Finding the Most Charming Villages in the Eastern Townships, Québec

The Eastern Townships in Quebec is full of farmland, soft rolling hills, crystal-clear lakes and mountains. It’s a nature lovers’ paradise- perfect for outdoor and sports enthusiasts. Not to mention the wineries and fruit orchards delighting any foodie traveller. But, best of all, are the most charming villages, known as Les Coeurs Villageois. Coeurs in French means heart, and these villages definitely have that!

There are 13 designated Les Coeurs Villageois dotted throughout the Eastern Townships. To earn the special title of Les Coeurs Villageois they have to be incredibly welcoming to visitors. And, they do just that! They go out of their way to showcase the best of what they have to offer- from products to culture. Each one has something unique to offer to visitors. 

I visited 10 of the 13 Les Coeurs Villageois, as well as some other charming towns and villages in the Eastern Townships.

Let this be your guide to the best ones to visit and the top things to do while there. 

Where are the Eastern Townships in Quebec?

The 9 uniquely different regions of the Eastern Townships Quebec border Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine in the US. This entire area sits between Montreal and Quebec City. Eastern Townships to Montreal is just under an hour’s drive or 80 km northwest. Quebec City to Eastern Townships is just under 3 hour drive or 250 km northeast. Sherbrooke is the largest city in the Eastern Townships and a must-visit. 

RELATED READING | Check out our Guide to Old Town Montreal

Dunham

At the centre of Dunham is a heritage building dating back to 1865. The former coach inn has been restored into an artisan gallery and Dunham’s very own microbrewery. That, plus Dunham’s rich history and incredibly scenic views of the mountains make this a must-visit village. 

• Where to drink: Dunham microbrewery and the surrounding Eastern Townships wineries along the wine route like Vignoble du Ruisseau, Domaine Côtes d’Ardoise, The Orpailleur, Val Caudalies, and Clos Ste-Croix
• What to do: Visit the orchard – Domaine de Dunham – and pick your own fruit or stop in on their market shop
• Where to eat: L’Épicerie-Café Dunham 
• Facts about Dunham: Population: 3,525 | Settled in 1796 | Located in the Brome-Missisquoi region | Designated as a Les Coeurs Villageois 

TRAVEL TIP: Visit the lively and charming town of Bromont situated close to Dunham and Frelighsburg 

Frelighsburg

Nestled at the foot of Mount Pinnacle close to the Vermont border sits the lovely village of Frelighsburg. The roads that lead you there are sprinkled with apple orchards. But it will be the church steeple peaking out over the trees that leads you to the town’s main hub. Once there, it becomes obvious why it’s considered one of the most beautiful small towns in Québec.

• Where to eat: Café de Village, the once historic general store, is known for its specialty maple syrup pie or Beat & Betterave is part café and part cultural centre featuring local artists’ work
• What to do: visit the historic Grammar School built in 1856 now serving as the tourism office
• Where to shop: Oneka which features organic body care products
• Facts about Frelighsburg: Population 1,100 | Settled in 1790 | Located in Brome-Missisquoi region

Brome Lake

Lac-Brome or Brome Lake is where art and history meet. The town served as the inspiration for crime novelist Louise Penny’s famous village of Three Pines. With its deep historic roots, you will find many museums, self-guided historical trails and even an antique circuit. It’s also an area full of delicious eateries and gourmet shops. My favourite was Domenica – a little Italy Grocery shop. There’s no mistaking it, Brome Lake definitely deserves its Les Coeurs Villageois status. Don’t pass this one by.

• What to do: Head to Douglass beach or Brome Lake or visit a lavender farm at Joie de Lavande
• Where to eat: Le Relais Bistro, Bistro West Brome, Le Sapin or Quilliams
• Best village and hamlet to visit: Knowlton! It’s a pretty little village that is a must-see
• Where to drink: Leon Courville winery or La Knowlton Co. microbrewery
• Facts about Brome Lake: Population: 5,590 | Settled in 1792-1797 | Located in the Brome-Missisquoi region | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois 

Sutton

At the foot of Mont Sutton, sits a typical alpine village. Full of eateries and shops catering to all the outdoor enthusiasts who flock to this area. It’s a lively town, full of cyclists and hikers (in summer) and skiers (in winter). Sutton has a great selection of eateries and shopping for all your outdoor and sports gear.   

• Where to eat: Le Pleasant Hotel & Café, La Galette for their sweet or savoury crepes
• What to do: endless trails for cycling, mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing, plus downhill skiing at Mont Sutton 
• Where to drink: Auberge Sutton Brouërie, L’Abordage Microbrasserie, Vignoble de la Chapelle Ste-Agnes, Vignoble Domaine Bresee
• Facts about Sutton: Population: 4,000 | Settled in 1792 | Located in the Brome-Missisquoi region | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois 

Waterloo

At the crossroads of three bike trails – Estriade, Campagnarde and Montagnarde, Waterloo is one of the main cycling hubs in the Eastern Townships. Beyond cycling, the real highlight is Artria Park – an outdoor art gallery. Amongst the French-style gardens are large art sculptures from artists around the globe. With music piped into garden speakers and the backdrop of Lake Waterloo, this makes for a pleasant leisurely stroll for a couple of hours.

• What to do: Heritage trail with 40 historic and architectural buildings
• Where to drink: Robin – Bière Naturelle
• Facts about Waterloo: Population: 4,600 | Settled in 1793 | Located in the Granby region | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois 

TRAVEL TIP: a popular, yet far, Eastern Townships day trip is to Mégantic. Here you will experience some of the best hiking Eastern Townships has to offer. Also, take the Summit Drive which is one of the best Eastern Townships scenic drives reaching a mountain peak. 

Ayer’s Cliff

Ayer’s Cliff was named after Thomas Ayer who introduced the railway in 1799. The focal point of this village was the stagecoach inn that hosted American travellers passing through. Still to this day, the village has a constant flow of traffic. As a result, it’s not as quiet and quaint as the other coeurs villages but still does feature many beautiful heritage homes and the Stanstead County Agricultural Fair which is the oldest in Quebec.  

• What to Do: Tomifobia Nature Trail is a 19-km easy bike and foot path along Lake Massawippi or Ayer’s Cliff public beach 
  Where to eat: Café Folies, Le Riverain Restaurant at The Ripplecove Inn or Auberge Ayer’s Cliff
• Facts about Ayer’s Cliff: Population: 1,130 | Settled in 1815 | Located in the Memphremagog region | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois  

Eastman

Surrounding Eastman are such pretty views of Mont Orford and the four nearby lakes. It is also home to Théâtre de La Marjolaine, which introduced French summer theatre to Quebec, as well as, the literary event, Eastman Correspondences. Eastman is such a peaceful and tranquil place to visit, so it’s not surprising it made it on the Les Coeurs Villageois list. 

• Where to eat: Café Bistro Les Trois Graces, Restaurant du Spa Eastman, La Station, or Dora’s Artisanal Bakery
  What to do: Hiking and biking on the Heritage, Literary and Louise Portal trails; kayaking, fishing and ice fishing in the nearby rivers
  Where to shop: Savonnerie des Diligences
• Facts about Eastman: Population: 2,070 | Settled in 1888 | Located in the Memphremagog region | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois 

Austin

Austin is a bit unique in that it does not offer a lot in terms of eateries or cute shops, in fact, it only has one general store. Instead, it’s the views that make this place worth the visit. At the crossroads of Nicholas Austin and Millington, roads are the departure point for two scenic trails – a 4.7-km heritage tour and a 2-km pedestrian walkway leading to Saint-Benoît-du-Lac. 

Facts about Austin: Settled in 1793 | Population 1,500 | Located in the Memphremagog region

Saint-Benoît-du-Lac

Saint-Benoît-du-Lac is considered to be one of Quebec’s smallest municipalities and is often considered part of Austin. This entire area is to accommodate the Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey for Benedictine monks.

The Abbey is an impressive structure overlooking the western shore of Lake Memphremagog. It resembles a French chateau with its turrets, green copper roofs, and walls of stone. Sitting on a green hillside that slopes gently down to the water. Mount Owl’s Head, one of the three big mountains in the area, looms majestically in the distance. It’s a stunning setting. 

A boutique shop at the Abbey is open to the public. It offers products made at the Abbey, mainly cheeses, ciders, jams, and apple butter. Visit during the apple-picking season and you can join the monks in this annual ritual.  

North Hatley

North Hatley is oozing with charm with a historic village centre. This tiny town sits on the shores of Lake Massawippi with the mountains in the background. Many of the century-old homes have been turned into lovely inns and B&Bs, as well as, cute shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants. It’s no wonder this place is considered the vacation destination of all of the Eastern Townships.

• Where to stay (and dine): the Relais & Châteaux property of Manoir Hovey gained international attention when Condé Nast Traveler named it the top place to stay in Canada. Its restaurant, Le Hatley, is also a recommended place to dine for a special dinner
• What to do: stroll the boutique shops, and be sure to visit Galerie Jeannine Blais featuring all types of art worldwide. Beach lovers head to Pleasant View beach. Watch out for the North Hatley covered bridge on one of the sideroads outside of town
• Where to eat: Saveurs et Gourmandises
• Facts about North Hatley: Settled in 1897 | Population 700 | Located in the Memphremagog region

Stanstead

Stanstead is known for its architectural heritage due to the locally quarried Stanstead Grey Granite. This stone can be found in many of the buildings throughout this area, and is often referred to as the “Granite Capital of Canada.” Another unique part of visiting Stanstead the main street extends to the US border. CANUSA Street is divided down the middle by an international border. The Haskell Opera House is divided down the middle where the audience sits in the US, while the artists perform on the stage in Canada.

• What to do: Visit the Stone Circle, Colby-Curtis museum, Ye Olde Blacksmith or Le Vieux Forgeron art galleries 
• Where to eat: Café-bistro at the Auberge Le Sunshine
• Facts about Stanstead: Population: 2,790 | Settled in 1789 | Located in the Memphremagog region

Masonville

The main attraction in Masonville is its historic round barn from 1912. There are only a handful of round barns still standing in the Eastern Townships, and this is considered the one to see. Due to the hilly roads near Masonville, this is a cyclist’s paradise. Many stop in on the village as they make their way either to or from Owl’s Nest – a popular area for skiing and golf. 

• What to do: Visit Owl’s Head for alpine skiing, hiking and golf course. Watch out for the Pont de la Frontière, the covered bridge near Potton. Although not in use anymore, and there is a road built adjacent, it’s still worth a visit
• Facts about Masonville: Population: 1,820 | Settled in 1792 | Located in the Memphremagog region | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois 

Coaticook

One of the biggest attractions to Coaticook is Parc de la Gorge. Go here and you can walk across the highest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. It offers amazing views of the gorge below. Contained in the same park is Foresta Lumina, a multimedia nighttime experience along Coaticook’s Canyon. 

• Where to eat: Laiterie de Coaticook where for 75 years they have been known for making its delicious ice cream and cheeses
• What to do: ride the 15 km of bike trails winding along the river offering many scenic spots to stop
• Where to drink: Microbrasserie de Coaticook, Microbrasserie Hop Station
• Facts about Coaticook: Population: 8,900 | Settled in 1820 | Located in the region of Coaticook River Valley | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois 

Cookshire-Eaton

Cookshire-Eaton’ main attraction is Parc des Braves where an arrangement of standing stones, the same found in Scotland. The legend is that they were believed to track the passages of the moon. Try and find the four bell towers, 3 of them are churches and one of them is in Parc des Braves. Next, take the trail along the lovely Eaton River that leads you to the 1868 John Cook-covered bridge.

• What to do: Visit the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery 
• Where to eat & drink:  Brasserie 11 Comtes
• Facts about Cookshire-Eaton: Population: 5,430 | Settled in 1795 | Located in the Haut-Saint-François region | Designated as Les Coeurs Villageois 

READ MORE: Your Guide to the Regions in Eastern Townships

Where to Stay in the Eastern Townships

You might be asking yourself what place makes a good home base to explore all of these villages? My recommendation is a tiny village in the Memphremagog region called Bolton-Est. It’s central to almost all of the 9 regions in the Eastern Townships making it very accessible to enjoy the must-visit places listed above. And, why not stay in a cantilevered house in the mountains? Check out this architectural gem, the Bolton-Est house, staying here is a definite highlight of our trip. 

As a holidaymaker…

Although the Eastern Townships is the place to be for serious skiers in the winter, come summer boating, swimming, golfing, hiking, and biking take over. Yet, for me, it’s the charming villages or Les Coeurs Villageois that drew me to this area. There’s nothing better than day-tripping to some cute villages. All with the backdrop of the natural countryside, mountains and lakes. And, the most scenic drive to get from one charming village to the next. No matter the season, the Eastern Townships is so beautiful and definitely one of the top places to visit in Quebec.