COSY INN SETS UP SHOP IN 1870s GENERAL STORE
Auberge brings couple's `eco-vision' to life at gathering place near Mont-ste-anne
Located about 45 minutes northeast of Quebec City, St-Ferréolles-Neiges was settled around 1730 as a farming community. It's been relatively quiet since.
A dynamic couple, Patrice Drouin and Lisa Linton, are picking up St-fe's pace with the new country inn Auberge & Campagne and a handful of activities that have captivated both tourists and locals.
Built in 1870 and carefully restored recently, the Auberge was originally the town's first school and later its general store. It's a heritage building set on a hill with views of the church, the towering massif of Mont-steanne and picturesque valleys, forests and mountains.
As the name of the town implies, this is a white winter wonderland, where snowbanks pile up as high as rooftops and the boughs of fir trees hang low from the weight of a recent storm. Local focus: The folksy nineroom Auberge is only part of a tiny kingdom of back-to-the-land enterprises.
Drouin and Linton also operate Chez Pat Ski Vélo Apéro, an intimate après-sports bar that specializes in Quebec bites and beverages; Cheval & Campagne, a stable for trail riding, breeding and rescue horses; and Ferme des Neiges, where children can help with the potato harvest, learn horsemanship and visit pigs, goats and chickens, all raised organically.
Drouin and Linton are inveterate multi-taskers. Drouin was the founder of Gestev, a company that orchestrates major events (and is now owned by Québecor). In summer, Linton is a trail-riding guide, and she recently published her third book, A Bite of Life, featuring stories about friends and food. Her first, The Cabin, would fit right in with Netflix's Nordic noir mystery series.
“The farm and our use of regional products are part of our eco-vision,” said Linton, who was born in Sweden. “We are also very focused on our community, and we are proud that our inn has already become a gathering place.”
The local theme runs throughout the Auberge. The works of regional artists are displayed, including photographers Manon Dumas, Matt Charland and Frédéric Bouchard, as well as painters Barbara Bergeron and Roxanne Vermette.
The great outdoors and sports are at the heart of life here. One corner of the inn shows off the new-technology backcountry skis crafted by the company Ferreol, which has been featured on the CBC show Dragons' Den. The Auberge: “The Auberge is `lagom,' ” said Linton. “That's Swedish for `not too fancy, not too rustic — just cosy, warm and comfortably in the middle.' “
The centrepiece is the salon, where pine rocking chairs and vintage velvet loveseats are set around a fireplace. The nine rooms have double, queen or king beds for between two and four adults or children. Some have patchwork quilts and four-poster beds, and they all have pre-loved country furniture and portraits of Linton's favourite horses.
Guests can also cocoon in a fully furnished apartment with a private entrance; a chalet, which has a view of the horses in their corral; and the Bunker, a refurbished military cabin in the forest with bunk beds for three. Food and drink: Linton's Swedish-style breakfast features Nespresso coffee, fruit, muesli, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, cheese and ham, as well as homemade croissants with fig jam and Swedish cinnamon rolls. The honey comes from her beehives.
Chez Pat, Drouin's café-bar, serves beer from Microbrasserie des Beaux Prés in Ste-annede-beaupré and gin from the Menaud distillery in Charlevoix. There are also gourmandises such as brie from Portneuf, goose foie gras from La Ferme Québec-Oies in St-Tite-des-Caps and organic, gluten-free sausage from Viandes Bio de Charlevoix.
The region: The Beaupré coast of the St. Lawrence River is known for superlative downhill and cross-country skiing and fat-biking at Mont-ste-anne, snowshoeing or walking along the Mestachibo Trail, dogsledding at Les Secrets Nordiques and wellness at Spa des Neiges. (The Auberge rents fat bikes.)
In summer, Mont-ste-anne transitions to thrills like paragliding and mountain biking, as well as hiking and golf. Intrepid adventurers can tackle Canyon Ste-anne's cliff rappelling, suspension bridges and zip-lining high over a rocky gorge of the Ste-anne River.