Cantons-de-l’Est : Une tournée de 3 jours
2017-10-31
Article paru dans le blog Travelling Foodie et écrit pas Raymond Cua, blogger.
Eastern Townships, Quebec: 3 Day Guide – 8 Places To Eat, See, Stay
Eastern Townships, or Cantons-de-l’Est, in Québec is a beautiful gem an hour drive from Montreal with vast areas filled with lakes, mountains, farms and picturesque villages.
The region has so much to offer to Travelling Foodies, with over 70 attractions, 130 festivals and 3 Tours & Scenic Routes: the historic Townships Trail, the scenic Summit Drive, and the Wine Route.
We spent 3 days in the region, making a great guide on where to eat and stay, plus things to do in the Eastern Townships. It’s a great way for a quick getaway or to spend a long weekend.
3 Day Guide to Eastern Townships, Québec: 8 Places to Eat, See and Stay:
Spa Eastman
Saint Benedict Abbey
Sherbrooke Murals
Auguste Restaurant
Grand Times Hotel Sherbrooke
Fête des vendanges Magog-Orford
Bromont, montagne d’expérience
Hôtel Château-Bromont
Spa Eastman
Website: Spa Eastman
Address: 895 Chemin des Diligences, Eastman, Quebec, Canada J0E 1P0
Reserve: TripAdvisor | Booking.com | Agoda | Expedia
If you’re looking to relax and unwind, plus get a boost in health and wellness, Spa Eastman is definitely your getaway. This 320-acre destination spa and wellness resort is situated mountainside facing Mont Orford offering an all-inclusive stay which includes meals, hydrotherapy, daily physical activities, 15-km of hiking trails and more.
Schedule of daily physical activities are displayed on the TV in the lobby – plus you’ll have a printed schedule in your room if you’re staying. I was able to join the Classical Stretch – Essentrics class, presented by Martha Au, which combines dynamic strength and stretch exercises that rapidly changes the shape of your body.
They also offer at least 70 spa treatments including massages, facials, and body wraps. One person I was with said the massage ($98) she got was the best she’s had. And, you can even get a massage outdoors by the pond!
One of the most popular things to do here, and my favourite, was the thermotherapy where complete cycles of hot (infrared, Finnish, and Hammam saunas, and outdoor jacuzzi), cold (igloo shower, Knepp baths), rest and hydrate.
This concept of thermotherapy is known to detoxify the body, improve blood circulation and immune system, and relieve stress, mental fatigue and muscle tension.
Did you know? Infrared Sauna works deeper in removing toxins because the infrared actually hits your body, making you sweat more despite being less hot than regular saunas.
Spa Eastman also has its own restaurant focused on tonic cuisine. If you haven’t heard of tonic cuisine, neither did I until my visit here.
Tonic cuisine uses non-dairy, gluten free, organic and local products. Instead of cow’s milk, nut-based milk is used like almond or cashew milk. Butter and oil are replaced with duck fat, coconut oil or other alternatives are used.
Almond and cashew yogurt, with almond and vitality cereal
Quebec-born, Francis Cloutier is the Chef de Cuisine and has worked in Michelin restaurants in France before coming to Spa Eastman.
Spa Eastman has a vegetable and herb garden and you can spot Chef Francis in the garden picking ingredients for the day.
Buckwheat Crepe
With the all-inclusive stay, you get breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast consists of buffet (yogurt, nuts, cereal, salad) and a choice of menu item. Their most popular dish is the eggs benedict, which is quite unique because the hollandaise sauce doesn’t use butter.
Eggs Benedict
Lunch is buffet style with a meat or fish item, vegetables, soup and bread.
Dinner is a seasonally changing 3-course meal consisting of access to the salad bar and soup, a choice of main course and a dessert. Did you know?They even have their own selection of organic wines made from grapes grown without any chemical additives.
The most popular dinner dish is the Albacore Tuna, and I must say I was really impressed with this dish especially the cream of cashew and coconut sauce on it.
Albacore Tuna – Semi-cooked, rolled in sesame
Cream of cashew and coconut flavored with Galanga, Curcuma and Citrus Leaves.
Vegetable Spaghetti.
Chef Francis’ favourite dish is the Lamb Gigot because of its complexity in making.
Lamb Gigot (Ferme Les Peches Moutons) – perfumed with black olives, fennel seeds and rosemary,
Cream of celery-root, bell peppers and paprika.
Potatoes and oyster mushrooms
Cocoa and Maple Pudding – cake, nuts and squash berry jelly from Spa Eastman’s garden
After all that food, you’re going to want to stay here. Their rooms are nice and spacious – some of which have a balcony offering views of Mont Orford.
Abbaye De St-Benoit-Du-Lac (Saint Benedict Abbey)
Website: Abbaye De St-Benoit-Du-Lac
Address: 1 rue Principale, Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada J0B 2M0
Overlooking Lake Memphrémagog, the Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey was built starting 1912 by Benedictine monks from France. Did you know? The monks are called Benedictines because they live under the monastic Rule written by St. Benedict.
Designed by Dom Bellot, the abbey’s modern architecture pays tribute to the the harmony of natural geometric forms and makes splendid use of multicoloured bricks.
Cloyster of the guest house has beautiful multicoloured hallway
Tour Saint-Benoit is a small chapel inside the monastery with services in Gregorian chant, the most ancient form of Christian church music. The chapel also has a Baroque-style church organ.
You can spend a few days in the monastery for prayer retreats for meditation and spiritual renewal. At $65/night, men can stay in one of the thirty rooms in the monastery, and women can stay at the Villa Sainte-Scholastique on the grounds of the monastery. Three meals are included in the price.
For foodies, this is also a great destination. The abbey has its own cheese factory. They make their own cheeses which are sold in the on-site store.
Their cheeses have won the Concours des fromages du Québec
Did you know? Two-thirds of the abbey’s income comes from their cheeses.
12 varieties of cheeses are available
Aside from cheeses, the abbey also makes its own ciders. They are the only one selling champagne-style Calvados (cider brandy) in Quebec.
Sherbrooke Murals Circuit
Website: Circuit des Murales de Sherbrooke
Address: Rue Frontenac & Rue Wellington N, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1H
An interesting way to explore the city, downtown Sherbrooke has been transformed into a street art museum with wall-to-wall murals scattered throughout the area.
“CHLT-TV, 50 YEARS OF LOOKING AT IT OUR WAY” Mural is located directly across from the Sherbrooke Nature and Science Museum
The Sherbrooke Murals Circuit currently has 16 murals, with one new mural per year, that depicts the city’s art, history and culture.
One really cool thing about this is you can do the tour using MURALIS, the Grand Sherbrooke Murals Experience created by Space and Dream. When you use your smartphone or tablet and point the camera to the murals, the characters pop-out and come to life.
Did you know? There is a hidden gnome in each of the murals – sort of like a “Where’s Waldo?”.
Another cool thing about this tour is the circuit takes you along the river walk where you’ll get great views of the Magog River.
Auguste Restaurant
Website: Auguste Restaurant
Address: 82 Rue Wellington N, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1H 5B8
When you’re in Quebec, you definitely want to hit up some French bistro. Eastern Townships makes it easier for you to find restaurants run by chefs focused on creative recipes using regional products and flavours by designating them as Chefs créateurs (Creative Chefs) restaurants.
Poutine Inversee ($6 – 6 pcs)
One such place in downtown Sherbrooke is Restaurant Auguste, which focuses on locally sourcing its products from producers.
Latte des bois ($8) – latte, roasted marshmallows, Coureur Des Bois
Dinner here is table d’hôte menu consisting of 3-courses: First Course, Main Course and Dessert. Price is based on the main course you choose, and supplemental charges depending on what you order.
Travelling Foodie Tip: Make sure to also ask about the daily specials. These items are not on the menu!
Duck foie gras terrine, toasted brioche, mango chutney (+$15)
I highly recommend their Risotto which was very flavourful with the parmesan and white truffle oil, contrasted with the subtle bitterness of the spinach. Be sure to add the scallops!
Risotto with mushrooms, spinach, parmesan, and white truffle oil ($30) and scallops (+$15)
While you’re there, be sure to the popular traditional French-Canadian dessert, Poor Man’s Pudding.
Maple poor man’s pudding, Coaticook ice cream
Grand Times Hotel Sherbrooke
Website: Grand Times Hotel Sherbrooke
Address: 1 Rue Belvédère S, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1H 0G8
Reserve: TripAdvisor | Booking.com | Agoda | Expedia
Located in downtown Sherbrooke, Grand Times Hotel Sherbrooke transports you to New York City into Broadway with its music and artistic atmosphere.
Grand Comfort Suite has one or two beds, and a view of either the lake or downtown
Travelling Foodie Tip: Make sure you book the room with views of the lake, Lac des Nations.
The hotel has an outdoor patio close to the Lac des Nations with views of Mont Orford. Perfect for photography.
Fête des vendanges Magog-Orford
Website: Fête des vendanges
Address: Parc de la Pointe-Merry, Magog, Quebec, Canada J0B
Quebec’s biggest gourmet festival, Fête des vendanges Magog-Orford (Magog-Orford Harvest Festival) gives you a taste of Quebec featuring wines, ciders, and food from local producers.
Aperol Spritz from SAQ
There are various programs including chef demonstrations, musical performances, wine lectures, and other activities.
Chips au Gras de Canard / Duck Fat Chips from Canards du Lac-Brome
Here, you’ll get to see how big Eastern Townships’ culinary side shines with its abundance of Créateurs de saveurs (Flavour Creators), designated agri-food producers that guarantee quality and flavours of the Townships.
La Bittt à Tibi’s Brassin Nomade Kristall Witte and Du Minot Cidrerie’s La Bolée Pétillante from SAQ
Did you know? Eastern Townships is Quebec’s first wine-growing region.
Le Rouge 2014 from Au Vignoble d’Orford with an interesting contraption for pouring samples
Le Cep d’Argent Vineyard is popular for making “champagne”-style wines like their Blanc de Blancs Brut (White on White Sparkling Wine).
Blanc de Blancs Brut (White on White Sparkling Wine) from Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent
Pair your wine with some of the food trucks on site.
Panini au Canard from Canards du Lac-Brome – duck confit, grilled cheese, basil pesto
Le Pain Voyageur brought their mobile bakery to serve up some fresh bread, pastry and their delicious Le Grande Suisse!
Le Grande Suisse from Pain Voyageur
Pulled Pork Poutine from La Galoche Pub Bistronomie
When you’re in Quebec, you should definitely try ice cream from Laiterie Coaticook, one of the largest ice cream makers in Quebec founded in 1940. They are known for their Maple Sugar ice cream which definitely satisfies a sweet tooth!
Maple Sugar Ice Cream from Laiterie Coaticook
Bromont, montagne d’expérience (Ski Bromont)
Website: Ski Bromont
Location: 150 Rue Champlain, Bromont, Quebec, Canada J2L 1A2
The largest lit skiable area in America, Bromont, montagne d’expérience is a large outdoor adventure area for skiers, mountain bikers, swimmers, or anyone who just wants to explore a great view.
You can take one of 9 chairlift routes to see amazing views. Did you know?Mount Brome is 565m high!
If you love mountain biking, this is the place to be as it has 24 downhill runs for all levels. Did you know? Bromont, montagne d’expérience has the largest mountain biking area in Eastern Canada.
During the summer, the big waterpark is open including a ~24,000 square feet heated wave pool and 24 other aquatic attractions.
Domaine Château-Bromont
Website: Domaine Château-Bromont
Address: 90 Rue de Stanstead, Bromont, Quebec, Canada J2L 1K6
Reserve: TripAdvisor | Booking.com | Agoda | Expedia
Located at the base of Mount Brome next to a golf course, Domaine Château-Bromont has both a hotel and an auberge set in a rustic atmosphere with a restaurant and spa.
Travelling Foodie Tip: On the 2nd floor is the outdoor terrace which has a patio, bar, and jacuzzis with a beautiful view.
Junior Suites have a queen/king-sized bed and a sofa bed, and a mezzanine.
Inside the hotel is (Les Quatre) 4 Canards restaurant a Chefs créateurs (Creative Chefs) restaurant run by Chef Fabrice Piquet.
Goat Cheese and Smoked Salmon in Filo Pastry, Arugula Salad / Paillot de chèvre et saumon fumé en filo, salade de roquette, Vinaigrette au citron
Dinner is à la Carte with an option to make into a 4-course table d’hôte.
Crispy Duck Roll, Vegetable Brunoise, Spicy Mango Coulis / Friand de canard, brunoise de légumes, coulis de mangue épicée
Their menu changes seasonally based on regional products and Chef Frabrice’s inspiration.
Salmon in Herb and Mustard Crust, Antiboise Sauce / Pavé de saumon en croûte de moutarde de Meaux et herbes fraîches, Sauce antiboise
I had the Bison Flank Steak and it was very tender and juicy, and, surprisingly, without the gamey taste!
Bison Flank Steak, Tellicherry Pepper and Maple Brandy / Bavette de bison sur le gril, poivre Tellicherry et brandy d’érable
Tiramisu
Have you visited the Eastern Townships in Quebec? What were you favourite things to do?
