About
A Voyage Into the Natural World of Magical Lake Memphremagog
Through its unique cruises aboard the elegant Grand Cru, Escapades Memphrémagog will transport you (physically and mentally!) into a universe where your senses come alive.
You’ll love the onboard ambience, comfortable furnishings and gourmet cuisine, not to mention the spacious decks that offer breathtaking views. Then there’s the luxurious interior design… Check out the information below to learn more about our beautiful, unique boat.
Gourmet Menus
Every year, Chef Alex Poulin and his team design delicious menus showcasing local produce from the Magog region and other areas of the Townships.
A New Onboard Experience
We are pleased to announce that starting in the summer of 2026, we will be launching Murmures – Hidden Tales of Le Grand Cru, a brand-new immersive experience that will add another layer of enjoyment to your dining cruise!
Musical Performances
Did you know that every cruise features a live performance by our talented musicians?
360° virtual tour
THE BOAT
The Magnificent Grand Cru
A Rich History
Le Grand Cru was born of the daring vision of André L’Espérance, a local businessman, lover of the Eastern Townships and founder of PAL+ | Touristic Experiences. The idea behind the boat was to offer one-of-a-kind cruises on Lake Memphremagog to Magog residents, as well as to the many tourists who visit our beautiful region. His daughter Élyse took over the reins of the company in 2018 and continues to augment L’Espérance’s vision by offering high-end, innovative and unique experiences.
The name “Le Grand Cru” originated with L’Espérance’s idea of designing a boat that was reminiscent of the qualities inherent in fine wines: elegant, distinctive and memorable. Inspired by those attributes, he felt that they described exactly what he envisioned for creating touristic experiences on the water. His goal was clear: André L’Espérance wanted to offer much more than just a simple cruise. He dreamed of building a spectacular, impressive boat where refinement, quality and the pleasure of fine dining combined to form a harmonious whole. Every detail of the vessel was to evoke the spirit of fine wines―excellence, craftsmanship and a feeling of conviviality. The name of the boat was to encapsulate a high-end experience characterized by fine dining, elegant surroundings and stunning lake views. Le Grand Cru does all that and more!
One of the design features of this one-of-kind vessel was to have no interior bulkheads, among the many details that involved more than 400 pages of technical calculations. Each step of Le Grand Cru’s construction represented a milestone. The initial plans were drawn up during the summer of 2008. The factory work was undertaken in 2009. The finishing touches were done at Pointe Cabana in Magog, during the spring of 2010. By the summer of 2011, it was ready to set sail, marking its first season on Lake Memphremagog!
By the fall of 2022, maintenance work had to be carried out on the hull of Le Grand Cru. It was necessary to hoist the boat out of the lake, but unlike large bodies of water (such as the St. Lawrence River), Lake Memphremagog has no dry docks. The problem was solved by creating cofferdams―an innovative solution that proved to be a world first!
Starting in the summer of 2026, Escapades Memphrémagog’s 16th season of operations, passengers will be able to enjoy an enhanced onboard experience with Murmures – Hidden Tales of Le Grand Cru!
The Design
The Grand Cru is 135 feet (41.15 metres) long―the equivalent off just over three buses laid end to end! There are comfortable seats and plenty of standing room for each passenger, which gives the interior a feeling of open, unrestricted space. Because the boat is a catamaran (meaning it has two hulls), it is very stable. It is rumored that nobody has ever spilled a glass while Le Grand Cru is moving across the water!
The original 10-feet (3-metre) high Extenzo ceilings, inlaid with Swarovski™ crystals, created a feeling of opulence, as do the (non-flammable) Bubinga wood floors and the surrounding walls, which were made from figured Anigre, a tropical wood from Africa. Topping off the refined décor are touches of marble, chrome and stainless steel.
The picture windows cover an area of 780 square feet, and they offer unimpeded views of Lake Memphremagog, the mountains, the homes lining the shoreline, local landmarks, and the stunning natural surroundings. Every detail has been designed to highlight the tranquil, relaxing ambience of the Eastern Townships. Rain or shine, Le Grand Cru will impress you with its elegant interior and high level of comfort!
If you’re a wine lover, you will delight in our first-class wine cellar with its 200 bottles, which include several privately imported vintages. Last but not least, Le Grand Cru has been updated a few times down the years to ensure that the interior remains stylish, contemporary and comfortable…
Boat Capacity and Public Areas
Le Grand Cru can accommodate up to 180 passengers―in addition to its professional and highly trained crew. The various public areas are named after fine wines, a nod to its branding as an elegant, upscale tourist attraction. The Latour section (main deck) is outfitted with comfy banquettes that offer views from the picture windows. The intimate Lafite area at the front of the boat (bow) and the Margaux section at the back (stern), are also furnished with tables and banquettes. They can be arranged in a variety of configurations, depending on the particular event.
On the upper deck is the Salon Haut-Brion, which offers additional seating. It has space for 28 passengers and can also be reserved as a private area, ideal for smaller groups. Beside this space is an attractive terrace where passengers can take in the surrounding views. On sunny days, during the Bubbly Hour cruise, our musicians sometimes perform right next to the outdoor bar.
The names given to each of Le Grand Cru’s public areas are no accident! They allude to some of the world’s most prestigious wine estates, harking back to the official 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines.
Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III for the Paris World Fair, this classification was introduced to showcase the finest Bordeaux wines. They were chosen based on the reputation of a particular châteaux and the high prices they charged―the criteria for a bottle of quality wine at the time! The very first classifications were given to prestigious estates such as Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux and Château Haut-Brion.
These legendary names have been the inspiration behind Le Grand Cru right from the start, highlighting the refined, gourmet ambience aboard the elegant boat.
The Floor Plan
For an overhead view of Le Grand Cru, check out the floor plan.
Section 1
Up to 108 passengers
All seats by the window
- 4 round benches seating 3 people each
- 8 benches seating 6 people
- 12 benches seating 4 people
Section 2
Up to 54 passengers
In the front: benches in the centre of the boat
A the rear: tables at the centrer of the boat
- 3 benches seating 12 people
- 4 tables seating 2 people
- 1 table seating 4 people
- 1 table seating 6 people
Section 3
Up to 28 passengers
Salon Haut-Brion: tables at 2nd floor
- 4 tables of 2 people
- 3 tables of 4 people
- 1 table of 6 people
Book a Cruise Today!
For a unique experience on Lake Memphremagog, give us a call or make a reservation online.
Do You Have Any Questions?
We have the answers! Check out our FAQ or contact us directly.