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Country roads meandering through vineyards and quaint New England-style villages make the Eastern Townships popular for road tripping – by car or bicycle – just over an hour’s drive southeast of Montréal.

The scenic landscapes have attracted hundreds of artists and every summer they throw their studio doors open from 10 am to 5 pm daily during two great art tours. Drop in to browse the works of painters, cabinetmakers, sculptors, jewellery makers and much more. Watch them work, chat about their projects and purchase art directly from the creators.

On the west side of Lake Memphremagog the annual Tour des Arts takes place from July 14-22. Visitors can stop in on 34 artists throughout the Knowlton-Sutton-Mansonville region, stroll the art-studded gardens of potters and check out studios in converted barns. There are also arts-related evening events from wine and sausage tastings accompanied by the rhythm of a Dixieland band, to literary and poetry readings in French and English.

Further east in the Magog-Sherbrooke area the Circuit des Arts Memphremagog opens studio doors from July 28 to Aug. 5.There is also a collective exhibition in Magog displaying the works of the dozens of participating artists including blown and stained glass works, even lute-making.

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