Community of Upper Madawaska
The Community of Haut-Madawaska has four districts teeming with incredible natural and cultural richness that will satisfy all naturophiles!
Saint-Hilaire District
Founded in 1869, Saint-Hilaire is one of the oldest parishes in the region and has an extremely rich history.
The Maxime-Albert Complex was once the personal residence of Maxime Albert, a successful businessman, the proprietor of the very first hotel in the village and a notorious smuggler during the prohibition era. As a result, Saint-Hilaire was one of the hot spots of the illegal liquor trade. The famous "Hand Brand", contraband alcohol from St. Pierre and Miquelon, passed through here. Home-made alcohol, called "bagosse", was also distilled.
Interesting fact: The famous singer Natasha St-Pier spent much of her youth in Riceville, just outside of Saint-Hilaire.
What to do / see
- Saint-Hilaire Point
- Sacred Heart of Mary Church
- Festival de la bagosse, early September
- Exhibition on smuggling
- Snowmobile trails
- Quad trails
Baker-Brook District
This is the birthplace of the legendary Republic of Madawaska, whose vibrant history has left its mark on the region forever. In 1827, John Baker, who became a colonel in the American army, left his mark on the history of Madawaska! It was at that time that he contested the delimitation of the boundaries and raised the American flag of the time, proclaiming this portion of the territory "American Republic of Madawaska". The governing authorities of the time accused him of treason and imprisoned him. A series of subsequent events led to the delimitation of the present boundaries under the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.
What to do / see
- Baker Creek Covered Bridge (Joseph Morneault Road)
- Sculpture by John Baker & Sophie at the rest stop along the Saint John River
- Bird factory
- Walking and biking trails
- Snowmobile trails
- Quad trails
- Snowshoeing trails
Clair District
St. Clair is the picturesque crossroads of social and economic activity in Upper Madawaska, bordering the majestic St. John River. The village is connected to the American community of Fort Kent, Maine by an international bridge. Visit the local Catholic church, which contains renowned works of religious art: stained glass windows by Belgian artist José Gaterrah and the Stations of the Cross by renowned Spanish ceramist Jordi Bonet. The forestry industry is the basis of the local economic activity.
What to do / see
- Historic site of Clair
- Muskie Derby / Annual Bazaar
- Multifunctional complex
- Bicycle path Snowmobile trails
- Quad trails
Saint-François district
Mainly agricultural, Saint-François-de-Madawaska is a very dynamic village. The second oldest parish in Madawaska County, it was founded in 1859 even though the first French families had already settled here in 1825.
Many families in Saint-François-de-Madawaska have excelled in the business world. Today, Saint-François-de-Madawaska remains an important job creator.
Interesting facts : The first Ladies' Circle of the Women's Institute (NBWI) was established here in 1918 and is still very active in the community.
The first Study Circle was founded in Saint-François-de-Madawaska in 1935 and the first Caisse populaire in the diocese (second in the province) was created in 1937.
The first regional school in the province was built in Saint-François-de-Madawaska in 1944-45 and today it houses the Golden Age Club.
Saint-François-de-Madawaska was home to an operational blacksmith shop for 62 years, which is now a museum open to visitors during the summer. Glazier Lake, one of the community's most splendid jewels, is named after John Glazier, once a lumber magnate and member of the New Brunswick Legislature.
What to do / see
- Jos B. Forge Michaud - museum
- 150th Anniversary Hall - museum
- Half-Marathon festivities Grotto erected in 1954
- Bird watching (nature park)
- Ledges Socio-Cultural Tour... Pioneer Square (historic site)
- Connors Historic Church
- Glazier Lake
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Hiking
- Hunting and fishing
- Wilderness camping
- Snowshoeing trails
- Snowmobile trails
- Quad trails