Quebec- A Special Louise Penny Summer Event
Abbaye de Saint-Benoit du Lac
A Very Special Louise Penny Summer Event
Our exceptionally popular Louise Penny-themed tour returns to Knowlton for a very special event! As a fundraiser for the local library spearheaded in part by Louise Penny, the Knowlton Players are presenting “If Books Could Kill”, a murder mystery comedy. The plot of the play follows the actual program of the opening ceremony of the library in March of 1894 and features none other than Louise Penny herself as the grand dame Narcissa Pettes.
This tour includes tickets to the Gala event and a reception followed by the performance of “If Books Could Kill” on Saturday July 9th. Also included are some of the attractions of our “On the Trail of Louise Penny” tour: a lunch at Sapin Bistro; a visit to the Abbaye de St Benoit; a mural tour of Sherbrooke; a winery visit; and a visit to Georgeville.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This morning we will leave Ottawa and make our way to Knowlton, Quebec. Our first stop will be Knowlton, a town known to Penny for its pastoral beauty and the inspiration for Three Pines in her books. While in Knowlton we will visit Brome Lake Books. This small village bookstore has all the trappings of an early 20th century building with bookcases filled with both hardcovers and paperbacks. You can even leave a message for Louise Penny in a book dedicated to this purpose. After your visit to the bookstore, you will take a short walk to the Brome County Historical Society Museum where you will find Jane’s painting from Still Life. Lunch is included today at Sapin Bistro, recommended by Louise herself.
Day 2
Our second day begins with a journey Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac. This abbey was the inspiration for Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups Abbey in A Beautiful Mystery. The abbey itself has a history that dates back to 1912. At the time of its construction, it was rather isolated, but in an incredibly beautiful locale. The Benedictine monks of the Saint-Benoit-du-Lac abbey are famous for and have been making cheeses since 1943. You will have the chance to purchase some of this incredible cheese. Leaving the abbey, we will visit Le Cep d’Argent winery for a tasting. We will get you back to your hotel in time for a rest before we return to Knowlton the big event, the Gala reception and presentation of “If Books Could Kill”.
Day 3
We will begin our day in Sherbrooke with a guided tour of the town and its famous murals. After lunch in Sherbrooke, our last stop before we bid farewell to the world of Three Pines is the old Mansion House, the basis of “Hadley House” which figures prominently in Penny’s novel A Fatal Grace. The Old Mansion House was built in 1889 and once had the distinction of being Quebec’s oldest hotel in continuous operation. The house began its life as a coaching inn, serving travelers making their way from Montreal to Boston. Over the years, folk lore has surrounded the house which Penny picks up in her novel.
Itinerary subject to change.
Please note this tour must be booked no later than June 14th.