Fall is such a beautiful season! Farm stays, hiking, spas—there are so many reasons to get outside and enjoy the cool weather and colorful leaves. Where to go? What to see? We've got the perfect itinerary for a weekend getaway to enjoy the fall!
DAY 1
1. THE GRAND LABYRINTH OF LANAUDIÈRE - RAWDON
Have you always dreamed of getting lost in a giant corn maze? Here's your chance! The Grand Labyrinthe de Lanaudière offers two courses totaling 8 km of trails. The smaller one takes about half an hour to complete, while the larger one will take over an hour and a half. At the beginning of October, the maze switches to Halloween mode. After sharpening your sense of direction, treat yourself at the boutique, where you'll find delicious strawberry wines and beautiful jams produced on site. The perfect addition to your next breakfast!
2. AU JARDIN DES NOIX - SAINT-AMBROISE-DE-KILDARE
In Quebec, it is quite rare to see nut orchards, as these fruit trees take 10 to 15 years to reach maturity. It's a real treat to visit the Jardin des Noix, an orchard with over 4,000 trees, including walnut and hazelnut trees. Once there, enjoy a guided tour or explore the orchard at your leisure with a treasure hunt that challenges you to identify the different trees and their fruits. Once in the shop, take a moment to enjoy a delicious coffee accompanied by a fruit muffin (and nuts, of course!). Don't leave without stocking up on nuts and other products such as chocolates, sausages, and more!
3. MONTE-À-PEINE-ET-DES-DALLES REGIONAL PARK - SAINTE-BÉATRIX - SAINTE-MÉLANIE - SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA
What better way to end the day than with a short hike in the forest to admire the colorful landscapes? We suggest a stop at the Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles Regional Park. This park offers impressive views and has three separate entrances in three different municipalities. You can admire the view from the top of a lookout or cross the suspension bridge, which will take you along a small path that winds its way along the waterfall. At the end of the path, you'll find a beautiful little red bridge, the perfect backdrop for an autumn photo shoot!
4. L'AUBERGE DE LA MONTAGNE COUPÉE - SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA
Fall is synonymous with “cocooning.” And what better way to do that than with a weekend at a cottage! Enjoy a well-deserved rest at the cottages of the Auberge de la Montagne Coupée. Recently built directly on the cliff, the view is simply breathtaking, and what can we say about the terrace? It's the perfect place to enjoy a coffee or relax in the spa. Don't feel like cooking? Call on the chef at Auberge de la Montagne Coupée. He'll whip up some culinary delights for you in the comfort of your cottage. Lobster bisque, foie gras baluchon, maple salmon, or any of his other creations: each of his dishes is exquisite! Prefer the comfort of a hotel room? The Auberge de la Montagne Coupée is about to unveil its brand new, freshly renovated rooms, a great opportunity to come and discover them.
For other accommodation suggestions in the Saint-Jean-de-Matha area.
DAY 2
5. SPA NATUR'EAU - MANDEVILLE
On a beautiful fall day, we all love to relax in the outdoor baths while admiring the surrounding forest. Thanks to its location in the heart of the mountains, the Natur'Eau spa in Mandeville is the perfect place for a day of relaxation. With a Nordic waterfall, aromatherapy room, and a full range of treatments, everything you need for a truly enjoyable experience is right here. Be sure to try the bistro menu, which includes delicious salads. Want to extend your stay? The spa also offers two beautifully designed mini-houses, two pods, and two cottages.
6. SAINT-GABRIEL VINEYARD - SAINT-GABRIEL-DE-BRANDON
For an aperitif, head to the Saint-Gabriel Vineyard! Its impressive wine cellar, which is open to visitors, is sure to impress you. It's the perfect opportunity to learn more about the wine aging process. Enjoy a plate of local delicacies accompanied by a delicious bottle of organic red wine produced on site, all on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. The autumn scenery is breathtaking! To end your visit on a high note, take a tour of the antique tractor museum, where more than 125 models are on display, all in working order!
7. HÔTEL CHÂTEAU JOLIETTE AND TABLE G - JOLIETTE
Discover the restaurant at Hôtel Château Joliette, with its relaxed atmosphere and refined décor. Located on the banks of the L'Assomption River, just across from the majestic Joliette Art Museum, it's the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal. Their menu changes with the seasons to offer you the best of local produce. Braised dishes, wild mushrooms, octopus, and fritters are regularly featured in the fall.
End the day with a night in one of their luxurious and comfortable rooms, and take advantage of the hotel's location in downtown Joliette for a late-night stroll!
DAY 3
8. ABBAYE VAL NOTRE-DAME - SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA
First stop at Abbaye Val Notre-Dame for a truly rejuvenating experience. Its many windows overlooking nature offer breathtaking views of the fall colors. Even from the outside, you can admire this unique architectural masterpiece. The monks at Val Notre-Dame Abbey specialize in edible forest products as well as chocolates and fruit cakes. Be sure to visit the store and taste the fir tree syrup or monarda syrup.
9. FERME VALLÉE VERTE 1912 - SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA
Not far from there, head to Ferme Vallée Verte 1912, where they strive to produce the healthiest milk, cheese, and yogurt possible through sustainable, GMO-free farming. Their natural milk is a must-try (not to mention the chocolate milk, which is delicious!), and we admit that it's hard to resist the many varieties of natural yogurt (cherry, cream sugar, pear, etc.)! The same goes for the cheddar cheese, which comes in many flavors, each more delicious than the last (olive, smoked, black garlic, and more). Don't forget to grab a bag of cheese curds for the road!
10. QUI SÈME RÉCOLTE! -SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA
The orchard, nestled in the mountains, offers a breathtaking view of the colors. Pick-your-own is available for a few weeks, so take advantage of your visit to sample the many products made on site. Ciders (8 different varieties!), natural apple juices, and kombuchas are waiting to be discovered. Not to mention their delicious coffee! Suffice it to say that the shop offers great opportunities to stock up on tasty products.
This falltime gourmet itinerary features several businesses certified by Goûtez Lanaudière! Visit the website to discover many more!
