Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
THINGS TO DO
Your Townships adventure starts here.
Sports, Nature & Outdoor Activities
Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
Arts, Culture & Heritage
Let your imagination run free at galleries, theatres, museums and workshops.
Spa & Wellness
Treat yourself to massages, body treatments, Nordic baths and other sensory delights.
Shopping
Scour our markets, boutiques and other hidden gems to score incredible finds.
Events
Discover our cultural vitality with a wide range of special events.
Cycling
The Townships is a great cycling destination, because it’s designed for pedal power - slow, contemplative, challenging or sporty.
Hiking Trails
Fill your pack with local flavours before setting off to explore the natural beauties that make our region so stunning.
Campgrounds
Abundant amenities in the heart of nature.
Restaurants
All are sure to please even the most discerning of palates. Bon appétit!
Golfing
Tee off in the Townships and get into the swing of things with 9 or 18 holes. Fore!
Where to stay
Lodging options to suit any taste and budget.
Hotels & Country Inns
Stunning locations and outstanding service come together for a bliss-inducing stay.
Bed & Breakfasts
Get up close and personal with life in the Townships.
Off the Beaten Path
Think outside the box with out of the ordinary accommodations.
Cottages & Condos
Custom comfort near the city or in nature.
Campgrounds / RV Rentals
Abundant amenities in the heart of nature.
Vacation Centres
Kick back and relax as a family with all-inclusive vacation options.
Other Types of Lodging
Experience something different by choosing unique lodging.
Destination Spas
The only thing better than a day at the spa? Several days at the spa!
Hikers Welcome
If you, like thousands of visitors annually, plan on hiking in the region, know that your efforts will be rewarded by our world-class hospitality.
Bienvenue Cyclistes
Explore the region on two wheels and stay in one of the many accommodation options bearing the Bienvenue cyclistes icon.
Pet Friendly
Don’t want to leave your four-legged friend behind? Book a stay in some of the region’s many dog-friendly digs and you won’t have to.
The Townships
The Townships possess a rich heritage that you will discover everywhere on its nine territories, in its towns and villages, its Coeurs villageois, etc.
Not to be missed
What is it that draws visitors to the region, year after year? Find out here :
Cœurs villageois
Visit our Cœurs villageois – charming communities that truly characterize the spirit of our region.
Towns and villages
Explore our lively, welcoming towns and villages with their heritage architecture and fascinating histories.
Nine territories to discover
Each territory has a distinct personality and a wealth of hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered!
The Townships at a glance
Here’s a glimpse of the region, a few historical notions, and numbers.
Tourist routes
Hit the road! The region has several tourist routes designed around different themes – heritage, scenic landscapes, wine….
National and regional parks
Four national and two regional parks – an outdoor paradise in the fresh air, each and every one!
Taste the townships
Here, in so many ways, you’ll enjoy all kinds of gastronomical experiences! When you discover our unique products and our highly renowned tables, you’ll love us forever!
Restaurants
Every time you sit down at one of our tables, you’ll experience a truly special moment. Savour it!
Cafés de village
Visit our Cafés de Village and discover each one’s specialties while meeting the most welcoming and friendly people.
Créateurs de Saveurs Products
You can rely on our food producers who put as much love as delicious flavours into everything they plant and produce.
Vineyards
The Route des vins de Brome-Missisquoi, the Route des vins de l’Estrie, and about twenty other vineyards… The Townships region proudly honours its title of being the first wine region of Quebec.
Microbreweries
The region counts more than twenty microbreweries! Just like the people who run them, each one has established their own strong, unique personality and … extremely inviting character!
Cheese Factories & Dairy Producers
goat’s milk… Here you’ll savour rich artisanal cheeses. Some you already know, many others you’ll enjoy discovering.
Public Markets
Purple peppers, fir honey, pineapple tomatoes … besides all the products you love, sometimes you also discover new, amazingly surprising ones!
Pick-your-own
Pick-your-own farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
Restaurants Complices
These restaurants take to heart working with local producers and to offer dishes that integrate certified Créateurs de saveurs products.
Foodie’s Maps
Brasseurs des Cantons and Têtes fromagères are two gastronomical circuits highlighting our microbreweries and cheese factories.
Gourmet Itineraries
Plan your stay by offering yourself a wealth of flavours. Consult our getaway ideas.
Weekend and Trip Ideas
Discover our activities suggestions, getaway ideas and itineraries in the Townships.
Family Outings
Find loads of ideas for memorable family outings!
Romantic Getaways
Outings, restaurants, spas, weekend ideas… Suggestions for spending some precious moments together.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking, kayaking, beaches, cycling… Without a doubt, all outdoor enthusiasts are sure to find something to do here!
Tourist Routes
Vineyards, mountain peaks, heritage sites… Our designated routes make for the most beautiful road trips!
Itineraries
Whether for two, with your family or with friends, here you will find a ton of suggestions for planning perfect getaways!
Experiences to Try
Our collaborators have tested several different adventures … and have approved!
Coeur villageois
Visit our Cœurs villageois – charming communities that truly characterize the spirit of our region.
Towns and Villages
Explore our lively, welcoming towns and villages with their heritage architecture and fascinating histories.
Guide and Maps
View our guide and maps online or download your free copies.
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
12 Hiking Outings in the Eastern TownshipsFARM TOURISM AND REGIONAL PRODUCTS
A trail blazer in the wine industry in Quebec, in 1982, L’Orpailleur planted its first vines in the beautiful valley of Dunham. Its wines are now available in 265 SAQ outlets. During the past year, L’Orpailleur has taken steps to present events that involve respecting and conserving nature.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS – FEWER THAN 25 000 VISITORS
Nestled in the heart of the city in a uniquely charming ancestral building, the Spa Algua-Sulis offers its clients an unparalleled physical and emotional experience that is not only relaxing but also rejuvenating and energizing. The addition of a stone-age style grotto providing absolute privacy and including an entirely indoor thermotherapy centre is, without a doubt, the main innovation of the past year.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS – 25 000 TO 100 000 VISITORS
MUSÉE DE LA NATURE ET DES SCIENCES DE SHERBROOKE
In 2013, the Sherbrooke Nature and Science Museum officially opened AlterAnima, Unexpected Encounters, an exhibit about natural sciences, combining technology and the arts in a surprising way. In addition, the Museum’s multimedia and multisensory show, Terra Mutantès, takes visitors back in time 400 million years to experience the complete transformation of the planet and of the landscapes in the Eastern Townships.
CAMPGROUNDS AND OUTDOOR SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES
Ski Bromont, the largest lit skiable area in North America, features a water park offering 25 aquatic and land-based activities. It also has the largest mountain biking area in Eastern Canada. Ski Bromont has recently launched a research and development endeavour to develop landing areas equipped with synthetic carpet.
ECOTOURISM AND ADVENTURE TOURISM
VéloVolant offers aerial bike rides amongst the treetops. Suspended from a horizontal, high-resistance steel cable at heights of up to 100 feet, the participant is comfortably seated in a recumbent bike, securely attached, and assisted by guides at the start and finish of the circuit. VéloVolant is the first of its kind in Canada and the third in the world after those in Mexico and Florida.
TOURISM SERVICES
The only business in Quebec specializing in wine tourism, Kava Tours’ main mission is to introduce tour participants to local products. The business broke new ground this year by launching an unprecedented product in the world of tourism: the Wine Country Passport. This product combines the simplicity of a ready-made package with the flexibility of a travel guide for people who want to travel the wine route by car, on their own.
ACCOMMODATIONS: OUTFITTERS
AU DIABLE VERT – STATION DE MONTAGNE
Au Diable Vert is a four-season outdoor recreation and tourism site nestled between the peaks of Mount Sutton, Jay Peak, and Owl’s Head. In 2013, the business showed innovation by improving their facilities while respecting the natural and rustic setting of the site, by providing better transportation for those taking part in sports activities, by adding new activities, and by establishing a partnership with the business that launched VéloVolant.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Bed & Breakfasts
The Auberge Andromède offers not only high-quality country-style cuisine infused with local flavours but also many outdoor activities that highlight Quebec’s four seasons. Respect for tradition and sustainable development are at the heart of the business’s values. In 2013, the Auberge Andromède participated in SADC’s sustainable development program.
ACCOMMODATIONS – UNDER 40 UNITS
Manoir Hovey is a 5-star rural inn featuring modern comforts, with 37 individually decorated rooms, of which 7 are suites. Over the past five years, Jason Stafford, General Manager, and Melissa Provencher, Director of Sales and Marketing, have taken many business trips around the world to promote Manoir Hovey.
ACCOMMODATIONS – 40 TO 149 UNITS
CENTRE DE VILLÉGIATURE JOUVENCE
A gem of the Eastern Townships, Jouvence offers products that meet the needs of families, individuals, youth groups, and organizations, as well as corporate groups. Jouvence broke new ground by creating D’JOUV, a centre for youth geared towards sustainable development. Its three modern pavilions are made, for the most part, from recycled, reused, or low-impact materials.
FESTIVALS AND TOURIST EVENTS – OPERATING BUDGET UNDER $300 000
The Comptonales is an event that brings together agri-food producers, chefs, artists, and artisans from the Eastern Townships. At eight different agritourism destinations, visitors are greeted by the exhibitors in a friendly atmosphere where they can discover and savour local products. In 2013, the Comptonales adopted a colourful new image and completely redesigned both its organization and its communications.
FESTIVALS AND TOURIST EVENTS – $300 000 to $1 000 000 OPERATING BUDGET
LA TRAVERSÉE INTERNATIONALE DU LAC MÉGANTIC
Over the years, the swim meet known as the Traversée du lac Mégantic has become an event that cannot be missed in the Granit MRC. Last July 6, the railway tragedy had a dramatic impact on the event’s programming and itinerary. In 2013, for the first time in 12 years, spectators were granted free access to the site. This decision benefited the organization by attracting more people and enhancing the event’s visibility.
FESTIVALS AND TOURIST EVENTS – OPERATING BUDGET OVER $1 000 000
JEUX D’ÉTÉ DU CANADA – SHERBROOKE 2013
Last August, thousands of people contributed to the resounding success of the 12th edition of the Canada Summer Games. Not only did the Sherbrooke 2013 Host Society brilliantly present the largest multi-sport event in the country, it also set new standards. The Sherbrooke 2013 team chose to blaze a trail in the areas of product management, quality, and originality.
REGIONAL MENU – FLAVOUR CREATORS
A real neighbourhood restaurant since 1995, the Café Aragon has made a name for itself with its high-quality food and creative dishes. Small, intimate, eco-friendly, and authentic, the Café Aragon has a unique flair, presenting regional and Quebecois flavours. A close, friendly, and respectful relationship is created, linking the food lover, producer, and restaurateur. One of the best breakfast sites in Sherbrooke.
HUMAN RESOURCES – TOURISM SUPERVISOR
DANIELLE JARRY – LE ST-MARTIN BROMONT HÔTEL ET SUITES
Danielle Jarry is the backbone of reception and customer service at Le St-Martin Bromont. In the eyes of her team as well as the hotel’s clients, her positive presence personifies the ideal of hospitality in Quebec. Ms. Jarry has contributed to the tourism industry in Bromont for almost 30 years, and her team wanted to show her their high regard and appreciation by nominating her for the title of Best Tourism Supervisor of the Year.
HUMAN RESOURCES – NEXT GENERATION OF TOURISM LEADERS
MYRIAM RIOUX-DENIS – DESTINATION SHERBROOKE
Much like the circus artists Les 7 doigts de la main, Myriam has shown diligence, determination, and a great mastery of her thousand and one responsibilities pertaining to logistics, communications, box office sales, artist management, and the production as a whole. Myriam reflects Sherbrooke, her adopted city—in other words; she is dynamic, welcoming, and radiant.
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE LA CHANSON DE GRANBY
For 45 years, the Festival international de la chanson de Granby has resonated in the hearts of French-language enthusiasts. It has become “THE benchmark for people in the industry.” In 2013, the Festival reaped the rewards of many years of work. While continuing to establish deeper roots in the community, it enjoyed unprecedented media coverage.
TOURISM PERSONALITY
TOM ALLEN
Born athlete, devoted educator, Tom Allen does not limit his efforts to athlete development; he is also involved in the organization of high-level competitions. In 2010, his peers nominated him for the position of Chair of the Board and Executive Committee of the Host Society for the Sherbrooke 2013 – Canada Summer Games. If the Sherbrooke 2013 – Canada Summer Games have forever left their mark on the collective memory and positioned Sherbrooke as a destination for sports excellence in Canada, it is largely thanks to Tom Allen.
JURY
A three-person jury was charged with the challenging task of selecting 17 winners from the 37 applications submitted. The jurors were Lucie Lanteigne, director general of Vélo Québec, Adèle Girard, strategic support consultant, and Jonathan Custeau, journalist at La Tribune.
2014 TOURISM PERSONALITY
Alain Larouche, Tourism Eastern Townships’ Executive Director had the pleasure of revealing the name of the Tourism Personality of the Year. The Board of Directors chose to recognize Tom Allen, Chair of the Board and Executive Committee of the Canada Summer Games – Sherbrooke 2013. He is the captain who steered the impressive organization with a $51 million budget to the successful realization of its goals. It is his deeply human qualities of rallying and motivating, as well as his great determination that supported the more than 100 employees, 150 partners and 6 329 volunteers. In successfully welcoming 3 400 athletes, their companions and families, he helped attract the entire country’s attention to Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships. He joins the group of leaders and entrepreneurs who for decades have contributed to making our tourist region what it is today, a harmonious, well-known, and innovative destination where the art of living takes on a whole new importance.
Special thank to our partners
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