A winter weekend in Chaudière-Appalaches with The Storytellers MTL

While the city energises us, nature stimulates our inspiration and allows us to recharge our batteries. That’s why we often feel the need to settle down and venture out. So we jumped at the chance to discover the Chaudière-Appalaches under its white cloak, for a rejuvenating stay in the middle of the mountains. Here are a few of our favourites for a winter weekend getaway in the Montmagny area.

DAY 1 - A foretaste of the sugar season

We started our escapade at the Bistreau d’érable, a must-see sugar shack in the region since 1996. Noémie, the co-owner, was waiting for us with a smile and a good maple coffee and a hot maple cocktail, concocted from her bar of mainly Quebec spirits.

Throughout the visit, we were able to learn more about their new economuseum and discover the secrets behind the production of their sweet delights, including their certified organic syrup. We were also very inspired by the many energy-efficient practices put forward by Bistreau d’érable’s many energy-saving practices, from harvesting the maple water to cleaning the equipment. Their Ma cabane à la maison lunchbox is also made entirely from products sourced from local producers, values that are of paramount importance to Noémie and her husband Jérôme.

To have a sweet tooth

Before hitting the road again, we braved the cold to eat our first taffy on snow of the year on the terrace of Le Bistreau, and it was totally worth it!

So we were delighted to know that we were going to find some in our box for our Saturday dinner! We then headed for Esker Nature chalets & villégiature, an estate surrounded by nature and the sublime Parc des Appalaches. Our chalet was equipped with a full kitchen, so we were able to cook ourselves a nice meal to finish off our first day, relaxing by the fire with a glass of wine.

DAY 2 - When the outdoors and relaxation go hand in hand

Well rested from our first night in our cosy accommodation, we started the day gently with breakfast in bed, accompanied by the perfect maple caramel and fleur de sel from Bistreau d’érable (our new guilty pleasure). The sun was out in full force as we relaxed in the light-filled chalet.

Let's get adventurous!

As the Esker Nature estate has direct access to the Parc des Appalaches via trail 27 (see map), we couldn’t pass up the chance to take a walk in the forest on this 3.7 km trail, despite the freezing temperatures on the coldest weekend of the winter.

Dressed warmly, we set off to discover this magical playground with over 140 kilometers of trails for all abilities. Whether it’s the Lac Long loop, the ascent of Montagne de la Rolette or the Grande Coulée, the various trails all offer spectacular views.

An ideal park for snowshoeing, all the equipment is available at the Esker Nature welcome chalet, making things really easy. If you’d like to try out a new winter activity, there’s also everything you need to explore the area on Hok skiing, a hybrid sport between snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And if you’re more interested in skating and hockey, there’s a beautiful, well-equipped ice rink under the fir trees! A real outdoor paradise for young and old!

Time to relax

After our winter walk, we enjoyed a relaxing break at the chalet, as the accommodation for two has its own hot tub. For family chalets, the Esker Nature estate also has a relaxation zone with another bath, a dry sauna and a relaxation yurt. For an extra dose of rejuvenation, you can also book massages on site. It’s hard to ask for anything better or more complete! Martin and Valérie, co-founders of Esker Nature chalets & villégiature, have truly created a space that is as soothing as it is invigorating!

We ended our second day with a try of the excellent Bistreau d’érable lunchbox. It includes all the great sugar shack classics to recreate the experience at home: meat pie, fruit ketchup, pea soup, smoked ham, maple beans, greaves, it’s all there! Many of the products are organic, and vegan options are also available, as is a brunch formula. We accompanied it all with two local beers from the Microbrasserie Côte-du-sud, Grande voyageuse and Kapitaikallak.

DAY 3 - Ending our stay in style in the prettiest of cafés

After a lie-in in the soft bed of our cottage, we headed home, but not without stopping in Cap-Saint-Ignace for dinner at the stylish Babel Café, the perfect place to recharge your batteries before heading home. Following the recommendations of local regulars, we opted for the ham grilled cheese, which was as decadent as it was comforting, as well as a chai latte and an old-fashioned cappuccino. A real treat!

Opened in October 2020, Xavier Bernier, the café’s owner, has transformed this former presbytery into one of the region’s best-loved addresses in a very short space of time. We can’t help but be charmed by Babel’s bright, inspiring decor and its gourmet creations. We’ll definitely be back!

And so ends our winter weekend in the Chaudière-Appalaches, a region as vast as it is varied, and one that we can’t wait to continue exploring in the coming seasons.

Photos: The Storytellers MTL