We had an unforgettable stay at Auberge la Goéliche on Île d'Orléans in Quebec. A few years ago, on a leisurely trip through Québec, we took a full day to get to know the Île d'Orléans just outside Québec a little better. I had known the island in the St. Lawrence River for years from quickly driving through it. These short visits had piqued my curiosity, as I suspected there was a lot more to discover on the island than I had seen on previous visits.
So we booked a night at the Auberge la Goéliche on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. The Île d'Orléans is only about twenty minutes drive from Old Quebec away, practically at the gates of the city. It can be reached via an imposing bridge that connects the north bank of the St. Lawrence River with the island. As it turns out, I was right - the island offers a whole host of idyllic places to explore. And as we had to realize again, even one day was not enough to explore and visit everything.
The Île d'Orléans near Québec City, Canada
The island is almost as old as Quebec City. Even Jacques Cartier got to know her on his voyages of discovery. And after the city of Québec was formed on Cap Diamant on the other side of the St. Lawrence River, the island in the river quickly developed into the "Garden of New France". Farmers, in particular, settled here who knew how to use the fertile soil of the island and soon grew all sorts of fruit, vegetables and grains. And that has remained the case to this day.
If you drive around the island today, you often won't believe what is grown here: Potatoes, cabbage, wheat, corn, carrots, tomatoes, aubergines and peppers thrive on this island as well as apples, cherries, peaches and wine. The Île d'Orléans did not bear its original name "Island of Bacchus" for nothing. It has remained so to this day. That was also one of the reasons why we decided to stay on the island in a hotel whose cuisine is recommended in many places:
The Auberge La Goéliche in Sainte Pétronille on the Île d'Orléans in Québec
I also became aware of this little country hotel on earlier trips. I discovered it because I liked its surroundings. From the hotel car park you have a wonderful view of the Cap Diamant and Quebec City, over which the impressive Chateau Frontenac towers like a castle. From the outside the hotel looked cozy and inviting, so we decided to stay there during our stay in the island. We should not regret it!
A hotel without a TV in the room - but with all the more romance on the Sankt Lorenz river
I had already learned that there was no television in the rooms at the Auberge, and I thought, well, one day I will be able to endure it without news and weather. What awaited us there surprised me. When we arrived at the Auberge after our island tour in the late afternoon, we were greeted warmly at the front desk, but found that there was no lift in the house. Well, I thought, another indication that this is a traditional - that is, older - house. But when we opened the door to our room, we looked in astonishment and overwhelmed at a decor that overflowed with maritime design elements. The room was decorated in white and dark blue, with the blue mainly consisting of a frieze that ran the length of the ceiling around the entire room, solely for motifs representing the sea: shells, sailboats, anchors and the like.
Wicker chairs and a glass table stood in the bright bay window of the room. There was a pretty model ship on the desk, which perfectly complemented the hotel room's maritime decor.
The view of the St. Lawrence River is breathtaking
However, we were overwhelmed by the fantastic view of the St. Lawrence River from the Auberge la Goéliche. The windows took up a whole side of the octagonal room. They opened up the view of the river, which here is more reminiscent of a lake than a flowing body of water. I love water in all forms - whether it's a river, a stream, a lake or the sea. Here I could really indulge my passion.
I didn't care about the lack of a TV. Here I wanted to spend the rest of the day with a good book and enjoy the wonderful view of the river. And it got even better! The book was soon forgotten, too, because the large container ships, cruise ships and many Québec sailing boats pass right in front of the island. I couldn't get enough of what was happening outside the windows of our hotel room.
Fine Québec cuisine in the restaurant of Auberge La Goéliche
Since we also chose the Auberge la Goéliche because of the good reputation of its restaurant, it was difficult for me to tear myself away from the view in the evening. We went down to the hotel restaurant where we had reserved a window seat for two. After all, we wanted to celebrate the beginning of our journey through Québec here. We shouldn't regret that either, because we ended our day with an excellent table d'hôte dinner. There was shrimp with cucumber jelly, mint and lemon salad and a filet mignon with cocoa butter, grapes and hazelnuts in an orange sauce. With the Goéliche Vanilla Crème Brulée at the end, we were able to enjoy the view of the St. Lawrence River and its ships. Strings of lights decoratively draped along the quay enhanced our sense of well-being. So we spent an unforgettable stay at Auberge La Goéliche in Québec.
Auberge La Goéliche
22 Chemin du Quai
Sainte-Petronille, G0A 4C0
Information, availability query and online booking*
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Source Auberge la Goéliche: research on site. In any case, our opinion remains our own.
Text Auberge la Goéliche: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
