Sherbrooke, the chief town in Estrie, lies surrounded by hills at the confluence of the Magog and St-François Rivers. The town owes its name to Lord Sherbrooke who was Governor of Canada from 1816 to 1818.
The rock in the town center known as "Pin Solitaire" is a reminder of the time when the Iroquois and Abenaqui Indians lived in the area. In
February 1592 the two tribes were unable to agree on the outcome of a battle, so a curious competition was held at this spot. One Iroquois and one Abenaqui had to run round and round a pine tree until one dropped from exhaustion. The Abenaqui lasted the better and so won the right to kill the Iroquois.