Mia

To get this romantic break off to a good start on a beautiful Friday evening, head to the heart of Shawinigan.I suggest you make yourself comfortable with a good bottle of wine of your choice (purchased beforehand at the SAQ) and relax on the terrace of the Taj Mahal. The menu of this restaurant is typically Indian and perfectly adapted to the sensitive palates of Quebecers. Offering dishes all in flavor, not too spicy and served with succulent condiments on the side for you to spice up your meal to your taste. I highly recommend the lamb Korma, in its creamy pistachio sauce that melts in your mouth, and the unmissable butter chicken.

After this good and copious meal, nothing’s better than taking a healthy walk, hand in hand, on the promenade du Saint-Maurice. It runs along the river of the same name and it’s easy to access to admire the sun slowly descending on the water and the Cité de l’énergie standing tall and proud. A setting often worthy of a postcard, especially when the summer sunset colors the sky with pink and orange!

After this walk, if you feel like celebrating or if you’re still not sleepy, choose a table on the magnificent terrace of the renowned Broue-Pub le Trou du Diable, one of the jewels of the city. Let yourself be seduced by its festive atmosphere and discover new beers with a tasting tray (4 kinds of beer to choose from). You’ll receive expert advice from your server. Be creative and share your favorites with your better half on this beautiful late evening.

The next morning, head to the chutes Waber in La Mauricie National Park for a 4-hour excursion combining canoeing (or kayaking, depending on your preference), hiking and a superb scenery. You may be lucky enough to come across a beaver dam during the adventure.

Before getting to the Park, stop by the beautiful village of Sainte-Flore for a rustic breakfast or lunch at the Café Bucolique.

For the road, I recommend going around the National Park rather than retracing your steps in order to better explore it. You’ll be able to stop at the various viewpoints in the park and admire the village of St-Jean-des-Piles that you’ll cross on the way back to Shawinigan. You’ll then have another magnificent view of the Saint-Maurice river.

It’s also an area offering several waterfront places to have a bite such as 2800 du Parc and the Marina of St-Jean-des-Piles.

If you want gastronomy, the restaurant Aux Goglus will charm you with its elaborate cuisine, the Olivia restaurant will also have something to satisfy your taste. To discover my favorite restaurant, Zélé, go back to Sainte-Flore.

To conclude this beautiful weekend, why not take the guided tour of the Trou du Diable Microbrewery in the morning and visit the boutique where you can buy beers, T-Shirts, sweaters, caps, posters and many more nice products from the region.

You can also stretch your legs on one of the free hiking/mountain biking trails at the parc de l’Île Melville, located only 3 minutes away from downtown area. This park also offers a rock wall, popular with climbing enthusiasts, and an aerial adventure rope circuit (Arbraska). During Spring, you must stop at the belvedere to contemplate the impressive Shawinigan Falls (the 2nd largest in Canada after Niagara Falls!). This is where you’ll have the chance to see the legendary Trou du diable (Devil’s Hole).

Before heading back on the road, make a stop downtown to have a good cocktail, a Kombucha made by Quetzal Kombucha or a glass of wine carefully selected by the passionate owner at 462 Tamarac. This “neighborhood refreshment bar” style place also offers light meals inspired by fresh Quebec products and homemade pizzas cooked in a wood oven. Want a touch of sweetness to end your stay on a good note? The 462 also offers a range of artisanal ice creams,handcrafted with great talent by Le Loup et la Corneille.