Discover Estrie: Where history, nature, and innovation converge
A remarkable destination that offers a unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and innovation, inviting visitors to explore prestigious vineyards, a national park with an exceptional night sky, and an enchanted forest.
At the heart of the Eastern Townships, Estrie stands out as a remarkable destination in Québec. Long shaped by the English-speaking communities that settled here in the 19th century, this region has developed a unique identity, where cultural and architectural heritage blends with the raw beauty of nature.
Even today, its history resonates in its picturesque villages, Victorian houses, and farmland landscapes that reflect the region’s deep roots. Estrie is also a land of innovation and discovery: prestigious vineyards that paved the way for Québec’s wine industry, a national park where the night sky opens like nowhere else. A forest that, when night falls, lights up with incomparable magic.
Estrie is where the heritage of yesterday meets the experiences of today. An invitation to savour, contemplate, and marvel—season after season. Here are the must-see experiences in the region.
The Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route
(Credit: MétéoMédia)
The Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route invites you to discover prestigious vineyards, pioneers of Québec’s winemaking. Each stop tells a story of passion and expertise which allows you to taste vintages that reflect the unique character of Estrie’s terroir. A gourmet, authentic and convivial adventure that shines a light on the region’s art of living.
Notable vineyards include:
Château Ste-Agnès (Sutton): Nestled in the mountains, this little-known gem is well worth discovering. Its picturesque setting recalls Tuscany, with spectacular stone terraces leading down to a pond where a small dock invites you to pause. Beyond the fairytale-like scenery, it is the elegance of the wines that captivates. Known for silky, complex reds and delicate, aromatic whites, each bottle reflects both the beauty of the landscape and the craft of artisanal winemaking. A place to dream as much as to taste, where the charm of the view rivals the refinement of the wines.
Les Bromes – Domaine Léon Courville (Lac-Brome): Overlooking Lake Brome, this vineyard is renowned for elegant reds, refined whites, and award-winning ice wines. Passion, heritage, and expertise come together here. Beyond wine tasting, the setting enchants with sun-drenched hillsides, open lake panoramas and a calming atmosphere. It’s also a place of well-being: the estate regularly hosts activities such as outdoor yoga, offering reconnection with nature in an idyllic environment. Every moment here is an invitation to slow down, breathe and enjoy the Estrie lifestyle.
(Pictured: Host Émilie Boislard/MétéoMédia)
Vignoble du Ruisseau (Dunham): Famous for its unique geothermal technology that enables the production of cold-climate wines, this estate is one of a kind. It produces fine barrel-aged reds along with elegant whites and rosés, all crafted with meticulous expertise. The upscale site includes a spectacular underground wine cellar, an artisanal distillery, a reinvented sugar shack, and a restaurant that highlights local products. More than a vineyard, it’s a full destination where architecture, gastronomy, and winemaking intertwine. Recently partnered with Château Ste-Agnès, the estate now combines historic charm with innovation and bold technology—an ideal balance of tradition and modernity.
But Estrie isn’t only about pleasures of the senses on land… it’s also about looking up to the sky.
Mont-Mégantic National Park
(Credit: MétéoMédia)
At the summit of Mont-Mégantic, at 1,100 meters in altitude, stands the largest telescope in eastern North America: a 1.6-meter-diameter instrument that fascinates both researchers and visitors. The site is world-renowned for the exceptional purity of its night sky and was the very first to receive the prestigious designation of International Dark Sky Reserve.
The park stretches across more than 50 km² of mountains and forests, offering hiking trails, breathtaking panoramas, and diverse wildlife. In winter, visitors are enchanted by the famous “snow ghosts”—trees covered in snow, frost, and ice, creating majestic, surreal silhouettes.
Another peak draws attention too: Mont Saint-Joseph (1,075 meters). At its summit stands a small chapel built in 1935, a landmark rich with history and emotion. From here, the panorama opens onto the Appalachian range, surrounding valleys, and, on clear days, you can see Vermont’s mountains. It’s a place of both spirituality and contemplation, where the grandeur of the landscape meets the serenity of altitude.
But it’s at nightfall that the true magic unfolds.
The ASTROLab, a museum and science activity centre, invites visitors to explore the mysteries of the universe with interactive exhibits and accessible workshops. In the evening, public observation nights offer an unforgettable experience: access to the research telescope, the popular observatory telescope, and the chance to marvel at one of the purest skies on the planet.
Stargazing atop Mont-Mégantic means diving into infinity, rediscovering wonder, and reconnecting with our place in the universe. And then, it’s time to return to Earth—without losing the magic.
Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook – Foresta Lumina
Host Émilie Boislard pictured at Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook. (Credit: MétéoMédia)
By day, Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook is already impressive: cliffside trails, lush nature, and its 169-meter suspension bridge—one of the longest in the world—attract hikers in search of escape. But it’s at night that the place reveals its true magic.
At dusk, the forest awakens and becomes the stage for Foresta Lumina. Created by Montréal’s multimedia studio Moment Factory, this nighttime trail—first of its kind in the world—immerses visitors in a unique experience. For 12 years now, it has transformed the gorge into a fairytale universe where every step brings discovery.
Émilie Boislard (Credit: MétéoMédia)
The trail comes alive with legends: mythical characters, fantastical creatures, and captivating tales take shape through light displays, projections, and an enveloping soundtrack. Trees become luminous cathedrals, rivers shimmer with starlight, and the line between reality and imagination fades.
It’s a sensory adventure that enchants young and old alike, a stroll where you follow the whispers of fairies, eyes wide, heart full of wonder.
Between gourmet discoveries, an unmatched starry sky, and an enchanted forest, Estrie stands out as a destination where every visit becomes an unforgettable experience.
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