Nomade Magazine discovers Chaudière-Appalaches in 2 unusual escapades

While on Isle-aux-Grues, stock up on cheese fondue at Fromagerie de l’Isle and eat delicious ice cream on Cré-Marie’s terrace. La Mésangerie is also a great place to add to your itinerary if you want to take home a unique souvenir in the image of this inspiring destination.

If you love nature walks, then the Jean-Paul-Riopelle Nature Reserve is the place to be. We especially enjoyed reaching the water’s edge, where we took the time to eat lunch while admiring a panorama of tidal flats, shores and other islands.

Once back on your electric bike, you can also take the Chemin de la Batture, which winds its way through a rustic setting. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot some magnificent birds in this area, which makes up over 50% of the island. On the way back, we invite you to climb to the top of the observation tower next to the church. You’ll be able to enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

Finally, once you’ve returned your bike to the inn, we recommend you take advantage of the lovely terrace of Chez Vézina’s restaurant. While eating an incredible sturgeon fillet or cheese fondue, you can watch the immense stature of the ATR-4 boat glisten in the setting sun. It’s a historical treasure that deserves your undivided attention!

After a few days enjoying the various attractions of Isle-aux-Grues, we invite you to say goodbye to the countryside and make way for the lush greenery of the Bellechasse region.

If you love the mountains, the Appalachians are sure to charm you! As you may have guessed, Parc du Massif du Sud is the setting for this second segment of your adventure in the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

Where to stay? Accommodation: Because this type of accommodation is the perfect marriage of nature and comfort, we really enjoyed our overnight stay in one of the Parc du Massif du Sud’s Mega-PODs. Located next to a stream, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy an eco-responsible stay.

What to do? What to do: You can’t get to the heart of this park without taking a hike! We opted for the Crête des Grives trail. At the very start of the trail, you could already see a magnificent stream before continuing on to a summit with an incredible panorama. There is a 71-kilometre network of trails for all levels.

Where to eat: Before taking refuge in the beauty of the park, we made a gourmet stop at the organic farm cheese dairy Cassis et Mélisse. If you don’t want to bring a lunch with you and want to discover local products, this is the perfect place to stock up! Not only did we love visiting the farm and spending time with the many goats, but we also fell in love with the products prepared on site. In fact, we really enjoyed the delicious goat’s cheese and fresh vegetable sandwich served with a colorful salad and decadent cookies after our hike.

The next time you visit the Chaudière-Appalaches region, you’ll be amazed at all the possibilities that await you. Whether you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, bucolic routes or precious encounters with local producers, you’re sure to be charmed by every unusual experience that comes your way. As was the case for the Nomade Magazine team, we wish you an unforgettable stay in this unsuspected region of Quebec!

Photos: Jessica Gallant, Nomade Magazine