Day 1: Travel to Québec Eastern Townships
Enjoy the passing scenery as we leave Ontario and head east towards the Eastern Townships of Québec. Arrive at our accommodations and feel free to unpack and settle in, since we’ll stay here for three nights. Timing will allow you to become acquainted with the resort, walk the grounds or rest and freshen up after the day’s journey. Join fellow travellers and Chief Inspector Gamache fans for a welcome dinner.
Stay:
Orford, QC
Nights: 3
Day 2: Three Pines Exploring: The Abbey and The Manor
After an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel, board the motorcoach and take a short drive through some lovely countryside to “Saint-Gilbert-Entre-Les-Loups” (Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac), the fictional abbey setting for the book, “The Beautiful Mystery”. A private tour will introduce us to the lives of past and current monks and includes a visit to their boutique showcasing their award-winning cheese. Our raconteur will link aspects of the abbey to the novel, bringing the story to life. Lunch will be enjoyed at the upscale Manoir Hovey in the quaint town of North Hatley, the location inspiration for “The Murder Stone”. This manor is the place Armand and Reine-Marie go each year for their anniversary and is seen in the Three Pines video series. After enjoying the beautiful grounds of this manor, referred to as “Manoir Bellechasse” in the novels, embark on an afternoon program that visits additional locations that combine to create Three Pines as described in the book, “The Cruelest Month”.
Day 3: Three Pines Exploring: Knowlton and area
A gem of the Eastern Townships, Knowlton is the home of the author Louise Penny. With a population of only 5,600, it maintains its charm with both English and French traditions. Knowlton inspired “Still Life” (book 1), and “How The Light Gets In”. Visit the Lac-Brome Museum. Our local raconteur will provide context, connecting the local geography to Three Pines. After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore Knowlton’s boutique shops, and then it’s back aboard the coach to visit a few more places of interest with contributions to the Three Pines businesses and characters. Dinner at the hotel provides another opportunity to share your favourite insights and observations.
Day 4: Old Québec & "Bury Your Dead" Tour
In the morning, say goodbye to the rural side of Québec as you head to historic Old Québec City. After an included lunch, the group will be split into smaller groups for an exciting two-hour walking tour based on the novel, “Bury Your Dead”. Follow in the footsteps of Chief Inspect Gamache as he tries to solve the murder of a local archaeologist, who was found in the cellar of the Literary and Historical Society of Québec (The Morrin Centre). Wander the narrow streets of Old Québec and witness the inspiration for this novel come to life. Enjoy a free evening in Old Québec at the end of the tour.
Stay: Québec City
Nights:
1
Day 5: Old Montréal, Journey Home
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our journey westward. We’ll stop in Old Montréal for lunch and free time to explore and wander the old streets with its many historic sites and shops. After lunch, the journey continues homeward, eager to crack open our Chief Inspector Gamache novels with new insight into the characters and the village called “Three Pines.”
