We awoke to a beautiful, calm morning. Coffee/tea and then off to see the area...
We walked past the cheese shop and the cute downtown (that today, was filled with motorcycles) and on to the hiking trail that would take us to the Parks Canada managed Papineau Manor. This area is famous (at least in this part of Canada) for the original man who settled here after he was given a large piece of land in 1801: Joseph Papineau. The area is known as the “Petite Nation” and was the homeland to many First Nation Native American peoples from the Algonquin tribes (colonists were always giving away land they didn't really own). A few years later Mr. Papineau bought an additional large amount of land and created a vast estate. Eventually Joseph’s son Louis-Joseph built a manor home on the property and the area around was settled by immigrants from France.
The Papineau Manor house in the French Style. |
In 1930 the Chateau
Montebello was opened as a resort getaway for the well to do from Montreal. Today the Chateau Montebello is a Fairmont Hotel resort complete with marina and is claimed to be the largest log structure in the
world. It is quite something...
Massive central hall and fireplace |
The pictures don’t do it justice. The property is situated on a public park (or parc - we are still in Quebec) and we were able to walk around the whole building. There is a big marina (we didn’t stay there as you have to book a room to leave your boat there), a large pool (very busy on this warm Saturday), a mini-golf course, horseback riding, bike rentals and even a wedding venue (as we passed they were getting ready for a ceremony). We found a door to sneak in to in order to see the inside. The main hall was amazing with a massive 100 high foot fireplace. It was cool on this hot summer day, but we could imagine a blazing fire and a nice cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day.
After our strenuous walk around the chateau we stopped for lunch at the local brewpub. We had escargots and a bison burger! As one does in a brewpub!
The restaurant was called “Café Zouk” but they there were these signs all over…Rickards!! |
After a great lunch we needed to get back to the boat for our normal afternoon activity…napping. On the way we stopped at the old train station that is now the most wonderful chocolate factory and shop….
This picture doesn’t do justice to the wonderful Chocolate shop/factory/museum, but you can imagine… |
Finally back at the boat we decided it was too late for a nap and we broke open a new puzzle. The local boaters were quite taken with our Florida registration, and stopped often to talk about the Loop.
As the sun went down there was the distinct smell/feel of fall in the air-there was a bit of a chill + wood-smoke. Plus, of course, the Styx Tribute Band playing nearby-the final summer hurrah of Montebello. They weren’t bad! We had forgotten how many great songs Styx has.
After dark the stars were amazing. Too bad the Persiedes aren’t happening right now, and the rumored Aurora Borealis is still a couple of days away.
Good night, Montebello. We won’t miss this marina-it’s pretty exposed and so the passing weekend boat traffic has made it pretty bouncy.
Looking at the great hall and all those wood beams...what it must be like on dusting day! :)
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