MANOIR HOVEY / MANOIR BELLECHASSE

THE REAL PLACES OF THREE PINES: A RULE AGAINST MURDER

In the height of summer the guests descended on the isolated lodge by the lake, summoned to the Manoir Bellechasse by identical vellum invitations, addressed in the familiar spider scrawl as though written in cobwebs. Thrust through mail slots, the heavy paper had thudded to the floors of impressive homes in Vancouver and Toronto, and a small brick cottage in Three Pines. (A Rule Against Murder, Chapter One)

Quebec’s Eastern Townships are a popular travel destination. The region dates back to the 18th century, when it was settled by British loyalists. It continued to be popular with Southerners who built estates to spend their summers there. Manoir Hovey, a luxury hotel, is one of these former estates. It is situated on the shores of Lake Massawippi, near North Hatley, and is the inspiration for Manoir Bellechasse in A Rule Against Murder.

Built in 1899, it was inspired by George Washington’s Mount Vernon home and it was later converted to an inn. Today, Manoir Hovey is run by Jason Stafford, whose family purchased the inn in 1979.

The five-star hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux, the prestigious travel association, and was just ranked the “Top Hotel in Eastern Canada” in Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards.

Almost all of the 37 rooms and suites have lake views, along with a combination of fireplaces, private balconies, and therapeutic tubs.

The refined, inventive menu of Le Hatley Restaurant takes advantage of the region’s seasonal bounty. Chefs Roland Ménard and Francis Wolf create a harmony of flavors and textures and the restaurant has the most extensive selection of cheeses in Quebec, with more than 20 types available from a cheese cart that is rolled out during dinner.

A perfect spot for a cocktail before or after dinner is in the Tap Room Pub. The former carriage house has been converted into a historic antique-filled pub that’s a casual gathering spot with a friendly, inviting atmosphere. In the winter, after skiing, skating, or snowshoeing, the 10,000 brick fireplace beckons with its warm glow. In the warmer weather, there’s outdoor dining.

The hotel and its surroundings are a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There are kayaks, canoes and bikes to use in the spring and summer and foliage tours from a pontoon on the lake in the fall. And cold temperatures notwithstanding, winters are magical at Manoir Hovey. Skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, and sleigh rides are available, as is one of the newest and most popular activities, complimentary ice fishing lessons on the frozen lake.

For information or reservations, please call (819) 842-2421 or visit www.manoirhovey.com.

Three Pines Trivia Time: What real life Two-Day party took place at Hovey Manor?

One of the most memorable places in the Three Pines canon, don’t you think?

25 replies on “THE REAL PLACES OF THREE PINES: A RULE AGAINST MURDER”

[…] Pines, while not found on any map, is inspired by real locations, including Hovey Manor, the inspiration for Manoir Bellechasse — the inn where the Gamaches vacation every […]

I stayed in one of the cottages at Hovey Manor with my then fiancé (we weren’t engaged yet and, sadly, never got married). It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life! The Manoir is so beautiful and the setting couldn’t be more lovely. Do not get me started on the sumptuous food LOL A definite MUST on anyone’s bucket list!

[…] wedding anniversary at Manoir Bellechasse (for more about the real place that inspired the manor, click here), and both the US and German covers reference this idyllic setting. While the German edition […]

[…] och hans fru har åkt på sin årliga resa till värdshuset Manoir Bellechasse för att fira sin bröllopsdag. Samtidigt har familjen Finney samlats på värdshuset för en […]

[…] to break up the driving. If you are a Louise Penny fan you will know about the Inn from reading A Rule Against Murder. Louise lives very near Manoir Hovey and the Inn offers a Vive Gamache! Getaway […]

[…] way at Manoir Hovey, a charming country inn on a lake in North Hatley, QC and the inspiration for Manoir Bellechasse in A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. In Quebec City, we are staying at Hotel le Germaine, one of a small chain of […]

My parents rented a cottage on the land next door to Hovey Manor for decades (to the left on the photo). The 2 properties were divided by a brook. The summers were idyllic. We never wore shoes, swam twice a day (rain or shine), and generally ran amuck! However we were always prohibited from crossing the brook and entering Hovey Manor land. This prohibition made the place take on mythical proportions in our youthful brains; turning it into some sort of fairytale castle where only royalty could tread. Upon reflection, it was probably much simpler: our parents didn’t want their scruffy bare-footed children causing a nuisance! Reading this blog makes me realize what lucky kids were were. Thanks for the memories.

Thanks for sharing, Deborah! Neat!

[…] Penny was inspired by different places in Québec to write her books. For instance see this page on Manoir Hovey (where Louise and her husband Michaela actually married!) for the #4 (Manoir Bellechasse in the […]

We’ve been going there twice a year since we discovered it through the book – its as glorious as it sounds. And the food is wonderful !

i am so lucky to work there. the view is breath taking, the food is great, i love my boss`s it a place to relax and enjoy.

Wow! I would love to visit this glorious place!

How awesomely beautiful! What an amazing place. Thank you for including it in your book.

It has been my dream to spend a night at Hovey Manor ever since I started reading Louise’s books. From Launceston in Tasmania it seemed unlikely. But I have a confirmed reservation in August during a trip to visit Canadian family. The Vive Gamache mug has become the item I want for my birthday. and all my Australian friends want to see it as soon as we are home again.
And the map of all the locations will be a part of our itinerary in Quebec. Very excited.

Trish, how exciting! I know it will be a very special trip.
Hovey Manor is so spectacular ! I’m so glad LP introduced us to it.

What a beautiful inn. It is even lovelier than I imagined when I read the book.

Is the answer to the trivia question is Louise and Michael’s wedding? I had thought the place in the book was different, but this place is a perfect 10. I want to splurge and visit there, but can’t convince my family how much fun it would be. Perhaps a runaway vacation for one? I also loved that Gamache saved his pennies to go there every year. Yeah!

You are correct, Almyra!

Louise Penny shares wonderful places with her readers! Hover Manor is certainly on my bucket list and one day I will find my way to Quebec, land of my ancestors and “home” of my favorite author and her characters that feel like family.