Your Guide to Farms, Flavours & Rural Adventures in Prescott Russell
Welcome to the United Counties of Prescott and Russell
Stretching from the eastern edge of the city of Ottawa to the Ontario–Quebec border, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (or “Prescott-Russell,” for short) is a quiet, scenic region dotted with family farms, small villages and waterfront parks.
Its strongly francophone history is evident in everything from the tall silver church steeples soaring above many communities to local menus featuring specialties like cretons, tourtière and poutine. But Prescott-Russell also gives you the best of both of Canada’s official languages, as Russell and Vankleek Hill are among the communities where English is widely spoken.
Come discover an unspoiled corner of the province that’s even a secret to many Ontarians.
Meet the Farmers & Producers
The rural communities of Prescott and Russell Counties are built on a strong agricultural foundation. Behind every farm stand, market stall and locally sourced meal is a farmer, grower or producer dedicated to sharing the best of the season. From family farms and sugar bushes to specialty producers and agricultural experiences, visitors will find plenty of opportunities to explore the countryside and discover local flavours. It's a rewarding way to experience the region through the people who know it best.
Read their stories.
Farm-to-Table Experiences
You can’t get much closer to where your food is produced than these Prescott & Russell spots, where you’ll enjoy fresh, local food, sometimes surrounded by the fields from which it came!
- Café Sur La Rive & Nonna's Gelato: Overlooking the South Nation River in Plantagenet, this welcoming spot serves coffee, light meals, local products and handcrafted Italian-style gelato that has become a regional favourite.
- Euphie d’Ici Café and Smoothie Bar: Drop by this Embrun café for smoothies and other beverages, wraps, sandwiches, salads, and more. The café is a strong supporter of local producers and ingredients.
- Mariposa Farm: This farm in Plantagenet primarily produces duck, goose and pork, along with beef, eggs, vegetables and flowers. Animals are free range, and the farm welcomes visitors (check the website for dates and times). The property hosts farm-to-table dinners and other events in a converted barn with huge glass windows, and the shop sells foods from Mariposa and other local producers.
- St-Albert Cheese: See how cheese is made by taking a self-guided tour along the second-floor observation gallery at St-Albert Cheese, a mainstay of the local economy since 1894. Stop by the food shop for cheese and other local products, and enjoy poutine and other cheesy treats in the on-site restaurant.
Culinary Events
- Savour East Ontario: This organization maintains a list of farm events across Prescott-Russell, including Savour the Field.
Maple Syrup Season
Prescott-Russell maple syrup producers work tirelessly in spring to capture the season’s sweet harvest. After collecting sap from maple trees, they boil it to make maple syrup and maple sugar.
As you visit Prescott-Russell shops, keep an eye out for syrup from local makers, such as Backshed and La Cabane de gars. Some operations invite visitors to participate, with meals, family activities or other fun; check the websites below to find out when you can visit.
- Ferme Drouin Farm: This Casselman sugar shack offers a maple buffet (by reservation only), as well as animal visits, tobogganing, bouncy castles, wagon rides and maple taffy.
- Érablière La coulée douce: This family-owned sugar bush in Saint-Pascal-Baylon is usually open to visitors on Ontario Maple Weekend.
- Domaine Cléroux: maple syrup, farm shop and hand-poured maple taffy pops. You have to try these!
Markets, Roadside Stands & Local Food Finds
The roads winding through Prescott-Russell may look quiet, but you’ll discover they’re home to shops and farmstands filled with local products—if you know where to look!
And although 4 Green Thumbs, a family-owned farm in Casselman, doesn’t have a farm shop, you’ll find its Mario’s Hot Sauces and Emy’s Sweet Treats in local stores.
Farmers’ Markets
- Bourget Community Market
- Clarence-Rockland Market
- Russell Community Market
- Vankleek Hill Farmers’ Market
Producers, Farm Stores and Roadside Stands
- Jardin Boulay Garden: Based in St-Pascal-Baylon, this produce farm has a seasonal farmstand in nearby Clarence-Rockland.
- Canaan Road Honey: Pick up raw wildflower honey at this farmstand in Rockland.
- Fromagerie des Trois Rapides: This Hawkesbury company makes a range of organic, artisanal cheeses.
- Garden Path Homemade Soap: Located in Vankleek Hill, Garden Path has an onsite shop where you can buy all-natural personal care products, made from plants grown onsite. The business also hosts special events, such as an annual garden party.
- Jenovic Farms: This regenerative family farm in St-Eugène specializes in pasture-raised lamb and chicken. Open by appointment only.
- Nested Acres Flower Farm: This farm near Russell sells cut flowers in its boutique and also offers floral workshops.
- Vankleek Hill Tulip Fields: In spring, see fields blooming with 250,000 tulips and pick your own bouquet. Kids can enjoy the family-friendly activities at adjacent Ouimet Farm Adventure.
Specialty Food Shops
- L’Orignal Packing: Located in L’Orignal, this butcher shop specializes in local meats and makes its own sausages and other products. It also sells local eggs, cheese, maple syrup and more, and occasionally hosts brunches and other special events.
Pick-Your-Own & Seasonal Harvests
Learn about the places where your food and flowers grow at these Prescott-Russell farms, and gather your own fruit to enjoy at home.
Wineries, Cideries & Craft Producers
You can taste Prescott-Russell in a glass at these local beverage producers.
- BarnRidge Brewery: This company in St-Eugène makes what it calls “landcrafted” beers: all of its products are made with hops grown on its own land. Drop into the taproom to taste some before buying.
- Dunrobin Distilleries: This Vankleek Hill company currently does not have a tasting room, but you can buy its craft gin, vodka, whisky and rum in the onsite shop.
- Vankleek Hill Vineyard: The 130-seat patio overlooks the vineyard. In addition to wine tastings, the winery also offers special events, such as concerts and yoga classes.
- Les Vergers Villeneuve and Blueberry Farm: As well as picking your own blueberries, raspberries, cherries, apples and pears (depending on the season), you can also taste the Clarence-Rockland farm’s fruit wines, paired with local cheese and charcuterie.
Animal Encounters & Family-Friendly Farms
Across the region, you'll find experiences that bring you closer to animals, nature and rural life, from hands-on farm visits and horseback rides to meeting friendly alpacas and learning about the fascinating world of bees.
Rural Festivals & Country Fairs/Events
Throughout Prescott and Russell Counties, rural fairs and festivals highlight the region's agricultural roots and strong sense of community. Visitors can enjoy local food, entertainment, agricultural displays, and experiences that celebrate country living.
- Duck Festival, St-Isidore
- Festival of Flavours, Vankleek Hill
- Journée Antique Day, Ste-Anne-de Prescott
- Riceville Fair
- Russell Fair
- Vankleek Hill Fair
- Wendover Western Festival
The Great Outdoors
Largely rural Prescott & Russell is a wonderful place to get in touch with nature, whether you’d like to cycle across the counties on a recreational trail or explore one of Canada’s largest human-created forests.
Guided Tours and Self-Driving Routes
Prescott-Russell’s quiet byways are perfect for scenic country drives. Here are just a few suggestions to inspire you.
- The Broue and Chew Route features farms, brewers, bakeries and other tasty stops throughout Prescott-Russell.
- Savour East Ontario has developed several self-driving routes, including these:
- The Champlain Tourism Route replicates the route that explorer Samuel de Champlain took through much of what is now Ontario in 1615 and 1616. Roughly a dozen sites of interest along the route are located in Prescott-Russell, including Ouimet Farm Adventure, Les Fruits du Poirier, Mariposa Farm, Les Vergers Villeneuve et Blueberry Farm, and St-Albert Cheese.
- Popsilos is a route connecting eight giant murals on silos and other buildings throughout Prescott-Russell. As well as admiring the paintings on themes such as adaptation, youth and diversity, you can visit local farmstands and shops along the way.
Suggested day trip: Fields, Flavours & Small-Town Stops in Prescott-Russell
Prescott-Russell's scenic backroads, small villages and productive farmland make it an ideal destination for a leisurely day of discovery.
Farm Stays
- Gîte Casselodge B&B: Stay in a log house on a hobby farm on the Castor River, surrounded by fields and woods.
- Mariposa Farm: This farm in Plantagenet offers three glamping cabins surrounded by forest, wetlands and farm fields.
To find farms, wineries and other rural locations where you can park your RV overnight, try searching the Harvest Hosts and Terego websites (memberships required).
Other Ways to Stay
As a largely rural region, Prescott-Russell has a small number of hotels, motels and campgrounds. Here are a few ways to find a place to stay.
- The Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail has a list of accommodations in the region.
- You can search for vacation rentals on sites such as Airbnb and VRBO.
- Oasis RV Park in Limoges also has a number of rustic and glamping cabins available for rent.
