I took a road trip through Southern Quebec last September,
following a zigzag route through a bucolic landscape of late summer
fields, dappled hedgerows, meandering rivers and rolling hills dotted
with vintage farmhouses and charming historic towns. It was the
perfect time to be enjoying the fruits of the season in Quebec’s
agricultural heartland. Here are some of the highlights of my trip.
Centre-du-Quebec
Southern Quebec, the region that lies between the
St Lawrence River and the US borderlands is divided
into three sub-regions: Centre du Quebec,
Montérégie and Cantons d’Est, (Eastern Townships),
each with their own unique appeal. Centre-du-
Quebec is known as the breadbasket of the
province. Vegetable and fruits, maple sugar bushes,
livestock, poultry and bees all flourish in this
beautiful region that stretches from the St Lawrence
river to the Appalachian foothills.
Manoir du Lac William is an historic country
lodging in Saint-Fedianand, known for its lakesideviews and fine dining. The evening’s table d’hote
menu was an excellent place to begin my
exploration of the region’s fabled terroir. And it was
off to a great start with a board of local charcuterie,
homespun pickled vegetables and dabs of flavoured
mustards. Then followed a grilled lake trout with a
shrimp and asparagus studded orgetto (barley
cooked in the style of risotto). Breakfast the
following morning, with fresh raspberries, flaky
croissant and a creamy mushroom omelette, was
equally unpretentious and beautifully prepared.
In the town of Plessisville, ‘The World Capital of
Maple,’ Carrefour de l’Érable is a showcase for the
fine products that local chefs have access to,APRIL–JUNE 2019 TAST E& TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL 59
C A N A D A
QUEBEC ROAD TRIP