Lac-Brome
Knowlton is a town in the Eastern Townships.
Understand
Knowlton is the main village in the amalgamated Town of Lac-Brome. The town consists of seven nearby villages. The other six villages are Bondville, East Hill, Foster, Fulford, Iron Hill, and West Brome. Lac-Brome has been a summer destination for wealthy families for many years and is ringed with exquisite cottage homes and boasts a marina and municipal beach. Bustling, pretty Knowlton belongs to the "Association des plus beaux villages du Quebec", a group that represents villages which have retained their culture and history.
Get in
Knowlton is 110 km south of Montreal via Autoroute 10. Exit at Exit 90 and head south on Highway 243.
- Limocar, ☏ +1-819-562-8899. Regular coach bus service to Bromont from Montreal (1hr 20min, every 3 hours during the day, $25 one-way).
Get around
Walking is by far the best way to see the village as you will want to be able to take your time visiting the shops and parks. Knowlton has a walking path on the banks of the Coldbrook River.
See
- Lac-Brome Historical Society Museum, Lakeside Rd.. Its displays are excellent and pertinent to the area. The complex operates on donations of buildings, money and artifacts. One display details the life of Reginald Fessenden, inventor of short wave radio, who lived in Knowlton as a child. The most fascinating exhibit at the museum is a Fokker D.VII, a First World War aircraft, one of three remaining in the world. The others are in London and Berlin. It is in good condition and was last flown in the 1960s.
- Theatre Lac-Brome, 9 Mont Echo, ☏ +1 450-242-2270. Small professional theatre with productions in English and French, and concerts.
Do
- Douglass Beach, 213 Lakeside Rd.. In the summer, a sandy beach with clean water for swimming, life guards on duty during the day, a snack bar, and canoe and kayak rental nearby. In winter, it is used for skating. There is ample parking, and a bicycle path crosses the area. It is walking distance from Knowlton.
Buy
- Espace Mosaik, 365 A Route 139 Nord, ☏ +1 450-522-0844. By appointment only. Wood furniture of original design made of teak, suar, tamarind and lychee, and solid local black walnut and wood furniture.
- Boutiverre, 290 chemin Knowlton, ☏ +1 514-973-3268. Tu W 11:00-15:00, Th-Su 11:00-17:00. Sustainable glass blowing; products made from recycled water, beer and wine bottles.
- Canard du Lac Brome, 40, chemin du Centre, ☏ +1 450-242-3825 ext 221. M-Th 08:00-17:00, F 08:00-18:00, Sa 08:00-18:00, Su 19:00-17:00. For all your duck needs, including ready-to-eat duck products. Since 1912.
Eat
Duck is a favourite ingredient among the Lac-Brome region’s chefs.
- Buzz Cafe, 291 ch De Knowlton, ☏ +1 450-266-2899. Th-Su 10:00-15:00. Brunch, lunch, sandwiches, pastries.
- Le Relais Restaurant Bistro, 286 Chemin Knowlton, ☏ +1 450-242-2232. Known for its duck dishes.
- Chez Moi Chez Toi, 475 ch de Bondville, ☏ +1 450-243-5546. W-Su 11:30-14:00, 17:00-21:00. Indian restaurant with a 65% vegetarian menu. Try the duck biryani.
Drink
- The Knowlton Pub, 267 chemin Knowlton, ☏ +1 450-242-6862. Daily 11:30-21:30. Next door to the theatre. Pub with a full menu and a covered terrace.
Sleep
- Auberge Knowlton, 286 Knowlton Rd (at the corner of Lakeside Road), ☏ +1 450-242-6886. The building has been an inn for 150 years. The owners, Michel Gabereau and Signy Stephenson, have done a great job of sympathetically renovating the heritage structure.
- Auberge Lakeview, 50 rue Victoria, ☏ +1 450-243-6183, toll-free: +1-800-661-6183. Built in 1874 by Loyalists who fled the United States, it is listed as an historic building. 28 rooms and studios, a romantic dining room with an excellent wine and Port cellar, and a garden-terrace with heated swimming pool. From $100.