Summer in the Townships

For hundreds of years, the Eastern Townships has been home to many different groups of people. As early as the 1600s, the Abenaki (meaning “dawn-land people” or “people from the east”) have inhabited this region of southern Quebec.

The region, now known as l’Estrie, covers over 12,000 square kilometres and is home to almost 500,000 people. The Townships cover the region south of Montreal to Quebec City, including Granby to Lac Mégantic and from Drummondville to the US border. They share the border with Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Since as early as 1850, the region has been frequented by tourists, encouraged by the creation of the Grand Trunk Railroad which ran from Montreal to Portland. This led to a growth in the mining industry and development of natural resources like tinder, asbestos, granite and copper.

Its nine territories, 114 municipalities, four national parks and two regional parks make it an outdoor paradise. There are many golf courses, hiking trails and bike paths to explore the nature of the region close up. The unique architecture and beauty of the region keeps this valley a popular tourist attraction.

To learn more about the Townships and read the rest of the summer magazine, click here.