There are numerous hotels, hostels, airbnb’s, and chateau-ish places to spend the night if you’re visiting Quebec City. But there are two that might be a little more immersive in other aspects of Quebec’s culture.
Les Monastere des Augustines, once a convent of nurses, has transformed itself into a more holistic retreat for those who seeking a bit of wellness travel with yoga, meditation, healthy meals and a monastic surrounding that begs visitors to unplug and embrace silence. In fact, guests are invited to eat breakfast in silence as the Franciscan nuns did in their day.
The rooms can be as sparse as a nun’s chamber, though slightly modernized.
Or a little roomier in the refurbished rooms up the worn, slanted stairs.
Guests are invited to visit the museum area in the old parts of the monastery. The public is also welcome to come and take part in the variety of yoga, meditation, and choir programs that are available there.
They continue to foster the mission of these cloistered nuns: to heal.
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Or, you could visit the Wendake-Huron cultural sights and spend a night in a longhouse with other curious adventurers.
Guests gather around the small fires inside. A Wendake storyteller comes almost every evening and the public is invited to attend. Those staying for the nights pile on furs and blankets and sleep there as as a family among families in a First Nations tribe.
I’m not sure how well one might sleep there, but the Wendake Museum-Hotel is right beside the longhouse and they have more comfortable rooms with nice soft beds and a babbling river just off the balcony.
The museum-hotel has a restaurant onsite as well as a museum and gift shop that all support the Wendake community. Chances are that everyone you meet who works there is a member of the Wendake-Huron people.
I don’t think you could go wrong with any of these unusual lodgings. I think I’d like to spend a few nights in each. How about you?
Does one in particular pique your interest?
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I might feel more at home in the longhouse than a nunnery, Juliann. 🙂 But I always like the idea of silent meditation, so it might be a toss up. Anyway, they are both interesting. –Curt
No need to choose, Curt! Though it is much easier to picture you in a longhouse.
Laughing. I suspect you are right, Juliann. But there are a number of Zen books up on my shelves. –Curt
The longhouse looks amazing! To your point, I’m not sure how well I’d sleep in a communal area but I suppose that would be more of an authentic experience? So glad you got to see these and share them with us Julie, I’d never have known about these otherwise! 🙂
I don’t know if I’d get any sleep in a longhouse, but I’d definitely like to try. At least for one night.
I like the idea of embracing the silence and taking a vacation to heal. My mind gets filled with all kinds of clutter and I want my vacations to be an active purge cycle. I really like the simplicity and silence of the nunnery.
What a great perspective! I want this sometimes, too. It would almost be like a detox. And, though they have wifi, they also invite guests to give up their devices while they’re there.
Such interesting choices of accommodations in Quebec city! I love the look of both places but I think I’d prefer the Wendake Museum-Hotel. I always have a thing for tribal culture.
Yes. It was very inviting. And I think listening to the stream flowing outside would easily put me to sleep.
What interesting finds Juliann. The idea of sleeping inside a museum intrigues me.
It’s definitely a unique opportunity. I want to try it.
I visited the Les Monastere des Augustines and loved their space for yoga and meditation! Though I must say Wendake Museum-Hotel looks more appealing and unique for me. It would be so cool to meet Wendake-Huron people and learn about their tribe culture!
Once you get to this area, there is more to see and learn. It’s a fascinating culture and well-preserved heritage. I always enjoy learning about native peoples.
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