A charming road trip in Petite Nation!
Fancy a breath of fresh air? Peace and quiet in nature? Magical moments surrounded by beautiful landscapes? Hit the road for a road trip in Petite Nation!
Sometimes all you need to create beautiful memories are a few quality ingredients. A car, some nice roads to drive and little local treasures to discover are enough to create a wonderful weekend!
Road trip essentials!
A road trip requires a playlist with the perfect mix of nostalgia, classics and summer hits. When you hear the first notes of the soundtrack play in the car, it’s a sign that it’s time to hit the road! To get the most out of your trip and admire Petite Nation’s scenery, take Route 148, which passes through all the charming little villages along the Ottawa River.
After some forty kilometres, the first stop on the journey will come into view: the Chutes du Moulin! With its hiking trail to viewpoints of the falls, it’s perfect for stretching your legs and appreciating what nature’s mighty beauty has to offer. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy a picnic to the sound of the falls!
Once you’re back on the road and passing vast expanses of greenery, head for the Parc national de Plaisance and go on an adventure at the heart of the park’s fauna and flora. This is an official paradise for you nature lovers! You can enjoy almost any kind of water activity, including going on rabaskas, cycling and camping, and you can see over 250 species of wildlife.
On your drive through the splendid Petite Nation, make a stop at the wellness sanctuary Lavandine et Cie. In the charming village of Montebello, this boutique-workshop focuses on quality beauty products, showcasing local artisans through their unique, eco-friendly creations. Each product is carefully hand-crafted, offering incomparable natural softness to pamper your body. Lavandine et Cie is much more than just a stop on the road: it’s an opportunity for authenticity and local artisanal excellence.
Historic flavours and settings!
Get back on the road to discover Petite Nation’s surrounding areas. With 25 municipalities linked by routes such as the 321, 323, 317, 309, 315 and 307, there are plenty of options for a drive. Let the road guide you; it’s definitely the best way to explore and discover little treasures.
With your appetite whetted after all these adventures, it’s time to head to the Bistro Montebello. The pretty village of Montebello is home not only to the world’s largest log cabin, the Fairmont Le Château Montebello, but it was also where Louis-Joseph-Papineau, seigneur of Petite-Nation and politician, chose to build his manor house in 1846. One thing’s for sure: you don’t need to be Papineau to figure out that Bistro Montebello’s pizza is one of the best in the region! Foodie Alert! The weekend table d’hôte also offers creative dishes featuring local produce!
During your road trip, make a worthwhile stopover at the Manoir Papineau Historic Site. Discover the interior of the seigneury, the Manoir’s main floor, take a tour of the old red oak tree or enjoy an exciting guided tour as you delve into the captivating history of this iconic residence. You can also stroll through the surrounding gardens and woodland. This season, from August 30 to September 1, the immersive Tales from the shadow experience returns, a 90-minute lantern-lit guided night tour that takes you on a fascinating journey through the mysteries and stories of this historic site. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience an authentic, enchanting adventure.
After a walk through the streets of Montebello and visits to local boutiques, it’s time to rest. And the Manoir Chamberland is opening its (heritage) doors to us! This former presbytery has been transformed into an inn, brimming with the charm from Louis-Joseph-Papineau’s era and all the comfort and luxury of modern conveniences. With eight tastefully decorated rooms and obvious attention to detail, calm and relaxation are guaranteed. Perfect for a romantic getaway!
Refreshed from a good night’s sleep in a Downton Abbey-style room, it’s time to hit the road! If you have room in your schedule, visit Parc Oméga, a must-see in Montebello. You can see over 15 species of Canadian animals in their natural habitat, and some of them are wild.
Before leaving, the last stop on this wonderful walk: the 75th meridian sundial! It’s built precisely on the 75th meridian line, which is used to determine Eastern Standard Time. And it’s in Papineauville! With your head full of country landscapes, your belly full of local delicacies and your heart full of little pleasures, you can officially begin your road trip back home !
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Looking for a cultural, gourmet, sporting or wilderness getaway? Take to the road and let yourself be guided by Petite Nation to discover its must-sees !
