Explore the Region

Bishop’s is an English-language university located in Lennoxville, a largely anglophone community within Sherbrooke, a predominantly Francophone, mid-sized city rich in culture, history and diversity.

The strength of the Eastern Townships lies in the vibrancy of its bilingual cultural scene and its access to the charming incredible countryside of the region.

For those students looking to balance their academic journey with an exploration of sights, tastes and sounds, take a look at some of the wonders to discover of this beautiful region!

An Immersive Cultural Scene

Lennoxville and Sherbrooke boast a great cultural scene from museums and art galleries to festivals and shows alike. Downtown Sherbrooke, just a five-minute drive (and accessible by bus or bike), is a vibrant urban centre.

Visit museums, like the Musée Nature Science or the Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke, attend festivals such as SherBlues, the Fête du Lac des Nations, Traditions du Monde, Concerts de la Cité, and more. Stroll Wellington Street, walk the famous Lac des Nations, relax in one of the dozens of green spaces, take the walking tour of the murals and stop by the dam, and grab a delicious lunch or dinner. The Granada Theatre also offers a wide variety of shows and events year-round.

In Lennoxville, Square Queen is the location of several outdoor events, shows, and a weekly Farmer’s Market in the summer, and the town also puts on the yearly Lennoxville Street Festival. The Uplands Cultural Centre offers art exhibits, tours, and even a traditional and authentic English tea experience! The Foreman Art Gallery, right here on campus, always has some grappling exhibits featuring the best that art has to offer.

The Trails are Calling

The landscape surrounding Bishop’s overflows with stunning natural vistas.

The Massawippi and St. Francis rivers run right next to campus and are banked by gorgeous walking and biking trails for you to enjoy.

The famous Route Verte runs right through campus! You can take the trail all the way to North Hatley and stop by the Capleton Mine, the Rivière Nice hiking area, and the North Hatley Dam on the way!

Lennoxville alone boasts some great walking areas within walking distance, including the Ascot-Lennox Forest with innumerable winding trails. At the end of Rue Mount is another small forest that has great trails/paths.

At the Johnville Bog and Forest Park, just minutes away by car, discover ecosystems that are uncommon in the area by exploring the Park’s 5.8 km of interpretation trails: The Pond, The Bog, The Esker, and the Fauna. Admission is free!

Hike your Heart Out

The Eastern Townships region is synonymous with amazing hikes and awe-inspiring views from mountain peaks. Mont-Orford National Park, a student-favourite skiing destination in the winter, offers many great hiking trails and mountain biking paths year-round.

Mount Pinacle, a longtime favorite of Bishop’s students, offers an undeniably breathtaking view of Lac Lyster. The Parc des Sommets in Bromont offers over 140 km of hiking trails that lead up to wide lookouts and peaks. Likewise, the Mont-Mégantic National Park has 20 km of hiking trails leading up to two summits of over 1000 m in altitude.

The majestic Mount Ham has a dazzling 360-degree panoramic view over three regions, and the hiking trails there total 18 km of routes for hikers of all levels.

Owl’s Head mountain, another great skiing destination in the winter, also offers many hiking trails that overlook lake Memphremagog and the American border.

Must-See Destinations

The Coaticook Gorge

As a major tourism contributor within the Eastern Townships region, the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook offers yearly outdoor activities such as Foresta Lumina, hiking, camping (summer and winter), mountain biking, and more. Having received several awards and recognitions, the Parc is a must for any Bishop’s student. There are several hiking trails for you to choose from that bring you to sights such as the amazing suspended footbridge, a hydroelectric power station, a cave, a covered bridge, a round barn, a floral garden, waterfalls, observation towers, ponds, and more.

The Astrolab at Mont-Megantic

Mont-Mégantic National Park is part of the Québec parks system managed by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq). The park’s fundamental mission is the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment through education. Astronomy, geology, biology and ecology are perfectly natural in a setting of incomparable majesty.

Mont-Mégantic National Park is the only Québec park to offer world-class astronomy-related activities thanks to the ASTROLab, its interpretive centre with three thematic rooms and a multimedia room, and its three Observatories.

The Mont-Mégantic Dark Sky Reserve, inaugurated in 2007, is the very first International Dark Sky Reserve certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. It is also certified by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as a Dark Sky Preserve.

The Astrolab is Canada’s best-performing Observatory and offers fascinating exhibits and a multimedia hall dedicated to the stars. In the evening, under one of Québec’s most beautiful starry skies, discover the splendours of space and the Universe with two public observatories and numerous telescopes.

North Hatley, a place like no other

North Hatley, the beautiful village just twenty minutes from Lennoxville by car, has plenty of activities and natural vistas for you to enjoy. Situated on the northern shores of beautiful Lake Massawippi, the charming little village features elegant heritage residences, cozy Bed & Breakfasts, quaint boutiques, lakeshore parks, bistros and coffee shops, historic churches, and sweeping views of the surrounding hills. 

Visit the North Hatley beach, Dreamland Park, Scowen Park, the Super Market antique shop, or the golf course for a day well spent. There’s even a vineyard with sparkling wines from Québec and an alpaca farm!

For even more information about what do see and do in the Eastern Townships, visit Tourism Eastern Townships.

What’s Right for You

Choosing a university is not only about selecting the right program. It’s also about where you will spend four important and formative years. The environment and opportunities around your campus can be an incredibly important part of the university experience.

The Eastern Townships, recently named as one of the top 52 places to visit (in the world!) by the New York Times, offers a lifestyle that is balanced thanks to the natural beauty within reach. This can offer an important reprieve for students striving to excel in their studies.

The best way to see the region is to visit!

Come anytime or plan a tour of campus! We would love to welcome you.