Romantic Eastern Townships Getaway: A Guide to the Cantons-de-l’Est

Planning a trip with someone special means more than just checking off places on a list of sights to see. It should be about discovering interesting places and sharing that time together in a relaxed manner. But if you think a “relaxed” getaway means that it’ll be a “boring” one, then it’s time to discover the perfect Eastern Townships romantic getaway.

Located about an hour east of Montreal, this region is known for its charming towns, mountains, and picturesque lakes. You know when people say a place has a little bit of everything? They’re talking about the Eastern Townships. It offers the kind of charm and beauty that helps its visitors unwind, but it also offers up a boatload of unique experiences that are anything but dull like taking a gondola to the top of a mountain for some epic views, relaxing in a river at the base of a waterfall, or spending a weekend in a charming small-town hotel.

We were there recently for our anniversary (I won’t say which one because then you’ll know I’m an old fart), and we compiled this guide to help you craft your own trip. It has everything we experienced, from culinary indulgences to unique spa treatments to light outdoor adventures, and more! We fell in love with this part of Quebec, and we think you might too.

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Spa Bolton: A Must-Visit for the “Brave” Couple

If your idea of a spa day is a plush robe and a quiet, lazy day, Spa Bolton is going to be a shock to your system, and I mean that literally. Tucked into the forest on the banks of the Missisquoi River, this is the spot that defines the “authentic” Cantons-de-l’Est experience. It’s rugged, it’s beautiful, and it’s the one place every couple should visit if they’re heading to the Eastern Townships.

The big draw here isn’t just a sauna; it’s the riverside thermal circuit. You follow a specific cycle: ten minutes in a steam room to open up the pores (the eucalyptus-scented one is a game-changer), followed by a mandatory plunge into a cold pool or, if you’re feeling bold, the actual river at the base of a waterfall.

Why It Works for Couples:

The Shared “Shock”: I’ll be honest, that first cold plunge is intense. As soon as I hit the Missisquoi, that famous “Shrinkage” scene from Seinfeld started playing on a loop in my head. It’s a shared adrenaline rush that you’ll be laughing about for the rest of the trip.

After the cold, you make your way over to the wood-heated relaxation yurt. Sinking into an anti-gravity chair there is a dangerous game as I was out like a light. My wife later mentioned my snoring might have disturbed the peace once or twice, but that’s just a sign of a successful afternoon.

True Transformation: I watched my wife go from “fidgety and stressed” to “completely melted into the chair” in about three rounds. By the time we left, the transformation was total.

Don’t just stick to the indoor pools. The real magic of a romantic getaway in the Eastern Townships is found in the riverside hammocks. They are big enough for two and let you just drift off to the sound of the waterfall.

If you want a memory that sticks, and a way to actually force your brain to shut off, this is the stop.

Hot tip: The Spa Bolton offers massages, but they book up quickly, so make sure you reserve your spot well in advance.

Romantic Restaurants You Cant Miss In The Eastern Townships

Culinary experiences are very important to us and there were no shortages of Eastern Townships restaurants on our trip. From refined to casual, we got a chance to indulge in a wide range of flavours.

Cozy Dinner at La Selva (Bromont)

On our first night in the Eastern Townships we headed to La Selva, a local Italian restaurant known for their pizzas, pastas, and impressive wine list.

La Selva offers indoor and outdoor seating, but we chose their cozy dining room where each table was lit by candles and decorated with a small vase with fresh flowers.

The service was warm and welcoming, and the food was absolutely delicious. My wife opted for their spaghetti alla carbonara with lots of smoky bacon, while I devoured their tortiglioni al limone. The portions were generous, and the pasta was perfectly al dente in both dishes. My tortiglioni was served with a lemony cream sauce and was packed with shrimp. This was an intimate culinary journey, a perfect fit for a romantic evening.

Cheesy Lunch at La Shop (Magog)

Sometimes when you’re exploring a new destination all that’s needed is a good sandwich and an expertly made flat white, and we found them both in Magog.

At La Shop we found a casual and delicious lunch in a cozy, sunlight-filled space. They’re known for their grilled cheese sandwiches and exceptional espresso-based drinks, and they didn’t disappoint. I’m a sucker for duck, so I ordered their sandwich called “Le Petit Canard”, which was made with mozzarella cheese, duck rillettes, and caramelized onions, all topped with fresh microgreens from Jacob’s Garden, a local farm that specializes in microgreens. My wife, who loves bacon as much as I love duck, had “Le Club”, which was made with mozzarella, roasted chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and a savory pesto mayo.

It was tough to pick a winner between the two sandwiches but in the end I think my duck sandwich edged out the roasted chicken.

N’ Latté & Sam Witch (Bromont)

Another standout spot for us was N latté Bromont. This local cafe is known for making all of their baked goods in-house and customers will also find a marketplace where they can purchase drinks, wine, and grab-and-go items.

We started off with a couple of their smaller grab-and-go sandwiches, a scone, and of course, flat whites. These sandwiches are geared toward customers who are out for a walk or those on their way for an afternoon of mountain-biking or skiing as they’re easier to eat on the go.

I spent some time talking to Chef Julian Verville, who has been at the restaurant since May of 2025, about their new sandwich shop called Sam Witch. It operates out of the same kitchen as N latté. His new lineup of sandwiches are made from their house-made focaccia and are definitely nothing like their grab-and-go menu as they’re big, and they’re messy. All of the sauces for these sandwiches are made in-house, the sliced meats are made in nearby Sherbrooke on a weekly basis, all of the vegetables come from nearby farms, and their buffalo burrata is from The Laurentians.

We tried the Ciao Bella which was packed with deli meats, fresh vegetables, buffalo burrata, and just the right amount of house-made pesto and garlic aioli. It was exactly as Julian had described: Big, messy and so damn good!

Dinner at La Memphré (Magog)

Our time in the Eastern Townships was short but we made sure to enjoy every minute. One afternoon was spent exploring the lakeside city of Magog. We started with a cruise on the lake(more on that later) and ended with dinner at La Memphré, a microbrewery that has been a pillar of the local craft beer scene since 1999.

The brewmaster at La Memphre takes great care to source the best local ingredients for their unfiltered and unpasteurized beers. Their malt is grown in nearby Sherbrooke and most of their hops are from different regions of Quebec.

La Memphre is also known for their food program and the menu covers everything from shared plates to burgers to poutines to grilled items. We started off with their duck drumsticks, which were coated with a beer-based BBQ sauce. My wife decided on their fish and chips while I opted for their steak with a side of fries. We’re not big beer drinkers so I appreciated that each of their menu items had a beer suggestion alongside it.

The other big draw to La Memphre is their multi-level patio. While indoor seating is plentiful and comfortable, being outside on a warm summer day, enjoying a cold beer with that special someone, and taking in the breathtaking views of Lake Memphrémagog is just magical.

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Planning your meals? Check out my dive into the region’s food scene: What We Ate In The Eastern Townships.

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Scenic Views & Gentle Adventures Of The Eastern Townships

The Eastern Townships is known for its natural beauty, and we saw plenty of it on our trip.

Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac (Magog)

Part of the charm of the Eastern Townships is having the opportunity to explore historical local treasures like the Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac. In 1912 Benedictine monks fleeing persecution in France founded the monastery as a community for prayer and a quiet way of life.

Anyone who’s into history and design needs to pay a visit to the Abbey. Different styles of architecture are combined with geometric shapes and intricate brickwork to create a breathtaking masterpiece.

Of course the abbey offers historical significance to the region but it also offers a peaceful retreat for visitors. Group tours are offered but we really liked the self-guided audio tour. With this, we were able to explore at our own relaxed pace and still take in the key talking-points without being surrounded by a crowd. We also enjoyed exploring the quiet grounds and browsing their on-site shop for products like cheeses, jams, and ciders. It was the perfect stop that allowed us to reflect during a service and also experience a local treasure.

Gondola Ride to the Top of Bromont

Another highlight on our Eastern Townships romantic getaway, was taking the gondola to the top of the mountain at Bromont,montagne d’expériences. We got there on a very cloudy afternoon so we decided to explore a bit before hopping on the gondola to head up the mountain.

Guests can enjoy Bromont,montagne d’expériences all year round. There’s a waterpark for the warmer months and multiple mountain bike trails down the mountain for the more adventurous folks.

By the time we hopped onto the gondola, a lot of the clouds had thankfully lifted. At the top, we were able to see for miles with mountain range after mountain range going off in the distance.

The remaining low-hanging clouds gave the landscape a dreamy, moody feel that was breathtaking. Because of the weather, we basically had the mountaintop to ourselves. We found a bench on one of the lookout points and just sat there with each other, soaking up the peaceful vistas. It was the perfect moment that proved couples don’t need a packed itinerary to have epic experiences.

Finding A Little Bit Of Calm at Bleu Lavande 

Before heading out to the Eastern Townships, I looked for things to do in the region, and almost every article mentioned a visit to the lavender fields of Bleu Lavande.

We arrived about a week before peak lavender bloom, but thankfully enough of the bushes had started to fill up with the familiar purple flowers. If you want to avoid the crowds I suggest visiting on a weekday like we did. It was quiet and uncrowded and it allowed us to explore the fields at our leisure. As soon as we entered the fully accessible fields we were greeted by the lovely scent of lavender. I can only imagine how it smells during peak times.

The property is the backdrop to many photo-shoots, and as soon as you see the full expanse of the lavender fields you’ll understand why.

Bleu Lavande is also a place to come and simply relax. Chairs are situated throughout the property, and if you want to be even more relaxed, you can have a massage in a section of the property surrounded by lavender bushes. After taking a long walk through the fields, we grabbed a refreshing lavender lemonade on the patio before heading to the learning centre and on-site boutique to pick up some gifts to bring home.

Gourmet Cruise on Lake Memphremagog

One of the more relaxing moments we had on our trip was a gourmet cruise on Lake Memphremagog aboard Escapades Memphrémagog’s beautiful boat, Le Grand Cru.

Le Grand Cru is a big, comfortable watercraft with two floors of indoor and outdoor seating. It was another cloudy and cool day, so we were very happy when we were able to snag a booth with a huge window on the first floor.

Even though we were warm and comfy inside we couldn’t stay there and miss out on all of the spectacular views around Lake Memphremagog. Eventually we made our way to the outdoor viewing deck at the front of the boat. We stood there for a while with our arms around each other as we admired the spectacular views around the lake. To be honest, we were thankful for the clouds as it might have been quite warm up on the deck on a sunny day. It was a moment of pure relaxation.

Escapades Memphrémagog offers different types of cruises with different dining options. On our cruise we had a nice charcuterie platter with a variety of meats, cheeses, spreads, fruits, and breads and crackers. It wasn’t very big, but was perfect for two people when paired with a couple glasses of wine.

Beautiful views, delicious snacks, and the perfect company made this a delicious and intimate cruise.

Hôtel Château-Bromont: A Scenic Base Camp for Your Trip

Finding a place to stay that balances high-end amenities with actual mountain character is the tricky part of planning a Cantons-de-l’Est trip. For us, Hôtel Château-Bromont filled that gap. It doesn’t just sit in the town of Bromont, it leans right into the landscape, offering a panoramic view of the hills that makes the morning coffee taste significantly better.

The property works well as a central hub because it keeps you close to the action while feeling like a retreat. If you’re like us and coming from a place like Ontario where everything is flat, just looking out the window at the rising slopes is a reset in itself.

Our room definitely surprised us as it was huge! As we entered, we noticed the large windows that filled the room with sunlight as well as a comfortable looking king-sized bed, and tons of storage. The room also came with a coffee-maker, a small fridge, and a surprise bottle of sparkling wine. As we walked further into the room, we noticed that there was a spiral staircase leading up to a loft with a queen-sized bed, a TV, and even more storage. It gave the space an intimate yet expansive feel and was the perfect place to unwind and recharge.

What Makes Hotel Chateau Bromont a Reliable Choice:

• The “Chefs Créateurs” Connection: The on-site restaurant, 4 Canards, isn’t your standard hotel dining room. It’s part of the local movement that highlights regional game and seasonal produce. The view from the dining room, surrounded by windows, is easily one of the highlights of a multi-course meal there.

• The Terrace Experience: They have multiple outdoor hot tubs and an “island” pool area. Sitting in a steaming tub while the air is crisp and the sun is dipping behind the Bromont peaks is a core memory from our visit.

• Proximity to the Slopes: Even if you aren’t there to ski, being at the base of the mountain means you have easy access to the gondola for a sunset ride.

Expert Strategy:

If you value quiet, try to snag a room with a direct mountain view. There’s something specifically peaceful about watching the lights of the groomers or the mist on the hills before you head out for the day.

For a couple looking to park the car and have everything from a thermal spa (L’Amérispa is right on site) to high-end dining within walking distance of their bed, this is a practical and atmospheric home base.

Dinner at 4 Canards

We had our final dinner in the Eastern Townships at 4 Canards, the in-house restaurant at the Hôtel Château-Bromont. Their dining room is very spacious and surrounded by large windows providing lovely views of the property and surrounding countryside.

We started with cocktails and I had a very good dirty martini that was so good I ordered a second immediately after (perks of dining in the same hotel you’re staying at!). Being a fan of foie gras my wife chose the foie gras torchon, which came with a blueberry compote, sea salt, and mini brioche for her starter, and I opted for the tuna tataki. Both were delicious but the foie gras edged out the tuna. The combination of the foie gras, compote, and sea salt on brioche made for a very delicious bite.

Our server recommended the herb-crusted lamb for our mains. Normal people would choose two different dishes but we love lamb so we both chose it, and weren’t disappointed at all. It was cooked perfectly. After such a meal we were too full for individual desserts so we shared a panna cotta and a coffee.

Dinner at 4 Canards was very good and highly recommended. The atmosphere was warm and romantic, service was very attentive, and food was delicious. If I had one critique, it would be that the room could get very noisy. There were two large tables with some very loud people. The noise echoed throughout the room making it difficult to hear each other and killing some of the romantic vibes. In spite of this, it was a fantastic meal.

The Verdict: Is a Cantons-de-l’Est Trip Actually Worth the Drive?

I’ll be honest: when you’re five hours into a highway haul from Ontario, you start to wonder if any “romantic getaway” can actually live up to the drive. But once you cross into the Cantons-de-l’Est, the landscape lifts the fatigue and you experience a special kind of quiet that you just don’t get in the city.

The Eastern Townships (as us Anglophones usually call them) aren’t trying too hard. It’s not a polished, corporate version of romance. It’s raw, chilly in the winter, and surprisingly authentic. Whether you’re shaking off the “Seinfeld shrinkage” after a dip in the Missisquoi River or watching the mist roll off the hills from the terrace at Château-Bromont, the region forces you to actually slow down.

A Few Final Realities:

Language: While the area is very bilingual, learning a few French phrases goes a long way. It’s the Cantons-de-l’Est, after all so respecting the local vibe makes for a much smoother trip.

Planning: Don’t just wing it. This region gets very busy during the summer and winter seasons. If you want that quiet corner table or that deep tissue massage, book it before you leave your driveway.

The Food Factor: You can have the most scenic room in the world, but if the food is bad, the trip is a bust. We found some standout spots that really saved the weekend.

My Final Take: If you’re looking for a “no-fluff” reset where the views are real and the thermal spas actually work, this pocket of Quebec is a solid bet. If you’re coming in the colder months Just make sure your winter tires are on and your stomach is empty when you arrive.

Planning Your Own Eastern Townships Romantic Getaway

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your own trip to the Eastern Townships:

• Best Time to Visit: While we were there in the summer I think visiting during spring or fall shoulder seasons would be the best time to visit. Crowds are normally lighter, and the weather is very comfortable while you’re out exploring. You might even be lucky enough to find some cheaper accommodations.
• Booking is Essential: I mentioned it before but I think it needs to be repeated. The Eastern Townships is a very popular destination, so planning ahead is essential. Popular attractions and experiences may fill up during the busy summer season so you should book well in advance to avoid disappointment. We missed out on a couples massage at Spa Bolton because we didn’t book ahead.
• Transportation: A car is definitely essential for getting around in the Eastern Townships. Towns and attractions are spread out, and public transportation is very limited.
• A Simpler Approach: The Eastern Townships is approximately 35,000 sq km, so there’s no way you’re seeing and experiencing everything in one visit. Plan out a few key places to see and things to do.

               

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Huge thanks to Tourism Eastern Townships for hosting me on this trip. I was NOT compensated for this article and all opinions expressed are completely my own.