About an hour to an hour-and-a-half ’s drive east from Montreal, Quebec’s Eastern Townships region encompasses dozens of lakes and picturesque villages all the way south to the American border. “You’ll find rolling hills, wide valleys with great vistas, and a slower pace of life,” says Andrew Retchless, a former councillor in the Township of Stanstead, Que., and a lifelong cottager on Lac Lovering. Once a hub for English-speakers and Americans heading to their northern summer homes, the Townships are now a true bilingual destination.
The lay of the land
The Townships are home to a wide array of waterbodies, from bustling speed-boat-and-seaplane-frequented lakes to quiet ponds nestled within national parks. That said, “Everything works around Lake Memphrémagog as the core,” says Mike Cyr, a local realtor. The 50-km-long lake, which runs south from the town of Magog to Newport, Vt., just over the border, is surrounded by five communities, including Austin and Ogden, and is the most populated in the area. Lac Massawippi, a smaller waterway that’s a well-known smallmouth bass and perch angling hub, sits just to the east, while Lac Brome and the quaint, 19th-century village of Knowlton—made famous by Louise Penny—are further west. Several designated “quiet” lakes, including Lac Stukely and Lac Fraser in Mount Orford National Park, restrict motorized vessels.
Market overview
Growing up in Knowlton, realtor Jessica Brown recalls small, fixer-uppers dotting the shoreline of Lac Brome. “Those cottages are now selling for $1 million, being torn down, then rebuilt for millions more,” she says. Booming prices haven’t just affected Brome; they’ve become a staple of the region. Memphrémagog features the most expensive listings, with most cottages starting around $2 million. While Brown says buyers can find more affordable properties on smaller lakes—such as Étang O’Malley and Lac Nick—they’re fewer and farther between. Waterfront is at a premium, largely thanks to how few lakes there are in the area. There are also strict provincial and municipal setback rules for building. Prices for larger lots are skyrocketing since they offer more space for renovations.
What about water quality?
Lakes in the region have clear, deep water that’s cared for by a number of different environmental groups. “Lake conservation in the Townships is best described as collaborative and place-based,” says Ariane Orjikh, the general director with Memphrémagog Conservation, a non-profit organization that supports environmental protection. Groups, including the Saint-François River Watershed Water Governance Council, work with the provincial government to collaborate on water testing and other ecological initiatives. These smaller groups are tasked with combatting invasive species, such as Eurasian milfoil, which has been prevalent in the Townships. In the case of Memphrémagog, the conservation group also works with the American side of the lake to promote cohesive strategies.
There’s a strong element of community in the Townships. With numerous property owner associations, conservation groups, and active town halls, it’s easy to get involved. “Because these are smaller towns compared to the city, it feels like we actually have a voice,” says long-time North Hatley cottager Karen Moffat.
What to do
There’s no shortage of four-season activities around. Outdoor enthusiasts can head to three national parks—Mount Orford, Mount Mégantic, and Frontenac—for mountain biking, hiking, and skiing. In the summer, drive to the Coaticook Gorge for a stroll along the longest suspended footbridge in North America, then stop in at the famous Laiterie de Coaticook for fresh cheese curds and a cup of banana soft serve. Hike up Owl’s Head mountain for spectacular year-round views of Lac Memphrémagog.
There are also festivities abound throughout the Townships, particularly in the summer. Visit the Circuit des arts Memphrémagog in Magog, a self-directed art tour that features more than 30 local artisans; outdoor movie screenings at Knowlton’s film festival in August; and the iconic Ayer’s Cliff Fair for a classic country festival experience with a midway and harness racing.
Foodies will love the region’s lush food and drink landscape. The Townships boast more than 20 vineyards, 28 microbreweries—be sure to grab a pint at the Michelin-recommended Le Tap Room at Manoir Hovey in North Hatley—and the iconic “Circuit Les Têtes Fromagères,” a bikeable cheese trail where you can sample award-winning cheeses, including Fromagerie Missiska’s beloved Jersey Royal.
This story originally appeared in the Early Summer ’26 issue of Cottage Life.
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