Nancy D. Brown is a lover of all things related to travel. With What A Trip, she has combined her passion for travel with her professional writing career.
Be it a romantic getaway or family retreat, Auberge le Baluchon is mother nature’s answer to city weary travelers, spa lovers or active adventurer seekers looking to holiday in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada.
Located two hours outside of Montreal, Canada, Auberge le Baluchon, is it’s own little island paradise. Only you won’t find palm trees and surfboards on this island. Instead, this family-friendly resort offers a nature getaway for all seasons. I was in Quebec during leap peeping season this fall and was wowed by the display of colors.
Insider tips
Did you know that Auberge le Baluchon offers horseback riding in the spring, summer and fall and horse-drawn sleigh rides during the winter? I have written about my trail ride and created a YouTube video on the Writing Horseback blog.
3550, chemin des Trembles
Saint-Paulin, Quebec, Canada
J0K 3G0
BELOW YOUTUBE VIDEO IN FRENCH
Article written by and photos courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Auberge le Baluchon and Tourism Quebec.
Are you visiting the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in authentic Québec, Canada.
Experience the wild nature of Québec. There are plenty of outdoor activities and wildlife to observe.
Experience the food of Québec
Travel along a country road in Lanaudière
Travel the King’s road in la Mauricie
When I have a visitor from out of town the first place they want to see is Trois-Rivières, but I also take them to Ste-Alexis-Des-Monts (Sacacomie Hotel and Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc)and Saint-Michel-des-Saints (Lac Taureau Inn) – for a more local, authentic experience.
When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is Chez Roger L’Ermite in Saint-Côme.
The dining room at the Auberge de la Montagne Coupee
If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Montagne Coupée Inn in Saint-Jean-de-Matha for kissing with a view.
The best place to walk the dog is La Promenade in Shawinigan.
Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit le Musée Quebecois de la Culture populaire in Trois-Rivières.
Authentic Québec Food:
If you are looking for typical Québec cuisine, I recommend Auberge du Lac Taureau, Domaine des Trois Gourmands, Cabane chez Dany and Écho café at Baluchon Inn.
Lamb shank at the Kinipi Spa
The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Morgan café in Shawinigan or Trois-Rivières, Boutique Gourmande d’Amalthée en La Tuque, or la Brûlerie du Roy in Joliette.
Looking for cheap food in Ste-Élie de Caxton, go to La Grid-cheeserie in le Rond Coin.
The spot for late night dining is Brasserie le Trou du Diable in Shawinigan, and Vieux Terrebonne.
For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to Montagne Coupée in Saint-Jean de Matha, Auberge le Baluchon in Saint-Paulin, Auberge du Lac Taureau in Saint-Michel-des-Saints and Sacacomie in Saint-Alexis-des- Monts, Bistro D’Hélice in Lac à la Tortue.
Experience Authentic Québec
When you visit the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie you will experience a lot of beautiful scenery. Authentic Québec is best known for its wide open spaces.
When you come to Shawinigan Batiscan, Mauricie get your picture taken at La cite de l’énergie, Parc de la rivière Batiscan, Parc National de la Mauricie.
The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Parc regional de la chute à Bull.
The Amphitheater offers great views and Festival Lanaudière is the best place to watch or experience this unique annual event.
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride at Auberge Le Baluchon in Québec, Canada.
In Mauricie, Parc National de la Mauricie, Lanaudière,Parc National du Mont Tremblant outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike, bike, walk and horseback ride.
Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Trois-Rivières port and the Vieux Terrebonne.
If you are a museum lover, Joliette best museum is Musée d’art Trois-Rivières, Boréalis.
Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at Festival Western de St-Tite or for live music.
The Le nouvelliste will keep you posted on what’s happening in la Mauricie
You can tell a lot about Mauricie from visiting and watching activities at the lumberjack museum (Musée du Bûcheron). Lanaudière, Fêtes Gourmandes.
In the spring you should attend a sugar shack (Cabane chez Dany)
In the summer you should attend, Mémoire et racines festival in Joliette and Festival de Lanaudière Joliette, Festivoix in Trois-Rivières, Festival international de la poésie in Trois-Rivières
Plan a visit to Québec, Canada in the fall.
Did you know that the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie are known for their leafs colors? Plan a visit to the National Parks in the fall.
Come to Lanaudière and Mauricie for ice fishing, dog sledding and snowmobiling in the winter.
Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked bisons farm and lavender farm in Rawdon and Saint-Sévère.
Just outside of Lanaudière and Mauricie you can visit Boissons du Roy, have lunch at their dinning room.
Have you been to the regions of Lanaudière or Mauricie in Québec, Canada? What are your favorite things to do in Québec ?
For more up-to-date happenings follow Lanaudière and Mauricie Tourism onTwitter. For all things travel related, follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.
Thanks to Tourism Lanaudière and Tourism Mauricie for assistance with this post. Photos and YouTube video courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Tourism Quebec.
Are you visiting Montréal for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in ¨the City of 106 Festivals.¨
The Marche Jean-Talon public market
When I have a visitor from out of town the first place they want to see is Old Montréal, but I also take them to Jean-Talon Public Market – for a more local, authentic experience.
When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is Le Plateau Mont-Royal.
If this is a romantic trip, I recommend the Belvedere in Mount-Royal Park for kissing with a view.
The best place to walk the dog is Saint-Hélène’s Island.
Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit the Biodôme.
Montreal, the city of food:
If you are looking for typical Montréal cuisine, I recommend Maison Pierre du Calvet.
Tins of maple syrup, one of Montreal’s most famous exports
The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Cafe Vasco da Gama. They have the best coffee cake, cinnamon rolls and latte.
Looking for good value food in Montréal? Go to St. Viateur Bagel & Cafe.
Restaurant Leméac is the spot for late night dining in Montréal.
Creative Montréal
Seeing a lot of concert halls? Montréal is best known for its creativity and public works of art.
When you come to Montréal, get your picture taken at the top of Mount Royal Park.
The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Mount Royal.
The Quatier des Spectacles offers great views and the Place des Festivals is the best place to watch or experience Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
In Montréal outdoor enthusiasts will want to bike, walk, cross country ski, snowshoe, and skate.
Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Lachine Canal or the Mount Royal Park.
If you are a museum lover, Montréal’s best museum is the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts
Although Montreal has several museums, it is also known for its public art. Here is The Illuminated Crowd, made of polychrome by Ramond Mason.
Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at the new Altitude Club 737 or Upstairs Jazz Club for live music.
The Montréal Gazette will keep you posted on what’s happening.
You can tell a lot about Montréal from visiting and watching the Grand Prix du Canada event event.
In the spring you should attend the Montréal Museum Day.
In the summer you should attend Festival International de Jazz.
Pagoda in the Montreal Botanical Gardens
Did you know that Montréal is known for the Gardens of Light? Plan a visit to Montréal in the fall.
Come to Montréal for Le Montréal en Lumière Festival in the winter.
Insider Tip: I’ll bet you didn’t know that each neighborhood in Montreal is distinguished by unique lampposts.
Thanks to Tourism Montreal for assistance with this post. Photos and YouTube video courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Quebec Tourism.
Nancy D. Brown is a lover of all things related to travel. With What A Trip, she has combined her passion for travel with her professional writing career. 
