Mansonville, Saint-Benoît-du-Lac and Owl’s Head – Exploring Memphremagog’s Southern Flank
Lying south of the city of Magog are a trio of worthwhile attractions, the most stunning of which is a 20th century Art Deco Abbey surounded by lush forests, a picture perfect lake and an imposing mountain in the backdrop. Welcome to the southern extent of Lake Memphremagog
This article is a stub of a previous article, Magog, Orford and the Land of the Lakes – An Introduction to the Eastern Townships (Part 2). For more information on the history and geography of the region please consult one of the links below.
- Sherbrooke, Lennoxville and the Industrial-Academic Heartland of Old Quebec – An Introduction to the Eastern Townships (Part 1)
- Magog, Orford and the Land of the Lakes – An Introduction to the Eastern Townships (Part 2)
- From Stanstead to Coaticook with a Stop at Mount Pinnacle – An Introduction to the Eastern Townships (Part 3)
- Lac-Mégantic and the Mont-Mégantic National Park – An Introduction to the Eastern Townships (Part 4)
Table of Contents
Geography
This region of the townships borders Vermont to the South. For more information on the townships, see An Introduction to the Eastern Townships Part 1.
A Brief History
See An Introduction to the Eastern Townships Part 1.
Exploring Lake Memphremagog’s Southern Flank
Mansonville
Located a little off to the east from the lake, this town services the Owl’s Head ski hill and is deeply associated with it. Many businesses use Owl’s Head in their branding, including this one cute bakery called Owl’s Bread.
It serves as the primary village of the Township of Potton and is an important stop on the Township Trail.
The town is host to a dozen beautiful heritage buildings, including many churches of course.
The downtown is quite small and is concentrated around a park where the town hall is located.
But the real gem is the heritage round barn, where events usually take place on the weekends. The red painted building is a favourite of visitors.
Austin
From Magog it is easy to drive to the Sait-Benoit-du-Lac Abbey, located midway across the lake, on its west bank. The scenery becomes more mountainous and rugged as you make it along towards the US border, and before you know it you will be in a foothills area with Owls Head ski hill visible in the distance. Before you turn village of towards the Saint-Benoit-du-Lac abbey, you will hit the town of Austin. The backdrop of the church and the mountains here is very pretty.
Saint-Benoît-du-Lac
The belle of the ball this is the place you must visit if you are in the Magog region. The Art Deco structure strikes an imposing silhouette amidst the backdrop of Owl’s Head. There is a parking lot near the apple orchard, so do not hesitate to come visit. Parking is free, and the abbey by donation. The monks make a living off their produce but more on that later.
Opposite to the orchard is a pretty chapel on a hill. It is built in the same style as the abbey. It is also open to visitors and worth a quick peek before entering the abbey itself.
Before the monks make their own cider and the property is a beauty, stay to pick up some apples. There are 3500 trees, labelled by type, and as such you should find something you are looking for. You will most enjoy walking the property when the fall foliage is at its peak.
Do make sure to try the cider before you go! To purchase the alcoholic cider as well as any other product sold here, including the award winning cheese, make your way to the basement of the abbey. Do be forewarned the the cider is sparkling.
Once you have done this, you should set about exploring the abbey itself. Despite its recent appearance at the start of the 20th century, the abbey has a fascinating history that is worth learning about. It all starts in 1912 when a group of monks were exiled from France due to an anti-clerical law and began the process of establishing a congregation. In 1938 the monks began the construction on the priory building you see today, as such it reflects the architecture of the time, Art-Deco!
For more information on the abbey itself, you can take a tour with the monks during the summer months. Generally monks are kept away from outsiders, but not here. Monks generally keep to themselves but may mingle with the visitors to tell them about their lives here. They have their own quarters and are separated in an area that is not accessible to visitors. Remember this abbay is not only their workplace but their home. They number only about fifty at this time, a sharp decrease from times past but the population seems steady for now.
In the fall the monk’s tour replaced by an audio one. Unfortunately the church spire lookout is closed outside of the summer months but is sometimes open to visitors.
The inside is host to a marvel of coloured tile and brick mosaics, as well as a large church structure. THis is the purest example of Art Deco you will find in this part of the country.
The most interesting thing on display is a carved stone in the shape of a maple leaf. It was transported here from a ruined abbey, that of Saint Wandrille, in Normandy. The structure was destroyed during the French Revolution. As you may be able to guess this stone is the story of the monks and their journey to Canada itself. Exiled in Belgium in the early 20th century due to new anti religious laws they would bring the stone with them where it stands today.
Réserve naturelle du Mont-Éléphant
You will find this strange half moon shaped mountain on the road south to Owl’s Head from Magog. Although closed to the public, it is an iconic formation that can best be viewed from the slopes of Owl’s Head ski hill.
Owl’s Head
This ski hill dominates the southern half of the lake and is home to a great hike that will give you a full view of Lake Memphremagog looking north towards Mt. Orford from the ski slope itself.
The trail is a full 5 kilometres for a 385 meter elevation gain. You can take several ways up from the base camp at the bottom of the ski hill.
You will also be able to nab a view of the previously mentioned Réserve naturelle du Mont-Éléphant.
As always with these ski slopes, bring water as only part of the hike is in the shade, the rest you will be out in the heat.
Be forward, the chair list will not be working in the off season.
Once you reach the top of the chairlift you will find a memorial to former Olympian Bob Richardson.
To get the best views however you must proceed up a pathway that will take you up to the final summit just past the radio tower.
Here you will be afforded views of the Vermont side of the border, on a clear day this includes Stowe.
As well as the southern tip of the lake, stretching to the city of Newport, Vermont.
Once you are done enjoying the view you will have to make your way back down the ski hill. Depending on the time of day, the lake should be filled with plesure craft.
Conclusion
The south side of the lake is the road less travelled yet it can be as equally as rewarding. Gone are the old industrial textile towns like Magog, but replacing it is a serene natural environment full of charming towns and abbeys.
