Discover the many flavours of the Pontiac
The Outaouais is full of places to taste local flavours, but today I’m sending you to the Pontiac to discover that region’s agritourism and gourmet treasures!
The Great Pontiac Poutine Trail
As the locals will tell you, “No trip to the Pontiac is complete without a tour along the Great Pontiac Poutine Trail!” Take Route 148, make a few detours and find your way to Sheenboro, where you’ll discover a multitude of stops that make up this famous trail that’s all about squeaky cheese, gravy and fries. From classic poutine to the creative special of the week, have fun doing some comparative taste testing. Be sure to bring your appetite!
The Tap & Cork Route: Local beer, wine and spirits
Are you more of a beer, wine and spirits fan? The Pontiac’s Tap & Cork Route is the place for you! Not only does this self-guided tour allow you to sample some of the best wines, beers, ciders and spirits in the Pontiac, but it’s a great opportunity to meet some of our local creators. At each stop along the route, these talented artisans will share their stories and their passion for their work.
Please drink responsibly, and always have a designated driver if you are consuming.
From farm to fork
Throughout the Pontiac, from Bristol to Fort-Coulonge, you’ll find farms and markets where you can spend a pleasant day and stock up on a wide variety of local products. In addition to visiting the different fruit, vegetable and meat farms, you can drop by an alpaca farm, stroll through flower fields, stock up on Angus beef and bison meat, or explore a medicinal plant farm.
Other attractions include a 135-cow barn, an aquaculture business that raises fish to replenish freshwater systems, and La Vallée des Rosiers, a 200-acre estate that offers a wide range of products and activities for the whole family, from a sugar shack to vineyards, orchards and pick-your-own grapes. You can even admire constellations, planets and stars through a high-powered telescope and spend the night in one of the lodge’s luxurious guestrooms.
End your day in style
Why not turn your discovery day into a staycation? After all these rich experiences and encounters, book a table at Bryson’s Bistro du Bûcheron to enjoy tasty dishes prepared according to the chef’s inspiration, all in a rustic and intimate atmosphere. Afterwards, spend the night at the Spruceholme Inn, a magnificent heritage house built in 1875. Perhaps needless to say, this property is one of the most important historic landmarks in the area!
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For more discoveries, visit the Little Red Wagon Winery, which offers local products for on-site sampling or to take home, and is one of the stops on the Tap & Cork Route!
