THE LAURENTIANS
MONTREAL & Feature
Bike hire is available and cyclists are
transported by mini-bus to the trailhead in Mont Laurier. Stays are at guesthouses (called ‘auberges’) along the way; all of these sit directly on the cycle path, which is signposted every kilometre. Each guesthouse is marked on the comprehensive free guide (given to all who do the trip) in relation to its position on the trail – a doddle, even for the map-shy. Luggage is transported for you and the food in these guesthouses is a highlight – expect four- course meals – so the three-night cycle tour can be confidently sold as a gourmet foodie trip on two-wheels. This is a cycling trip for all ages and abilities, so it can be sold as a holiday to families, couples, absolute novices and seniors too. (When I did it last autumn, I was outpaced by a quartet of cheerful 60-something ladies from Ontario.) The scenery flanking the trail is a mixture of lakes, forest and mountains, and Lac Nominingue, the flowing waters of the Riviere Rouge, Val David, Val Morin and Tremblant are among the highlights. If your clients are more interested in
the car hire option, Mont Tremblant is an obvious choice. It’s an alpine playground, with a lake and shops and
restaurants covering one side of the mountain. David Wickers, co-founder of Bridge and Wickers, recommends Tremblant’s annual July Blues festival (6-15 2012). “Most venues are open-air and
free,” he says. (Nanette Workman, a Mississippi ex-pat turned Québécois
Manoir St. Sauveur, a 10-minute walk from the main street, Rue Principale. There is an array of cafés and shops
here: prime people-watching takes place at Brulerie des Monts, and fashion types will want to pop into Dahlia, a jewellery and clothes boutique, as 75% of stock is supplied by Québécois designers. Halfway down Rue Principale is Orange et Pamplemousse, a bistro
"Aside from the more orthodox outdoors activities, visitors to the Tremblant Activity Centre can sign up for zip-lining, go-karting, enrol in a culinary course..."
chanteuse, who sang back-up vocals for the Rolling Stones is a hot ticket this year.) Aside from the more orthodox
outdoors activities, visitors to the Tremblant Activity Centre can sign up fort zip-lining, go-karting, enrol in a culinary course and even try falconry. St Sauveur des Monts is another
resort worth spending a night or two – it is perfect for just ‘pottering’. On a visit last year, I stayed at the plush Le
serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fashionistas may want to make a beeline for the factory outlet. Kathy Farahat, Product Manager
Specialist Business at Thomas Cook Signature, is partial to St Sauveur’s Alpine Coaster, a summer toboggan ride. “It’s not for the faint-hearted and you need to be a bit crazy to go on it but families would love it,’ she says.
MONTREAL In Montréal I’d recommend a few nights’ stay post- or pre-Laurentians jaunt; it’s the second-largest
Main pictures top, from left: the Biosphere in Montréal; the Laurentians' scenic splendours; Montréal; and cycling is a great way to tour the area
SELLING CANADA • SUMMER 2012 15
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