SWIM: You have access to the lake any time you like. It is just a five-minute walk down the road. In keeping with Quebec environmental legislation, it’s more of a natural beach now, and not maintained like a manicured beach. Motorboats are not permitted on the lake, so it’s quiet and clean.
WALK: You can walk around the small lake (Lac Valdemar). It is about a one-kilometre walk. A little hilly in parts.
FOOD AND DRINK: On your way in, you probably noticed the depanneur at the fork in the road after you left the village of Brownsburg. This store is open days, evenings and weekends and also has beer, wine, food and movie rentals. Just give your cellular phone # for movie rentals.
Our favourite chipstand: At the four corners in Brownsburg, turn east as if to go to Lachute and one short block from the main intersection just past the grocery store parking lot, on the left-hand side is a small restaurant. This is a busy place in the summertime! (If you continue on this road, it is only 6 kilometres to Lachute.)
Chocolaterie L’Éveil du Printemps: Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
170, rue Principale, Brownsburg-Chatham QC J8G 2Z7 | 450-533-4034
Chocolate! And maple products.
Le Faimfino Restaurant – Good Food!
338 des Erables, Brownsburg-Chatham | 450-407-0708
ABOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN Lachute and Brownsburg, there is a FABULOUS produce stand with terrific local produce and really fresh berries, fruit, etc. His strawberries are fresh and tasty right into August . . . a family-run operation.
In Lachute: Lots of restaurants. Many outdoor terrasses along Main Street. Lots of live music on Thursday-Friday-Saturday.
A FANTASTIC Ice Cream place — with home-made gelato. Try the pistachio gelato. VERY good.
119 Avenue Bethany, Lachute |514-758-8581
For ice cream, Lowe’s is a must-see. Dozens of flavours. Ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, sorbet, soft ice cream. Special cones.
726 Main Street in Lachute.
There is free wi-fi all along Lachute’s Main Street during the summer. Bring your laptop and sit at any outdoor café or bistro and take advantage of it!
EVERY TUESDAY: Don’t miss the Lachute Fleamarket, which has been growing and growing for decades. From antiques to clothing, from new items to used items. Food, fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, etc. it’s all here. Believe it or not, antique dealers are there at 2 a.m. to look over the goods. But it’s even worse than that: vendors are there THE EVENING BEFORE to get their preferred spot. By 10 p.m., organizers are turning people away. Wear a hat, bring cash and carrying bags for what you buy. Only one real food concession on-site, offering hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. and there are always line-ups. There is one vendor in the produce section who sells different kinds of sausages on a bun. Bring a few cold drinks with you. You won’t want to spend time in long line-ups.
DURING THE SUMMER: There is a Farmers’ Market right in downtown Brownsburg every Saturday morning, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh produce, pastries, honey, etc. and more!
ANTIQUES: Still in Brownsburg, if you turn left at the main intersection and continue as if you are heading to Lachute, watch on the right for our favourite brocanteur. Michel Desjardins finds new uses for old treasures and always has something different in his shop. This is an antique shop with a difference: items are NOT overpriced. It’s always fun to see what Michel is working on.
Antiquites ER Lachute, 84, ave de la Providence, Lachute, QC. (The road from Brownsburg becomes this street. Watch for this shop on the left-hand side, right across from the Dairy Queen.)
There is so much to see in this two-storey location. Lots of china, dishes, glassware, fine antiques. Usually a sale going on, so prices are reasonable. The owner knows his stuff.
CYCLING: www.routeverte.com See where the Route Verte cycling trail passes through the Laurentides region. /www.routeverte.com/rv/index2010_e.php?code=laurentides
RIDING:
Ranch Robert – Western riding on picturesque trails through woods and fields of wildflowers. Sleigh rides in winter.
74 Fuller, Brownsburg-Chatham | 450-562-9869 | www.ranchrobert.com
La Cle des Champs Equestrian Centre – Isabelle and Yves. Open all year. Trail rides start at $20.
564 route 148, Brownsburg-Chatham, QC | 819-242-4536 | www.clefdeschamps.ca
AREA ATTRACTIONS:
LE TROUPEAU BÉNIT: Greek Orthodox monastery open year-round
Located at 837 chemin de la Carrière, Brownsburg | 450-533-4313
From the cottage, drive into Brownsburg, and turn right (west) at the main corner, onto chemin de la Carrière. Drive straight on that road until you come to the Greek Orthodox Monastery, where you can buy: wonderful sheep’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses, Greek main dishes (pastichio), eggs, yogurt, feta cheese, organic lamb, beef and pork shish-kebabs, jams, jellies, natural soaps and lotions and religious icons ALL made right on the premises by the sisters. You will not believe this industrious and organized cottage industry just minutes from Brownsburg. You can walk around the grounds, too. Be advised that the rules require that women wear a skirt; if you don’t have one, they will provide you with a loose-fitting skirt while you are there.
TAM BAO – THE GREAT PINES MONASTERY: www.tambaoson.com
The whole of the grounds of this monastery, 337 hectares, is located inHarrington Township since September 1988. Enjoy a peaceful walk around the beautiful grounds.
690 Chemin De La Rivière Rouge Canton D’Harrington
Tel: (819) 687-2183 / (514) 733- 3841
VIN DE CASSIS (WINERY — BLACK CURRANTS): www.cassisargenteuil.com
Carole Valiquette et Paul Hébert invite you to stop and taste their products. There is usually a white tent set up alongside the road during tourist season.
210, route des Seigneurs, St-André-d’Argenteuil J0V 1X0 | 450.562.0897 | Find out more here: www.reviewbizlist.com/listing/print.php?id=405
From Lachute, turn south off Main Street. You will see the sign indicating St-André d’Argenteuil. A nice drive. Historic homes in the village. The winery is not far from Lachute, but it is a nice drive if you want to continue on to St-André d’Argenteuil. Picnic in the park by the river.
ST-SAUVEUR:
Shop at the outlets in St-Sauveur, dine in one of the dozens of great restaurants while you are there and don’t miss a trip to Bourassa — a grocery store that is set up for restaurants, but you can shop there, too. Great prices, lots of fresh produce and get this: a whole walk-in refrigerated room full of CHEESES. They give you an insulated coat to wear if you choose to go in. There is also the Parc lin�are, which is a cycling/hiking trail in the Upper Laurentians. You can rent a bicycle, or plan a picnic at Parc de la rivi�re Doncaster near Ste-Adèle.
EVENT CALENDAR FOR THE REGION:
Visit www.thereview.ca and see the event calendar to find out more about events taking place in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.
The region: www.argenteuil.qc.ca
Municipality of Brownsburg-Chatham: www.brownsburgchatham.ca (This is where we are.)
City of Lachute: www.lachute.qc.ca
St-Andre-d’Argenteuil: www.saintandredargenteuil.ca