This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
While it is true that you have to start early, even months in advance, to get your hands on a hotel room, a chalet, a ready-to-camp or even land to set up your tent during the summer in Quebec, it’s even more true when you’re looking for a place to put your suitcase near one of the many festivals and public events that animate the province! It is therefore high time to make reservations in anticipation of the end of the summer and fall seasons. A few tracks and other stops to put on the schedule along the way.
Are the accommodations near festivals and outdoor public events across the province sold out for the months of July and August? It may be wise to turn to house or apartment rental sites, if you are still looking for a place to stay! However, other festivities, some perhaps less known than others, are being prepared in September and October in the different regions of the province, and it is still possible to plan your stay, whether you are of the nature or more cozy.
Outaouais
The 36e edition of the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival (FMG) will be held from August 31 to September 4. On the program: the usual flight of hot air balloons in the aerial space of Parc de la Baie de Gatineau, a host of activities for the family (Beauce Carnaval amusement park, fireworks, night illuminations, youth shows, etc. ), and musical performances by Richard Séguin, Claude Dubois, Roxane Bruneau and Clay and Friends, among others.
To maximize its experience, the FMG offers to stay at the heart of the festival, at the Domaine des caravaniers, on its camping areas. A room is preferred to the tent and the caravan? Less than fifteen minutes by car, the Château Cartier Hotel Resort offers comfort, spa and restaurants, enough to recharge your batteries before embarking on the excitement of the FMG. But if, on its own, the event attracts vacationers, the city of Gatineau also deserves to be explored, whether through its Gatineau Park, which extends over 361 km2its many galleries, cultural centers and museums, or its various family activities, such as the only interprovincial zip line in the world, which connects Ottawa to Gatineau.
Eastern Townships
In Magog, the Harvest Festival returns for its 30e edition on September 2, 3 and 4 and 9 and 10. More than 90 exhibitors will be showcased at Pointe Merry, near Lake Memphremagog. The Chemin de la Rivière vineyard, the La Memphré microbrewery, the Cherry River distillery, the Scotstown charcuterie, the Renaissance farm and other artisans will be tasting their creations, accompanied by a promising musical program (Patrice Michaud, Jean- Marc Couture, Guylaine Tanguay and many others).
A few minutes from the site, Au Virage B&B, built in 1937, offers warm rooms, breakfast and a massage therapy service. For a modern retro concept, we turn to the unique rooms of the Versō hotel, with a decor mid century modern, which pay homage to the singers of the Quiet Revolution. Nature lovers will find a few campgrounds still available around Parc national du Mont-Orford, with spaces for tents and recreational vehicles, as well as cabins. In parallel with the event, wine discoveries are continuing near Lake Magog, at the Le Cep d’Argent vineyard, initiator of the Harvest Festival and member of the Créateurs de Saveurs Cantons-de-l’Est brand. Then, after a few days of tastings, why not organize a day of exploration in nature? The trails on stilts, one of the longest networks in Quebec, and on gravel in the Rivière aux Cerises marsh are accessible to all and free.
Chaudiere-Appalaches
The musical event Les Violons d’automne, celebrating each year the vast repertoire of the instrument, will take place, for its 23e edition, from October 13 to 15 in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. Jazz, traditional, gypsy, classical, electro-swing… So many styles presented by a diversity of violin artists from here and elsewhere at La Vigie, Maison de la culture populaire.
While waiting for the unveiling of the program, we are planning a few days at La Belle Époque, a Victorian-style bed and breakfast with heritage decor, or a little further in the historic village of Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, at the Canadian B&B, a 1793 house made of ancestral stones, whose dining room offers a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River. In the surrounding streets of the festivities, visit Le Vivoir and Atelier M, located in the heart of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, to discover unique pieces by local artists, stop at the Ras L’Bock microbrewery to taste its homemade beers which vary according to the season, then we stock up on local products and sweets at the Moule à sucre.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.