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U-Pick and Gourmet Picnics

11 September 2023

It’s harvest season! Venture into the bountiful Laurentian countryside with an activity that’s packed with flavour: u-pick! Alone, with family or with friends, this food tourism outing will take you to the region’s most idyllic fields and orchards. In the fall, you can pick many different varieties of apples, squash and pumpkins at Laurentian farms, where you’ll always find a warm welcome. Discover these magical locations through tractor rides, petting zoo visits, pony rides, rural stores, and play and picnic areas. It’s a great opportunity to stock up on luscious fruits and vegetables while getting to know how the region’s agriculture operates, all in dazzling fall scenery.

Foster togetherness with apple picking

Saint-Joseph-du-Lac is the ultimate destination for apple picking. Come as a couple, family or friend group to experience this little slice of paradise. Fill up your bags with fresh apples and take advantage of on-site activities. You’ll love the festive atmosphere at Domaine Lafrance. The tractor rides, petting zoo, and play area are a big hit with kids … and the cider house is a draw for adults! Stop at the new Bistro Lafrance for a quick meal to enjoy at one of the site’s picnic areas. And don’t forget to sample their famous apple doughnuts! With its enchanting scenery, Cidrerie Lacroix also has lots to offer for groups of all kinds. Many activities are available in addition to apple picking, like a petting zoo, a play area, guided tours, cider tastings and more! For a gourmet experience, book a table for brunch at the gourmet restaurant at Verger Lacroix, served every weekend. Be sure to check out the region’s apple-themed festivities!

Harvest time

The end of summer means the beginning of the harvest season for a wide variety of local foodstuffs. In Saint-Eustache, La Magie de la Pomme is open to u-pickers from September 2. Roll up your sleeves and stock up on apples, squash and pumpkins. For a souvenir of your outing, take a picture in front of the site’s breathtaking sunflower field. Alternatively, the Labonté de la Pomme orchard and cider house in Oka lets you pick your own apples, green cabbage, pumpkins and rhubarb. This year, venture into the new corn maze opening in September, where mysterious riddles await! Are you a wine aficionado? Head to the Rivière du Chêne Winery on Saturdays and Sundays between September 23 and October 15 to take part in the grape harvest! The day-long outing includes a short training session, grape picking, a picnic, a guided tour, a gift, and more! With the seasonal produce harvest approaching, join hands with local businesses to celebrate the start of fall!

Harvest fun with your canine companion

Harvest time is the perfect excuse to spend time outdoors with family and friends … and of course, your dog (on a leash)! Visit the Richard Legault Orchard in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac to fill your basket with apples and take advantage of the facilities on site, like a petting zoo and play and picnic areas. In addition to summer and fall apple picking, the orchard also offers pick-your-own raspberries. Then, stop by Intermiel in Mirabel to frolic in their spectacular field of giant sunflowers. Open to customers of the Intermiel store, the site is ideal for taking pictures as you breathe in the perfumed air. Little ones will love the play area and petting zoo. Finally, visit the Centre d’interprétation de la Courge du Québec in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac to take part in the first autumnal activities of the year. Head into the fields to choose from 40 different varieties of gourds. This year, QR codes in the fields will help you identify the varieties as you pick. Plus, you’ll enjoy live music every Sunday from September 10.

Gourmet baskets

Make the most of these final weeks of summer weather by filling up on local flavour! Grab a ready-to-eat picnic at La Bullerie in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac and sample a cornucopia of local foodstuffs: cheese, charcuterie, fruit, desserts and more! Share the great times with your dog, allowed on site with a leash. Or, visit the Vignoble Les Vents d’Ange vineyard and microbrewery, located in the same municipality, from September 1. Every weekend, you can pick up the Buvette basket, which contains cheeses, charcuterie and wine to enjoy during your winery getaway. In Oka, pick apples and discover gourmet products with a spring-summer epicurean picnic package from the Labonté de la Pomme apple shack. Prepared on site, this two-person picnic basket includes onion soup, cheese fondue, charcuterie and more. Available with a reservation from Friday to Sunday. For even more deliciousness, head to the Rivière Du Chêne Winery in Saint-Eustache until mid-October. A picnic including wine, cheese, pâté, cured sausage, croutons and apple jelly is on offer every day.

Local products for sale

There’s nothing as delightful as a fresh picnic! To fill up your basket, try the Boucannerie Belle-Rivière smokehouse in Mirabel for handmade products like cretons, pork terrine, fruit ketchup, relish and more! Order a sandwich with freshly sliced charcuterie for a heartier picnic. You’ll also love Espace Terroir des Laurentides in Val-David, where you’ll find local products like microbrewery beer, smoked meats, jam, hot sauce, nuts and much more. Make one more stop at Lost River Market in Harrington for all the picnic components you need: sandwiches, charcuterie, cheese, fruit, vegetables, beverages of all kinds, and even more. Have a sweet tooth? Don’t forget to check out the candy bar for your favourite treats! And finally, stock up on gourmet local flavour at public markets in the Laurentians. Fill your shopping basket with fresh produce and sample delicacies from across the region.

A rich terroir

Add an artisanal touch to your picnic for a delicious end to the summer season. At Fromagerie Mirabel, choose from specialties like cheese curds, aged cheddars and a variety of local products. And in Sainte-Sophie, pick up your favourite fine cheeses at Les Fromagiers de la Table Ronde. In addition to a wide range of organic options, this cheese shop offers small platters that are perfect for picnics. Don’t forget to top it all off with a sweet treat! The Le petit rucher du Nord apiary in Brébeuf has up to six kinds of honey to add flavour to your favourite recipes, as well as delectable mead. For a decadent dessert, head to the Fays, Terroir chocolaté chocolate factory in Oka. There, you’ll find fine artisanal chocolate, pastries, and a summer specialty: fresh blueberries coated in dark chocolate. Finally, make a stop at the Tarterie du Verger des Musiques bake shop in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac for some scrumptious apple bread. Forget the plain old sandwiches and make your picnics extra special with delicious regional flavours!