This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
We often hear about gourmet roads. But what are they exactly? What are they aiming for? And how many can we find across the province? Follow the leader !
It’s what ?
According to the Association de l’agrotourisme et du tourisme gourmand du Québec (AATGQ), “gourmet tourism is the discovery […] of a territory through distinctive culinary experiences, agritourism or bio-food activities highlighting the know-how of its craftsmen and making it possible to appreciate the products or dishes that are specific to it”. The gourmet routes are part of this approach. These are routes that allow you to travel from one point to another, enjoying local flavors at each stop. A multitude of products and experiences are offered to the visitor: alcohol, cheese, agritourism activities, U-pick, tastings, unusual products, meals, overnight stays at the farm and much more!
A Highway Code… gourmet?
In Quebec, there are neither regulations to govern gourmet routes nor provincial criteria to respect to guarantee their quality. Some are managed by the tourist offices of the municipalities and regions they cross, while others are independent. The concept is evolving. Since 2022, the AATGQ has undertaken a census to “improve, structure and highlight the experience offered by the gourmet routes and circuits”. The association has also developed an approach comprising standards to be respected in order to guarantee the quality and homogeneity of the experience offered to travelers who take the participating circuits.
24
This is the number of major gourmet circuits in Quebec, according to the AATGQ. However, the government body specifies that this list is not exhaustive: it does not include the promotional routes set up by tourist organizations to highlight their territory. In truth, it is estimated that there are more than forty gourmet routes in Quebec, which have been set up locally, independently, or have benefited from provincial or regional support.
1995
This is the year of the creation of the Charlevoix Flavor Route, the first of its kind in Quebec. This agrotourism circuit between river and mountains has contributed to the gourmet reputation of the area for nearly 30 years.
Thirst-quenching journeys
Many gourmet routes have been specially designed to quench travelers’ thirst: the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route, the Eastern Quebec Beer Route, the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Beer Route, the brewers from the Eastern Townships, the Route des distilleries du Québec, lark.
20/wine
In 2023, the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route celebrates its 20e anniversary. Founded in 2003, this route criss-crosses 22 vineyards in the Eastern Townships and offers 6 circuits to visit them according to the personal preferences of amateurs, summer and winter alike.
Eating… while pedaling
It is not only by car that you can explore the regions in search of new Quebec flavors. The Véloroute gourmande is a 235-kilometre route linking Montreal and Sherbrooke, which is dotted with some 120 gourmet attractions. Other options? The Véloroute des bleuets, which goes around Lac Saint-Jean, offers a thematic tour of microbreweries; Vélo-Popote offers pedaling from one gourmet stop in the Basses-Laurentides to another; and Tourisme Lanaudière has concocted a tasty 75-kilometre itinerary to be covered on two wheels.
12
According to the AATGQ, the main structured gourmet circuits in Quebec are dispersed in 12 administrative regions: Bas-Saint-Laurent, Estrie, Centre-du-Québec, Capitale-Nationale, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la -Madeleine, Lanaudière, the Laurentians, Mauricie, Montérégie, Outaouais and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.