. In winter, visitors can do the estriade, an expedition to the North Pole (Santa Claus). This interpretation centre allows you to connect with winged and terrestrial fauna, as well as admire the flora. The magnificent bike path is very famous. (updated Dec 2024)
* 45.4297-72.61642 Yamaska National Park (Parc national de la Yamaska), 1780 Bd David Bouchard, ☏ +1 450-776-7182. This park offers various recreational activities (by bike or on foot) in an enchanting setting, as well as a magnificent body of water, the Choinière reservoir. Nature observation in this park changes at each time of year. In winter, the park offers snow hiking, fat biking, ice fishing, sliding, wildlife observation. In summer, the park offers supervised swimming, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, pedal boating, paddle surfing, rowboating, water games, sand volleyball and picnicking. (updated Dec 2024)

### Events

* Granby Song Festival (Festival de la chanson de Granby), 135 Rue Principale, bureau 31, ☏ +1 450-375-7555. Ten days at the end of August. Created in 1969, this international song festival in Granby is held every year. The festival's goal is to discover, develop and promote the next generation of French-language songs from Quebec and internationally. Many renowned artists, such as Jean Leloup and Luc De Larochellière, have had their first public exposure there. (updated Dec 2024)

## Buy

Agritourism (market garden kiosks, equestrian centers, maple groves, public markets, farm pick-your-own, organic farms or livestock farms) is a common feature of all municipalities/cities in the region. Agritourism includes an educational component by being in contact with agricultural producers or by visiting the farm. Agritourism also allows you to taste local products offered by producers who are equipped with a commercial kitchen.

## Eat

La Haute-Yamaska has many restaurants, particularly in Granby, Roxton Pond and Waterloo. In addition, campgrounds generally offer snack bar services in summer season.

## Sleep

Granby has a large accommodation capacity. The MRC has many tourist lodges, tourist chalets and campgrounds for occasional or seasonal stays.