An inspiring and invigorating destination

After the excitement of summer, it’s time to kick back and relax. Here are a few weekend getaway or fall vacation ideas for responsible tourist destinations where you can unwind, explore and enjoy what Québec’s regions have to offer.

Take it easy

To refocus and unwind, there’s nothing like a trip to a spas or other relaxing retreat. In the Eastern Townships, le Spa Eastman is a great place to get away from it all. This resort is nestled in the heart of a protected forest that offers many benefits for all local species. The establishment, which holds a 4-key rating from Green Key Global, has recently acquired eco-friendly pavilions designed in accordance with sustainable development principles: The Oasis.

Also Green-Key-certified Spa du Manoir du lac William offers an idyllic and intimate setting to recharge your batteries in nature. After enjoying the benefits of the Nordic baths, guests can extend their experience by exploring the surrounding area or treating themselves to a delicious meal at the Manoir restaurant. The restaurant uses a circular waste management system that eliminates 80% of its waste. The compost generated is used in gardens that produce organic vegetables, which are then served to guests.

Beauce-based Les Ôtres, hébergement touristique et cie, has gone green in its lodgings and restaurant-boutique, and invites you to do the same during your stay. From using local ingredients, reusable or biodegradable containers, and eco-friendly cleaning products to promoting environmental initiatives (1% for the Planet member) and helping revitalize downtown Saint-Georges and local culture, this young company believes that every little bit counts.

Explore

Want to cycle at your own pace and stop at a bunch of gourmet spots along the way? That’s what the Véloroute Gourmande is all about! An initiative of Tourisme Montérégie and Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est, it stretches from Montréal to Sherbrooke, but can also be enjoyed … in smaller bites. To facilitate your cycling trip and allow you to explore different sections, a shuttle and luggage transport service is available.

Parc régional des Grandes-Coulées in L’Érable RCM (Centre-du-Québec) lets you explore two natural areas—an old-growth forest and a large peat bog—for free. In return, visitors who use the trails and sleep under the stars are asked to follow the Leave No Trace principles. At the start of the season, the park also added a standalone, eco-friendly reception building and a washroom facility equipped with eco-friendly toilets.

The Cœurs villageois are an opportunity to discover all the must-see places in the vibrant villages of the Eastern Townships. It’s also a way for local communities to show their hospitality to visitors. If you’re passing through Cookshire-Eaton, wait until nightfall to see Les murmures des Cantons, a light show that projects the history of the village onto three heritage buildings. Near the charming village of Piopolis, visitors like to gather at the pier and marina to have a picnic or chat with local fishers. All this with the lake and mountains providing a stunning backdrop.

Savour

In L’Islet, just an hour from the city of Québec, Auberge des Glacis serves as a local buvette that is committed to showcasing the expertise of local artisans and producers by offering no fewer than 70 local products. The cocktail menu features only Québec-made drinks, giving the place a distinctively local character. Housed in an old flour mill on the banks of the Tortue River, the establishment welcomes visitors year-round. People come for its bucolic charm, but above all for the gourmet menu that changes weekly depending on seasonal produce and availability.

Located in the charming village of Deschambault-Grondines (French only), Fromagerie des Grondines (French only) is renowned for its artisanal production of organic raw milk cheeses. The business stands out for its responsible practices promoting animal welfare and regenerative agriculture. From May to November, you can see cows grazing on grass or hay sourced entirely from fields where no chemical inputs are used. And this is just one of the measures adopted by the cheese dairy to take care of its herd, the soil and the surrounding land.

You must experience the tasting breakfast at Maison de l’île d'Orléans, a bed and breakfast that stands proudly on Île d’Orléans, at least once in your life. Inspired by the concept of slow food, the chef prepares a four-course meal that showcases local products, a highlight of the stay. After a hearty meal, guests are free to enjoy the spacious grounds overlooking the river. A walk in the countryside, a game of bocce or a peaceful respite by the pool: you decide how to enjoy the moment!

In Sainte-Perpétue, in the Centre-du-Québec region, Au Pâturage Espaces Gourmands takes pride in its farm-to-table cuisine and is determined to being as self-sufficient as possible. This commitment to local ingredients is evident in every dish, which is made with seasonal produce grown in the three acres of land behind the restaurant. The establishment also showcases fresh produce, local ingredients and the finest wines from regional producers. Make the most of the beautiful autumn days—take a seat on the magnificent terrasse overlooking the gardens and soak up the laid-back atmosphere.