In this article, discover the best addresses and activities to do during your next visit to Laval. Even though it is the smallest region in Quebec in terms of surface area, Laval is full of a wide variety of activities, restaurants and accommodations. All of these must-see places will make your stay a dream in a region that has so much to offer. As their slogan suggests: “Let Laval surprise you!
This article was created in collaboration with Bonjour Québec and Tourisme Laval as part of my role as a Bonjour Québec ambassador
Stroll through the Laval Christmas Market at the Centre de la nature
During my most recent visit to the region, last December, I had the opportunity to visit the Christmas Market that takes place every year at the Centre de la nature de Laval. It’s the place to go for your holiday shopping. On site, you will discover a large number of local artisans. Whether you are looking for gourmet pleasures, home decorations or even body care, you will find what you are looking for. You will also have the opportunity to discover some street food trucks. I had a crush on the grilled cheese sticks from Café Cubita.
The second part of the visit to the Christmas market plunges you straight into the magic of the holiday season. The miniature village will amaze young and old alike.
If you miss the Christmas Market, don’t worry. The Centre de la nature de Laval is open year-round and with its 50 hectares, it’s the perfect playground to come and stretch your legs in all seasons.
Dinner for two at the Boating Club
For a memorable dinner in the region, you absolutely must visit the Boating Club. A true Laval institution located in the Sainte-Rose district in the north of the region, the place is known for its generous dishes, its lively atmosphere and its superb wine list.
At our dinner, we opted for several dishes to share, so as to sample the wide variety of flavours offered by the Boating Club. To start, we had the beef tartare and the bison carpaccio. Both dishes were very tasty and definitely made us want to continue the experience with another dish. To end our meal on a high note, we selected a house classic to share: the prosciutto shank accompanied by the creamy house gnocchi with sautéed mushrooms. The pork was so tender that it literally melted in your mouth. This is definitely a dish that would make me make the trip to the Boating Club. I was also charmed by their cocktails, especially the cherry wood negroni flambéed at the table, which you can see in the photo below.
Staying at the Sheraton Laval
Ideally located near the Carrefour Laval and the Laurentian highway, the Sheraton Laval Hotel invites you to live the Marriott experience directly in the heart of Laval. From the moment you enter the lobby, you will be charmed. The recent renovations give the hotel a new look and I particularly liked the grocery section — Comptoir Gourmand La Spesa, where you can find a superb selection of local products. I also enjoyed spending some time at the Bar Cupola, where I enjoyed an excellent cocktail of tequila, Aperol, hot pepper tincture, lime juice, simple syrup and strawberry.
Breakfast at the Sheraton Laval
After a good night’s sleep at the Sheraton Laval, continue the experience by ordering breakfast in your room or head to La Piazza restaurant. No matter where in the hotel you eat your first meal of the day, the great selection on the menu is sure to get you off to a great start. I had the chef’s ricotta pancakes with melted marshmallows and berries and the portion was more than generous.
Gourmet brunch at the Bête à pain de Laval
If you’re a foodie, you probably know this well-established address in the greater Montreal area. Indeed, La bête à pain‘s reputation is well established, but did you know that a brunch formula is offered at the Laval branch? The menu was concocted by Laval-born chef Kevin Bates (ex-Monarch and ex-Le Mitoyen), and includes several must-haves like the steak and egg tartare, served with a marrow mayonnaise. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, you’ll be pleased with the buttermilk pancakes served with labneh, fattouche salad and dukkah spices. In short, there is something for everyone at La bête à pain’s brunch.
Quebec wine tasting at the Château Taillefer Lafon
Did you know that there is only one vineyard in the entire Laval region? In fact, Château Taillefer Lafon is not only the only vineyard in the region, but it is also the first vineyard in Quebec to be able to use the “Château” appellation. This appellation is generally reserved for the great vineyards of Europe, but thanks to the production of exceptional products, this Laval vineyard has been able to rise to the top. On site, you can taste their products and even leave with some of them, as it is also a sales outlet. I instantly fell in love with their premium sparkling cider, Frisson en bulles, a beverage that is just sweet enough and sparkling enough to brighten up your dinner parties.
Discovering Les Serres Cléroux
At any time of the year, you can visit Serres Cléroux in Laval. A true institution in the world of horticulture in Quebec, they are the largest producer of annual flowers in the entire province. They are also one of the largest local producers of poinsettias, a red plant from Mexico that is very popular in Quebec homes during the holiday season. With the huge variety offered, it is almost impossible to leave Serres Cléroux empty-handed.
Fine dining at Restaurant Le Mitoyen
For our last evening in the region, we had the chance to visit the renowned Restaurant Le Mitoyen located in the Sainte-Dorothée district. This Quebec restaurant institution is known for its meat, fish and seafood. Combined with quality ingredients and the unparalleled know-how of self-taught chef Richard Bastien (he also owns the restaurant Leméac), Le Mitoyen has become, over the years, an essential part of Quebec’s gastronomy. You can choose between two formulas: à la carte or the tasting menu. Whatever your choice, you can be sure that you will have an exceptional meal that you will remember for a long time.
Italian-inspired brunch at the Sheraton Laval
The perfect option before a long shopping session at Carrefour Laval on Sunday is brunch for 2 at Restaurant La Piazza. With its 3 courses, this Sunday brunch will give you all the energy you need for a successful shopping trip. The portions are really generous, so you can probably even take a few items home with you to keep the pleasure going.
Massage at Amerispa
To finish off this memorable stay in the beautiful Laval region, we were treated to a Swedish massage at Amerispa located right next to the Sheraton Laval. It was the perfect time to completely relax before heading home.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these recommendations. Don’t hesitate to use the comments section to tell me your best addresses in Laval. Enjoy your visit and see you soon!
