Ange and her boyfriend discover Le Plongeon and the Cascades de la Loutre waterfalls.

Spontaneous summer getaways are my favourite! A romantic getaway on a weekday (while the kids are at camp) is a rare treat, but one we were able to savour on a sunny Friday in July.

We headed for Saint-Cyrille-de-Lessard, to discover the new rural brewery Le Plongeon (the name is a nod to the loons in the surrounding lakes), which offers delicious seasonal dishes to accompany their craft beers.

We immediately noticed the new building with its minimalist lines overlooking the fields at the entrance to the village. As soon as you step inside, you can feel all the care that has gone into the modern decor, with its vintage touches. Chatting to the owner, we learn that this place is a long-thought-out retirement project, a dream that’s finally come true, so it’s great to be part of it.

The menu stands out from the micro classics, changing regularly according to arrivals and availability, and showcasing local produce. We opted for the starter of strophaires, asparagus yoghurt and malt and parmesan crumble, before enjoying our dishes: a generous guédille of trout tartare with miso, daikon and crispy rice, followed by a stunning brandade of sturgeon with garlic flower aioli sauce on focaccia bread. A real treat for the eye and the taste buds!

As for the beers, we tasted four of the six on offer – thirst-quenching, light and refreshing, perfect for summer. It’s even nicer outside on the terrace, with a view of the countryside and the mountains in the distance. Definitely a good address!

We then wanted to spend some time in the great outdoors, without embarking on a long, strenuous hike, so we took the bucolic rural roads with the scent of cut hay to the Parc des Appalaches, to arrive at the Cascades de la Loutre trail. It’s a short 2 kilometre loop through fields, forest and, of course, past waterfalls.

What I particularly like about the Parc des Appalaches, and what surprises me every time I visit, is its wilderness aspect, so minimally developed that you feel completely part of nature (sometimes you even wonder if you’re still on the trail, hehe).