famille à l’Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Lac-Bouchette
Photo credit: Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Lac-Bouchette

6 contemplative activities to make the most of fall

Planning a day out with your family, your sweetheart or your friends? Look to the members of Divine Quebec for a surprising variety of activities you’ll love! Choose from hiking, apple-picking, discovering heritage, tasting locally made delights and more. Here are a few suggestions!

01 Discover the experience
01

Discover the experience

Hike along the trails at the Val Notre-Dame Abbey
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In Lanaudière, the Val Notre-Dame Abbey offers 15 km of trails suitable for all pedestrians, and you can even bring along your faithful canine companion. Admire fall foliage along the trail that takes you directly to the summit, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the region. After your walk, stop off at the store to stock up on artisanal products.

Go apple-picking at the Saint-Benoit-du-Lac Abbey
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The Abbey’s orchards boast about 3,500 apple trees and are open every weekend starting after Labour Day until Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect place to go with the whole family and pick a wide variety of apples in a splendid environment. Apples from the orchards are also used to make products that can be purchased from the Abbey’s magnificent store.

Travel back in time on a riverside road trip
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Take a unique journey through the history and heritage of Montreal’s South Shore. The St. Lawrence River Shrines form a structured tour that takes you through Châteauguay, Kahnawake, La Prairie, Longueuil, Boucherville and Varennes to discover priceless treasures. Be inspired by these cultural and spiritual gems and the stories around them that are told through architecture, visual arts, pilgrimages and traditions.

Bring the family to a peaceful site out in nature
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The Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Lac-Bouchette is a welcoming, modern spiritual oasis in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region and invites you to explore the free, easily accessible Flâneur (the “stroller”) hiking trail. This 7 km trail is divided into shorter loops for you to choose from. You’ll appreciate the beauty and purity of the magnificent natural surroundings and the birds singing around the hermitage.

Visit a National Historic Site of Canada in Old Québec
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As you visit the UNESCO-listed Old Québec, step inside the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, a National Historic Site. Open year-round, the basilica stands out for its remarkable architecture and grand interior. Take a break from the crisp fall air and discover the tomb of Saint François de Laval, the famous Holy Door and the impressive reliquary of Canada’s saints and blesseds.

Enjoy a peaceful stay at the Centre de spiritualité des Ursulines
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The Centre de spiritualité des Ursulines welcomes you for a day visit or a longer stay! While in Québec City, take time to visit the chapel and admire its works of art, stroll through the beautiful gardens or marvel at the nearby Kabir Kouba Falls. Want to extend your getaway? Several accommodation packages let you stay on-site while exploring the must-see attractions in downtown Québec City.

Photo credit: Saint-Benoit-du-Lac Abbey
Photo credit: Val Notre-Dame Abbey
Intérieur d'une chambre au Centre de spiritualité des Ursulines.
Photo credit: Centre de spiritualité des Ursulines