Agrotourism: A prominent feature of the Outaouais
*Check with businesses for opening hours according to the season and keep up with the latest activity news.
The Outaouais is full of places where you can sample local flavours, and there are just as many ways to discover them. Visit a farm and meet local producers and market gardeners. Taste craft beers and ciders, or distilled products in delicious cocktail recipes. Take a seat in a restaurant and enjoy a casual or gourmet meal. Visit a sugar bush and fill up on liquid gold. Wander through greenhouses and learn about the edible flowers, fruits and vegetables that grow in the region. Treat yourself to a gourmet break in the heart of nature. Discover the Outaouais’ agrotourism offer.
A visit to the farm
Plan a farm visit and meet local producers. Most places have a shop where you can buy expertly made products as well as fresh produce. Some establishments organize events and offer product tastings and guided tours of their facilities.
Immerse yourself in the world of medicinal plants in the gardens at Apothecary – La Fée des Bois and discover the fantastic world of herbalism. Stock up on organic garlic at Flor’Ail Bio. Get fresh asparagus at the Agricola Cooperative Farm. Shop for vegetables at Les Serres Gatineau and pick your own bouquet from the gardens at Les Jardins Sheffield.
Fall in love with the alpacas and enjoy a family picnic at Willow Lane Alpacas. Discover woolly pig and bison meat at Domaine Mangalica et Les viandes Takwannaw. Stop in at Ferme L’eau du ruisseau to buy grass-fed beef. Taste yak meat at Pure Conscience Farm.
Enjoyment by the glass
Meet passionate brewers, chat with dedicated growers, take a stroll among the vines at a winery, and, of course, savour a locally made beverage.
Head to the heart of Old Aylmer and sip a local beer at the 5e Baron Microbrewery. Like many other microbreweries in the Outaouais region, this establishment uses hops from the Lupuline Hop Yard, the first and only hop farm in Canada to grow El Dorado hops.
Enjoy a carbonated hard cider in a historic building dating back to the early 1930s at Coronation Hall Cider Mills, and stop by the cidery shop for a bottle of ice cider to take home. Or try one of Verger Merleau’s five ciders after a stroll through the orchard. The establishment also makes a non-alcoholic cider.
Take part in a wine tasting at the Domaine Mont-Vézeau vineyard. Go for a stroll among the hybrid vines and learn about the different grape varieties and the winemaking process.
Places to eat
There are plenty of great places to stop for a meal in the Outaouais, and many of them feature local products and sometimes even use boreal spices. Tantalize your taste buds with new twists on familiar dishes, comfort food, or new and exciting flavours.
Try all kinds of chicken wings at the Chelsea Pub and sample the Gin du Jardin made by the Distillerie du Square. Sign up for one of CarpeDiem Aventures’ gourmet events featuring local products. Try the creative flavours of artisanal ice cream at La Cigale, and don’t forget to buy some to take home. Be tempted by the French-inspired dishes of L’Orée du Bois and its warm, rustic atmosphere. Book a table on the terrace of Soif – Wine Bar and peruse the amazing wine list. Discover a menu that changes with the seasons at Les Fougères, and stock up on ready-to-eat dishes at the restaurant’s boutique before you leave. Enjoy traditional French cuisine infused with Indigenous ingredients at Nikosi Bistro Pub and sip one of their signature cocktails on the terrace overlooking the Gatineau River. Browse the gourmet shop at Courges & cie, treat yourself to a wood-fired pizza made with farm-fresh ingredients, and “round” out your meal with some pumpkin donuts!
An abundance of maple syrup
Maple syrup is an integral part of Quebec’s culinary heritage, and the Outaouais is no exception! Visit the region’s sugar bushes and learn more about this industry and how maple syrup is made.
Enjoy a hearty brunch-style meal in the traditional sugar shack at Domaine de L’Ange-Gardien. Visit Pine Lodge Resort and see the equipment used to harvest sap from the trees each spring and discover the enchanting beauty of Le Vignoble de Chelsea.
A gourmet break in nature
It’s a well-known fact: spending time outdoors gives you an appetite!
When you book a nature getaway with Terre & Neige, enjoy freshly prepared, locally inspired meal baskets delivered directly to your cabins.
Stop by the food truck at Eco-Odyssée Nature Park after exploring the water labyrinth by pedal boat or paddleboard. The park also hosts gourmet events. Drink in hand, watch the sun set over the marsh and enjoy the beautiful view.
Receive a gift bag of local products when you stay at one of the accommodations managed by BB Hosting, such as Laurette Lodge. Discover the gourmet activities on offer.
Even more gourmet products
On a hot day, cool off with a tall glass of cold lemonade from Monsieur Limonade. The drinks are available at several local sales outlets. Visit the ChocoMotive economuseum and taste artisanal chocolate while learning how it’s made. Make friends with the donkeys at Flâneuse, buy soap made from donkey milk, and bring your own lunch to eat in the outdoor picnic area. Discover the fine cheeses of the Fromagerie Montebello or La Trappe à fromage and take some home for your next dinner with friends.
When it comes to agrotourism, the Outaouais region is second to none. Buying local has never tasted so good!
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Are you a dedicated foodie? Explore even more agrotourism sites in the Outaouais that are just waiting for your visit.
