Lac-Mégantic sits in the Eastern Townships, where the town, lake, and surrounding mountains all share the same name. It is a small place, but not a flat one: the water pulls people to the shore in summer, while the dark sky reserve around Mont-Mégantic gives the region a night-time identity that few Quebec towns can match.
The town is also known for the 2013 rail disaster that destroyed much of its centre. That history is impossible to ignore, but Lac-Mégantic is not a ruin or a memorial stop. The rebuilt downtown, the lakefront, and the sculpture walk around Parc des Vétérans make it a place about recovery as much as loss.
Spend the day on Lake Mégantic, swim or paddle at Baie-des-Sables, then drive out for an evening at Mont-Mégantic. It is worth the detour if you are already in the Eastern Townships and want water, woods, and stars in one trip.