La Motte, a quaint municipality nestled in the Canadian province of Quebec, is a hidden gem in the Abitibi Regional County Municipality and the administrative region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. This charming village, with its rich history and picturesque landscapes, offers a unique blend of tranquility and cultural heritage.
The village of La Motte, Quebec, is named in honor of Guillaume-Jérôme Vacquier de Lamothe, a French army officer who served under Louis-Joseph de Montcalm. The village shares its name with La Motte Township, the municipality of La Motte, La Motte lake, and the Bay of La Motte. Despite its small size, the town has made headlines due to the papability of Cardinal Ouellet after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, which led to the conversion of an old church basement into a media center.
Strategically located midway between the city of Amos and the city of Malartic, La Motte, Quebec, is a gateway to the region's natural beauty. The village is easily accessible via Highway 117 and road 111, making it a convenient destination for travelers. The Harricana River, which forms the eastern boundary of the municipal territory, adds to the scenic charm of the area. The village's location on the watershed between the basin of the James Bay and the Saint Lawrence River further enhances its geographical significance.
As of 2021, La Motte, Quebec, is home to a close-knit community, with 222 private dwellings occupied by usual residents out of a total of 264 dwellings. The village is predominantly French-speaking, with 96.9% of the population reporting French as their first language.
One of the main attractions in La Motte, Quebec, is the community center, which was inaugurated on June 2, 2011. Housed within the walls of the old church of Saint-Luc, the community center is a testament to the village's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. The center, which was renovated at a cost of $260,000, includes a multipurpose room and a well-equipped kitchen. The former sacristy has been subdivided, with a section dedicated to the needs of the Saint-Luc parish. The community center is managed by a nonprofit committee, and over 3,000 volunteer hours were devoted to the restoration of the building.
