Nestled in the Canadian province of Quebec, Saint-Donat is a charming township municipality that forms part of the Regional County Municipality of Matawinie, within the larger administrative region of Lanaudière. The main town within the township, also known as Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm, is located approximately 135 kilometres northwest of Montreal. Surrounded by the majestic Laurentian Mountains and numerous water basins, Saint-Donat is a natural paradise with the Mont-Tremblant National Park as its nearest natural landmark.
Founded near 1876 by a religious community of suffragettes, Saint-Donat Parish was established near the church at the intersection of Principale and Allard streets. Initially, it served as a solution to the overcrowding of cities like Montreal. Over time, the small village attracted urban population with its beautiful landscape and was officially established as a town in 1904. By 1950, Saint-Donat had a population of 2,000, which has grown to nearly 4,600 permanent residents as of 2021.
Saint-Donat is home to 2,434 private dwellings occupied by usual residents, out of a total of 4,527 dwellings. French, being the official language of Quebec, is the primary language spoken in Saint-Donat. However, some residents, especially those interacting frequently with tourists, are proficient in English. The mother tongue distribution is as follows: English as first language (2.8%), French as first language (94.4%), English and French as first language (1.1%), and other languages as first language (1.9%).
Saint-Donat is a popular tourist destination, especially during the winter season. Its main attraction is snowmobiling, but other winter sports like skiing are also enjoyed, with Ski Garceau and Ski La Reserve being the two most popular resorts. Outdoor skating rinks and cross-country ski trails through the forest are frequented by locals and tourists alike.
During the summer season, Saint-Donat's mountains, lakes, and pleasant weather attract many tourists. Activities like swimming, kayaking, sailing, and water-skiing are enjoyed on its two large lakes, Lac Archambault and Lac Ouareau. Saint-Donat is unique in the Laurentiens for having two side-by-side lakes of such size. Other smaller lakes like Lac Baribeau, Lac Pembina, and Lac Croche also add to its charm.
While the year-round population of Saint-Donat is approximately 3,700, the number can reach up to 20,000 during the tourist season. Recognized nationally for its beauty and quality of public places, Saint-Donat was first acknowledged as a prime tourist destination in 1908. By 1970, tourism had become the focal point of the local economy.
Saint-Donat is accessible via two main highways, the 125 and 329, and is located 1h30min from Montreal by car. A local airport accessible to light aircraft is also available in the village.
Saint-Donat has been twinned with Lans-en-Vercors, France, since 1990, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two communities.
