On our road trip across the province of Québec, we were looking for straightforward and affordable accommodation for one night between two long legs of our journey. We found it at the Motel Normandie in Louiseville, and it was the epitome of what one imagines a classic North American motel to be.
Accommodation in Louiseville: Motel Normandie
It becomes clear upon arrival: this place is all about practicality. You drive right up to the small reception desk, are greeted warmly, and receive your room key. A few moments later, you park your vehicle directly in front of your own room door – it hardly gets more convenient, especially when you don’t want to lug your luggage far after a long day on the road.
The motel is located right on the small town’s main thoroughfare, Boulevard Saint-Laurent. With only 11 rooms in total, it has a very quiet atmosphere. You quickly notice that international tourists rarely stay here. This had the charming side effect that all communication was in French – a wonderful feeling of having truly arrived in the heart of Québec, away from the major tourist streams. The actual town center can be reached from here in less than five minutes by car.
A Look Inside the Room: Simple, but Spotlessly Clean and Well-Thought-Out
The room’s furnishings are functional and simple; the furniture might seem a bit dated at first glance and shows the marks of many guests. However, this initial impression is immediately outshone by an immaculate cleanliness. You can feel that great importance is placed on making guests feel comfortable. Everything was meticulously cleaned, from the floor to the corners.
The small bathroom also confirmed this positive impression. It offered not only a few toiletries and a hairdryer but, most importantly, a shower with consistently hot water – a real blessing after a long day. Especially great and by no means standard for a 2-star motel were the in-room amenities: a refrigerator, quite large for motel standards, gave us the freedom to cool our own snacks and drinks. A microwave allows you to heat up a small meal. A coffee machine with complimentary coffee for two cups was also provided to start the next travel day perfectly.
The centerpiece of the room, the queen-size bed, was extremely comfortable. The mattress was just right – not too hard and not too soft – and we slept soundly.
The “Garden” – A Charming Detail
A small, amusing detail was the room’s second exit. According to the description, it led to the garden. While we would describe what we found more as a paved but tidy backyard, the option to step outside for some fresh air without having to go through the main entrance was still pleasant.
Conclusion: Perfect for an Authentic Québec Road Trip
If you’re looking for an affordable, clean, and practical stopover on your Québec road trip and want to experience an authentic piece of local flair, Motel Normandie is the perfect place. It’s not a luxury accommodation but an honest, well-run motel that offers everything you need for a restful night while passing through. For us, it was the perfect choice.
Address
Motel Normandie
1111 Bd St Laurent O Louiseville,
QC J5V 2L4, Kanada
Louiseville: Restaurant Les Ailes de l’Ouest
When we book accommodation without meals, we are always on the lookout for restaurants that are typical for the region and, preferably, visited only by locals. This was very easy for us in Louiseville; it seems no international travelers stay here overnight.
Right next to the motel is the restaurant Les Ailes de l’Ouest. A glance through the window showed a very busy dining room – always a sign for us that the food is good and guests enjoy coming here. So, we opened the door and went inside!
The first “problem”: they spoke almost exclusively French here. But one of the very young waitresses knew some English and took care of us from that moment on. Of course, the menu was also only in French. That didn’t bother us that evening, though. It was quickly decided: it had to be poutine!
We chose the “small” portion of the Poutine La Gagnon and the Poutine trip à trois, along with two beers from the local brewery, Brasserie Dépareillée.
While we waited, we had time to look around more closely. The restaurant is decorated with sports jerseys from various teams and sports. However, the focus is on the local ice hockey team. At the rather simple tables sat many older guests who felt right at home. It almost seemed as if people meet there, chat with other guests, and spend a pleasant evening.
The Beer
After a short wait, our ordered beers arrived in stylish cans. Brasserie Dépareillée is a microbrewery from the province of Québec. It is known for its creative and unconventional beers. The name “Dépareillée,” which means something like “mismatched” or “uneven” in French, is reflected in the brewery’s logo: a rooster and a donkey. The brewmaster is known for not being afraid of new flavor combinations.
We drank:
- Pépé: A spice and herb beer, golden-yellow, strong, and tart.
- Brut: A Blonde ale with 4.5% alcohol, almost pale yellow, smooth with a rather mild taste.
The Food
When the “small” portions of poutine arrived, I had to chuckle: “small” can be surprisingly large! The La Gagnon was served with pepperoni/bell peppers and onions. The Poutine trip à trois contained, in addition to fries, cheese curds, and gravy, steak strips, bacon, and onions. Looking back now, this was the best poutine we had during our time in the province of Quebec. The wonderful, thick brown gravy was excellently seasoned and simply delicious!
Neither of us finished our plates, and we were so full that a shot of schnapps would have helped. But despite using a translation app, we couldn’t find any “schnapps,” only a liqueur.
Breakfast
The next morning, we were drawn back to the restaurant for breakfast. Still full from the previous evening, we chose the smallest option we could find on the menu: 1 egg. It was supposed to be served with seasonal fruits, bread, and home fries. Then we ordered a coffee, which brought a questioning look to the waitress’s face. You don’t order coffee; coffee is included in the service. Here, it was exactly as I know it from typical American TV shows. The cup was not even half empty before it was refilled – “bottomless coffee” is the motto here.
When our order arrived, I was glad I had only ordered 1 egg. The amount was overwhelming. A glance at the other tables confirmed that all the plates looked like that—perfect for craftsmen, farmhands, and too much for us.
For me, the visit to this restaurant was an experience I wouldn’t want to miss. Everything was just right here – friendly people, good hearty food, no tourists, and a simply authentic atmosphere.
Address
991 Bd St Laurent O,
Louiseville, QC J5V 2L4, Kanada
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