Family Time in the Laurentians, Nature Relaxation

The Laurentians, we spent some lovely breaks there with friends two winters ago. Here we are back in spring, now with a baby. We're off to explore the Laurentians as a family.

We didn't leap through space, but rather through time! Between Maritime Quebec (our last article) and the Laurentians, we passed through Quebec City and Montreal... retracing our steps years after our previous trips. I can't help it, I'm always a big nostalgic every time I return to the city of Quebec, where I lived for 6 months during my college studies.

Returning 12 years later, with François, who visited me during a snowstorm... and with a baby as a bonus! What a strange feeling walking down the street where I lived (I even found my old home) with my husband and son... I never imagined this back then! A big smile lit up my face throughout that day spent wandering in the city, the same smile that was on my lips 12 years ago... Quebec, I love you!

In addition to these nostalgic moments, we also had the pleasure of seeing a friend, Bianca (from the blog La Grande Déroute) and spending good times with her. We arrived just in time to participate in a gathering of travelers in recreational vehicles on Île d'Orléans. There were mostly Quebecois families in campers, but also a couple from France (hi You & me on the loose), and Audrey and Jo with their 4 children... and quite a few Belgians, including a nice family settled in Canada (thanks again Maïté and Kévin for your hospitality!) and another family traveling in a converted bus (My Tiny School). In short, beautiful, warm and inspiring encounters.

Montreal, we didn't stay long, just one night where we were hosted by one of our readers, a pro at couchsurfing. Not only did she prepare cozy beds for us, but she also went to the library and media library to borrow books and toys for Manoa! It's so generous, so kind... I was moved to tears! Pascale, if you're reading this: yet again, a huge thank you for your hospitality!

And that's a summary, in broad strokes, of our life between Maritime Quebec and the Laurentians.

After the cities of Quebec and Montreal, it's back to nature! Endless roads stretching as far as the eye can see, rolling landscapes adorned with stones and rocks. It's pure road trip bliss! From this nature trip, two places left a lasting impression on me. Two locations, but also, and especially, two very different nature experiences.

François has recently rediscovered a passion for climbing. This passion is shared by a friend who lives in Montreal, Laetitia (from the blog Clouzote). We promised each other we would meet again during this trip... it didn't take long for the idea of climbing together to emerge and become obvious.

We chose the Val-David Val-Morin Regional Park as our climbing destination. Well, I say 'we', but I wasn't part of the climbing team... I was more of the crawling team, with Manoa. François, Laetitia, and her partner packed their climbing gear, while I carried Manoa and some of his toys. We set off for a short walk in the woods before reaching the foot of the wall.

With the mosquito net set up (a wise precaution given the season!), François was gearing up while I settled down to play with my baby. I was hoping to see François climb: it was his first time climbing outdoors, and I had yet to see him climb. But that will be for next time: Manoa wanted to be held and fall asleep. So I put him in the baby carrier and walked on the little paths to our accommodation for the day, my baby snuggled up and asleep against me.

The three climbers returned early in the evening, tired yet happy from the experience, with a hint of frustration as well. They would have loved to do more!

Who has never dreamed of a cabin in the woods? As a child, it was undoubtedly one of my ultimate dreams... Instead of a cabin, I would climb trees and settle on their branches, my back leaning against the trunk, to read a book. Today, there's no need to scrape my knees to live that dream, unique accommodations are all the rage!

When I saw our round cabin at the bend in the path, a huge smile lit up my face, and that of Manoa as well! A small staircase leads us to our wooden yurt, our home for the moment. A lovely terrace equipped with a barbecue welcomes us at the top. Once the door was pushed open, it was the skylight in the center of the roof that immediately caught my eye. What a wonderful idea!

The interpretation center at the entrance of the site gave us a preview of the local wildlife, and the forest ranger on duty assured me of waking up to the sounds of birds and squirrels. Barely a few minutes after entering the forest, we heard a chorus of birds and saw a multitude of unshy squirrels. Charming neighbors!

And this park... what a beautiful park! I fell in love with the small spot by the dock and the bridge a little further on, which offers a splendid view of the lake. Such tranquility, what a wonderful view! And those reflections in the water, the perfect mirror of the serene blue sky and forest... I'm at a loss for words to convey the enjoyment, both so peaceful and so intense, of contemplating these places.

Next to me, François comments:

I don't know if these winged creatures feel it's their mission to compensate for the beauty of the places... but if that's the case, they take their mission extremely seriously! I must say we arrived at about the worst time of the year. During June, they multiply and are extremely voracious at all hours of the day and night. Once the peak at the end of June passes, apparently, the black flies are much more discreet and only appear at sunrise and sunset. As for the so-called house flies, which were in full territorial war with the mosquitoes, their large presence is not usual. It follows a caterpillar invasion that appeared the previous year... Regardless, step out covered and doused in insect repellent!

A superb hotel that overlooks the valley and offers breathtaking views of the region. A hotel that feels like a luxury vacation center, with its indoor and outdoor pools, terrace area for enjoying drinks in the sun, tennis courts... You can feel that the place is even more alive in winter. It must have a totally different vibe!

See this hotel on Booking and Agoda.

One of those comforting places where it's nice to settle down after a long day of travel, hiking, or climbing. Charming hospitality, a comfortable room, and the best part, their restaurant offers two vegan dishes. And not to mention our jacuzzi bathtub!

See this hotel on Agoda (not available on Booking).

It was at Eco Laurentides Park that we slept in the treehouse. The perched refuges are truly stunning, both for their concept and their location, by the shores of Lake Caribou (couldn't be more Canadian!).

And a positive note, the welcome building, which also serves as an interpretation center and sanitation facility, also offers a common room with board games and books for young and old. A lovely idea!

More information and reservations only on their site (no reservations on-site!).

Our missed rendezvous of this trip. We tried to go there twice. The first time, we found ourselves amidst the Ironman race at Mont-Tremblant! And the second time, the weather was awful. Not ideal for hiking in nature with a baby.

Compare and find a hotel in Mont-Tremblant on Booking and Agoda.

Indeed, with our departure from the Laurentians, we turn a beautiful page: that of Quebec! So many different adventures, diverse landscapes, exchanged smiles... From Gaspesie to Bas-Saint-Laurent, from the city and region of Quebec to that of Montreal passing through Île d'Orléans to finally reach the Laurentians... A province we love very much after our 3 trips, and where we will surely return again.

Our journey with the TARDIS continues: off to Ontario!

In partnership with Tourisme Laurentides and Destination Canada.