A family weekend in the Parc des Appalaches

In my view, there’s no better place to switch off than the Parc des Appalaches. It’s a truly exceptional place to feel surrounded by unspoilt nature and to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.

We set off for Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard for a three-day stay at the Micro-chalets des Appalaches.

On the way, we stopped for a bite to eat at Chez Line, where, in a retro setting decorated in pastel shades, we tucked into their club sandwich, poutine and signature fried chicken burger, served with crispy chips. It really felt like a proper vacation!

Once we arrived at our destination, we settled into our little retreat, the perfect haven of peace and comfort from which to explore the surrounding area. We then tucked into our picnic, eager to set off and discover the area before sunset.

A quick dip in the Rivière Noire, taking in the soothing scenery of the Dupuis Falls in the amber light of late afternoon, then toasting marshmallows over the fire under a shower of stars before sleeping for almost twelve hours (!) in the peaceful forest.

The next day, we had several activities planned at the Pourvoirie Daaquam First, we went speckled trout fishing; although it was the off-season, we were proud to land a catch, which we enjoyed grilled over hot coals for dinner. Next, we were really excited to meet Tonnerre, Black, Flamme and Oma for a guided horse ride through the boreal forest.

At the outfitter’s, they promote an approach centred on the connection between humans and animals, so we took the time to brush, stroke and talk to our horses before saddling up and setting off on our ride.

Our guide was clearly passionate about her work, and the immersive experience in the forest was thoroughly enjoyable. We were also charmed by the unique personality of each of our horses.

We rounded off the afternoon with a visit to Ruchers LeCam, an ice-cream kiosk where we treated ourselves to sorbets made with seasonal berries, topped with chocolate, or, even better, their homemade honey caramel.

Before heading back to the chalet, we also stopped off at Saint-Magloire, where the children spotted an obstacle course (link in french) in a pine forest next to the local park. We love these kinds of spontaneous discoveries that add a sense of wonder to our getaways!

On our third and final day, after a cosy morning of toasting bread over the fire, we ventured even deeper into the heart of the Appalachian forest with a hike along the Ruisseau des Cèdres Falls (link in french) trail (and yes, all these elements were to be found along the route!).

A 6-kilometer loop following the stream, where we spotted a multitude of mushrooms, birds and frogs amidst a bountiful, abundant and lush natural environment that completely enchanted us. Such a vast wilderness to explore!

Photos: Ange Hébert-Corriveau