This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
In the heart of nature or in the heart of the city, by bike or on foot, here are four activities to plan for the long Labor Day weekend.
Upper Laurentians
Long hikes to Devil’s Mountain
Lovers of long hikes, this season is for you. No more overwhelming heat, biting insects and overcrowding of outdoor sites! It’s time to plan a getaway in the pampered environment of a regional park, like in the Montagne du Diable regional park. This privileged mountain environment can be divinely explored on foot during a stay in a chalet or, even better, during a long hike with a night in a refuge. Recently opened, the Lac et Chute Windigo sector offers access to the crystal clear water of the lake, an adventure course and two campgrounds, with or without services, to extend the summer. In the heart of the forest, six tiny houses have all the comfort required for an immersive stay.
This sector is connected to the park’s network of trails, in particular the Lake Windigo loop, approximately 13 kilometres, of intermediate level. Fans of long hikes will opt for one of the two or three night tours that wind through the park’s 80 kilometers of trails. The Summit Adventure Tour showcases the spectacular beauty of the mountain and Walker Falls and allows you to spend the night in a hideaway, away from it all. These log cabins are nestled in the forest and are distinguished by their undeniable rustic charm. Undoubtedly the best way to feel the excess of this magnificent playground.
Practical information : The Village of the builders of the Montagne du Diable regional park offers eight extremely comfortable chalets at the start of the hiking trails. Ideal for families. parcmontagnedudiable.com
Centre-du-Quebec
Centre-du-Québec Regional Bike Circuit
275 kilometers in three days: this is the invitation launched by this cycling circuit which shows what the region has to offer. On the program: bucolic landscapes of the plains of the St. Lawrence and views of the bodies of water and the mountainous environment. This loop allows intermediate-level cyclists to ride peacefully by linking the essential stages: Nicolet and its architectural heritage at the gateway to the Lac-Saint-Pierre World Biosphere Reserve; Victoriaville, loved by cyclists especially for its Véloroute des Appalaches; or Warwick, “the Flower of the Bois-Francs”, which is distinguished by its rural side and its exceptional built heritage.
Practical information : Flexible packages of one to four days are offered with accommodation. boilerappalaches.com
Eastern Townships
Route des Sommets
This 119 kilometer itinerary to be done in three days and in eight stages is perfect for the end of summer. Departure from the Baie-des-Sables tourist resort, on the shores of Lac Mégantic, for a day of activities on the water — canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding — but also in the forest: hebertism, hiking and geocaching . A complete accommodation offer allows you to choose your level of comfort, between camping, cabin, ready-to-camp and more affordable rooms near the lake. On the second day, we continue with a visit to Parc national du Mont-Mégantic for an introduction to astronomy in Quebec’s first starry sky reserve, before spending the night in a cabin or ready-to-camp in this park, one of the most beautiful in the network. Finally, we end our stay with a memorable hike on the Marble Mountain, which offers a breathtaking view of the sea of border mountains, thanks in particular to a loop that leads to the summit, at nearly 1000 meters.
Practical information : Gites, spas and agrotourism stopovers mark out this route between nature and culture. routedessommets.com
Montreal
Cultural walking tours
Whether planning a stay there as a visitor or living there, rediscovering the metropolis on foot is always a good idea, especially at the end of summer. To plan a two or three-day stay in Montreal, head to Explore Quebec, which offers 50% off its packages in the Montreal region to residents of Quebec.
As a family, we will love the urban routes of Adventure City Game to compete as a team in a neighborhood (Mile-End, Plateau Mont-Royal or Old Montreal) by solving puzzles. Those who love murals and graffiti will love the guided tour of 16/42 Tours (walking tour of the murals), a two-hour circuit where you stroll through the city center and along the axis of Saint-Laurent Boulevard to admire the new mega-productions of the artists of the 2022 edition of the Mural Festival. A good way to learn more about Montreal’s distinctive character with regard to street graphic art.
Finally, from August 24, 100e anniversary of René Lévesque’s birth, the Quartier des Spectacles is home to an itinerary of eight zones that show the major stages in the Prime Minister’s life. Espace René-Lévesque in Montreal: the journey of an exceptional man offers exhibition, video projection (in the evening) and short film (Place des Arts).
Practical information : explorequebec.com, adventurecitygames.com, 1642tours.com, quartierdesspectacles.com