Journey back through time
A visit to the Millette Sugar Shack near Mt. Tremblant, Québec, is like stepping back in time. The Millette family has been harvesting the maple grove on their farm for five generations, and guests are invited to take part in the maple syrup making process during the three hour experience.
Visitors are greeted by family and staff in traditional folk costumes, and are led into one of the many cozy dining halls, decorated with rustic memorabilia and antiques. Traditional Québecios fare is the house specialty: pea soup, omelets, maple-cured ham, baked beans and, of course, maple taffy. Next stop is a guided tour of the maple grove, where guest can see how the maple sap was harvested in the early 19th century. The Millette's still collect the sap with a horse drawn sleigh, as their ancestors did in the early 1900's. Visitors are invited into the ‘boiling room' to see how the sap is transformed into maple syrup. "Guests can see, smell and taste in the boiling room," says France Gosselin of the Millette Sugar Shack, "It's a wonderful experience for the whole family, especially for children." Kids will enjoy the farm animals, and there are lots of other diversions like sleigh rides, snowmobiling and perusing the gift boutique.
On weekends, folk musicians keep things lively with singing and dancing, and the facility is fully licensed. You'll have the opportunity to experience maple beer, maple wine, or the Millette's house specialty ‘Caribou,' a traditional Québecios spirit. The secret ingredient? Maple syrup!
