Auberge McGowan

At Auberge McGowan, couples say their vows on a big terrace facing Lac Memphrémagog and can even arrive at their own wedding by boat.

The inn stands in the village of Georgeville on a site with history going back to 1883, when the first building went up facing the Georgeville wharf. It later became a summer hotel and then a fishing lodge and village gathering place. Rebuilt and reopened in 2021, it is protected by a local heritage group for the community.

For a wedding, the whole inn is reserved for one couple, from guests arriving Friday to brunch on Sunday, for up to 70 people. Only one wedding is held each month in summer, so each couple gets the team's full attention.

The ceremony takes place on the lakeside terrace, and an outdoor fire keeps the evening going as the sun sets over the water. When the lake freezes, a chalet chic version gathers everyone around the indoor fireplace.

Food can be served restaurant style or as a dinner cocktail, with catering, a mixologist at the bar and late night bites available.

Seven rooms sleep up to 16 guests on site, with more lodging nearby.

The inn is about 90 minutes from Montreal and 30 minutes from Sherbrooke.

For couples who picture a small, private weekend on the shore with a boat arrival and a fire under the stars, Auberge McGowan offers a lakeside wedding steeped in history.