Reinette apple, exquisite autumn

An orchard just a stone's throw from the city 

No need for long drives or complicated trips. Just a few minutes from downtown Laval, the Verger Gibouleau transports you to a rural setting where 10,000 apple trees stretch as far as the eye can see. Just imagine: in less than half an hour, you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind to find yourself in the heart of a landscape where time slows down and every path seems to invite you to marvel at the surroundings.

Photo credit: @Aude.rvs

A Sweet Treat

When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by a family that has lived in harmony with the seasons for over a century. Marc Gibouleau, a fourth-generation farmer, proudly shares his apple-growing heritage. His eyes sparkle with the same passion as that of his ancestors: introducing visitors to delicious varieties such as Melba, Lobo, McIntosh, Cortland, Honey Gold, and Russet.  

Children run between the rows, torn between two perfect apples, while their parents fill their bags, already dreaming of winter apple pies and compotes. Here, picking becomes an adventure: you stand on tiptoe and savor a crisp, sweet bite right there on the spot, still warm from the sun. 

The Gibouleau orchard is open seven days a week until the third week of October, but weekends have a special atmosphere all their own: a buzz of activity in the rows, sweet smells wafting from the stand, and groups of people taking the time to enjoy each other’s company.  

Make the Day Last Longer 

After the harvest, the fun continues. You spread out a blanket under the apple trees, with your basket overflowing with fruits and vegetables, and take out your sandwiches. To go with them? Some glass of freshly pressed apple juice from the orchard. 

And besides, it’s hard to resist the snack bar’s lure: the warm apple donuts—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside—disappear as soon as they’re taken out of the bag. The famous apple pie is a must-bring-home tradition—a great way to make the fun last. On the shelves, a variety of local products and apple goods, neatly arranged, are waiting to fill your bags and extend your outing all the way to your kitchen. 

Every family leaves with much more than just a bag of apples. They take home the laughter from a day spent outdoors, cheeks flushed by the wind, little hands stained with sweet juice, and the lingering scent of apples that still hangs in the air. It’s these simple, precious moments that make apple picking in Laval an unmissable fall tradition.