The following morning, subsequent to a day immersed in the beauty of Quebec—while concurrently developing an appreciation for autumn, adorned with its vibrant fall foliage—we prepared ourselves for further exploration of the province of Quebec, venturing beyond its captivating capital city.
Our primary destination for the day was Sacacomie; however, given the picturesque drive ahead, we thought it prudent to make several stops along the way to maximize our experience.
Our inaugural stop was Wendake, a modest town (which could also be characterized as a village) you would be easily excused for not having encountered previously.
Amidst the splendor of cities like Quebec and Montreal, regions such as Wendake may not necessarily top the itineraries of most travelers. Nonetheless, Wendake is undoubtedly worth a visit—even if it’s just for a fleeting few hours.
Within Wendake, one encounters a community of First Nations individuals (the original inhabitants of Canada prior to the arrival of the British, French, etc.), and a visit here offers a unique opportunity to engage with a dimension of Canada’s history that may otherwise remain unseen.
To enhance our visit, we proceeded to Hôtél-Musée Premières Nations, which is, as suggested by its title, both a hotel and a museum (the name translates to Hotel Museum Of The First Nations).
Here, one not only learns the narratives of the First Nations communities—the Huron-Wendat who once resided in the area—but also gains firsthand insights into their way of life. Interestingly, the Huron-Wendat maintained a remarkably amicable relationship with the European settlers, with intermarriages across these communities being quite commonplace.
Certainly, one of the most compelling aspects to explore during a visit to Wendake is the Huron-Wendake dwellings. It presents a remarkable opportunity to understand their methods of living, agriculture, hunting, and the defensive mechanisms they employed against predators, alongside the unique architectural choices made in their constructions.
In this location, numerous valuable insights were garnered, but much of that discovery is left for you to uncover when you embark on your own visit.
After enjoying a brief meal here, we set off towards Sacacomie, all the while being captivated by the breathtaking foliage of the autumn season.
This is a minor spoiler—this location does not nearly live up to the color vibrancy we will witness in the upcoming week. We genuinely have never encountered autumn quite like what we experienced here in Quebec.
Upon arriving in Sacacomie, we checked into the Sacacomie Hotel, a tranquil retreat nestled deep within the forest, offering breathtaking views of the lakes and surrounding woodland, complemented by an impressive Nordic spa.
