Des Sources

Open all year long

Founded in the late 1840s, Saint-Camille was one of the first French-speaking villages of the Eastern Townships. However, the architecture of its buildings draws on an English-language heritage. Renowned for its cultural activities and expertise in rural community development, Saint-Camille is a united, innovative, and learning community. Its population is growing, having recently passed the 570 mark.

Located in the former general store and opened in 1988,le P'Ti Bonheur de Saint-Camille,  this cultural and community centre, puts on shows, exhibitions, and festivals, and offers services, meals, and training to the community.

Open all year long

Val-des-Sources (formerly Asbestos) is best known for its mine shaft. Thanks to the Jeffrey Mine, the town can still boast of having the world’s largest open-pit deposit. Asbestos was first discovered in 1879, and William H. Jeffrey began mining it in 1881. Asbestos grew and evolved, transforming from a simple post office to a mining camp, and then from a village to a town. An interesting fact to note is that the name “Asbestos,” which dates back to 1884, originates from an English word derived from Greek meaning “incombustible”!

The Cultural Center houses a collection of minerals from the Jeffrey Mine and products derived from the mining industry, and provides information on local mining history. In addition, art exhibitions are offered to visitors throughout the year.

On June 14, 1902, the Montreal Daily Herald ran the headline, “Danville, one of the most beautiful towns in the province of Quebec.” Danville is located at the edge of the Eastern Townships, where the Bois-Francs region starts. It owes its growth to the arrival of the railway in the mid-18th century. Magnificent Victorian homes and the American-style square continue to bear witness to that era.

Danville has been home to well-known leaders such as Daniel Johnson, premier of Quebec from 1966 to 1968, and Mack Sennett, an icon of Hollywood silent movies.

Take a stroll along the three heritage tours, which will reveal Danville’s exceptional charm with more than 66 buildings of heritage, historical, and cultural interest. The tours take you to buildings of neo-Queen Ann, American vernacular, mansard, neo-Italian, Second Empire, and Boomtown styles. 

One of the world largest open-pit mining site is located in Val-des-Sources. Dug by more than 120 years of mining, Its 2-kilometer-diameter pit can be seen from an observatory overlooking the mine. Free access. A unique view!

Georally circuits: accessible via app
Language: French only
Accessibility: May to October
Suggested transportation: by car, bicycle or on foot depending on the circuit
Route: approximately 240 minutes across three circuits
Points of interest: 22 across three circuits
Target audience: for all ages

Founded in 1899 around a major asbestos mining site, Val-des-Sources — formerly known as Asbestos — boasts a remarkable heritage, both historical and natural, shaped by the settlement of the region by Americans, followed by British, Scottish and Irish newcomers.

Explore
Set out to discover the must-see highlights of Val-des-Sources through three captivating and completely free georally circuits, each representing a different theme drawn from the city's rich heritage.

On site
Find the cache at each point of interest by following the clues provided by the rally app. Combine fun and discovery — uncovering hidden treasures while exploring the city's outstanding attractions.

Make the most of your visit
Start with the circuit that appeals to you most, then head out on your adventure guided by the engaging clues from the rally app. Keep in mind that completing all three circuits gives you the chance to win prizes!

Self-guided circuit: located at the entrance of the city (Connie-Dion arena parking lot)
Language: French and English
Accessibility: year-round
Suggested transportation: on foot on site
Route: single location
Points of interest: 1
Target audience: for all ages

In 1879, children discovered on the slopes of "Webb Hill" a rock that quickly became known as "Grey Gold": asbestos. The mining of this raw material drove the development of the region, and the municipality of Val-des-Sources — then called Asbestos — grew up around the mine.

Explore
Come discover a truck so massive it had to be delivered in separate pieces! This enormous vehicle stands as a testament to the central role the mining industry played in the city's past.

On site
Beyond its obvious potential as a photo opportunity, the site features an informative panel presenting the history of the truck and the significance of the mining company in the city's history.

Make the most of your visit
Pair this fascinating introduction to the city's mining heritage with a visit to the observation point overlooking the impressive open-pit mine on Boulevard Saint-Luc, or take on the georally adventure also offered in Val-des-Sources — both part of the Chemin des Cantons experience!

Not available in English.