5 Montreal getaways to enjoy the fine weather
12 Sep, 2024
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By Marie-Pier Leduc - Nomade Magazine
Autumn is slowly approaching, but the good weather is still here ! To make the most of September's sunny days, here are 5 weekend getaways close to Montreal.
A vibrant gourmet getaway in Laval
As Montreal's neighbor, we sometimes forget that this destination has it all. Its varied offering makes it the ideal place for a staycation that's anything but boring.
You can pick your own bouquet of flowers and enjoy a delicious berry-based ice cream at Ferme Marineau. Or discover the world and flavours of mushrooms at Les Champimignons. For houseplant lovers, a visit to Serres Lavoie is a must! For fresh local food, consider visiting Agneaux de Laval and its Farm Market. For a delicious meal, I recommend the Ricardo restaurant at Centropolis, or the refined menu and incomparable service at Sekoya. Les Insulaires Microbrasseurs is a good place for an aperitif.
If you're looking for a more dynamic getaway, then head over to Immersia and try one of their escape games. iFLY was my favorite, because it makes you feel like you're flying for just a few minutes. Don't miss their virtual reality experience, it's absolutely incredible !
A gourmet tour of Montérégie
The Montérégie region is full of agritourism stops to discover, and autumn is the best time to visit! In fact, apple season is at its peak in this region of vineyards, cider mills and orchards.
For a wine tasting with a lovely view of Mont Saint-Hilaire, I suggest a stop at Domaine Vinēterra. In Beloeil, enjoy an excellent food-and-wine pairing at Le Coureur des Bois. In Rougemont, Cidrerie Michel Jodoin is definitely worth a visit to sample their apple-based ciders and spirits.
I've also fallen in love with the Haut-Richelieu area, where you can discover Vignoble 1292, enjoy a country-style meal at Bika Ferme et Cuisine or eat a gourmet brunch at Les bonnes Sœurs. If you're ever in the area, I'd suggest glamping on the water at Aloberge.
A weekend in the charming town of Brome Lake
The beautiful town of Brome Lake won me over with its picturesque landscapes and charming village.
You can discover it on an electric bike to fully appreciate the panoramic views. To do so, hire a bike from Vignoble Léon Courville. On your return, you can enjoy a tasting on the terrace, or even a picnic of local produce.
Lac-Brome also boasts a number of fine gourmet addresses, such as Knowlton Co, a microbrewery offering wood-fired pizzas, or the bistro Sapin, in the heart of the village, with its divine menu ! For a good cup of coffee, check out Brûlerie Virgin Hill and its Atelier de Café, an address to remember.
To make the most of this Eastern Townships getaway, I suggest you plan an overnight stay at Domaine Jolivent, which offers all the comforts and conveniences you could wish for, even access to Brome Lake.
A thrilling Pontiac road trip
For a good dose of adventure, I'd rather send you to the Outaouais region, more specifically the Pontiac.
Here, the possibilities are numerous: rafting on the river with Rafting Momentum, superb hiking at Rocher à l'Oiseau, via ferrata and zip lines at Parc Aventure des Chutes Coulonge or paddleboarding on the Ottawa River. Enough to keep you busy throughout your stay.
Looking for a calming experience after those thrills ? I loved the nearby Vignoble Petit Chariot Rouge, whose terrace overlooks the vineyards. It's a thing of beauty, and I can assure you that the place will charm you from the first glance.
If you're a fan of vanlife, there are several addresses in the region that welcome vans. Camping de la Plage du Pont Blanc, for example, is an ideal central location for your stay. Rafting Momentum and Parc Aventure des Chutes Coulonge also offer this possibility, so you can take full advantage of the activities on offer.
A nature escape in Lanaudière
The Lanaudière region has so much to offer! It's a great place to get away from it all, whatever your tastes !
I'm thinking of the Auberge du Lac Taureau, which in itself offers a dream vacation destination: several accommodation options, dynamic activities on the lake or in the forest, restaurants, but above all access to a superb beach overlooking magnificent Lac Taureau! You'll never want to leave. On your way there, make a stop at Mont Brassard - the different viewpoints are definitely worth the effort.
For a more rustic getaway, head to Chalets Lanaudière and stay in a yurt or cottage in the heart of nature! Many activities are also available on site to complete your getaway.
To add a gourmet touch to your visit to Lanaudière, take a look at the various Goûtez Lanaudière tours. They'll take you on a tour of the region's producers.
I hope these ideas will inspire you to take advantage of the beautiful days to come. I wish you a wonderful escape in the September sunshine.
By Marie-Pier Leduc - Nomade Magazine
Autumn is slowly approaching, but the good weather is still here ! To make the most of September's sunny days, here are 5 weekend getaways close to Montreal.
A vibrant gourmet getaway in Laval
As Montreal's neighbor, we sometimes forget that this destination has it all. Its varied offering makes it the ideal place for a staycation that's anything but boring.
You can pick your own bouquet of flowers and enjoy a delicious berry-based ice cream at Ferme Marineau. Or discover the world and flavours of mushrooms at Les Champimignons. For houseplant lovers, a visit to Serres Lavoie is a must! For fresh local food, consider visiting Agneaux de Laval and its Farm Market. For a delicious meal, I recommend the Ricardo restaurant at Centropolis, or the refined menu and incomparable service at Sekoya. Les Insulaires Microbrasseurs is a good place for an aperitif.
If you're looking for a more dynamic getaway, then head over to Immersia and try one of their escape games. iFLY was my favorite, because it makes you feel like you're flying for just a few minutes. Don't miss their virtual reality experience, it's absolutely incredible !
A gourmet tour of Montérégie
The Montérégie region is full of agritourism stops to discover, and autumn is the best time to visit! In fact, apple season is at its peak in this region of vineyards, cider mills and orchards.
For a wine tasting with a lovely view of Mont Saint-Hilaire, I suggest a stop at Domaine Vinēterra. In Beloeil, enjoy an excellent food-and-wine pairing at Le Coureur des Bois. In Rougemont, Cidrerie Michel Jodoin is definitely worth a visit to sample their apple-based ciders and spirits.
I've also fallen in love with the Haut-Richelieu area, where you can discover Vignoble 1292, enjoy a country-style meal at Bika Ferme et Cuisine or eat a gourmet brunch at Les bonnes Sœurs. If you're ever in the area, I'd suggest glamping on the water at Aloberge.
A weekend in the charming town of Brome Lake
The beautiful town of Brome Lake won me over with its picturesque landscapes and charming village.
You can discover it on an electric bike to fully appreciate the panoramic views. To do so, hire a bike from Vignoble Léon Courville. On your return, you can enjoy a tasting on the terrace, or even a picnic of local produce.
Lac-Brome also boasts a number of fine gourmet addresses, such as Knowlton Co, a microbrewery offering wood-fired pizzas, or the bistro Sapin, in the heart of the village, with its divine menu ! For a good cup of coffee, check out Brûlerie Virgin Hill and its Atelier de Café, an address to remember.
To make the most of this Eastern Townships getaway, I suggest you plan an overnight stay at Domaine Jolivent, which offers all the comforts and conveniences you could wish for, even access to Brome Lake.
A thrilling Pontiac road trip
For a good dose of adventure, I'd rather send you to the Outaouais region, more specifically the Pontiac.
Here, the possibilities are numerous: rafting on the river with Rafting Momentum, superb hiking at Rocher à l'Oiseau, via ferrata and zip lines at Parc Aventure des Chutes Coulonge or paddleboarding on the Ottawa River. Enough to keep you busy throughout your stay.
Looking for a calming experience after those thrills ? I loved the nearby Vignoble Petit Chariot Rouge, whose terrace overlooks the vineyards. It's a thing of beauty, and I can assure you that the place will charm you from the first glance.
If you're a fan of vanlife, there are several addresses in the region that welcome vans. Camping de la Plage du Pont Blanc, for example, is an ideal central location for your stay. Rafting Momentum and Parc Aventure des Chutes Coulonge also offer this possibility, so you can take full advantage of the activities on offer.
A nature escape in Lanaudière
The Lanaudière region has so much to offer! It's a great place to get away from it all, whatever your tastes !
I'm thinking of the Auberge du Lac Taureau, which in itself offers a dream vacation destination: several accommodation options, dynamic activities on the lake or in the forest, restaurants, but above all access to a superb beach overlooking magnificent Lac Taureau! You'll never want to leave. On your way there, make a stop at Mont Brassard - the different viewpoints are definitely worth the effort.
For a more rustic getaway, head to Chalets Lanaudière and stay in a yurt or cottage in the heart of nature! Many activities are also available on site to complete your getaway.
To add a gourmet touch to your visit to Lanaudière, take a look at the various Goûtez Lanaudière tours. They'll take you on a tour of the region's producers.
I hope these ideas will inspire you to take advantage of the beautiful days to come. I wish you a wonderful escape in the September sunshine.