Whether you see it every single day or just a few times a year when you visit the Eastern Townships, Lake Memphremagog never fails to impress! In summer or winter, this mighty expanse of water is one of the region’s most beautiful and enduring landmarks. After reading the following, you’ll learn even more about Lake Memphremagog! 1- The lake sprawls over 102 square kilometres—about 28% of which lies within the State of Vermont. The international border is near the City of Newport. If you were wondering: boaters can travel back and forth between Canada and the United States, but Escapades Memph ..read more

Now that that the festive season is fast approaching, it’s probably a good idea to start shopping for Christmas. Better still is to combine a trip to the Eastern Townships with a search for presents—in and around Magog! Here are our suggestions for some of the local gifts on offer in our beautiful region… Hot Massage Oil Candle | Savonnerie Les Diligences Crafted by hand, this candle emits subtle scents of lavender, ylang-ylang, cajuput, black pepper, and peppermint. It can be used simply as a candle, but when heated, it turns into a massage oil—the perfect little stocking stuffer! © Savonneri ..read more

Mother Nature has given us a few hints… There’s a snap in the air and the leaves are changing colour. Fall has definitely arrived! In the Eastern Townships, this is a particularly beautiful time of year. With our spectacular landscapes and tons of attractions and activities—set amidst a background of dazzling fall colours—there’s no better time of year to visit the region. The Versō hotel in Magog, on the shoreline of Lake Memphremagog, is the ideal jumping off point for exploring the area. Leave your luggage at the hotel and set off for some unforgettable adventures! The Great Outdoors To adm ..read more

When the sun is beating down, there’s nothing more refreshing than taking a dip! In and around Magog there are several places to do just that.  The following is a list of the best places for swimming (or just hanging out), along with some tips about what to take with you to the beach.  Ready, steady… Splash!  © Ville de MagogWhere to Swim Plage des Cantons and Plage de l’Ouest   Located on the shores of Lake Memphremagog, these public beaches are only a stone’s throw from the Versō hotel. Within easy walking distance, you can enjoy watersports such as paddleboarding, k ..read more

The Eastern Townships are renowned for their mountains, lakes, rivers, and picturesque countryside, but now that spring has finally arrived, another attraction—namely the region’s floral farms—are front and centre! Tulip Fields | May Where? Ferme St-Élie Milder weather and sunny days have caused the buds to open and gradually turn into dazzling flowers! During the month of May, Ferme St-Élie (Sherbrooke) welcomes visitors to its U-pick fields and with the 21,000 bulbs that were planted last year, there’s certainly no shortage of blooms! Mother Nature always governs the opening date, but this y ..read more

Perhaps you’re wondering how the Versō hotel got its name? Basically, because of its location!  The front of the building faces the calm waters of Lake Memphremagog; the back looks out over the picturesque landscapes of the Eastern Townships and downtown Magog. They say Recto et verso in French (it’s originally from Latin)—i.e. front and back! The hotel was originally called Auberge de l’Étoile (later becoming Hôtel Étoile-sur-le-Lac) and it was founded in 1950 by the Leclerc family. Back in the 1960s, it was already becoming popular with tourists and locals, largely due to its location a ..read more

  For residents of Magog, Alain Vanden Eynden and Danielle Lalous need no introduction. The Belgian couple, who arrived in Quebec in the early 1980s, have been tempting customers with a sweet tooth ever since 1986! Their first enterprise was Le Panier à Pain, where they specialized in freshly-baked baguettes and croissants, but in 2004, the couple sold their bakery/pastry businesses in order to focus on another equally delicious product―namely artisanal chocolate. Their sweet creations quickly caught on! © Vanden Eynden Chocolates… The following is an Interview with Danielle Lalous, co-ow ..read more

The frantic pace of life today scarcely leaves you time to draw breath! Between commuting on the subway, pressures at work, sleep deprivation and last, but certainly not least, non-stop news on social media—it’s no wonder we want to get away from it all! How about taking a break by following the fast-growing trend of “slow travel”? . So What Exactly Is That? Slow travel combines a number of elements: taking your time, absorbing the emotional effects on your body and your psyche, respecting the locals and taking into account the impact your trip might have on the environment. The opposite of sl ..read more

One way to counter the November gloom is by getting into the holiday mood! We can do that by playing Christmas music, by decorating the tree and preparing mugs of hot chocolate garnished with marshmallows, ready to serve to family and friends in preparation for those long winter evenings. Here are four ideas for getting into the Christmas spirit in Magog right now! The City Is Already Clad in Festive Garb… If Santa Claus were looking for a more pleasant place to live than the North Pole, he would do well to move to Magog! The city centre (a mere 2-minute walk from Versō) and Merry Point are al ..read more

The Eastern Townships is stunningly beautiful and the region offers so much to see and do, no matter what kind of  acation you’re looking for―a road trip, a long weekend or an entire week away… It’s a great place to forget your daily routine, not least because the natural surroundings of Lake Memphremagog and its surrounding mountains, quickly act as a balm to body and soul. This summer, choose the Eastern Townships! The Versō hotel in the heart of Magog, on the shores of the lake, is the ideal base from which to explore the region. Whether you’re heading out on an early morning adventure ..read more