Mange ton île: local flavours and agritourism in Laval

Just a stone's throw from city life, discover the country side of Laval! It's as simple as that: regional products come to you, deliciously prepared and served in one of our renowned restaurants, or you set out to explore our island on the country roads.

Although Laval is the third-largest city in Quebec, with over 400,000 inhabitants, it has the distinction of being very close to the countryside. Yes, like a well-kept secret, 30% of its territory is agricultural. Does that surprise you? You have to see it to believe it, so come and take a look!

Take the key to the fields

Laval is home to over 120 agricultural businesses and some 50 farm stands. Here you'll discover a wide variety of fruits and vegetables (some U-pick), cheese, honey, wine, cider, beer and, of course, the ever-popular homemade products! And with good reason: breads, vinaigrettes, pies, marinades, jams, cakes and potato fritters baked in maple syrup. A nod to Marineau Farm which successfully makes this traditional dessert, as well as other delicacies to take home with you, to prolong the memory of your lavalloise country escapade.

How about a day in the country without leaving Laval? Here's what we've got for you. First, let yourself be tempted by the goat cheeses from the Fromagerie du Vieux-Saint-François in the northeast of the island. Then head west. Along the way, depending on the harvest period, from June to November, you'll be able to pick fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, tomatoes (remember, tomatoes are a fruit!) and vegetables (squash, pumpkins, peppers, eggplant, onions, hot peppers, etc.).

You'll be spoilt for choice at Ferme F. Turcot et filsthe Vaillancourt Farm (an institution for nearly 200 years!), the Ferme Forgetwhere kids will have fun in the giant corn maze starting in August - and you can pick sunflowers too! The hybrid corn and sunflower maze at Marineau Farm is sure to delight young and old alike. Also, at the end of summer, the Verger Gibouleau welcomes you for apple picking.

Oh there are other stops to make, including the Ferme Jeunes au travailwhich employs young adults aged 16 to 35 to develop their personal, social and professional skills. You can support them by buying fresh produce from the fields or cooked products (marinades, etc.) and even hand-made furniture, if you've got room in your luggage!

Picnic on the farm

For an agri-food adventure out of the ordinary, it's a date with Agneaux de Laval! Simply reserve a gazebo for up to 15 people, and choose from a range of cold or hot meals. Grain-fed chicken, smoked pork ribs, bacon, free-range eggs, leg of lamb and seasonal vegetables are all on offer.

To enjoy the pleasures of the countryside in an urban setting, consult the Saveurs de Laval or theagritourism offer on our website. As a treasure map, map out a gourmet circuit that will take you to agricultural producers and even wineries. You can take inspiration from this itinerary.

If your exploration has made you thirsty, so much the better! You'll have the opportunity to taste wines, ciders and beers proudly produced in Laval, at the Château Taillefer Lafon vineyard. Château Taillefer Lafon and at Insulaires microbrasseursor at our Laval restaurants, which feature them on their menus.

People who are passionate about their work

Just like Laval's agricultural producers, our chefs and restaurateurs are passionate people who like to share their stories. It's always nice to chat with them when you get the chance to meet them! If we can't meet them all, we'll introduce you to a few of them here.

Among restaurateurs, the doyen is undoubtedly Richard Bastien, chef-owner of Le Mitoyenrestaurant. Renowned for his fine cuisine featuring regional products, his establishment has been located in an ancestral home in the Sainte-Dorothée district since 1977.

We're also very proud of chef Marc-André Royal, a Laval native who owns a restaurant and three La Bête à Pain bakery-pastry shops in Montreal and Laval. La Bête à Pain in Laval is also a restaurant renowned for its delicious weekday lunches and weekend brunches, a delicatessen and a caterer. Fun fact: the company is part of the circular economy, providing unsold bread to Montreal's Oshlag microbrewery, which turns it into a beer named Miettes! In June 2022, Silo microbrewery launched a new bread beer called Gros-Sault. bread beer called Gros-Sault.

A chef who has contributed so much to the renown of hotel catering that it's impossible to ignore him is Éric Robidoux, who is responsible for the kitchens at the Sheraton Laval and Hilton Laval. If Laval residents and visitors are eating out without staying in a hotel, it's largely thanks to the reputation of the restaurant La Piazza at the Sheraton Laval which attracts gourmets!