Swimming in the river at Parc du Massif du Sud in Saint-Philémon — ©Swimming in the river at Parc du Massif du Sud | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Family - Children (6-12 years)

Ange and her family visit the Cassis et Mélisse cheese factory and the Parc du Massif du Sud

Bellechasse

Over the past few years, dropping us off at Cassis et Mélisse has become one of our summer vacation staples. We look forward to coming back again!

Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Over the past few years, dropping us off at Cassis et Mélisse has become one of our summer vacation staples. We look forward to coming back again!

A natural paradise

The site is a little paradise in itself, where you instantly feel at home and enveloped in nature. A pretty sky-blue cedar-shingled house welcomes us, harmoniously joined by a more modern annex housing the gourmet store and (since last year) the Jovial café. It’s in a friendly atmosphere that the team at Aagje, the friendly cheese-maker, offer simple, tasty dishes featuring their cheeses, of course, but also some of the vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers grown on site.

A feast for the eyes ... and the palate

It’s growing on their site! Squash have climbed over a fence here, or gadroon plants there, a mini greenhouse protects tomatoes and cucumbers, and my favorite is the large edible flower garden, with borage, nasturtiums, marigold flowers, daylilies, huge sunflowers, and so on. These beauties enhance the meal platters, creating a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Cassis et Mélisse goat cheeses are distinguished by their delicacy and refinement, derived from their unique terroir. They are handcrafted in the tradition of ladle-molding, a gesture of precision that reflects the care and attention we put into making our products.

Faisselle, fresh goat’s cheese, farmhouse cheese, spreadable cheese, firm or semi-firm, there’s something for every taste, and they’re all made with organic milk. Children love them too, because they’re so soft to the palate.

Jovial-Café menu at Cassis et Melisse in Saint-Damien-de-Buckland — ©Jovial-Café menu | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Jovial-Café meal on the terrace of Cassis et Melisse in Saint-Damien-de-Buckland — ©Jovial-Café meal on the terrace | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Goats at Cassis et Melisse in Saint-Damien-de-Buckland — ©Goats at Cassis et Melisse| Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Bee foraging in the gardens of Cassis et Melisse in Saint-Damien-de-Buckland — ©Foraging bees in gardens| Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Children in the gardens of Cassis et Melisse in Saint-Damien-de-Buckland — ©Children in the gardens of Cassis et Melisse | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

The soothing energy of the farm

Of course, you can also visit the goat farm to see the goats (and if you’re lucky, the adorable little kids). You may even have the opportunity to see the herd go out, as the goats spend their day in the pasture. They could hardly have a better life than in the vast, rolling green expanse that awaits them every day.

There are also chickens cackling and scampering about, and cats that come in for a few cuddles before setting off on the lam across the countryside.

It really is a place filled with a special energy, where a sense of freedom and lightness floats around, and where you feel you can let yourself daydream in a hammock, or take the little forest path that criss-crosses the surrounding land, discovering the farm animals, but above all, feasting on high-quality products clearly made with love.

Hebertism at Parc du Massif du Sud

For us, it’s impossible not to continue with a trip to the Parc du Massif du Sud while we’re in the area. This park offers some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, as well as a hebertism course that’s always a big hit with the kids. Cross the river on a rope bridge, go through the endless tunnel, climb climbing blocks, find your way through the castle maze and much more for guaranteed fun!

Parc du Massif du Sud hebertism trail in Saint-Philémon — ©Parc du Massif du Sud hebertism trail | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Climbing boulder on the hebertism course at Parc du Massif du Sud in Saint-Philémon — ©Climbing boulder on the hebertism course | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Hebertism trail at Parc du Massif du Sud in Saint-Philémon — ©Parc du Massif du Sud hebertism trail | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

A surprise dip for dessert

And since every time we visit, we make a new discovery, this time it was a first for swimming in the river on the pond trail. Refreshing as can be, several small waterfalls created by shallow, tiered pools added a touch of magic to our afternoon. The translucent water of the magnificent river beckoned, and a dip in it totally invigorated us to end the day on a high note.

Photos: Ange Hébert-Corriveau