About a month ago, my husband and I were invited to spend a couple of days at Auberge du Lac Taureau, and to enjoy a horse carriage ride with their exclusive partner, Écurie aux Deux Tilleuls… A wonderful retreat in the heart of the Quebec province.

Écurie Aux Deux Tilleuls :

Our first stop was Écurie Aux Deux Tilleuls , a riding center about 45min North of Montreal offering trail rides and horse carriage/sleigh rides. Nathalie, the owner, and her partner Israël, received us with a warm welcome.

Our morning sleigh ride took us through the beautiful woods and paths bordered with numerous autumn coloured trees- a stunning scenery that would leave anyone sensitive to Nature and its beauty speechless. The horses were experienced and well-tempered. We learned that there are several Percheron stud farms in the region, as their powerful trait and kind temper, as well as their ability to withstand the extreme temperatures makes them a popular choice of breed.

For about 45min we wandered in the countryside until we arrived in a little cabin in the middle of the woods. This small cabin holds enough place for an oven, a small cooking area and a table for 2! As if the ride wasn’t amazing enough, we were welcomed with a delicious glass of (French!) white wine and a succulent meal and local delicacies. From a delicious ‘fèves au lard’ (baked beans) to a vegetable soup and oven baked apple with maple syrup- we experienced and loved the generosity of Quebecois hospitality. We finished our dessert by the bonfire that was set outside of the little cabin. With the crisp air and delicate sun rays caressing our skin, this moment following our delicious lunch felt blissful and relaxing. On the way back, we enjoyed taking our glasses of wine with us while the horses took us back to the farm. A wonderful and romantic moment.

Auberge du Lac Taureau:

Following our ride, we rested for a bit before taking the road up to the Auberge Du Lac Taureau, a charming 4-star hotel located on the beautiful lake Taureau, a couple of hours North of Montreal, in the middle of Quebec countryside. The view and weather were wonderful when we arrived, and we had the chance to go for a nice walk around the 23km path belonging to the property of Auberge du Lac Taureau.

The gastronomy was incredible. In the evening, we were served a 5-course meal with a delicious bottle of French wine (seriously, what more do you need in life?)

The next day, the weather took a turn for the worse and we woke up in a cold, snowy countryside: a picturesque Canadian winter scene. My husband, as always, coming up with the best ideas and taking part in the silliest bets- decided it would be fun to go for a swim in the freezing lake. So of course, off he went while I couldn’t stop myself from laughing as I saw his deep regret with every step he took barefoot towards the lake.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to take advantage of the spa and indoor swimming pool, which looked really appealing, as we had to catch our flight back to Toronto in the afternoon.

We had a wonderful time at Auberge du Lac Taureau and I would absolutely recommend staying there for few days if you are looking for a relaxing or romantic getaway. The number of outdoors activities available, including horseback riding during the warmer days, make it an ideal destination both relaxing and adventurous excursions. Other activities available include snowmobiling, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing!

Useful Tips For Quebec:

Cover up! Unless you are going there during the summer months, chances are the weather will be very cold and the temperatures can reach extreme lows. Make sure to bring proper boots and warm clothing.
Seasonal Trail Rides: The trail rides with Écurie Aux 2 Tilleuls are limited to the weather conditions and are only offered during summer and spring. However, you can enjoy a carriage or sleigh-ride all year round.
Transport: Make sure to rent a car when planning your trip! It may seem obvious to people living in North America, but compared to most places in Europe, traveling around Canada requires you to have a car. Logically, the country is so big and the population can be quite low in some areas, it would be hard to justify building railroad tracks everywhere. As such, the Écurie Aux Deux Tilleuls and Auberge du Lac Taureau are not accessible by public transport.

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