If you’ve listened to our podcast On the Porch with Front Porch Music this season, we’ve virtually traveled to various spots in Quebec, chatting with Brittany Kennell, Allison Daniels, Trudy, and Matt Lang. We learned one thing … Quebec has a thriving country music scene.
RELATED: Have a listen to our past episodes and follow the podcast …
When we were invited to check out Festival Country Lotbinière, we could not pass up the opportunity to see it for ourselves. After some planning, we turned it into a summer road trip that took us from Toronto, to Saint-Agapit, to Quebec City, and some fun stops along the way.
We made an interactive map for you to use when you take this trip so you can have all your stops planned for you. It’s at the end of this post.
Okay, let’s jump in the car!
First thing’s first – who’s driving?
Just kidding, we took turns. We left Toronto and narrowly avoided rush hour (don’t know how – we left at 4pm), bound for Ottawa. We figured we’d make it a two-part trip to save our energy for the festival itself.
RELATED: Here’s the playlist we listened to while we were taking the road trip to Québec …
Our first stop was at The Big Apple in Colborne. Neither of us had actually done more than pass it on the highway and trust us, this isn’t just any rest stop—it’s an experience. As first timers, we had no idea what to expect.
It’s certainly not just an apple orchard. The Big Apple has a massive market with a deli counter, hot food, cider and wine, and, of course, a ton of apple treats. We couldn’t resist picking up some apple fritters and turnovers, and of course, we had to snap an Instagram-worthy photo with the giant apple outside.
They also sell Beaver Tails!
Whether you want to stretch your legs, grab a snack, or explore the mini-putt, petting zoo, and unique shops, The Big Apple is a great place to take your first rest stop.
As you continue your drive, you’ll find plenty of OnRoutes along the highway for quick pit stops … ideal for refueling, grabbing snacks, or taking a bio break.
A Quick Pit Stop in Ottawa
We made it to Logan’s parents’ place in just under five hours, for some home-baked cookies, puppy snuggles, and of course, a hug.
You don’t necessarily need to make this stop, and you don’t actually have to go through Ottawa at all, but if Logan passed that close to home and didn’t stop in to say hi … it wouldn’t be pretty.
Ottawa is a great mid-way point to relax and recharge before heading into Quebec, especially if you want to break the drive up into two days. It’s also a great place to ease into a little bit of French before crossing the bilingual border.
Eastbound For Quebec!
Thanks to our friends at Agence Ranch who we would be seeing at the festival, we had some excellent recommendations for stops along the way to Saint-Agapit.
We made sure to stop at Chocolats Favoris for some of the best soft-serve ice cream we’ve ever had. Their dipped cones are to die for, making this a must-visit spot for any road tripper with a sweet tooth.
We didn’t have time to stop at Rose Drummond on the way to the festival, but we did make sure to stop on the way home. The unsuspecting little shop is just off the highway in Drummondville, and really is an all-in-one stop. They have lots of gifts, a florist (the entire place smells amazing), café, and coffee shop all in one. It’s the perfect place to grab a quick coffee or sit down for a meal.
Welcome to Festival Country Lotbinière!
Finishing part two of our journey in about four hours, we arrived in Lévis, just 20 minutes north-east of the festival grounds. For those who prefer a comfy bed over camping, staying in Lévis is the ideal option … close enough to enjoy the festival, but still have the comforts of a bed over a tent or a trailer.
Day 1 of Festival Country Lotbinière was a little slower – it did start on a Thursday. But this meant we had great parking, and a chance to take in the grounds and say hi to some people.
RELATED: Keep your eyes here for any announcements about the lineup for next year’s festival …
The first thing that greeted us was the smell of mouth watering food. Since we were in Quebec, it was only right to indulge in some poutine, and let me tell you, these were the freshest cheese curds we’ve ever had. If poutine isn’t your thing (are you even Canadian?), don’t worry—there was BBQ, tacos, sandwiches, burgers, churros, and more. And yes – we did try a few of those things as well.
The festival does a great job of offering more than just live music. We took some time to explore the covered area, which offered line dancing lessons, a mechanical bull, a tattoo parlour, a barber, craft breweries, and various vendors. It was a great spot to escape the sun or rain while enjoying everything the festival had to offer.
The festival featured two stages: the main stage and a side stage.
What’s cool about the side stage is that it’s free to attend and showcases emerging talent from around Quebec. We discovered some incredible new artists, and it was a treat to be introduced to fresh music we hadn’t heard before.
As for the main stage, it was packed with top-notch performances. The festival grounds were filled with VIP sections, merch booths, food trucks, and bars.
You do have the option to upgrade to VIP, and there are two raised platforms for guests. We spent most of our time in the covered Twisted Tea VIP platform.
There was also a Monster-sponsored after-party DJ booth to keep the fun going late into the night.
Pro Tip:
Bring your rain boots! It is almost always calling for rain at some point in the weekend and the main grounds get quite muddy.
@frontporchmusic very demure 🤌
♬ original sound – Jools Lebron
We made new friends, shared friendship bracelets, and soaked in the incredible vibes of the festival.
A Day in Quebec City: Exploring the Rich History
Our trip wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to Quebec City. Staying in Lévis made it easy to hop over to Old Quebec City, just 20 minutes away. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out on one of the oldest, history-rich cities in Canada.
We started our day with a visit to the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, one of the most photographed landmarks in Canada. The architecture and history of this place are simply stunning.
Next, we wandered through Quartier Petit Champlain, a pedestrian market dripping with history (and baked goods). The cobblestone streets are lined with unique stores and cozy cafés, making it the perfect place to shop and explore.
For a touch of nature and history, we strolled through the Plains of Abraham. This park is not only beautiful but also steeped in history, offering a moment of peace in a tourist-friendly city.
We wrapped up our morning with a visit to La Cale of the Port of Québec, where we enjoyed a cocktail on one of the best patios in the city, overlooking the river. And of course, we grabbed a coffee from Café La Maison Smith Notre-Dame to fuel our walk through the charming streets of Old Quebec.
A Road Trip Map To Festival Country Lotbinière
Save The Date For 2025!
Festival Country Lotbinière and the road trip to get there was an experience we’ll never forget – and would totally do again. From the scenic drive to the friendly festival atmosphere and the charm of Quebec City, this trip has it all. Taking a few days to enjoy definitely helps the festival rush and post-weekend blues after a weekend of fun (just me? Can’t be!). It’s nice to be able to plan an experience around the festival and have so many fun things to do.
If you’re in Ontario and looking to explore the country music scene en français – dates for Festival Country Lotbinière are coming soon!
Here’s who some of the folks at the festival think should play next year
@frontporchmusic The people have spoken – who would you want to see next year? @Bailey Zimmerman @samhunt @Jon Pardi @Tenille Townes @morganwallen @festivalcountrylotbiniere @Chris Stapleton @Luke Combs #zachbryan #festivalcountrylotbiniere #baileyzimmerman #morganwallen ♬ Rather Be – Riley Green
Make sure to follow the Festival on socials and keep an eye on their website!
Instagram – festivalcountrylotbiniere
Facebook – festivalcountrylotbiniere
TikTok – @festcountrylotbiniere
Website – countrylotbiniere.com
Jenna
Country music lover with an unhealthy collection of concert t-shirts. Always looking for up and coming artists. Believer in music's ability to soothe the soul. Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter.
Logan Miller
As the founder of Front Porch Music, I believe that music has the ability to connect people. I love country music, and I love the country music industry as a whole. My goal is to help music fans find new artists to fall in love with.
