The Writers' Retreat

Where Québec meets Vermont's Northeast Kingdom
Immerse in an Old World charm and exquisite elegance.

The Writers' Retreat suffers no intrusion on inspiration, no distraction to creativity. Writing is your only chore.

The Writers' Retreat in Québec is open year-round. Spring and summer are magnificent. In autumn, our mountains and valleys become a brilliant patchwork of color; the region is noted worldwide for its gold and crimson splendor.

Micheline Côté, on-site host and owner of The Writers' Retreat network has been running her own retreat since 1998. After many years working abroad as a cultural attaché, she enjoys working with writers and artists and has expanded the retreat network around the world to serve a larger community of writers and to give them all the space they need to change the world with their words!

Residents receive a complimentary critique of their work from on-site mentor: Not applicable at this retreat - no on-site mentor in Quebec.

Region: On Québec's southern border in the Eastern Townships-where the foothills of the Appalachians stretch from the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The region is more Anglo than other parts of Québec; its old homes are mostly Victorian, and its inhabitants are mainly bilingual. American writers have dubbed it "francophone New England." Many celebrities-Donald Sutherland among them—now call it home, but Antoine Gérin-Lajoie probably put it "on the map" in his novel Jean Rivard Le Défricheur (1858). The Eastern Townships region is a 3,100-sq. km pocket of rolling pastures, lakes, covered bridges and mountain peaks with a wealth of history and plenty of gourmet food. Artists share beauty... Artists, craftspeople, musicians and writers produce and display impassioned works of art. A cross-border lifestyle and 200 years of co-habitation between French and English have created an artistic explosion throughout the townships. Literary dynamism abounds, the region being home to hundreds of writers and many well-known authors. Undoubtedly, their inspiration is drawn largely from the Townships' beauty and cultural diversity. Enjoy our summer theaters and concert halls or the July Circuit des arts Memphrémagog, a nine-day cultural event with some 80 artists at 60 sites across the Memphrémagog region. Québec's Eastern Townships is an ideal cycling and hiking destination. Visit regional vineyards, historic quaint villages and local points of interest. Set your own timeline and capture the heart of the region, as you glide through its spectacular scenery. Cycle the Tour des Arts, an annual event that celebrates the talent of local artists or bike the green route (directly behind the Retreat) which becomes a cross-country trail in winter. Enjoy downhill skiing at Owl's Head, the nearest of the Eastern Townships' four big slopes or visit Vermont's Jay Peak about 20 minutes away. On a clear day, we see New Hampshire's Mount Washington from the top of Owl's Head. In summer, pick from among 40 golf courses. Don't miss the tenth hole at Dufferin Heights Country Club for a panoramic view of the mountain ranges.

Location: Where are we? ("I don't know where I'm at but I ain't lost.") We are precisely on the border of Québec's Eastern Townships and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, and 90 minutes from Montréal and Burlington, Vermont.

Closest airport: You may fly to Burlington International Airport, Vermont or to Montréal (Québec) – Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, both located 1 1/2 hours from the Retreat.

Tourism information: For more information, visit the Eastern Townships Tourism Web site.

Payment terms: To guarantee your Québec reservation, a US$100 deposit is required within seven days of reserving and is applicable toward the total amount. We accept Visa, Master Card, and personal checks. Balance is due seven days prior to arrival. Taxes are not included in the rates.

Cancellation policy: The deposit is refundable (less US$50 cancellation fee) if the cancellation is received at least 15 days prior to arrival date. No refund is made in the case of a cancellation made less than 15 days prior to the scheduled arrival date or in the case of a no-show. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised and can be obtained through your travel agent.

A sampling of memories from our residents

E. Gollay St. Petersburg, Fl - This stay was fabulous. The perfect combination of quiet comfort and fun things to explore. We very much appreciate your hospitality. With any luck, the book writing is now genuinely under way! Thanks.

A. Grieger The novel is jump-started! I wasn’t sure how a week full of writing would feel, but your lovely retreat helped to make it all come together. Good food, good conversation, and a welcoming; bright space in which to put pen to paper. Many thanks for a good and productive week!