In Eastman, local history, literature and outdoor routes offer distinct experiences. The historic walking tour presents more than 125 years of history through old buildings, stories and archival images. There are also literary trails, a summer theatre and a literary festival held every September. Outdoor options range from cycling paths to long-distance hiking and pilgrimage routes.
History, Literature and Theatre
Eastman’s historic walking tour presents more than 125 years of history through old buildings, stories and archival images. Its various elements offer a different way to experience the town’s past than the literary trails, which focus on texts and artistic works.
The history of the Église Saint-Édouard d’Eastman is also clearly documented: built in 1960 for the Saint-Édouard parish, it is the village’s only remaining church.
The literary trail along Lac d’Argent passes panels featuring texts by local authors. Portage des mots, near Théâtre La Marjolaine, offers a different focus: in a wooded setting, installations, sculptures and tapestries showcase novels, comics, poems and children’s picture books. The two trails explore literature in different ways—one through texts on panels, the other through artistic installations.
Théâtre La Marjolaine was founded in 1960 by actress Marjolaine Hébert and is Québec’s oldest still-active summer theatre. Another regular cultural event is Correspondances d’Eastman: since 2002, it has held a literary festival every September that brings together thousands of people interested in literature, writing and culture.
Cycling Paths, Hiking Routes and River Landscapes
Eastman has more than 17 kilometres of cycling paths along Route Verte and the Sentier Transcanadien. Of these, 11 kilometres are on car-free paths. La Montagnarde is a section of Route Verte No. 1 and the Sentier Transcanadien. Just under 50 kilometres long, it connects Waterloo, Eastman, Orford, Magog and Deauville and is a route for cycling, walking and cross-country skiing.
The Circuit de l’Abbaye offers a different experience: this 149-kilometre long-distance hiking and pilgrimage route forms a loop. It starts at Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey and passes through the municipality of Eastman. Its length, route format and listed activities distinguish it from La Montagnarde, which connects several towns and is intended for cycling, walking and cross-country skiing.
Parc Missisquoi-Nord covers 50 hectares. Several paths wind through wooded and open areas rich in wildlife and plant life. The rustic Sentier Riverain starts in Parc Missisquoi-Nord, in the Eastman area, and ends three kilometres downstream at Pont Durocher. Seasonal restrictions apply to this trail, so be sure to take them into account when planning your visit.
The Michel-Fréchette footbridge crosses the Missisquoi-Nord River; it is possible to launch a boat here. Before launching, check the low-water advisory. This means the river crossing and potential boat launch can be considered as a separate planning point, apart from the descriptions of the paths in Parc Missisquoi-Nord and the Sentier Riverain.
Discover more destinations: Mansonville, Ayer’s Cliff, Stanstead, Orford, Austin, Saint-Étienne-de-Bolton, North Hatley, Bolton-Est
For the wider travel overview: Memphrémagog.
