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Abitibi-TémiscamingueEastern Townships
Over hill, over dale... and beyond!
The term “picturesque” was invented specially for the Eastern Townships (Cantons-de-l'Est), the cradle of viticulture in Québec. Brimming with holiday resorts, this undulating region rubs elbows with the U.S. border, its rolling hills the source of endless gorgeous vistas. Proud of its beautiful villages and their sumptuous Victorian architecture, the Eastern Townships abounds in theatres, art galleries and antiques dealers. With its Wine Route, agrotourism circuits, excursions by train or by boat, fine dining, cozy B&Bs and charming inns, the region is an irresistible invitation to gourmet getaways. Mountainous horizons, broad blue lakes and dazzlingly green golf courses make for a unique setting in which to enjoy a truly memorable vacation!To the mountaintops!
Every year, nature lovers make a beeline for two national parks, Mont Mégantic and Mont Orford, which offer up imposing peaks, a wide selection of outdoor sports and many outfitters. Parc national de la Yamaska, in turn, has family campgrounds and swimming in a wooded environment. Discovery awaits in other regional parks, like Parc de la Gorge-de-Coaticook, known for its 169-m (535-ft.) suspended footbridge—one of the longest in the world! Come winter, skiers have four major hills to choose from: Orford, Sutton, Bromont and Owl’s Head. Cross-country skiing is equally popular, as is snowmobiling. In fact, snowmobiling was invented in the Eastern Townships! The inventor of the snowmobile was born in nearby Valcourt. Today he is commemorated at the Musée J. Armand Bombardier. Each winter, the museum hosts a highly popular Grand Prix. The renowned Granby Zoo is also worth the trip.The joys of country living
To enjoy the Eastern Townships to the fullest, get on your bike and head for the region’s 500 km (310 mi.) of cycle paths, 200 km (125 mi.) of which consist of the Montréal-Québec section of the Route verte (“green route”), a province-wide cycle network. Walkers, in turn, have no shortage of hiking trails to choose from. One of the longest and most spectacular is the Sentiers de l'Estrie, northeast of the Vermont border: 150 km (93 mi.) of stunning views. As for water sports enthusiasts, the joys of the region’s lakes—Saint-François (in the Parc national de Frontenac), Memphrémagog, Massawippi and Mégantic—need no introduction! Some 20 Relais santé spas offer up health and relaxation getaways in restful surroundings. Lastly, the Abbaye Saint-Benoît-du-Lac marvellously embodies the serenity that comes from living in harmony with nature, in a setting that attests to the happy marriage of water and mountain.
See related photos and videos by Internet users at Destination Québec..
