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.
The Colour evolution
The tree-covered leaves change hues presenting different warmer and warmer and more luminous colours
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.
Restaurants
All are sure to please even the most discerning of palates. Bon appétit!
Orchards
Our orchards are overflowing with fruit, all ripe for the picking! Won’t you join us?
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.
Lodgings with Spa Options
Plan a stay in an accommodation with a private spa or a treatment center. Relaxation guaranteed!
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!
Orchards
Our orchards are overflowing with fruit, all ripe for the picking! Won’t you join us?
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!
Slow Travel
Take the time to take your time in the Townships
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 order your free copies.
Cycling
Published on Jun 11, 2024
Happy, very friendly and grateful contest winners, amazing tasting stops and clear blue skies; all these ingredients came together perfectly, making our Véloroute Gourmande outing a truly exceptional experience.
By Yvan Martineau
There’s a saying that goes “cyclo-tourists don’t waste their time, they take their time.” That’s exactly the spirit in which the twenty or so happy cyclists, winners of this VIP initiative by Tourisme Montérégie and Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est, rode off on their bikes last May. The aim was to raise awareness about the charming features of this 235 km route linking Montréal to Sherbrooke, and its 130 attractions for sampling local products. That’s right: 130! Plus 81 lodging options.
On the menu that day: 50 km, at a happy-go-lucky pace, on the Granby-Farnham-St-Jean-sur-Richelieu section, four gourmet stops as well as a private visit to a craft beer microbrewery.
“I loved my day. We don’t often visit the Montérégie region or the Eastern Townships. It was a wonderful discovery, turnkey, well organized... it was marvellous,” commented Anik Savoie from Vaudreuil.
“We took the time to stop and savour the flavours of the region. I was truly delighted,” said Myriam Billette from Chambly.
“We’re going to talk about the fun we had, meeting all these friendly people while enjoying the shaded bike paths,” pointed out young fathers Simon Lemieux and Jean-François Renaud. “And we enjoyed the impeccable support, which, we must say, we really appreciated.”
Before we even set out, we were treated to a selection of locally roasted espressos, juices, mimosas, fruit and croissants at the Café de la Brûlerie in Granby, conveniently located right next to Boivin Lake and L’Estriade bike path. Their beautifully designed terrace provided the perfect setting for a relaxed ambiance.
After the logistics and safety instructions, we got on our bikes and headed out on the Montérégiade, which also happens to be part of the Route Verte and Trans Canada Trail networks. With no elevation changes, it’s accessible to all cycling levels.
Arriving in Farnham is always a treat for me. Once we crossed the footbridge over the Yamaska, we followed the river for a few hundred metres, bordering a green area always full of flowers and featuring a public piano. I usually enjoy a picnic here. But just a short walk away is a hidden treasure that I didn’t know about: the Yamaska Café, and our second stop. Its large outdoor terrace and the huge mural on the side of the building are well worth a closer look. In fact, it’s the kind of place where you’d want to linger a while longer.
Esther Fortier, from Drummondville, “…loved the venue, the fine products they sell here, and the tasty snacks we were served.”
Back on our bikes, skydivers were livening up the sky and landed right in front of us. So cool! We had less than twenty kilometres to pedal before reaching our third stop. Oh, but what delightful kilometres they were! Passing under canopies of trees... mesmerizing! We then reached the Lagabière artisanal brewery, which is just 200 metres from the Montérégiade, easily accessible and safe. This taproom and boutique, established on the 3e rang (in the Iberville sector of Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu), are well worth a detour: a modern, spacious building, with much more room than we usually find in microbreweries, a warm and friendly interior, an inviting terrace, and… a corn hole toss game!
“I’d never visited a microbrewery’s installations and it was quite impressive,” admits Stéphanie Gendron. “I really recommend Lagabière. The outdoor site is just beautiful, with its terrace, parasols and flowers,” adds her sister Annick.
We got back on our bikes, this time heading towards Treize Chocolats, on Rue Richelieu, a major street in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 30 seconds from the river and the bike path. This is a family-run business where Karine Bérault greets the public with a friendly smile, a pastry chef concocts macaroons and chocolatier Pascal Daoust, Mrs. Bérault’s partner, is in charge of the cocoa and gelato creations. Access to their pretty terrace allowed us to fully savour the delicacies we’d just bought for ourselves.
From here, the shuttle service took everyone back to Granby. Finally, everyone went home with a jersey bearing the colours of the Véloroute Gourmande; the idea was to offer something to remember this sublime outing for a long time to come.
“It was a great day,” concluded Caroline Nadeau from St-Hyacinthe. “I really enjoyed the Véloroute, with its shady areas and everything there is to see. The stops along the way to sample local products transformed the excursion into a unique experience.”
Christian Cameron, from Chambly, agreed, “It’s not a complicated bike route, and there’s always something to discover. The route is safe, and I loved the very beautiful locations where we could stop and enjoy a bite to eat.”
Also, the key to all successful ventures is an impeccable organization. These responsibilities were entrusted to Karine and Alexi, the cool owners of Ravito gîte et café, who put together all-inclusive packages (with luggage transfers) to discover the Véloroute gourmande, as well as the Eastern Townships and Vermont, on both paved and gravel roads. Ekilib also offers hassle-free excursions.
So, epicureans and cyclo-tourists, the invitation has been extended! Now it’s your turn to explore the Véloroute gourmande between Montréal, the Montérégie and the Eastern Townships, at your own personal pace and enjoying every moment as you go.
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
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