This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Each year, the calendar gives us an appointment with love in all its variations. The opportunity to blow on the embers of one’s relationships and to renew the confession of one’s feelings in an inviting environment. To do this, nature offers the ideal setting, because it invites contemplation and plenitude, provisions conducive to beautiful exchanges. Here are some ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day while taking a breath of clean, fresh air. Note that access to the dining rooms is subject to rapid change.
Eastern Townships
Jouvence Resort
Several destinations offer all-inclusive packages for Valentine’s Day. That of this institution, located in Orford, is no exception: the one-night stay at the Petite Auberge de Jouvence includes a five-course gourmet meal and a host of chocolate treats. As a bonus: access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fatbike of the domain. Not to mention sliding, skating, kicksledding and hebertism trail modules offered on site. The establishment is a stone’s throw from the Mont-Orford National Park.
The package is offered on February 12, all meals included. Price: $215 per person. Equipment loan.
Lanaudiere
Domaine Bazinet
Outfitters are increasingly integrating outdoor activities into their resort, hunting and fishing services. Like at Domaine Bazinet, located in Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie. In winter, the Special snowshoeing package invites you to take the fifteen kilometers of paths rich in panoramas before spending a night (or more) in a chalet. Skating rink, tube slide and treasure hunt course with map and compass complete an action-packed stay in an immersive setting.
The package includes a meal with a simple, but tasty menu. Price: from $80 to $124 per person depending on package.
Laurentians
Lacroix cider house
The ancestral cider house of Saint-Joseph-du-Lac opens its trails to visitors wishing to walk or ski in the charming setting of its vast orchard of 5,000 apple trees. After the hike, you can stop at the gourmet stop to warm up with a hot apple juice. You can also buy handicrafts at the on-site boutique. The gourmet table is currently closed, but could reopen if the pandemic situation allows.
The trails are open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and dogs are allowed on a leash.
SEPAQ network side
Echo cabins for two
Many of them are obviously designed for couples, as the smallness of the accommodation makes for intimacy (others can accommodate 4 people). Small, Écho cabins have everything for a pleasant stay: fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom, bedroom and dining room with wood stove. All in the middle of the forest. Watching deer from his cabin is part of the experience. Although these chalets are very popular, there are still stays of at least two nights possible in February, especially during the week. Those in Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon, in Lac-Saint-Jean, even have direct access to the frozen lake.
Rate: $155 (weekdays) to $211 (weekends) per person, per night.
Duchesnay tourist resort
This charming inn, located in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, offers the Romance Package, including, among other things, a three-course table d’hôte and a host of activities on the shores of Lake Saint-Joseph: ski cross-country (50 km of trails), snowshoeing (22 km of trails), sliding, skating, ice fishing, ski-snowshoeing and even dog sledding with Aventure Inukshuk.
Rate: $184 per person per night.