There are many seasons in Quebec-not just summer, fall and winter-that are dictated by one of our passions: terroir. There’s Sugar Bush, Snow Crab, Tulips, Petits Fruits, Apples…
In Montreal, we can follow them by doing our Saturday shopping in one of the city’s public markets, a little basket in the crook of our elbow (bought in a village market, of course) or, for the toughest, an Ikea bag over our shoulder.
In the regions, you can plan a whole year’s worth of road-trips to follow the harvests, and as you pedal or walk through the forests and fields of golden wheat, you’ll also see some of Quebec’s most beautiful scenery.
Frelighsburg and apples
Nestled in the Pike River Valley at the foot of Mount Pinnacle, Frelighsburg is like a movie village. When we arrive, we start by shaking off the dust of the town with our clothes and a cup of coffee at the Magasin Général.
The village is located in the Estrie region, known for its valleys, heritage homes and apples – the juiciest in Quebec. The harvest is so large that, in the Eastern Townships, apples are eaten all year round, sold in large plastic bags at supermarkets and wherever food is sold (at Jean Coutu, too).
Frelighsburg’s orchards are among the finest in the region, and apple growing is the cornerstone of the municipality’s agrotourism. The 7 orchards and cider houses in the area are not only incredibly photogenic, but also make the perfect circuit for a visit that’s 100% an apple a day…
Apple season lasts from late August to late October, and you’ll be able to stop off at some of Frelighsburg’s orchards and cider houses – a list is here;
- Le Clos Saragnat, for ice cider
- La Cidrerie Cassine, for cider
- Aurea Médiocritas, for cider and its little boutique
- Cidre Choinière, open for special events and cider pickup by reservation
- Domaine Héritage, for cider
- La Ferme du Haut Vallon, for apples, organic garlic, lamb and maple syrup
- Au Coeur de la Pomme (the star of Frelighsburg orchards), for apples
Cycling and hiking
Frelighsburg is very close to the U.S. border, and the region offers cycling tours that go all the way to Vermont (of course, you’ll need your passport and a contact number just in case). And, for the more adventurous, there’s a 65km loop that goes all the way to Montgomery Falls – complete with swimming, picnics and passage through the great green forests on the other side of the border (which look a lot like ours). See the tour here!
There are also hiking trails through the forest, up and down the hills in the area, which is highly protected in its natural beauty. We like trails FR1 and FR2, which can be seen here!
Eating and sleeping
For dining, we recommend the cultural café-nano brasserie Beat & Betterave, Frelighsburg’s most farm-to-table.
And for those who want to dine directly on the farm with a more luxurious country-table ambience, we recommend booking the five-course dinner with your feet in the flowery fields of Les Cocagnes farm ($125/person).
For a night’s sleep, we recommend Camping Écologique de Frelighsburg, where you can watch the stars while respecting the environment.
For those who prefer to sleep in an inn (camping isn’t for everyone, and we don’t blame you), we recommend the Auberge des Trois Érables, just outside Frelighsburg, in Saint-Armand, in an 1848 house that has been restored without losing any of its old-world charm. You can also eat there, and after a long day of hiking, we can’t wait to try the rabbit ballotine and black garlic crème brûlée…
And of course, we’ll be heading back to Montreal with a suitcase full of apples…