There are times when the best trip isn’t the one that has you rushing from place to place.
Instead, it’s the kind that lets you slow down. Why not plan a cozy weekend getaway this autumn? Sip coffee without checking the time. Get lost in a good book. Treat yourself to a few hours at the spa. Catch a show or gaze at a work of art that makes you pause and reflect a little longer than expected.
In Rimouski, the art of living sometimes takes the form of a gentle, comforting interlude. Here is a cozy weekend itinerary inspired by spots that invite you to unplug and unwind.
Start the day gently at Talo Spa
Some weekends deserve to be dedicated entirely to well-being.
Talo Spa is the perfect place to give yourself permission to slow down. The atmosphere invites calm from the very first moment, offering a warm, unpretentious setting for relaxation. You can enjoy the thermal experience—featuring a sauna, hot tub, steam room, cold plunge, and relaxation areas—and then extend the experience with a massage or treatment tailored to your needs. The team offers a range of services, including relaxation, therapeutic, sports, and prenatal massages, as well as reflexology and lymphatic drainage.
The baths, relaxation areas, and quiet moments help release the tension that builds up over the weeks.
Reconnect with yourself
In a daily life that is often too hectic, these few hours become a true luxury.
Here, there is no need to perform.
No need to achieve anything.
Just time to enjoy the moment.
Get lost in the aisles of Librairie-Boutique Vénus
After caring for the body, it’s time to tend to the mind.
At Librairie-Boutique Vénus, browsing the latest releases and finding the perfect book for a quiet evening is a true pleasure. A Rimouski fixture for over 40 years, the shop also features a gift section offering soy candles, incense, stationery, crystals, body care products, jewelry, and accessories.
Find your next read
Whether it’s novels, essays, graphic novels, or inspirational works, every visit offers a chance to discover new worlds.
And what better way to start a new book than during a cozy, relaxing weekend?
Find inspiration in the art of Myriam Leblanc
A getaway is always better with a touch of creativity.
A cozy retreat can also be an opportunity to nourish your creative side. A painter originally from the Magdalen Islands and now based in Rimouski, Myriam Leblanc creates colorful paintings inspired by the coastline, maritime memories, and everyday moments. Colorful houses, boats, lighthouses, birds, and gulls make up a luminous world that evokes the nearby river and the joy of escaping through the imagination.
Take the time to look
The artist also offers creative workshops for children and adults, and adapts her work into prints, cards, notebooks, and various illustrated items. Discovering her art is a wonderful way to add a splash of color and creativity to a weekend dedicated to slowing down.
In our often fast-paced lives, art offers us a rare opportunity: the chance to come to a complete stop.
To contemplate.
To interpret.
To imagine.
And sometimes, even to see things differently.
From words to music at Librairie L’Alphabet and Audition Musik
Some shops have a knack for naturally slowing down time.
To complement the quiet moments of your getaway, stop by Librairie L’Alphabet to browse new releases and pick out your next read. You can wander the aisles, discover the latest titles, and pause when a book catches your eye. On-site launches and events add a vibrant touch to this bookstore, where culture takes center stage.
Step into the adjoining space—Audition Musik—to extend your journey of discovery into the world of music. Explore new releases and keep an eye out for live performances and listening sessions that offer a unique way to connect with artists and their work. It’s a pleasure to browse the shelves or rediscover artists who had long since dropped off your playlists.
Choosing the soundtrack for your getaway
Whether it’s a novel to start at the cottage, an album to listen to, or an unexpected cultural find, this two-in-one stop lets you slow down while feeding your curiosity. You’ll leave with the perfect accompaniment for a quiet weekend—and something to keep the experience alive once you’re back home.
End the day at the Vieux Théâtre de Saint-Fabien
As evening falls, one final experience rounds out this relaxing interlude.
Housed in a performance venue… Le Vieux Théâtre de Saint-Fabien is one of those places with a soul—a cultural venue deeply rooted in its local community. Serving as a performance venue, a gathering place, and a hub for discovering and showcasing the performing arts, its unique character, programming, and intimate atmosphere create memorable moments for culture lovers.
You settle in comfortably, the lights dim, and you let yourself be swept away by the world unfolding on stage.
The joy of a cultural evening
The best weekends are often the ones that stir something within us.
A show.
A song.
An emotion.
A memory that lingers long after you return home.
A getaway at Chalet Le Grand Pin
Finally, putting down your bags.
Chalet Le Grand Pin offers exactly what you look for when you need a break: peace and quiet and a close connection to nature. The pace slows down the moment you arrive. Located between Rimouski and Sainte-Flavie, right by the water, it can accommodate up to eight people. With four bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and open-concept living areas, it allows families and groups of friends to reconnect in an atmosphere perfect for a relaxed, unhurried stay.
You can prepare a meal, gather around the large table, and enjoy the view of the river from inside the house or out on the balcony. Amenities for babies and children are available, while a barbecue and outdoor fire pit let you extend your time outdoors. It is a wonderful spot to settle in, slow down, and simply enjoy the presence of the St. Lawrence River.
Notifications matter less than the scenery, and daily obligations suddenly feel very far away.
The luxury of doing nothing
We often forget how pleasant it is to simply take our time.
Watching the trees sway in the breeze.
Reading a few more pages.
Savoring a morning without an alarm clock.
When slowing down becomes a destination
We often think of vacations as a series of activities.
Yet, some of the best getaways are those that simply allow us to catch our breath.
With Chalet Le Grand Pin, Talo Spa, Librairie Vénus, Librairie L’Alphabet, Audition Musik, the world of Myriam Leblanc, and the Vieux Théâtre de Saint-Fabien, Rimouski offers all the ingredients for a weekend dedicated to well-being.
A weekend where you finally take the time to read, create, listen, contemplate, and reconnect with yourself.
And sometimes, that is exactly the trip you needed.