Ange and her family under the shooting stars at Parc national de Frontenac

As the new school year dawns, we’re back home after a wonderful stay in Frontenac National Park, with our hearts full of wonderful family moments. Our first visit, but definitely not our last!

Meeting local producers

On the way, we took the opportunity to visit some local producers to stock up on delicious provisions for our camping trip. First we stopped off at the self-service kiosk at Ferme Champ Gauche (link in french), where we got our hands on fresh organic vegetables and homemade marinades, as well as kale chips, squash hummus and beetroot brownies for dessert. A great business created by two young entrepreneurs who care about the future of our agriculture and share the values of eco-responsibility, trust and fairness.

Our next stop was the Fermes Rudbeckie farm stand. This family-run business offers quality farm products, mainly eggs, pork, maple syrup and their derivatives, including several prepared dishes. We loved their honey and fig sausages so much that we picked them up again on the way home. Their themed boxes, especially the one for sugar time, are mouth-watering. They’re a must-try at any time of year!

A classic in Thetford

Last gourmet stop before the park: Dairy Joy (link in french). A classic in Thetford, it’s both a snack bar and a creamery, with an outdoor area to get the little ones moving, all in a friendly retro atmosphere. We shared a generous club sandwich and a comforting Italian poutine, before indulging in some Soleil ice cream, a colourful discovery that delighted the children.

A moment of total wonder

We arrived at Parc national de Frontenac in the early afternoon on one of those scorching August days when the sight of the sandy beach and clear lake was like a blessing. Without missing a beat, we put on our swimming costumes and waded into the water until we had access to our ready-to-camp site at the end of the day. Our site at Rivière-aux-Bluets was superb, very comfortable and friendly! We took our time settling in, before enjoying our sausages grilled over the fire and taking advantage of the evening to drop us off under a shower of shooting stars (a dozen to be precise!). It was a moment of total amazement that we won’t soon forget!

A successful vacation day

The next morning, we set off to explore the trails (which are very accessible to families) before it got too hot. We particularly enjoyed the peat bog trail, where the children were able to combine fun and learning as they wandered through this special ecosystem that is home to unique flora and fauna, including various carnivorous plants that we enjoyed observing up close.

In the afternoon, the lake beckoned again and we opted for water activities, including paddleboarding, which we were able to hire on site. The children were able to swim until the sun went down, ensuring a successful day’s holiday and a good night’s sleep.

“We’d really like to come back next summer,” was a phrase we heard several times during our stay, and we’ll definitely be coming back to this park, where we were amazed by the wild and grandiose nature!

Photos: Ange Hébert-Corriveau