The town of Sutton is located in the Eastern Townships, 65 miles northeast of Burlington, just across the Vermont border. Since 1960, when the Mont Sutton ski resort opened, this onetime farm village has reinvented itself as a year-round destination for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing, as well as mountain biking, road biking, and hiking. But it’s not all outdoor recreation. Sutton is also populated by the highest proportion of artists in Canada, hosting annual festivals such as its annual tour of artist studios, a sculpture park, and numerous art galleries.
Sutton is also known for its food shops, most notably La Rumeur affamée, located in the village center. As soon as you step through the front door onto the hardwood floor, the shop’s unique charm will transport you into another world. The aroma of freshly baked bread will draw you to the Great Wall of Bread, featuring a vast selection of baguettes as well as artisanal loaves of spelt, kamut, quinoa, flax, rye, nut, olive, and cheese, arrayed on handcrafted wooden counters. You can also find non-gluten and non-lactose breads including quinoa, rye, raisin and nut bread. Sample the chocolate orange muffins, or choose from the croissants, chocolatines and viennoiserie. Fruit pies, cookies, squares, cakes, and sucre à la crème are prepared daily. Regular patrons, says the owner, go for the shop’s signature maple syrup pies.
Decked out in the shop’s display cases is an assortment of nearly 200 cheeses, some locally produced in Québec, some imported from around the world.
Move on, and you’ll find charcuteries, sausages, and locally raised duck products. Looking for a meal? Find tasty ready-made meals and mouthwatering sandwiches. Don’t miss the aromatic coffees, extra-virgin olive oils, vinegars, as well as Quebec craft beers and wines.
La Rumeur affamée is said to be the model for Sarah’s Boulangerie in the Inspector Gamache series of novels by Louise Penny.
La Rumeur affamée, 15-A Principale N., Sutton. Visit the shop’s Facebook page.
Photos are from the shop’s Facebook page.
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