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| Autumn comes to Coaticook
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Quebec's
Eastern Townships (Map of Eastern Townships) or
the Cantons de l'Est or l'Estrie is located south, and as the
name indicates to the east, of Montreal. At the upper reaches
of the Appalachian Range, the area consists of rolling farmland
in the shadows of large mountains, with some reaching 1000 meters
or more. Several large lakes can be found in the area, including
Lake Memphremagog, which stretches from Magog into the United
States. One of our favorites for an evening paddle is Lac Saint-Francois,
in Frontenac Park. Lac Stuckley in Mont Orford Park is a another
excellent destination for a quiet paddle on a warm summer evening. |
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| Heritage
buildings and homes can be found everywhere in the region, stone,
brick and clapboard construction are common. You'll also find innumerable
cover bridges along the secondary roads, which add to the regions'
charms. |
Excellent
restaurants and quaint inns are to be found throughout
the area. Auberge L'Aubergine, of Mansonville, is well
known for it's excellent fare, which includes dishes
with distinctly Quebecois origins.
Another
fine example is the Auberge Le St-Amour, which offers
dining and lodging in a fine example of a period building.
The town of Knowlton is one of our favorites when it
comes to dining out, with several intriguing spots along
its main street, allowing you to choose from a variety
of different cuisine. |
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| Dusk settles
on the Town of Sutton |
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At
first glance much of the Townships could be mistaken for parts of
New England. A more discerning eye will start to see the French
influences. Add to this the natural beauty of the surrounds and
you have a very picturesque image. While the region is one of Montrealer's
vacation getaways and is dotted with cottages, there are still many
rugged and undeveloped areas in the Townships - providing nature
at its best.
The Eastern
Townships is all about the outdoors. There are four provincial parks,
several significant regional parks, as well as ZEC's and nature
centers. Given the vast stands of maple, the leaf viewing in Autumn
is amongst the very best in the east (this statement makes for some
great arguments - forewarned is forearmed). Each year many of the
ski hills put on a leaf festival, with the areas colours begging
you to catch a ride on the ski lifts to the top of the mountains
for a better view. Check our Leaf
Viewing feature for the festival dates, as well as information
on regional accommodations, restaurants and attractions. |
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| Catching big
air at Bromont during the World Cup Downhill
Photo by Justin Moss
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Mountain
Bikers have several options here, including one
of the east's finest trail systems on Mont-Bromont.
The
hill is a pioneer, having catered to bikers for
years. |
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lift served trail system is extensive, well maintained and extremely
well designed. The mountain has hosted the World Mountain Bike Championships,
as well as several cross-country and downhill World Cups.
Hikers and
Backpackers
are well served by the Township's trails. The Sentier de L'Estrie
climbs several of the areas peaks on it's way to join Vermont's
Long Trail at the US border in the south. If you favorite sport
is Canoeing, there are several rivers to conquer in the region,
or you might want to try some canoe camping in Frontenac Provincial
Park. Climbers are also in luck with the sport climbing area in
Orford and climbing gyms in the City of Sherbrooke.
Winter is one
of the best times to visit the region. The area is well known for
it's ski and boarding resorts, which include Mont-Sutton, Mount
Glen, Mont Orford and Owls Head. There are also endless possibilities
for cross country skiing, as well as backcountry hut-to-hut adventure
at Mont Megantic Park. Snow Shoeing and Dog Sledding are two other
sports garnering a lot of attention and they are increasingly being
well represented in the area.
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Festivals, Events and Attractions
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| Visiting from outside
Quebec: Quebecer's
have a unique place in Canada as one of the founding peoples.
The interaction of the two cultures, while not always seamless,
has contributed to a rich diversity and unique style found no
where else in North America. Quebec's natural heritage, is only
now being fully appreciate by the rest of the world. The Charlevoix,
a world heritage site, the Gaspesie with the spectacular Chic
Chocs, the Torngates of the North are just a few of the natural
wonders of the province. We have put together pointers to help
make your visit to this unique province even more enjoyable.
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| Visiting
from outside Canada:
Depending on your country of origin you may have little
to understand or adapt to when you visit Canada. On the other
hand many of Canada's customs, its commerce and cultural may
be very new to some visitors. We have put together a list of
helpful information to assist you in your planning and to take
with you when you go. |
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