Staying in the Laurentians
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Laurentian Mountains, Quebec.
The Laurentian Mountains of southern Quebec are known for their intense natural beauty. Shimmering waters, ancient forests and snowy peaks are the reason most visitors are drawn to the region. But in addition to its dramatic natural beauty, visitors come to the Laurentians for the mountains' wealth of recreational opportunities and convenient location just 45 minutes from Montreal.
Whether for a luxury holiday, a weekend getaway or a family vacation, visitors can enjoy a stay in the Laurentians. Some recreationists seek exhilarating adventures—skiing and cycling over the rugged terrain—relaxed vacationers enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, golfing and horseback riding, and other explorers just want the opportunity to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the region’s breathtaking landscapes. Whatever the reason for visiting, there are accommodations suited to every style and budget.
LUXURY HOLIDAYS
The landscape in southern Quebec is dotted with alpine villages, many of which surprisingly host luxury resorts, and visitors—especially those who come from a great distance—will appreciate an extravagant stay in the region. Resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including world-class golf courses, European-style spas and award-winning gourmet restaurants. Even if one is not staying at one of these lakeshore luxury resorts, they are worth visiting; for the price of a cup of coffee at one of their cafes or a drink at the well-stocked bars, patrons are treated to astonishing views of the mountainscapes.
In Saint-Sauveur, Manoir Saint Sauveur is a well appointed resort with a large selection of recreational facilities. Guests can work up an appetite at the indoor pool, outdoor pool or spa, then dine in one of six dining establishments. Highly recommended are the colourful and diverse menu of L’Ambiance and the smooth jazzy atmosphere of the Impressionniste Bar.
Le Village Windigo Mont-Laurier on a sandy bay in Ferme-Neuve and Auberge du Lac-a-l'Eau-Claire on the lakeshore in St-Alexis-des-Mont are beautiful getaways with a wide range of accommodation options that are more accessible than most resorts. Guests can choose from traditional hotel rooms, fully-equipped condo suites and private residences.
The ski village of Mont Tremblant boasts a particularly large number of resorts. The lakeside Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant is a beautiful boutique-style hotel only a few minutes drive from the ski resort. In addition to its on-site recreational facilities, staff at a dedicated activity desk are on hand to help guests make bookings for off-site activities: skiing, snowboarding, boating, horseback riding and even airplane tours and gondola rides to name a few.
Ski enthusiasts will appreciate the ski-in and ski-out resorts including Cap Tremblant Mountain Resort at the top of Mont Tremblant and Le Sommet des Neiges at the bottom of the mountain.
WEEKEND GETAWAYS
Bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels and inns are sprinkled throughout the Laurentian region. These accommodation options make it easy to have a spontaneous or loosely planned vacation because visitors can travel lightly. Rooms can usually be found by dropping in, although booking in advance can be more economical.
The Gite Saint-Laurent in Trois-Rivičres is situated halfway between Quebec City and Montreal, an easily accessible but idyllic location for a mini break. Similarly, La Maison des Leclerc is peaceful and convenient. The magnificent property is anchored by a traditional farm house and the hosts make hearty breakfasts served up with a healthy helping of local knowledge.
In this resort-rich area, even economic hotel options feature a range of amenities, typically including recreational facilities such as gyms, hot tubs, saunas and pools. Staying in the towns of Grand Mere and Shawinigan is a nice idea in summer and winter for their traditional Quebecois settings and their close proximity to La Mauricie National Park and their traditional Quebecois settings. Although activities and adventures are available through year round, the highlight is the spring maple syrup harvest. Staying at the Auberge La Rocaille in downtown Grand Mere is convenient and pleasant in spring when patrons can take advantage of the heated outdoor pool. And the Gouverneur Auberge, beside the Saint-Maurice River in Shawinigan, is an ideal place to witness the return of spring as animals awaken, flowers bloom and the ice breaks up along the surface of the river.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS
Visitors coming to the Laurentian Mountains may be tempted to extend their stay once they have arrived. Even for families and large groups, there are many long-stay options available, including vacation rental properties, cabins, chalets, and cottages. Many of these accommodations are equipped with kitchenettes, laundry machines and hideaway beds, making them an affordable and comfortable way to spend a vacation with a large group. These lodgings are also well suited to travellers with special needs such as dietary requirements or small children.
Waterside cottages are a particularly popular form of accommodation in the Laurentian Mountains. Some are simple buildings with wood-burning stoves, outhouses and no electric power, and more often than not are situated next to a central lodge that has full amenities. Cabins are also found in larger centres. Several lakeside cabins can be found in Mont-Laurier, and range from traditional, rustic cottages like Domaine Vanier to modern-built chalets like Domaine Lounan. The enchanting village of Port-au-Persil, founded by Samuel de Champlain in the 17th century, is a tiny community with just a few accommodations. Among them are three homes, Vert, Caramel and Rouge, each of which boasts sweeping views of the St Lawrence River.
As spring turns to summer, families often choose to stay in one of the many of the campgrounds sprinkled throughout the region. An opportunity to be close to nature, sleep under the stars and live in the forest is almost every child’s dream. But for those who aren’t willing to give up creature comforts for a night under the stars, campgrounds close to major centres are an ideal compromise. Washrooms, showers and laundry facilities, as well as trailer sites with water and sewer hook-ups, make roughing it a little easier. Les Chalets du Gite du Phare in Pointes-des-Monts offers both campground and cottage accommodation and all guests can enjoy a hot breakfast, energizing lunch and hearty dinner at the on-site dining room.
Whether for a luxury holiday, a weekend getaway or a family vacation, visitors can enjoy a stay in the Laurentians. Some recreationists seek exhilarating adventures—skiing and cycling over the rugged terrain—relaxed vacationers enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, golfing and horseback riding, and other explorers just want the opportunity to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the region’s breathtaking landscapes. Whatever the reason for visiting, there are accommodations suited to every style and budget.
LUXURY HOLIDAYS
The landscape in southern Quebec is dotted with alpine villages, many of which surprisingly host luxury resorts, and visitors—especially those who come from a great distance—will appreciate an extravagant stay in the region. Resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including world-class golf courses, European-style spas and award-winning gourmet restaurants. Even if one is not staying at one of these lakeshore luxury resorts, they are worth visiting; for the price of a cup of coffee at one of their cafes or a drink at the well-stocked bars, patrons are treated to astonishing views of the mountainscapes.
In Saint-Sauveur, Manoir Saint Sauveur is a well appointed resort with a large selection of recreational facilities. Guests can work up an appetite at the indoor pool, outdoor pool or spa, then dine in one of six dining establishments. Highly recommended are the colourful and diverse menu of L’Ambiance and the smooth jazzy atmosphere of the Impressionniste Bar.
Le Village Windigo Mont-Laurier on a sandy bay in Ferme-Neuve and Auberge du Lac-a-l'Eau-Claire on the lakeshore in St-Alexis-des-Mont are beautiful getaways with a wide range of accommodation options that are more accessible than most resorts. Guests can choose from traditional hotel rooms, fully-equipped condo suites and private residences.
The ski village of Mont Tremblant boasts a particularly large number of resorts. The lakeside Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant is a beautiful boutique-style hotel only a few minutes drive from the ski resort. In addition to its on-site recreational facilities, staff at a dedicated activity desk are on hand to help guests make bookings for off-site activities: skiing, snowboarding, boating, horseback riding and even airplane tours and gondola rides to name a few.
Ski enthusiasts will appreciate the ski-in and ski-out resorts including Cap Tremblant Mountain Resort at the top of Mont Tremblant and Le Sommet des Neiges at the bottom of the mountain.
WEEKEND GETAWAYS
Bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels and inns are sprinkled throughout the Laurentian region. These accommodation options make it easy to have a spontaneous or loosely planned vacation because visitors can travel lightly. Rooms can usually be found by dropping in, although booking in advance can be more economical.
The Gite Saint-Laurent in Trois-Rivičres is situated halfway between Quebec City and Montreal, an easily accessible but idyllic location for a mini break. Similarly, La Maison des Leclerc is peaceful and convenient. The magnificent property is anchored by a traditional farm house and the hosts make hearty breakfasts served up with a healthy helping of local knowledge.
In this resort-rich area, even economic hotel options feature a range of amenities, typically including recreational facilities such as gyms, hot tubs, saunas and pools. Staying in the towns of Grand Mere and Shawinigan is a nice idea in summer and winter for their traditional Quebecois settings and their close proximity to La Mauricie National Park and their traditional Quebecois settings. Although activities and adventures are available through year round, the highlight is the spring maple syrup harvest. Staying at the Auberge La Rocaille in downtown Grand Mere is convenient and pleasant in spring when patrons can take advantage of the heated outdoor pool. And the Gouverneur Auberge, beside the Saint-Maurice River in Shawinigan, is an ideal place to witness the return of spring as animals awaken, flowers bloom and the ice breaks up along the surface of the river.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS
Visitors coming to the Laurentian Mountains may be tempted to extend their stay once they have arrived. Even for families and large groups, there are many long-stay options available, including vacation rental properties, cabins, chalets, and cottages. Many of these accommodations are equipped with kitchenettes, laundry machines and hideaway beds, making them an affordable and comfortable way to spend a vacation with a large group. These lodgings are also well suited to travellers with special needs such as dietary requirements or small children.
Waterside cottages are a particularly popular form of accommodation in the Laurentian Mountains. Some are simple buildings with wood-burning stoves, outhouses and no electric power, and more often than not are situated next to a central lodge that has full amenities. Cabins are also found in larger centres. Several lakeside cabins can be found in Mont-Laurier, and range from traditional, rustic cottages like Domaine Vanier to modern-built chalets like Domaine Lounan. The enchanting village of Port-au-Persil, founded by Samuel de Champlain in the 17th century, is a tiny community with just a few accommodations. Among them are three homes, Vert, Caramel and Rouge, each of which boasts sweeping views of the St Lawrence River.
As spring turns to summer, families often choose to stay in one of the many of the campgrounds sprinkled throughout the region. An opportunity to be close to nature, sleep under the stars and live in the forest is almost every child’s dream. But for those who aren’t willing to give up creature comforts for a night under the stars, campgrounds close to major centres are an ideal compromise. Washrooms, showers and laundry facilities, as well as trailer sites with water and sewer hook-ups, make roughing it a little easier. Les Chalets du Gite du Phare in Pointes-des-Monts offers both campground and cottage accommodation and all guests can enjoy a hot breakfast, energizing lunch and hearty dinner at the on-site dining room.
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