Return to Saint-Sauveur, Quebec

Return to Saint-Sauveur, Quebec

Friday, February 14th

We just finished our last house sit in Manotick, near Ottawa, and had a few days before beginning our next one, in Midland. So we decided to revisit the lovely town of Saint-Sauveur, just over a 2 hour drive away. 

This town is home to one of the many ski resorts in Quebec, and being a long weekend, and with temperatures around -20 degrees Celsius, we knew that it would be very busy. (It did warm up to a balmy -8 by the middle of the afternoon).

Clear blue skies and splendid sunshine accompanied us along the way and we enjoyed the scenery while listening to some of our old favourites using our Spotify app.

Mark had booked us in to an Air BnB for two nights, and we were delighted with the apartment, which was comfortable, practical, and well-equipped for all we would need. 

The apartment is well situated and just a short walk into the main thoroughfare. Overlooking the ski hills, it affords panoramic views, with a few chalets and an assortment of buildings in the valley. 

The ski hills look spectacular at night time, too!

Being Valentine's Day, we reheated some leftovers from our meal out the night before, and enjoyed a cozy evening in front of the fire. 

Saturday, February 15th

Last May, when we were staying at our friends' cottage in the Laurentians, not far from here, we treated ourselves to a visit to the Amerispa - just a ten minute drive away in the smaller town of Morin Heights. We vowed, then, that we would return, and this was a great opportunity to do just that. The last time we were there, it was a weekday, so we were lucky to have the place almost to ourselves. Today, being a Saturday, it was a different tale. 

There is a nice trail from the parking lot up to the spa entrance and, although covered with snow, it had been shoveled and salted making the passage fairly easy, though a little slick in places. 

It's a beautiful spa, surrounded by a wooded area. Several outside baths, both hot and cold, are available for patrons to use for as long as they like. Services offered include manicures, pedicures, facial treatments, and massages, which all have to be booked in advance. There are also saunas and steam rooms, and a couple of relaxation rooms where quiet music envelops your senses sending you into a deep sense of peace and contentment. 

Courtesy of: https://images.app.goo.gl/yywByWNT1Qmc3RCV9

We had each booked a relaxing massage and, after collecting our robes and towels, we headed into the treatment area. Emerging in an almost jello-like state, we availed ourselves of the various thermal experiences for a further hour or so, finally returning to the car for our drive back into Saint-Sauveur for lunch. 

The province of Quebec is very reminiscent of France, and their creperies are the best! This is what we had decided upon, the night before, and we were not disappointed. The Creperie Bretonne can be thoroughly recommended. 

The snow has made this normal entrance to the creperie impassible 

A delicious French Onion Soup, followed by dessert crepes and a cafe-au-lait, all disappeared while each mouthful was being relished! (They do have a variety of savoury crepes, too, but we are going to leave that for another visit). 

Mark studies the menu in anticipation

Delicious French Onion Soup

Watching the chef making a savoury crepe

Mark had a mixed fruit crepe (apple, strawberry, raspberry, and banana)

Mine was a wonderful pineapple crepe

Dig in, Mark!

We love drinking our cafe-au-lait from a bowl

After lunch, we agreed to do a walkabout town to help digest our delicious meal. 

There is a profusion of beautiful buildings in the town - both commercial and residential. Splendid in colour and style, the small shops are seasonally decorated, and many were still displaying their Christmas adornments! 

The snow is piled up like this all over the town

Icicles adorn many of the eaves on the buildings

Clock repair shop - something seldom seen these days

WOUFF - a store just for dogs!

I really liked the yellow lamp that fronts this yellow house

As mentioned above, being a ski resort (and a long weekend to boot), the town was very busy, with people milling around and cars interweaving through the streets. Nevertheless, it was fairly easy to navigate our way to the end of the main street. 

We were delighted to hear the church bells pealing out over the town. Although not particularly religious, I do love to hear real church bells ringing as it reminds me of my childhood growing up in the U.K. A little bit of nostalgia is good for the soul!

No visit to Saint Sauveur would be complete without a visit to the S. Bourassa, a distinctive supermarket in the Tanger Outlet area of the town. 

Part of the Tanger outlet, with its distinctive multi coloured stores

S. Bourassa - a landmark in this town

It has a variety of specialized groceries and the fruits and vegetables are all organic.

However, it is probably best known for having over 400 varieties of cheese. 

Finally, we headed to the foot of the ski hills to see bravery in action! 

Mark used to enjoy downhill skiing in his younger days, but it's not something that I would have ever been courageous enough to do. (I did try my hand at cross-country skiing when I first came to Canada, but success was not in my grasp!!! lol). Our skiing friends will most likely (and correctly) think of me as a wimp, (except I have done a tandem jump out of a plane a few years ago - and I do enjoy tubing, so maybe I'm not a total chicken!!!) It never ceases to amaze me how young some of these skiers are - as well as the little kids who enjoy snowboarding on the slopes! 

To finish the day, we are sitting by the fire enjoying a glass of port that was made by our friend, Sharron, in Blind Bay (B.C.). Cheers, Sharron!

Nothing like a glass of home made port

All in all, this has been a most enjoyable visit, and we feel that Saint Sauveur has not seen the last of us!