Two centuries of history across the Townships

Sherbrooke, July 16th 2007 – The new Chemin des Cantons (Townships Trail) is now ready to attract history buffs keen to learn about the region’s unique past. This designated tourist route winds through the Eastern Townships for 415 kilometres (258 miles), crossing 31 municipalities from Ulverton to Bromont, through Danville, Dudswell, the district of Lennoxville (part of the City of Sherbrooke), Compton, Magog and Lac-Brome (Knowlton) to mention just a few.

The Townships Trail meanders around secondary roads, all the better to appreciate the architectural and cultural heritage of the first wave of settlers. Many of the pioneers came from Great Britain and the United States, a characteristic pattern in the Eastern Townships and unique in the province of Quebec.

For an even more in-depth experience of the Townships Trail, drivers can pick up a road map and a 3-CD pack (in French only for 2007) which brings the region’s history to life with narrative descriptions and tales from the past. Blue signage marks the route and 27 interpretative panels around the villages and in front of museums and interpretation centres indicates the departure points at various stages along the way. Eight other signs also guide drivers around the Townships Trail. For further information, visit : www.chemindescantons.qc.ca  

This ambitious project, the result of three years of consultation and hard work, has been realized through the efforts of Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Communication, Conférences régionales des élus (CRÉ) de l’Estrie and of la Montérégie, and eight local economic development councils (CLDs), as well as the Quebec Ministry of Tourism.
Source:
Danie Béliveau
Media Relations
(819) 820-2020 / 1-866 963-2020
db@atrce.com