Located just outside Montreal, the Lower Laurentians region captivates with its bucolic landscapes and rich terroir. A true paradise for agritourism, it invites visitors to slow down and explore its orchards, vineyards, farms and local markets. Between gourmet tastings, family-friendly activities and exciting encounters with local producers, I invite you to discover 10 stops in the region that are must-sees when visiting the Lower Laurentians.
Intermiel in Mirabel
We begin our visit at Mirabel with an immersion into the world of bees at Intermiel. With 5,000 hives and an orchard of 600 apple trees, this family business specializes in producing honey, mead, and artisanal spirits.
Don’t miss tasting their different varieties of honey, a pure delight! The company also stands out for its educational and tourist activities, allowing visitors to discover the fascinating world of bees and pollination.
Domaine Pelchat Lemaître-Auger Vineyard
Next, head to Saint-Joseph-du-Lac to explore the magnificent vineyard Domaine Pelchat Lemaître-Auger. Founded in 2007 by none other than singer Mario Pelchat (a popular singer in Quebec) and his partner Claire Lemaître-Auger, this vineyard of 60,000 vines offers a wide range of white, red, rosé and sparkling wines made from carefully cultivated grape varieties.
On site, visitors can enjoy guided tours, convivial tastings and even a bistro highlighting local products.
Cidrerie Lacroix, a Must-See in the Laurentians
A visit to the Lower Laurentians wouldn’t be complete without stopping at Cidrerie Lacroix, an institution in the region. Established in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac since 1879, the company cultivates over 7,000 apple trees that help in forging a wide range of ciders, all made from 100% Quebec-grown apples carefully selected for their aromatic profile!
Here, you’ll find a full agrotourism experience: apple picking, a gourmet shop and a restaurant offering a delicious menu inspired by their products in an enchanting setting just 30 minutes from Montreal, the perfect lunch stop during your visit!
Fromagerie du Vieux Saint-Joseph Bio
Cheese lovers should then head to Fromagerie du Vieux Saint-Joseph Bio to discover their artisanal cheeses produced entirely from sheep’s milk. As the owner of an orchard as well, apples are an integral part of their products (apple juice is even incorporated into the production of several cheeses).
Crafted with care and respect for traditional cheese-making, their creations are sure to delight. Guided tours of the facilities are also something you can book, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at cheesemaking, a craft that requires patience and attention to detail! Products are only available on-site, making this a stop not to be missed.
Squash Interpretation Centre – Centre d’interprétation de la courge
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac has a unique outing planned for young families: the Centre d’interprétation de la courge! Located at the beautiful vineyard Les Vents d’Ange, visitors can discover four varieties of wine, including a delicious Pinot Gris, as well as no fewer than 40 varieties of squashes and pumpkins.
There’s no doubt that the pick-your-own activities will delight the whole family. Don’t miss tasting their famous squash chips, renowned throughout the region and definitely one of my favourite things I had in the lower Laurentians.
Visiting Oka and Surroundings
The Oka area is also a must-visit place in the Laurentians. Don’t miss Vignoble La Cantina, a vineyard nestled just steps from Deux-Montagnes lake.
Passionate about exceptional wines, this business, led by Daniel Lalande (also owner of Vignoble Rivière du Chêne in Saint-Eustache), stands out for the quality of its cuvées and warm hospitality.
Visitors can stop on elegant wines in an enchanting setting, perfect for a gourmet and relaxing getaway.
A visit to Oka would not be complete without stopping at the Oka Abbey. Rich in fascinating history, this former monastery and place of worship, now welcomes travellers.
Founded in 1881 by monks from France, the abbey is best known across Quebec for its unique cheese. Directly tied to the abbey’s history, Oka cheese was created here in 1893. In 1996, the recipe and production were sold to Agropur, which continues to make it.
You’ll find a full range of services at the abbey: an inn, a restaurant (Le Sacré-Bistro) with a delicious menu, a terroir product shop and mountain biking and hiking trails.
What to Do in the Laurentians and How to Organize Your Trip
Looking for things to do in the Laurentians during your visit? Here are some must-try activities:
- Take a Laurentians fun-packed day trip from Montreal!
- Immerse yourself in nature by launching yourself from a zipline and go hiking in Mont-Tremblant
- Enjoy the Quebec winter by dog sledding through the Laurentians
- See the sunset and get your heart racing at 360 degrees from the Treetop Observatory
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Laurentians through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Guided tours of the abbey are regularly organized and are truly fascinating. In short, I find it’s an ideal place to combine cultural discovery, gourmet pleasures and nature during your getaway.
Right next door, you’ll want to stop at Oka National Park for a complete immersion in nature. Its magnificent natural white sand beach stretches nearly 8 kilometres and is very popular in summer. Over 20 kilometres of trails and a campground with nearly 200 sites make the park a must-see stop.
Before leaving the region, be sure to visit these last two stops: Labonté de la Pomme orchard and cidery, and Fays chocolate factory.
Offering an immersive farm-to-table experience, Labonté de la Pomme, nestled on a mountainside, grows 25 varieties of fruits and vegetables, including apples, pears, plums, pumpkins, and cherries.
Cidrerie Labonté produces artisanal ciders, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, made from the fruits grown on-site. The Cabane à pommes, the first concept of its kind in Quebec, invites you to a gourmet culinary experience with meals prepared on-site, highlighting local products.
At Fays, visitors discover artisanal chocolates made on-site with passion and high-quality ingredients. Whether for a gift, a tasting or simply to treat yourself, the chocolaterie offers a unique and warm experience where the love of chocolate can be savoured in every bite.
In short, the Lower Laurentians region proves to be a little paradise for agritourism. Among the many orchards, vineyards, cheese dairies, cideries and chocolate factory, each stop provided me with a unique, authentic and, above all, delicious experience. One thing is certain: this region made it easy for me to savour the richness and diversity of Quebec’s terroir.
This trip was possible thanks to an invitation by Tourisme Laurentides, however opinions are stricly those of the author.
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