Montérégie is a region of gourmet roads, dotted with orchards, vineyards and agritourism boutiques. It is also a vast playground for families, with several must-see attractions and activities. Looking for a last-minute summer getaway? Head to Montérégie!
Mont-Saint-Grégoire: bouncing in the sky
Where to go? We go to the foot of Mont-Saint-Grégoire, to discover the attraction of the hour, the brand new Uplå amusement park (we reserve our places in advance).
Unique in its kind, the aerial course, created by the Arbraska company, is made up of 7 trampolines (including two stacked), suspended corridors and slides. A second course is that of the Village in the trees, with its 7 small houses.
We loved our experience, young and old! The Uplå universe is even more impressive than I had imagined. What we like: there is no fixed route. We go where we want and the children can discover gravity and their motor skills by themselves.
Quartier Dix30: the magical world of Bfly
Another magical universe is that of Bfly . It is one of my daughter's favorites, who is amazed every time by the butterfly aviary. Located in the Dix30, the amusement park includes different indoor courses (climbing, mirror maze, tree to tree, etc.) at the height of children, in a fun and playful setting. The only downside: the entry price for all the adventures is not within the reach of large families.
Raining? There are plenty of indoor activities for families in Quartier Dix30. Depending on the age and interest of the children, you can also learn to surf the indoor wave at Oasis Surf (my son's favorite).
We sleep on site at the Escad hotel ; the studio rooms with kitchenette comfortably accommodate families, in addition to being in the heart of a dynamic district with a range of shops.
Parc Safari: much more than a zoo
You need to take at least a full day to tour the Safari Park , which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! My advice: do the Safari Adventure in the morning, aboard the electric bush trucks. The animals are wide awake and it is less crowded. In the afternoon, we visit the park and linger in the different habitats.
Is it hot? Let's put on our swimsuits to enjoy the water park and the Tropical Oasis. Access is included in the price of admission to the Park.
Want to stay longer? We sleep on site! The CoolBox containers, which can accommodate up to four people, offer a comfortable and unusual ready-to-camp experience. You can sometimes hear the cries and noises of animals at night!
Haut-Richelieu: sleeping on the water
Speaking of unusual accommodations, we loved sleeping on the water in the Aloberge floating cabins, which are located in Haut-Richelieu, more precisely in Saint-Paul-de-l'île-aux-Noix (and also in Lacolle). They border the Richelieu River and immerse us in the surrounding nature. During the night, we sleep to the sound of bullfrogs and, when we wake up, hundreds of species of birds wish us a good day. We even saw beavers and turtles near our cabin.
Haut-Richelieu is the ideal place for water activities. Grouped under the organization Alo Richelieu , several companies line the coastline. How about taking a ride aboard an electric water taxi? Silent and environmentally friendly, the boats of La Route de Champlain allow us to go to different places and go from one bank to the other. In Sabrevois, the children were able to have fun on the obstacle course while Chéri realized his dream of trying electric surfing (successfully!) with Ecosurf .
On our return, a meal and a swim awaited us at the Marina St-Tropez , in a seaside setting. "It feels like we're in the South!", said Fiston.
Psst! The International Balloon Festival will be back in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu from August 13 to 21, 2022.
5 accessories to take in the car
Whether you’re going to Montérégie or anywhere in Quebec, you can’t leave without…
Travel games
“It’s long!” they say in unison. Take out a new game or drawing tablet from your bag, which should keep them busy for a while. We like magnetic games or travel sets, like this Battleship game revisited by the Moulin Roty brand.
An exterior cover
To improvise a picnic in a park or take a break, the time to stretch your legs, we unroll the outdoor blanket , which is easily stored and transported with its handle. Versatile, the blanket will become a play mat for the youngest in the hotel room or even a beach blanket. Most are water-resistant and easy to wipe.
A Bento box
We love Bento boxes for lunches, but also for snacks on the go! They are perfect for little hands and small appetites who want to nibble on several foods. Their sealed compartments allow you to separate foods and keep them fresh.
A large lunch bag
I always have my large So Young lunch bag with me, which can easily hold lunch for the family and keep it cold. Pretty and practical, I clean the inside with a damp cloth and that's it!
A travel kit
Let's face it, the skincare products provided by the hotel are rarely compatible with children's sensitive skin. That's why I bring a travel kit with me. The products smell so good that I use them too!
Happy holidays!
Photo credit: Annie Lafrance
Our collaborator was the guest of Uplå and Tourisme Montérégie