The lovely Magog River was a key reason why settlers from the United States decided to move to the area in the late 18th century. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
The Eastern Townships of Quebec is one of those idyllic holiday regions that manages to evolve without losing its authenticity or charm. The destination, known in La Belle Province as Cantons de l’est, has 15 small cities that deliver all-season splendidness. Among the largest and most bustling of locations is Magog. Home to a downtown with artisan shops, unique retailers, bistros specializing in French and Quebecois fare, and one of the province’s leading craft breweries, Magog has contemporary sensibilities while retaining the quaintness of its heritage as an 18th-century Loyalist outpost.
With a population of approximately 28,000 people, living alongside a beautiful waterway, Magog is big enough to have a bustling local economy, with much of the activity taking place on Rue Principale. The city’s main street has historic buildings — as well as some built to look antiquated — housing modern retailers. Many of them are culinary gems, serving artisanal ice cream and high-quality bistro fare.
Among the menu selections at La Memphré is Bayou Shrimp and a flight of craft beer. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
Near the corner with Rue Merry is a circa 1999 craft brewery, La Memphré, a pioneer of the industry in Quebec. It matches the best of the microbrewery culture, serving quality food that complements the excellence of the lagers and ales. Most craft breweries in Quebec differ from those elsewhere in Canada because they tend to lean towards more European styles, with sweeter Belgian ales, fruit-forward choices, and less-hoppy options. La Memphré fits in with its provincial brethren with crowd-pleasing offerings like La Grand Dame, a refreshing light wheat beer, and La Orford, an easy-to-drink amber ale that pairs well with some of the spicier options on La Memphré’s menu. The Bayou Shrimp, which is blackened and made with tequila, comes with rice and a Caesar salad. As it’s in Quebec, there should be no surprise that La Memphré also has very good poutine — in fact, there are six on the menu from which to choose. One of them, called La Remi, includes blue cheese and duck confit atop the fries.
A bee performs its magic while visiting the exquisite fields at Bleu Lavande in Orford. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
Walk it all off while strolling along the Magog River, which leads into Lake Memphrémagog, the waterway from which the city gets its name. The marina teems with activity in the warmer months and stays festive in the fall, when Magog’s harvest festival, Flambée des couleurs (or Burst of Colours), takes place. Large hotels and lively bars add to the ambience.
Magog shares its municipality with nearby Orford, a smaller town in the Eastern Townships where nature is the primary attraction. Mountain biking and skiing are the draws to Orford, where there are 12 summer hiking trails and 44 Alpine skiing trails in Mont Orford Provincial Park.
Among the tourism businesses that add to the splendour is Bleu Lavande. It features stunning lavender fields and a retail shop that sells products made from what’s grown on the property. An on-site restaurant offers a pleasant way to relax with the eye candy. Strolling the fields and will leave you feeling blissful. Montreal’s acclaimed Moment Factory has created a multimedia show where guests can learn more about the property and its origins.
Le Cep de l’Argent creates a sparkling wine (left) that is the same as the Champagne sold in its sister property in France. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
On the opposite side of Orford is another notable agricultural find, Le Cep d’Argent vineyard, makers of the only Canadian-owned sparkling wine that originates in the Champagne region of France. That’s because co-proprietors and brothers, François and Jean-Paul Scieur, hail from Champagne-Ardenne, and the family owns a small vineyard there. They import their Champagne, bottled it, and sell it at Le Cep d’Argent as their Brut Nature Selection. The tasting room is reminiscent of a French village, with cordial hosts and oak walls that make you feel like you’re in a centuries-old home.
MORE TOWNSHIPS: Relax in Bromont
The comfortable rooms at Espace 4 Saisons complement the hotel’s location amid parklands. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
Accentuating the natural vibes of the area is Espace 4 Saisons, a boutique hotel property that is set in the provincial park. The property includes an outdoor Jacuzzi, swimming pool, a games room, and two restaurants. The flagship Bistro serves a fantastic breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. The adjacent Burger Pub is decked out like a ski lodge chalet, with mountain paraphernalia and lumberjack fashion. The menu is heavy on typical pub fare. Go for the burger with brie and onion rings.
The rooms are decorated with an outdoors aesthetic that add to the cozy warmth. Wood panelling above the beds and on the cabinetry brings earthiness to the construction, while balconies and terraces provide invigorating views of Mont Orford and the towering trees that occupy it.
Downtown Magog is home to artisan retailers and a series of annual events. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
Like many of the other Eastern Townships, Magog-Orford features excellent golf courses, nature walks, and festivals during all four seasons. It’s a beloved getaway for Montrealers and, true to its history, has continued to attract Americans from the border states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. More travellers should set their plans to journey through the region, where small municipalities deliver satisfaction with quality and grace.
MORE ABOUT VISITING MAGOG-ORFORD
Espace 4 Saisons celebrates the outdoors that dominate the Magog-Orford area of Quebec. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
Directions: Magog-Orford is about 90 minutes by car southeast from Montreal. Most of the drive is along Highway 10, which travels through some of the Eastern Townships before entering the Magog-Orford municipality.
Where to Stay: Espace 4 Saisons is a short drive to Magog and the entrance to Mount Orford provincial park. Location: 4940 Chemin du Parc, Orford, Quebec. Room Rates: A weekend stay in October starts at $194 per night, based on a recent search of the property’s booking engine. There are numerous packages available that add value to guests’ stays.
View this post on Instagram
Tourism Info: Visit the Cantons de l’est Tourism Board’s website for more trip-planning ideas.
A Map Showing Some of the Businesses Mentioned in the Article
