8 Best Stops on the Chemin du Terroir: A Lower Laurentians Foodie Road Trip (2026)

Just north of Montreal in Quebec, the Chemin du Terroir is a 226-kilometre signposted trail that links 25 official stops across the Lower Laurentians: small villages, rolling farmland, lakes, orchards, vineyards, distilleries, chocolate makers, lavender fields, and microbreweries. It is a slow, flavour-focused road trip through one of Quebec’s most quietly delicious corners, and an easy weekend escape from Montreal, Ottawa, or Toronto.

On our visit we based ourselves at the Abbaye d’Oka, the natural starting point, and spent two days meeting artisans, sampling regional flavours, and stitching together our own route. Here are the stops we loved most, plus a route map, the Tips we wish we had read first, and an honest look at how to do it yourself. To get around the route, the easiest move is to rent a car; the trail is well signposted but the stops are spread out.

Chemin du Terroir Route Map

The official Chemin du Terroir route runs from Oka up through Saint-Eustache, Mirabel, and the small villages of the Lower Laurentians, ending near Saint-Jérôme. You can open our suggested route through the main stops in Google Maps as a starting point and add the bonus stops below as time allows. The trail is well signposted on the ground, but offline maps are smart if you plan to wander.

The Stops at a Glance

Here is a quick at-a-glance of the producers we cover below, in roughly the order we visited.

Unique Stay: Auberge de l’Abbaye d’Oka

Abbaye d’Oka is a historic Trappist monastery on the shores of Lac des Deux Montagnes, and the best base we found for the trail. Founded in the late 1800s by monks from France, the abbey is also the birthplace of the original Oka cheese. Production has since moved elsewhere, but the site remains one of the region’s most fascinating cultural landmarks.

We joined the two-hour historical tour during our stay and were completely drawn into the abbey’s story, from its founding to its role in the surrounding community. The rooms themselves are simple but inviting, spacious, nicely decorated, and well kept, in keeping with the monastic roots. Many bathrooms are shared down the hall, though some rooms include an ensuite or a private toilet and sink. The on-site Le Sacré Bistro serves modern Quebec cuisine without ever leaving the grounds.

As a base it is hard to beat. It sits 45 minutes from Montreal and right at the gateway to the Chemin du Terroir, so it is easy to set out each morning, taste your way through the day, and return at night to a place rich in history and atmosphere.

Best Stops Along the Chemin du Terroir

The Chemin du Terroir links 25 official stops across the Lower Laurentians, from orchards and vineyards to distilleries and lavender fields, and you could easily spend a week working through them all. These are the producers that stood out most during our two-day visit, a mix of must-visits and a few bonus stops worth adding.

Fays, Terroir Chocolaté

One of the sweetest discoveries on the trail was Fays, Terroir Chocolaté in Oka, the gourmet chocolate factory of chocolatier Mathilde Fays. Her approach blends classic French technique with Quebec terroir, and the results are as inventive as they are rooted in the region.

A few standouts we tasted: a milk chocolate infused with basil layered over strawberry jelly; the delicate Mammaia pastry of white-chocolate mousse, strawberry mousse, and lemon cake base; and a cassis (blackcurrant) nougat with nuts, rich and almost wine-like. The highlight, though, was the fresh blueberries dipped in dark chocolate, picked one day, dipped the next, and sold inside the week.

What impressed us as much as the flavours was the philosophy. Nothing goes to waste, leftover fruit ends up in the pastries, and the team is actively moving to more eco-friendly packaging. Stop by the boutique for chocolates, cakes, and pastries, or linger on the patio with a coffee or a matcha latte.

Labonté de la Pomme

At Labonté de la Pomme, orchards stretch across the hillside in Oka, with a modern take on Quebec’s apple traditions. The family-run spot is known for its cidery and its twist on the Sugar Shack tradition (called the Apple Shack), and it celebrates the harvest year-round.

We spent a leisurely afternoon here, starting with a beautiful picnic lunch built around their ciders and goodies from the farm and other local producers. It was the perfect way to enjoy the orchard setting, relaxed, rustic, and full of flavour. Afterwards we wandered the rows of fruit trees and picked sour cherries, a seasonal treat that was on at the time.

Beyond the orchard, you can shop for apple products, jams, and baked goods, sit down to a hearty meal in the Apple Shack, or spend a few hours fruit-picking in season.

Côte des Saints Distillery

Founded in 2016 by six lifelong friends, Distillerie Côte des Saints in Mirabel has quickly become one of the most ambitious distilleries in the Lower Laurentians. The vision was bold, to make a Quebec whisky that could rival the best from Scotland, and they built a grain-to-glass operation to do it. Today they focus on single malt whisky, with gin and liqueurs showcasing their craft while the whiskies age.

The distillery grows and harvests its own barley in the surrounding fields, malts and ferments on-site, and turns out over 1,000 barrels a year. A five-day fermentation and very precise cuts keep only the “heart” of the distillate, which produces smoother spirits that mature faster, an approach that has already brought international awards.

The guided tour of the distillery and barrel warehouse walks you from the mash to the cask, with tastings of cask expressions including ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, and port-cask whiskies, alongside seasonal gin and liqueurs.

Maison Lavande

Few stops on the Chemin du Terroir are as photogenic as Maison Lavande. The family-run estate in Saint-Eustache is home to more than 125,000 lavender plants, which turn the fields into a sea of purple when the blooms peak in July. The sight and scent stayed with us for the rest of the day.

We wandered the trails through the rows and tried the lavender treats at the shop. The yogurt-based lavender ice cream was the standout, refreshing and subtly floral on a hot afternoon. Plenty of other visitors had brought blankets and were picnicking in the fields, which is encouraged and makes for a relaxed couple of hours.

The on-site boutique gets busy (be prepared to queue) and stocks essential oils, soaps, and culinary creations like lavender honey, while outdoor stands sell seasonal treats.

Noire et Blanche Microbrasserie

Set along the river in Saint-Eustache, Noire et Blanche Microbrasserie is a lively spot to wind down a day on the trail. The heritage building and spacious riverside terrace pair well with a solid line-up of craft beers.

We ordered a tasting flight that ran the range from crisp, hoppy IPAs to smooth dark ales, and paired it with a sampling platter of local bites and a classic Quebec poutine. Portions were generous, flavours were bold, and the riverside setting made it the right end-of-day pick.

Le Sacré Bistro

Housed inside the historic Oka Abbey, Le Sacré Bistro brings real culinary flair to the trail. Stepping inside feels like entering a stone château, which in a sense it is, with stone walls, low lighting, and a romantic atmosphere that suits a special meal after a day of tasting.

The menu leans modern with a strong farm-to-table philosophy. Much of the produce comes straight from the gardens on-site, with the rest from producers along the trail. We had a great meal here: a rich steak tartare, burrata, duck confit, and a plate of beautifully grilled vegetables from the garden. Worth building into the itinerary.

Bonus Stops Worth Adding to Your Route

If you have an extra day, here are three more producers worth weaving in.

Vignoble Rivière du Chêne

As one of the largest vineyards in Quebec, Vignoble Rivière du Chêne is a flagship stop for wine lovers. You can tour the cellar, walk among the vines, and taste the reds, whites, and sparkling wines, with a scenic terrace overlooking the vineyard for sunny afternoons.

Cidrerie Lacroix

This family-run orchard and cider house has been making artisan cider for generations. Drop in for a flight of traditional and modern styles, or time your visit with the fall apple harvest for picking and seasonal festivals. The shop is full of apple-based products that make good souvenirs.

Vergers Lafrance

Part orchard, part distillery, Vergers Lafrance is best known for crisp ciders and its award-winning Dandy Gin. The property blends fruit-growing traditions with Quebec’s evolving craft-spirit scene, so you get classic orchard products and inventive spirits side by side.

Our Tips for Driving the Chemin du Terroir

The trail is well signposted and easy to follow by car, which makes it ideal for a weekend road trip from Montreal, Ottawa, or even Toronto. A few practical notes from our trip.

• The trail is accessible year-round. In summer, the lavender fields and patios come alive. Fall brings the apple harvest in September and brilliant colour in the surrounding mountains. Winter is snowy and cozy, and spring catches the orchard blossoms.
• Most producers welcome English speakers, so you do not need to worry if your French is limited.
• Maps are available online and at visitor services, showing the 226-kilometre route and its 25 official stops. We recommend starting in Oka and exploring north through the villages.
• You will want a car. Compare rental options here if you are flying in.
• If you enjoy getting active outdoors, combine the route with the P’tit Train du Nord cycling trail.
• History buffs may want to link the trip with the Route des Belles Histoires, which highlights the region’s past.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Chemin du Terroir

How Long Is the Chemin du Terroir?

The Chemin du Terroir is a 226-kilometre signposted route linking 25 official stops across the Lower Laurentians, just north of Montreal.

How Many Days Do You Need on the Chemin du Terroir?

Two days is enough to hit the highlights, and a long weekend (three days) lets you slow down at the lavender fields, take the distillery tour properly, and add a couple of bonus stops. A week opens up all 25 producers.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Chemin du Terroir?

Summer (July) for the lavender bloom and patios, and fall (September) for the apple harvest and colour are the headline windows. Spring catches orchard blossoms, and winter is quieter but still doable for the indoor stops.

Is the Chemin du Terroir Family-Friendly?

Yes. The lavender farm, apple orchards, chocolate shop, and cideries are all relaxed, outdoor-friendly stops with plenty of space for kids. The distillery is the one stop with limited appeal for younger visitors.

Do You Need a Car for the Chemin du Terroir?

Effectively yes. The trail is designed as a self-drive route and the stops are spread across the Lower Laurentians, so a car is by far the easiest way to do it. Compare rental options here if you are flying in.

Where Should I Stay on the Chemin du Terroir?

The Auberge de l’Abbaye d’Oka is our pick: a historic Trappist monastery on Lac des Deux Montagnes that doubles as the trail’s natural starting point, with an excellent farm-to-table bistro on site.

Final Thoughts

With its mix of local products, historic sites, and outdoor beauty, the Chemin du Terroir is one of the easiest, most flavour-rich weekend escapes you can do from Montreal. Over two days we ate, drank, and learned our way from a Trappist abbey to a lavender farm to a single-malt distillery, and left with a real appreciation for the artisans keeping these traditions alive.

If you have done the Chemin du Terroir and are looking for the next loop, the Chemin des Cantons in the Eastern Townships, the Chemin du Roy along the St Lawrence between Montreal and Quebec City, and the Route du Fleuve are all worth bookmarking. For more in the Laurentians, see our guide to Mont Tremblant in summer, and if you are arriving via the gateway city, our guide to Laval.

Have you driven the Chemin du Terroir? Which stop would be first on your list? Tell us in the comments below.

Disclaimer: Our visit to this region was sponsored courtesy of the Laurentians and Bonjour Quebec, but as always, all opinions expressed in this article are our own.

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