Part of the Eastern Townships, Magog is a small
village on the shores of Lake Memphremagog. It's a half
hour from the Vermont border, and about an hour (and a
century or so) away from Montreal.
The town is cosy and small, but is beginning to show signs of city
influence, like the gourmet grocery store on one of
the main thouroughfares, the plastic housing
developments in the forest, and the fact that more and
more people speak English. Despite the growth of the
town, people are still friendly, the lake is
beautiful, the air is clear, and there are plenty of
outdoor activities to do in the summer and winter.
It's also a prime spot for fall-foliage viewing.
Supposedly, you can swim in the lake but perhaps only
if you have some Canadian blood. I preferred to fish
and boat to small islands in the lake, and ride along
the bike path (used to be a rail line, just like the
P'tit train du Nord) along the lake and through the
woods. The path doubles as a cross country ski trail
in the winter. Mount Orford, surrounded by national
park land, is a short drive away, as well as the
popular Owl's Head ski area.
Just behind, Main Street is lined with cosy inns. The
bed and breakfast experience is great if you're a
social morning person, hellish if you're not. Everyone
will want to practice their French at breakfast and
know your life story to boot. Otherwise, there is a
more private hotel/luxury condo building right on the
lake (L'etoile sur le Lac) and motels in the
surrounding area. Wherever you stay, this is a great
place to hide for the weekend when you're in the mood
for some peace and quiet.