St-Hyacinthe has been the seat of a Roman Catholic diocese since 1852 and therefore has many churches and chapels worth a visit. The St-Hyacinthe Cathedral, 1900 rue Girouard Ouest, was built in 1878 and is noted for its chandeliers. The Our Lady of Fatima Sanctuary (Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Fatima), 650 rue Girouard Ouest, is an eight-sided chapel. Our Lady of the Rosary Church (Église Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire), 2200 rue Girouard Ouest, is richly decorated.
May through September the domesticated animals and 300 species of perennial plants of Ferme la Rabouillère delight visitors; phone (450) 793-4998. Birds of prey are the subject of presentations given in French late June to early October at the Chouette à Voir—The Owl Sees site in nearby St-Jude; phone (450) 773-8521, ext. 18545.
In nearby Huberdeau, Ferme Du Coq à l'Âne des Laurentides offers French narrated tours of a working farm by reservation; phone (819) 687-9314. For a hands-on agricultural experience, there are farms where you can pick your own blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes and apples—or you can always just purchase these fruits from the roadside stands.
Visitor Centers
St-Hyacinthe Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau 2090 rue Cherrier St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 8R3. Phone:(450)774-7276 or (800)849-7276
Shopping
A public market built more than 100 years ago, Le vieux marché de St-Hyacinthe at 1555 rue Des Cascades Ouest dominates the old part of the town and continues to offer foodstuffs; it is open Mon.-Wed. 9-6, Thurs.-Fri. 8:30-9, Sat. 8:30-5:30 and Sun. 9-5. Galeries St-Hyacinthe, 3200 boul. Laframboise, houses more than 100 stores and restaurants and fast-food establishments.