C’est l’amour! Plan a romantic getaway to remember

In collaboration with Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est.

Granby

An hour from Montréal, Granby has a rich heritage and a downtown area that offers high-end boutiques and two nice café options to kick off your getaway: Café Madame Hortense and Café de la Brûlerie. For some serious gastronomy later, when the real hunger strikes, consider La table à Mo (rich, French, savoury nosh presented in the most aesthetic of platings) or the award-winning Maison Boire. Serving delicacies cooked on an open food fire, this resto is also one of the greenest restaurants in Canada, recipient of a LEAF level-3, eco-responsible certification.

The famous Zoo is a unique experience for animal lovers even in the winter, because you can see all the animals who enjoy this weather plus enjoy the lively winter village set up, compete with firepit.

Clink glasses to your love over a pint of local beer at microbrewery Le Grimoire, the ideal place to discover unique and tasty beers such as maple beer (Desérables) and rum beer (Vie de château).

And if you want to spend the night, or even just to lounge in the Nordic spa, head to the stunning greystone Saint-Christophe Hôtel-Boutique & Spa: not far from downtown, right on Lake Boivin, it’s a cocooner’s dream getaway with cozy rooms, a pool, a restaurant and access to winter hiking trails, if you have the heart to go out.

Bromont

Situated at the foot of the largest illuminated skiable domain in North America, an hour’s drive from Montréal, Bromont is a village worth visiting after your ski day—and beyond. The central Vieux-Village is picturesque and packed with boutiques, bistros, art galleries, antique shops and the sweets emporium Confiserie Bromont, where the one and only Musée du Chocolat is located—i.e. chocolate heaven.

Book a room at the 4-star Domaine Château-Bromont for an overnight stay and indulge in the services of the Amerispa Château—a spa known for its unique treatments like the Elixir Ice Cider exfoliation and the Frosted Passion pedicure. Or get the whole Nordic spa experience at Balnéa Spa, where the Ultra-nourishing Omega-3 exfoliation will rehydrate your skin with the magic of flaxseed, wheat germ oil, monoi oil and coconut oil.

Foodies won’t want to skip the Fromagerie Gourmande de Bromont, where the onsite restaurant serves next-level poutines and pizzas featuring the fresh cheese curds of the day. For a more gourmet meal, consider Chardo, a restaurant and organic wine bar in the heart of the old village where you can enjoy a glass of natural wine saddled at the oak bar before sitting down to your refined meal of Quebec seafood or game meat. Le Cellier du Roi is another acclaimed choice: it’s a gastronomic pilgrimage stop where you can enjoy classic French cuisine set against a view of the Royal Bromont Golf Course, with the mountains in the background.

Magog

On the shores of the majestic Lake Memphremagog, the lively city of Magog has lots to discover just an hour and a half away from Montréal. The renowned Vieux Clocher performance space, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants populate its downtown area. Maybe start the day low-key by whisking your love away for brunch at La Shop, where six kinds of grilled-cheese sandwich await—not to mention maple-dipped French toast.

Magog is the perfect location for outdoorsy types: bring your skates and glide hand-in-hand along the 2.8 km frozen trail along the lake, all the way out to Pointe Merry. For a more relaxed outdoor activity, walk along the serene, snow-covered trails of the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises.

Relax at Spa Nordic Station, where the Nordic hot tubs, Californian hot tubs, Finnish saunas and a steam crypt will melt your stresses away. Top off the indulgence with a Citrus and Chocolate Body Wrap Duo, a couple’s treatment in a forest cabin.

If you want the thermal experiences closer to home, book a magical overnight stay at Les Loges, in the nearby town of Fitch Bay: each of the five small Scandinavian-style chalets has its own dry sauna, steam room, spa and cold waterfall. Light the indoor fireplace and enjoy each other’s company by the warm, glowing flames. And if you don’t feel like cooking, the gourmet grocery shop Béret rouge is just 2 minutes away.

Sherbrooke

This capital of the Eastern Townships boasts the architectural treasure of Domaine Howard (well worth visiting) as well as a hearty food scene. The Marché de la Gare offers an abundance of regional products on their shelves, and Ça beigne is a must for donut lovers.

For a sit-down meal, treat yourself to Boefish, within the splendid Hôtel Gouverneur: this premium eatery specializing in steaks and Mediterranean fish has a central bar that really gets hopping in the evenings. Another table worth experiencing is Auguste, a local institution where the inverted poutine, mushroom risotto, beef tartare, English-style fried haddock and homemade blood sausage are all beloved. 

For an overnight stay, get the boutique B&B experience at Île de Garde, established in a magnificent house dating back to 1875—a mighty romantic haven. It’s in the old town, just 5 minutes from downtown Sherbrooke.

Indulge in some body care at the Paus Spa Expérience, where the Romeo and Juliette facial is designed for two: it starts with a tasting of the renowned Roméo gin (no less!) and continues with a deep cleansing and hydration experience to the aroma of cucumber, lemon and dill.

Stroll over to the Musée des beaux-arts Sherbrooke for a dose of culture, where on the third Thursday of every month, the Soirée soif d’expression invites you to create your own masterpiece—wine glass in one hand, paintbrush in the other—inspired by a work of art especially brought out of storage for the occasion. The perfect romantic souvenir.