A passionate getaway LAURENTIANSNorth of Montréal, Québec, Canada DISCOVER the history and heritage SAVOUR the local gastronomy EXPLORE the great outdoors STAY with expert hosts RELISH each season DETACH and recharge A world of discovery only a stone’s throw away ou might still hear them referred breathtaking landscapes and experiences And just as many reasons to disconnect to as the “Pays d’en-Haut,” or in the great outdoors, only 45 minutes and make the most of life solo, with simply “the North.” For Quebecers from the city. It’s no secret that the region friends, family, or your special someone. Yand Montrealers in particular, the Lau- has all the ingredients for a perfect vaca- The locals know how to have a good time. rentians are synonymous with a close- tion: unparalleled national and regional Inspired by a passion for their incredible to-home getaway. The beauty of the parks, world-class winter sports resorts, homeland, the art of welcoming visitors Laurentians and the commitment of a a staggering selection of year-round has become their sixth sense. Hand over few pioneers have made the region the activities and holiday resorts, outfitters, your stay to them, and we’re willing to bet go-to destination to satisfy a need for cultural discoveries, gastronomic pitstops... that you’ll fall in love with the Laurentians. SUMMARY 04 HISTORY & HERITAGE 14 OUTDOOR 21 WINTER 29 THRILL-SEEKERS The Laurentian road tells ACTIVITIES A warm embrace from WANTED its own tale Anything is possible! the cold! Where the adrenaline Travel back in time on the Route Take part in a host of summer Discover the winter magic gets going des Belles-Histoires activities of the Laurentians Adventure knows no bounds in the true north 08 LOCAL CUISINE 17 HOLIDAY RESORTS 25 SKIING & WINTER & PRODUCTS Hosting: Where art and SPORTS 31 WELLBEING Flavours of the Laurentian tradition meet A tale of pioneers Recharging has never been so easy! landscape Choosing the ultimate and passion Relax at a spa or yoga studio Treat yourself to a gastronomic road summer spots Discover the trails and slopes trip on the Chemin du Terroir in white gold country 32 FESTIVALS & EVENTS 19 OUTFITTERS An electrifying schedule 11 NATURE Home away from home 27 HYPERACTIVE of events Fun-filled parks in the at Mother Nature’s WINTER Take part in the region’s must-see events outdoors Entrust local forest innkeepers The joys of the white season Get away from your everyday in with your overnight stay Experience the wintery outdoors 33 ADDRESS BOOK national and regional parks in all its forms Useful links and contacts QUÉBEC LE MAG Laurentians Tourist Magazine edited by: Photos General Director, Tourism Laurentians (unless Information Bureau Les Éditions Neopol France Project Coordinator otherwise specified) Tel.: 450-224-7007 SARL with a capital of 22,500 Euros. Audrey Lorans-Garbay [email protected] Manager: Audrey Lorans-Garbay Cover photos [email protected] © Tourism Laurentians and Jean-Marie Bernard © Barrons-nous General Director RCS Dijon B789158888 Editorial Manager Diane Leblond 2, allée du Clos du Roy David Lang In collaboration with Marketing Director 21380 Messigny-et-Vantoux, France [email protected] TOURISM LAURENTIANS Manon Lefebvre Tel.: 03 80 44 91 00 14 142, de la Chapelle Street, International www.quebeclemag.com Artistic Direction, Mirabel, Quebec J7J 2C8 Tour & Travel Graphic Design Tel.: 450-436-8532 representative Printing Grand National Studio Fax: 450-436-5309 Fabienne Hervé Marquis [email protected] www.laurentians.com [email protected] www.marquisbook.com laurentiANs 03 The Laurentian road In Old-Saint-Eustache, HISTORY & HERITAGE murals narrate the region’s history. tells its own tale 04 History & heritage LAURENTIANs 05 Former train stations make for present-day scenic pitstops along Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park. A centenarian on the Rivière du Diable: Prud’homme covered bridge in Brébeuf. A road trip through the Laurentians is nothing short of spectacular, with several sites telling the epic tale of the “Pays d’en-Haut” along the way. Take the back roads of the Route des Belles-Histoires Skiing and railroad, catalysts for a journey back in time. of the region’s development. TEXT David Lang PHOTOS Tourism Laurentians (unless otherwise specified) veritable northern conquest, the history of development in learn that the very first chairlift in North America was built in the Laurentians inspires passion, with its defining periods THE ROUTE DES BELLES-HISTOIRES the Laurentians! Along the Route des Belles-Histoires, art is Aand characters, lumberjacks and trappers, pathfinders and FEATURES HERITAGE SITES AND also used as a medium to showcase the region. In Sainte- pioneers of the tourism industry... Curé Labelle was one of them. Adèle, the Murales des Pays-d’en-Haut circuit presents a An officiant at Saint-Jérôme parish, the so-called “King of the MUSEUMS OVER NEARLY 280 KM. dozen murals signed by Quebec artists and inspired by stories North” implemented a massive plan to colonize the Laurentians and legends. Smartphone in hand, this open-air gallery takes th Oka Abbey in the XIX century in an effort to counter French-Canadian ANECDOTES AND A PAGE OUT OF HISTORY an hour to discover, as visitors collect videos and information in its haven of greenery. emigration to the United States, particularly by supporting Some stops, like old P’tit Train du Nord stations (see page about the works – an interactive circuit that is also available via construction of the railroad that serves the region from Montreal. 16), bring moments in history to life through short films. the BaladoDécouverte app. Visitors can even opt for a horse- A legendary figure, whose history is documented in a museum- Other stops exhibit collections that showcase historical sagas, drawn carriage tour in summertime! n An abbaye takes on new life like space in the entrance of Saint-Jérôme cathedral. It’s one of the such as the Laurentian Ski Museum, installed over 30 years first pitstops along the Route des Belles-Histoires which, ending ago in an old fire station in Saint-Sauveur. The exhibition In February 2009, the last monks left the Oka Abbey’s old chapel, and large refectory to settle into a new monastery. Dating back to the early in Mont-Laurier, covers 280 km and connects approximately sixty consists of 3,500 items, photos, and videos that demonstrate FOLLOW THE LEADER! XXth century, impressive stone buildings that housed Cistercian monks tourist stops, themed museums, religious sites (see the spotlight), the effect of the Laurentians in developing winter sports, Prepare to travel back in time with an interactive now serve a new purpose, sometimes as the set of films or television and heritage sites. A unique way of acquainting visitors with the and vice-versa. Naturally, Laurentian skiing has its heroes, map, available at routedesbelleshistoires.com shows, other times by hosting visitors for the night. The ideal location region’s cities and villages, mountains, valleys, and river banks, like the pioneer known as Jack Rabbit (see page 25), or Émile and as a smartphone download. Once on site, simply follow for a tranquil stay, with 35 km of cycling and hiking trails nearby, as well with scenic viewpoints on demand. Cochant, who founded the first ski school in 1911. You’ll also the blue signposts. as a store to stock up on delicious local products. 06 History & heritage LAURENTIANs 07 Visit a sugar shack during sugar season. TAKE A BITE OUT OF THESE PIT STOPS The Saint-Eustache sector, where the old city is a gem to discover, Near Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, the locals know how to make the has no shortage of options: La Magie de la Pomme and its Bistro most of the fruit harvest. Find out how at the one-of-a-kind Les La Dent Sucrée is a family-friendly food stop that connects farm Vergers Lafrance Cider House, or by visiting Verger Richard to table. For more sweet cuisine, Quebec soul food is on the menu Legault Orchard, with its rustic menu and charming boutique. at Cabane à sucre Constantin, unless you prefer to discover Flavours of the Other must-sees: La Bullerie, a vineyard that specializes in the nearby Vignoble Rivière du Chêne Winery, where guided sparkling wine, Vignoble et Microbrasserie Les Vents d’Ange, tours are enhanced with tastings of small wonders like the Cuvée home to a squash interpretation centre, and Tarterie du Verger glacée des Laurentides (late grape harvests such as ice wine), LaurentianLOCAL CUISINE AND landscape PRODUCTS des Musiques for something sweet. not to mention the Wine and Tapas evenings and dinner menu. Something is brewing Working up an appetite along the Route des Belles-Histoires? in the Laurentians! The region’s cuisine has the solution. Traditional foods and creative Over a dozen microbreweries-pubs offer authentic beers which can be savoured artisans aplenty, the Laurentians set the stage for a culinary road trip, on site, often accompanied by local featuring delectable agritourist and gastronomic detours. Laurentian products. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to locate the pint of your dreams: Microbrasserie alling all foodies, epicures, and lovers of artisanal goods: houses, smokehouses, sugar shacks, microbreweries, and Les Vents d’Ange in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, the Laurentians is a veritable amusement park for your apiaries at each leg of the road trip. Along the way, the Les Brasseurs du Nord in Blainville and Ctaste buds. Here, the great flavour wheel takes the form pastoral side of the Laurentians is visible through its valleys, Microbrasserie Dieu du Ciel! in Saint- of a 226-km marked circuit through the breathtaking country- water expanses, and country roads, not to mention the number Jérôme, Microbrasserie Le Baril Roulant side of the southwest Laurentians.