Québec is the world’s leading maple syrup producer and visiting a cabane à sucre is a quintessential springtime ritual in the province. Each year in March and April, locals and visitors head into the woods to enjoy some tree tapping before tasting sticky maple taffy on snow and tucking into warm meals bathed in sweet syrup.
Bonjour Québec’s website offers plenty of resources for travellers seeking out a traditional sugaring off experience, including a comprehensive Sugar Shack directory with more than 125 listings for rustic and contemporary venues organized by region and price point. While many of Québec’s sugar shacks will be operating with limited capacity this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are still plenty of spots where visitors can indulge their sweet-tooth:
- Domaine du Petit Saint-Joseph: This quaint, family-owned sugar bush, orchard and cider house is perched on a mountainside in the Laurentians region. During a typical sugaring season, Domaine du Petit Saint-Joseph offers tractor rides, guided tours, all-you-can-eat maple taffy and live musicians singing folk songs. This year, guests can pick up ready-to-cook meals inspired by traditional sugar shack cuisine.
- Sucrerie de la Montagne: Tucked away in a century-old maple forest just 45 minutes outside of Montréal, Sucrerie de la Montagne is an all-season heritage destination that has been in operation for more than 40 years. Visitors can explore the 120-acre sugar bush and enjoy guided tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music and hearty Québécois cuisine.
- Le Vignoble du Ruisseau: Part vineyard, part sugar bush, Le Vignoble du Ruisseau is a must-visit attraction in the renowned grape-growing region of Dunham. The contemporary new-style sugar bush boasts 15,000 certified organic maple tree taps and is known for its upscale multi-course tasting menus. An on-site boutique is stocked with fine wines and gourmet maple products like maple butter, handmade caramels and candies, and maple-glazed nuts.
