Taste of Québec
How to get a taste of Authentic Québec
A guide to visiting artisanal producers
who make everything from craft beer to
caramels and potato donuts
When it comes to great food, Québec’s best-kept secret may be Lanaudière and Mauricie, in between Montréal and Québec City. This vast area area stretches over 52,000 kilometres, from the St. Lawrence River to Laurentian Mountains in the north with fertile plains and an abundance of lakes (more than 30,000) in between.
Known as Authentic Québec, it’s an intriguing microcosm of all the things the province is known for – stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures and gourmet delights at every turn. The region is an ideal destination for fall road trips. It’s easy to get to and ticks all the boxes for a fun getaway, from its culinary offerings to expanses of untouched nature and history reflecting New France.
It has deep roots in culinary excellence well worth exploring, whether you’re adding on another leg to a stay in Montréal or Québec City, or focusing on this extraordinary and authentic slice of Québec.
Abbaye Val Notre-Dame
Myriam Baril-Tessier / St-Jean-de-Matha
La Courgerie
Jimmy Vigneux / tourisme Lanaudière
A good place to plan your road trip is checking the Goûtez Lanaudière, where you’ll find five gastronomic routes with a range of agritourism stops, from farm visits to artisanal producers. Or you can start your tasty explorations at Abbaye Val Notre-Dame, designed by renowned architect Pierre Thibault.
The monastery sits amid 187 hectares of nature at the foot of the Montagne Coupée in St-Jean-de-Matha on a forested plateau overlooking the Assomption River, now a favourite spot for hikers to enjoy the stunning fall colours.
Foodies love it, too, because the community of Cistern monks make caramels, chocolates and fruit cakes, and sell items from the forest, like fir-tree syrup, available at an on-site boutique.
Also, in the same town, enjoy a taste of fall at Qui sème Récolte, a family farm focused primarily on apples. Its shop offers pure apple juice, a range of ciders made from as many as six apple varieties, cider liqueur, plus maple syrup and cassis
Keep the pick-your-own theme going as you drive to Sainte-Elisabeth. Head to the fields of La Courgerie for squash, pumpkins and other gourds.
Nature
Étienne Boisvert / Tourisme Mauricie
Boost your knowledge of these vegetables at the squash interpretation centre, featuring an interactive tour, and learn some new cooking tips from the gourmet gardeners/owners.
In Berthierville, you must stop for the local specialties – old-fashioned potato donuts. They come dusted in icing sugar or cinnamon, soaked in maple syrup or honey, and are made from a traditional recipe at Delices d’Antan using unbleached flour and potatoes grown in the area.
Baluchon Eco Resort
Damien Lair / Authentic Québec
Also pick up freshly baked artisanal bread, tarts, pies, pâtés and marinades, perfect for an impromptu picnic.
Authentic Québec cares about preserving the beauty of its region, as do its local businesses. One to check out is Au bout du monde Eco-Café, at the Baluchon Eco Resort, for breakfast and dinner. The eatery focuses on sustainable and organic foods for its garden-fresh salads, soups, pizzas, sandwiches and more.
Cool fact: Meals are served on plates and dishes made from palm leaves, which can be composted.
You can also find hearty fare at Boulangerie François Guay. Its claim to fame is traditional baked beans with smoked bacon or duck. If that’s not your thing, try other regional specialties like delicious poutine à ragoût (a type of dumpling filled with spiced pork), brioche, quiche or molasses galettes.
At the end of the day when it’s time to relax,
join the locals at Le Temps d’une Pinte, a co-op microbrewery with good food made with
local ingredients and craft beer.
Qui sème récolte
Tourisme Lanaudière
This year, from Oct. 1 to 11, more than 25 local restaurants are creating special menus highlighting forest-sourced ingredients; those interested in mycology can get hands-on experience with cooking demos and foraging excursions.
If you love craft beer, also consider swinging by Le Presbytère Microbrasserie, a gorgeous place to eat, drink and be merry. Located in an old presbytery from 1873, it has oodles of interesting original architectural details and a hyper-local menu featuring elevated pub fare that pairs well with beers crafted on-site.
Grab a table on the outdoor terrace with views of the Batiscan River and drop by the boutique for a well-curated selection of local products. Le Presbytère and Le Temps d’une Pinte are part of the 12 microbreweries highlighted along the Route des Brasseurs – a must for beer connoisseurs. Like Authentic Québec itself, there is something to please everyone.
This fall, come to a unique destination sure to satisfy your appetite for adventure and exceptional cuisine at every turn. Visit quebecauthentique.com to plan your visit.This content was produced by The Globe and Mail’s Globe Content Studio on behalf of Bonjour Québec. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
CREDITS: Concept and oversight by JESSICA ROBINSON; Editing by ELIZABETH HOLLAND; Art direction by JEANINE BRITO; Design and development by AASHISH ARORA; Illustrations by MAIA GRECCO