The many attractions of Petite-Nation

We begin our exploration at Plaisance Falls, about an hour and a half from downtown Montreal. The site has only been reopened for two weeks, and admission is very affordable (from free to $7, depending on age).

The site includes a 1 km hiking trail from the head to the foot of the falls (63 m vertical drop), a lookout, rest areas and picnic tables. Bring a (light!) lunch and eat to the sound of the thundering, energizing falls.

On the way in or out, you can also stop off at the entrance pavilion, which tells the story of the former industrial village of North Nation Mills. Heritage enthusiasts can even take the tours offered on the falls site.

Outdoor enthusiasts: you can also (or rather, should) start your discovery of the region with a morning at Parc national de Plaisance, where people flock in spring to see the spectacle of thousands of Canada geese basking here. In summer, hiking, wildlife-watching, biking and fishing are all on offer. All types of paddleboat are also available for hire, enabling you to explore the marshes and bays.

> Visit the Plaisance National Park website

> Visit the Plaisance Falls website

Local products

To get to the village of Saint-André-Avellin, rang Saint-Louis is more bucolic than autoroute de l'Outaouais (50) and route 321. But the latter will take you straight to La dame de cœur snack bar, should you get a sudden craving for poutine! But don't forget the hearty meal that awaits you at the end of this little road trip.

To discover the region's more niche products, stop in at Le Brasse-Camarade convenience store. It's like stepping into one of those general stores that make up the charm of all small Vermont villages. The selection of craft beers is, of course, impressive. Arrive at just the right moment and you may come across a rare bottle of Pommes perdues, a local micro-cider maker. Tip: the Pommes d'automne 2019 cuvée is coming out soon in the few outlets chosen by the tandem of wild fruit pickers.

The owners of Brasse-Camarade, Véronique Filion and Frédéric Joly, also feature a number of local food products, including meats, cheeses, chocolates, condiments, fruits and vegetables, and other local treasures. A few tables and chairs inside and on the front gallery allow you to enjoy a coffee and pastry on the spot.

With our suitcase full of food, we set off again for the Fragments vineyard. With nothing for sale at the moment - the first full harvest is being carried out by the new owners this autumn - the estate can only be visited by appointment. However, you can follow Fragments' social networks to find out about sporadic events, such as this weekend's visit by the Menu Extra team (including Camilo Nascimento-Lapointe, winner of Les Chefs!, and Francis Blais, winner of Top Chef Canada).

> Visit the Brasse-Camarade website

To the water!

After a stroll through the vineyards in the blazing sun, it's time to cool off. There's no shortage of watering holes in the Petite-Nation. You can swim in the magnificent river that winds through fields and forests. Ask the locals for the best access.

The more obvious option is to stop off at majestic Lac Simon. The municipal beach is on the southern tip. Centre touristique du Lac-Simon , on the other hand, is located at the northern end of the basin. With its 2-kilometre beach and crystal-clear waters, this lake is one of the jewels of the Outaouais. It can be explored by swimmer, canoeist, kayaker or paddleboarder. Boats can be rented directly on site.

> Visit the Centre touristique du Lac-Simon

Texas-style barbecue

The long-awaited moment to fill your belly has finally arrived! If you've opted for a swim at the Tourist Center, you're only a seven-minute drive away from your feast. In fine weather, of course, you can sit at the picnic tables set up beside the stream (don't forget your mosquito repellent!). Aperitifs have never been so good. Beer and wine are sold on site.

Le Carbo's menu is impressive, no doubt to serve a community that's spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. There's pizza, macaroni and cheese, and poutine. But it's mainly for the smoked meats and homemade barbecue sauces that motorcyclists and snowmobilers make the detour.

Martin Carboni and Fanny Cherubini, who met while working in the restaurant business in Montreal, bought Chez Pépère in Duhamel a year ago. Although he had studied Italian cuisine at the ITHQ, Martin had made most of his living in the dining room. The pots were for fun.

But during a trip to North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to sample the best barbecue in the American South, he caught the slow-cooking bug and wanted to make it his specialty. He dreams of an internship at the legendary Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas. In the meantime, the couple have named their crazy young labrador after the famous restaurant!

"It was Fanny who gave me the kick up the backside to leave Montreal and start our project," says Martin. The energetic Frenchwoman grew up in a pizzeria in Ardèche, then lived in Paris. Here she is, in 2020, in ski-doo country, running a restaurant and serving pulled pork, brisket and ribs to locals, and then to Montrealers in search of a change of scenery!

The Carbo meat is exceptionally tender and tasty. The fries are deeply golden and crispy. As for the pouding chômeur, it will finish you off! As long as we're making the trip, we'll be leaving with vacuum-packed packages of meat and ready-made meals to keep in the freezer.

When asked about the charms of his region, Martin tells us about the Couleurs de France inn, on the shores of little Lake Preston, which offers beautiful nature packages to visitors tempted to stay in the area for a few days.

> Visit the Carbo website

> Visit the Couleurs de France website