La Sarre, Quebec, is a charming town nestled in northwestern Canada. As the most populous town and seat of the Abitibi-Ouest Regional County Municipality, it's a bustling hub of activity. Located at the intersection of Routes 111 and 393, on the La Sarre River, a tributary of Lake Abitibi, it offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty.
Before colonization, the area was home to the indigenous Algonquin who named the place Wabakin, meaning "there is a mountain of hardwood". The La Sarre River was known as Adikameg Sibi, also identified as Amikitik. The first white settlers, a group of six, arrived in the late 19th century and were discovered during the township's survey in 1908.
The real colonization began when the National Transcontinental Railway running through the Abitibi region was completed. The first permanent pioneer family arrived in 1912, followed by more settlers drawn to the area for its mining, forestry, and agricultural potential. This led to the formation of the settlement. In 1915, the post office opened, and a year later, the La Sarre Township was proclaimed, named after the La Sarre Regiment recognized for its part in the Battle of Carillon and the capture of Fort Oswego.
In 1917, the Township Municipality of La Sarre was established, the same year as the Parish of Saint-André-de-la-Sarre. The Hudson's Bay Company opened a post in 1932, which operated until 1941. In 1937, the village separated from the township and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of La Sarre. It gained town status on 17 August 1949. In April 1980, the town and township municipality merged to form the current municipality.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, La Sarre had a population of 7,358 living in 3,493 of its 3,698 total private dwellings. This was a change of 1% from its 2016 population of 7,282. With a land area of 148.36 km2 (57.28 sq mi), it had a population density of 49.6/km2 (128.5/sq mi) in 2021.
La Sarre has a borderline humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), close to a subarctic climate (Dfc). Winters are very cold and snowy, with an annual snowfall of 2.47 metres or 97.24 inches. However, warm air inflows from the southeast can cause thaws and raise temperatures above freezing. On 6 February 1988, temperatures rose to a remarkable 20.5 °C or 68.9 °F. The hotter half of the year is pleasantly warm, though it can rain frequently.
La Sarre, Quebec, is more than just a town; it's a community rich in history and natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a new place to explore, La Sarre has something for everyone.
