Sometimes the best places are those you happen to stumble across… and so is the case with L’Auberge des Peupliers. After camping on the Saguenay Fjord for a few night and with rain ahead, it was decided to spend the last evening of my trip indoors where I wouldn’t have to worry about the camping gear getting soaking wet. Since the entire trip was planned along the way, I spent part of my lunchtime searching on my phone for a place to stay that very night. Looking through Trip Advisor at some of the top rated restaurants in the Charlevoix area, I noticed L’Auberge in the top 5. If I could sleep comfortably and get a good meal at the same place, it was already a winner in my books. Luckily, the tourist season was not in full swing yet and there was plenty of availability when I called. After speaking with the manager, I settled on the Country Getaway package that included a 4-course dinner, one night accommodation, and a continental breakfast buffet. I really enjoy options like these, it just makes planning so much easier and there is no headache trying to find a restaurant when your stomach is growling. The Auberge was easy to find and absolutely charming. I immediately loved the long porch at the front of the house, perfect for enjoying a drink (hot or cold) and reading a good book.
I was pleasantly greeted and swiftly checked in. I had a basic room that was located on the second floor in the main building. I was quite pleased with the space even though it was small. From their website I know they have more elaborate rooms if you want something more sophisticated complete with fireplace! In my room (#40) there was a bathroom with toilet bowl and shower, while the sink was inside the room. There were two chairs for relaxing, a dresser, and double bed. There was also a flat screen tv, which turned out to be screwed to the table. Now I suspect this is more of a precautionary measure so that it doesn’t fall over by accident, but it was a little bit annoying since it couldn’t be seen from the bed. I had to actually move the entire table around, so I could catch a show before bed.
After freshening up, I headed downstairs to the dining room for dinner. The menu is brief, but with a nice variety and adjusted seasonally. I opted for the beets carpaccio with blue goat cheese as an appetizer, and the veal osso bucco for the main. My dessert was the crème brulée of the day, which was gingerbread and orange. The food was tasty, but the dessert was undoubtedly my favorite. Breakfast the following morning was also nicely varied and the home-made granola was the clear stand-out. It also had some fresh pastries, delicious bread, local cheeses, and fruits.
While may stay was brief, I loved that they had a seating parlour with a piano and small bar where you could relax. They also had a lovely outdoor terrace available for the warmer months. I have to say that I was very satisfied with my last-minute discovery and I would love to return to the Auberge in the colder months to experience a new facet of the region and perhaps upgrade to a nicer room. I definitely recommend the Auberge des Peupliers for those whole like the classic inn feel with a chic quality. For more information or to book your own trip, check out their website!
