Les temps des sucres (or sugaring season or Maple season in English) is the sweetest time of the year! In Quebec, warm temperatures in spring can only mean one thing, maple season! It’s that time of year when you can put maple syrup on everything, as much as you want, without remorse or judgement from others! Because who doesn’t love maple syrup?

What is a Cabane à sucre & where to find them?

This Quebec tradition dates back to the First Nations. In the 19th century, the French settlers appropriated the tradition to tap maple trees for their sap, taking advantage of the natural phenomenon with the changing temperatures. It soon became a tradition in the province. For the maple to sap, the temperatures need to be positive. The activity is usually performed during the two first weeks of the beginning of March. However, restaurants serving Cabane à sucre food are open across Spring from March to April.

Inside the sugar bushes or érablière, you find will Cabane à sucre (aka sugar shacks) where you can enjoy the typical menu consisting of ham, bacon, sausages, baked beans, scrambled eggs, pork rinds and pancakes and sugar pie. And of course, tire d’érable (maple taffy on the snow), a crowd favourite. The taffy is made by boiling maple sap after it becomes maple syrup but before becoming maple sugar, timing and temperature are key. The liquid is then poured onto a table made of snow in a form of a strip. Then, with a wooden stick, you lift the taffy up and roll it. The result is like an extremely sweet and sticky lollipop. I personally think it’s too sweet, but the hubby cannot get enough and always ends up eating mine.

The portions are big and sumptuous. Did I mention that you get to put tons of maple syrup on everything? The food is delicious, greasy and very sweet. I would recommend going around lunch, having a small breakfast and then having a very light supper. Trust me, you will be extremely full of all this good food!

The shacks sit big groups of people at long communal tables. The atmosphere is very joyful and familiar. You often have activities for the kids. A good activity is to stroll in the forest after to digest all the sugar.

Quebec is full of érablières scattered through the province, after all, we supply the world about 80% of all the maple syrup! If you are visiting Montreal or Quebec, this is the perfect day trip to discover the countryside, the shacks are only 30min or 1-hour drive from the cities. You can also mix them with other activities during your time in the province.

Sugar Shacks in Montreal

While the traditional and the best Sugar Shacks are outside of Montreal (or any city in the province), there are a few restaurants and activities that celebrate maple season in the city. I would highly suggest renting a car and getting out of the city since it can be the perfect day trip for your time in the city.

Cabane Panache

Located in the effervescent neighbourhood of Verdun, La Cabane Panache, has been held yearly for the past ten years during the last weekend of March. The outdoor event has a festive mood with food kiosks of nearby eateries and bars. There are also, games for young and old and free shows and concerts. This is also a great opportunity to leave the beaten path and discover a more local neighbourhood.

The entrance to the event is free, it is all along Wellington Street. The nearest metro station is De l'Église. You can find all the information about this event on their website.

Festivities around the city

If you do not have the time to go outside of the city for the festivities, you can at least attend some events or go to some restaurants offering this feast.

The Montreal public markets (Atwater Market in Saint-Henri and Jean-Talon Market are the most popular) offer a "Sugar Tour". For a few days, they are hosting the event with maple taffy on snow, a gathering of maple-based alcohol producers, inflatable games for children, axe throwing, sugar shack music and more. Click here to view the entire programme. If you are not visiting during these dates, you can always try and buy maple products at the Maple stands in the markets, they are open from early March until late April. All the products are fresh from the local producers.

Plaza St-Hubert is also hosting Le Temps des Sucres’ sugar shack event at Bain St-Denis.

There are also several restaurants that have Cabane à Sucre-inspired menus like  Caribou Gourmand, Marcus Restaurant + Terrace, the Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth’s indoor market Marché Artisans and Le Richmond that offer weekend maple brunch. I must say that I went to the Marché Artisans and I felt that it was lacking the whole rural experience.

Still in the city but with a more countryside feeling, the Ste-Hélène Bistro-Terrasse at Parc Jean-Drapeau has an urban sugar shack. Not only do they have a classic all-you-can-eat menu but you can also enjoy the Parc Jean-Drapeau's hiking paths, on the shores of downtown Montréal, as well as on Mont Boullé to observe birds.

Terrasse Belvu, is the new trendy outdoor terrasse open year-round and offers an original twist of the sugar shack with traditional treats, and maple-infused hot beverages such as their maple Irish coffee. The beautiful restaurant Perles et Paddock offers a multi-course supper menu. The Time Out Market also has maple events.

Outside of Montreal

Most of the sugar shacks are very close to the city only 1-hour drive. Be ready to surpass all your sweet expectations. Many of my favourite ones are located in the Eastern Townships.

Érablière Charbonneau

This is one of the most popular shacks around Montreal. It is located near the Denis Charbonneau cider house and has been open for more than 2 generations. This is the quintessential Cabane a Sucre. It is very cozy with a warm and friendly atmosphere with Quebec folk music playing in the background. Prior to the feast, go for a hike in the Mont Saint-Grégoire. The shack also has kids’ activities like aerial canopy tours and a few animals.

Érablière Shefford

For the past few years, we have been filling our bellies at the érablière Shefford. Located only 1 hour away from Montreal, in the eastern townships, this cabane à sucre has reinvented the traditional menu in favour of a fancier & more elaborated one. Every year, the menu changes giving a new twist every time we visit the shack. The shack belongs to Les Affamés, a well-known restaurant in Montreal. The menu usually has four big services with duck, pork, lamb & sumptuous desserts. Don’t worry, the traditional tire d’érable (maple taffy on the snow) is still on the menu!

The food year after year is delicious! I almost fell into a food coma with so much sugar and fat. However, this year we were a bit disappointed with the very slow service and the drinks.  

The Cabane is a beautiful mix of traditional and modern decor. The wood log makes up most of the decor hinting at the traditional construction methods of log sugar shacks. The long communal tables are separated by wooden pillars with the traditional metal bucket to collect the maple sap. Simple yet well-decorated, the shack knows how to preserve its heritage while incorporating modern elements. 

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