North Hatley is located in a corner of Quebec Province known as The Eastern Townships (Cantons de l’Est) which rubs up against the borders of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Starting about 50 miles east of busy Montreal this area is a quiet area of mountains, green forests, vineyards and picturesque villages. Well, quiet if you don’t count the tourists and visitors from Montreal looking to get away from it all and relax.
The village North Hatley, 83 miles east of Montreal, is like something that might have jumped out of a Rick Steves’ dream for its quaint colorful charm. Cora and I took the side trip to North Hatley on our way to Quebec City. Located on Lake Massawippi, North Hatley’s population is listed as 750 but on any given day that number fluctuates much higher if you throw in the tourists.
On our way to North Hatley we stopped at a winery, Le Cap d’ Argent that was recommended by Fodors. We took away a dessert wine called The Archer, a blend of red wine, brandy and maple syrup, because what’s Canada without maple syrup.
Below, two views of the vineyard of Le Cap d’ Argent.
It was, like all of our days in Quebec, Province, hot and sultry. We had a leisurely al fresco lunch at a corner cafe, strolled the streets and window shopped before heading for Quebec City.
The little village, aware of its charm dresses up for the part with vibrant bouquets of flowers splashing the town with color.
Nice photos, lovely colours.
Thank you so much!
Gorgeous!
Thank you and thank you so much for visiting!
Great photos, Paulie. We spent a night in this pretty little town a few years back. It’s a lovely setting next to the water.
Thank you Eliza. I had a notion about spending a night before going on to Quebec City. I also had a notion of spending some time east of Quebec City. Not enough time and money. Well, mostly not enough money.
Oh gosh, how quaint is the locale?! And you captured the essence of this beautiful place through your lens. Thank you for sharing Paul!
Kyung
Thank you so much for the kind words. The whole Eastern Township area is dotted with similar villages and with vineyards. As often happens time and money precluded an overnight.
And thank you so much for following.
Hi Paul, I’m travelling vicariously through you in my own country. I’ve never even heard of North Hatley, let alone visited it. Your photos paint a picturesque community.
When this awful pandemic is over, you and Cora need to come and visit Toronto. You will have a place to stay. Niagara on the Lake (NOTL) is a region of Ontario known for wines, particularly ice wines. I don’t like them, but you might. They are very sweet and meant as a dessert wine. North Hatley reminds me of NOTL from your pictures.
It’s a lovely part of the country.
eden
The whole Eastern Townships area is beautiful. A little reminiscent of our Napa Valley though more spread out and with a lot less annoying traffic. I’d thought of spending one night in the North Hatley area but one usually has to trim something out of the itinerary.
I’m looking at reviving our abbreviated trip starting back up in Maine and then heading west through NH, Vermont and upstate NY. I’m sure Cora would love to see Niagara Falls.
My taste in wines usually runs towards the bold reds, especially Zinfandel (NOT to be confused with White Zinfandel).
Thanks for taking a tour through my posts. I’ve not stopped cringing though 😧
No need to cringe, seriously. I have yet to read anything poorly written. 🙂