The Spring Septaway: Quebec
In honour of Canada 150 and, because we simply love it, The September just got back from one of our favourite destinations: Quebec. And while we can’t get enough of Quebec City, this time we headed to the mountains – the Chic-Chocs Mountains to be exact – for some serious scenery and eco-chic adventure.
Auberge de Montagne des Chic-Chocs
A jewel of Eastern Canada, the Auberge offers ultra comfy digs in a setting of unparalleled beauty. It sits 615 metres above a fauna reserve and its mountainous landscape includes dense forests, as well as exposed tundras. It is just as appealing to adventure seekers – the almost-endless activities menu includes backpacking, mountain biking, fishing and more – as well as the more sedate traveller who prefers relaxing and watching wildlife. We suggest exploring the magnificent setting with one of the team’s expert guides.
The rooms
There are only 18 rooms, which just adds to the charm of coziness of this unique destination. They’re simply furnished (but supremely comfortable) and boast a green edge with biodegradable soaps and shampoos. We loved that there were no televisions, phones or alarm clocks in the room – it really helped us decompress.
The activities
Where to begin? Basically, wherever you like. From caribou, moose and white-tailed deer watching to canyoning (trekking through steep-sided canyons via hiking, swimming and rappelling) and relaxing at the spa, there truly is something for every pleasure.
The food
Menus change constantly and offer local ingredients wherever possible. We loved that the dishes featured both unexpected touches, like wakame and organic yuzo, but were ultimately total comfort food. When we stayed, they had maple cheesecake on the menu that we’re still dreaming about.
The takeway
Auberge de Montagne des Chic-Chocs is, wonderfully, in the middle of nowhere and what a beautiful nowhere it is. This is a place to come for scenic beauty, outdoor activity and a total getaway from it all. It’s perfect for couples and families and we loved how, at times, it felt like we had the whole mountainous landscape to ourselves.
