Each fall, around Montreal, the tradition of apple picking attracts thousands of visitors looking for an outdoor activity, whether with family, friends, or as a couple.
This practice, deeply rooted in Quebec culture, has become an essential ritual of the season. Within 1.5 hours of Montreal, several orchards open their doors as early as September, offering much more than just apple picking.
These orchards not only allow you to fill your baskets with juicy apples, but they also offer a range of activities for all ages. From tractor rides through the orchards to corn mazes designed to entertain and challenge both young and old, every visitor will find something to enjoy.
In addition to these activities, most of these orchards offer tastings of artisan ciders, made from apples harvested on-site. These tastings are the perfect opportunity to discover authentic local flavors and better understand the expertise of the producers.
To extend the enjoyment, these orchards also highlight local products made on-site, ranging from Breton crêpes to homemade sandwiches. These gourmet options provide a well-deserved break between activities, allowing you to savor dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. A visit to one of these orchards offers a complete day in nature, combining fun, discovery, and conviviality.
Whether you're looking for a place for a family outing, a day with friends, or a gourmet getaway, here is our selection of the best orchards for apple picking around Montreal.
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2319, QC-209, Franklin, J0S 1N0
In Saint-Antoine-Abbé, 1h20 from Montreal, Verger du Pirate is the ideal spot for a fall outing. In addition to picking juicy apples, the orchard offers a multitude of activities for children, including a boat-shaped playground and a pirate farm. On weekends, you can also enjoy tractor rides. Sweet tooths will love the homemade apple donuts and muffins, while food lovers will appreciate specialties like the apple and maple sausage hot dog. The site is perfect for a family picnic, with tables available, all in a friendly atmosphere where even leashed dogs are welcome.
2291 Boulevard Perrot, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, J7W 2J8
Verger Labonté, located in Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, an hour from Montreal, is the ideal choice for a family day out. In addition to organic apple picking, the site features a giant corn maze designed to challenge your mind while having fun. The orchard, known for its apples grown without synthetic pesticides, offers a variety of activities, such as apple picking, mystery games, and outdoor movie nights on Fridays, August 23rd and September 20th, featuring the film "Farming Without Harming." The orchard's shop offers lunch boxes, including a sandwich and a homemade apple muffin, to complete your outing. A perfect place to spend a day outdoors while respecting the environment.
649 Chemin Principal, Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, J0N 1M0
An hour's drive from Montreal, La Cidrerie Lacroix in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac offers a complete experience for the whole family. In the fall, enjoy apple picking with more than 20 varieties available. The orchard also offers trails accessible year-round, a local dining option where each dish is made with products from the orchard, and cider tastings seven days a week. Among the menu's highlights, discover Lacroix's mac & cheese, apple beef tartare, and homemade waffles and ribs. Open year-round, the orchard welcomes visitors with a warm atmosphere and activities for all ages, including a children's play area.
360 Rang de la Montagne, Rougemont, J0L 1M0
Located in Rougemont, about 1h20 from Montreal, Érablière Verger d'Émilie is a perfect destination for a family day out. In season, enjoy apple picking while savoring a buffet brunch with dishes like on-site smoked ham, apple poultry, and donuts famous in Montérégie. The site also offers a petting farm, children's play areas, and festive activities like inflatable games and live music on weekends. The on-site shop offers more than 75 artisanal products, perfect for bringing home a tasty souvenir.
5, QC-137, Granby, J0E 2C0
Cidrerie Milton, located in Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton, 1h25 from Montreal, offers an apple-picking experience enriched with numerous activities. In addition to apple picking, you can enjoy a cider at the outdoor bar, attend outdoor concerts, and take advantage of the children's play area. The gourmet shop offers more than 25 varieties of ciders as well as tarts, pâtés, and other artisanal products. The bistro, with its panoramic view of the Montérégiennes hills, is ideal for enjoying sandwiches and snacks paired with ciders. A place where each visit is a moment of pleasure and discovery. From September 15th to October 6th, festive Sundays for the whole family are enhanced by outdoor concerts featuring alternative folk singer Erwan Cosnuau-Polewska. Along with this musical ambiance, enjoy a tractor ride, a children's play area, and adorable small animals. The outdoor cider bar, cozy fire pit, and gourmet shop complete this unique experience. The view of the Montérégiennes hills from the bistro makes every visit unforgettable.
405 Rang de l'Annonciation, Oka, J0N 1E0
Labonté de la Pomme in Oka, located an hour from Montreal, is a true haven for nature and Quebec terroir lovers. The orchard, open from June to October, invites you to pick a variety of fruits, with an abundance of apples, pears, and plums in the fall. The estate offers a multitude of activities for young and old alike, such as apple picking, a corn maze, and a petting farm where children can interact with various animal species. The Cabane à Pommes, the first of its kind in Quebec, serves meals made with products from the orchard, baked in a wood-fired oven, and also offers picnic options by reservation. The artisanal shop is full of local products, including honey, maple syrup, and homemade jams. Labonté de la Pomme is the perfect place for a rustic family day out.
Le Lafrance Bistro - Vergers Lafrance
1474 Chemin Principal, Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, J0N 1M0
1h20 from Montreal, Le Lafrance Bistro at Vergers Lafrance, located in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, is a top agro-tourism destination. This vast estate is home to 13,000 apple trees, offering around twenty varieties of apples to pick in the fall. The gourmet shop, open year-round, is filled with local products. The bistro offers authentic cuisine, with dishes like apple donuts, cooked the traditional way, and local hot dogs. Children will enjoy the play areas and petting farm, while adults can relax on the panoramic terrace on the second floor, offering stunning views of the orchards and the Saint Joseph Oratory.
Vergers Pierre Tremblay & Fils
375, Rang de la Montagne, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, J0J 1K0
50 minutes from Montreal, Verger Pierre Tremblay & Fils Inc. in Mont-Saint-Grégoire is a family business where apple picking is at the heart of activities. Founded over 50 years ago, the orchard offers apple picking of over 20 varieties, as well as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and pumpkins. The site offers a variety of activities for the whole family, including a petting farm, tractor rides, educational trails, as well as a corn roast, and slush kiosks. For a sweet treat, don't miss the ice cream sandwich available at the kiosk for a limited time: vanilla ice cream and apple butter, sandwiched between two apple cookies. The shop, in turn, offers a wide range of artisanal products, such as compotes, jellies, and pies. A fun and delicious stop for the whole family.
Domaine Cartier-Potelle - Vignoble & Cidrerie
277, rang de la Montagne, Rougemont, J0L 1M0
Just an hour from Montreal, Domaine Cartier-Potelle in Rougemont welcomes you for a day of apple picking and relaxation. Starting September 7th, pick apples from varieties like McIntosh, Spartan, and Empire, then relax on the terrace with a "La Bohème" tasting, where four wines and ciders are selected by the winemaker. The Domaine's shop also offers quality products, such as a rosé wine with delicate aromas, perfect for accompanying your barbecues. For Canada GAP compliance reasons, dogs are not allowed on the site.
Vergers & Cidrerie Denis Charbonneau
575 Rang de la Montagne, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, J0J 1K0
Verger Charbonneau, in Mont-Saint-Grégoire, an hour from Montreal, offers a complete experience of apple picking and leisure activities. In addition to picking apples, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, you can enjoy Breton crêpes or stroll through the orchard's trails. Children will love the play areas and petting farm, while adults can relax at the Café-Bistro, where homemade soups and sandwiches are the highlights. Be sure to visit the shop to discover artisanal ciders, donuts, and other local products, perfect for extending the pleasure at home.
