25 things to do in La Petite-Nation this fall
A Notre-Dame de Paris organist in Montebello, a square dance in Saint-Sixte, punk in Ripon and a hundred watercolours on Thanksgiving. Our list for October and November.
Guide
Culture, music & heritage
The Manoir-Papineau, village churches, the small rooms where a chansonnier plays on Friday nights.
A day in La Petite-Nation with kids, never more than 20 minutes in the car
Parc Oméga's elk, build-your-own ice cream, a giant sundial, a waterfall that's free for kids and sculptures that move. Never more than 20 minutes in the car between stops.
An easy 86 km three-wheeler loop through La Petite-Nation
Routes 323, 315, 321 and 148, nothing else. An 86 km loop for Spyders and trikes, with stops right on the route, gelato, lunch on a terrace and the 75th meridian.
Christmas markets and holiday events in La Petite-Nation
A parade of lit-up tractors, a pine forest full of lights in Ripon, Montebello's European-style market and turkey bingo. Our guide to November and December.
The best day trip to La Petite-Nation from Ottawa
An hour of highway, a 35-metre waterfall, folk art, a sundial on the 75th meridian and Papineau's manor. Our hour-by-hour plan for a day out from Ottawa.
Winter carnivals and festivals in La Petite-Nation
Pancakes served by the town council, a glowing igloo, a torchlit walk to a bonfire and 160 km of cross-country skiing. In La Petite-Nation, winter gets celebrated outside.
IllustrationMaker
Alain Lévesque, peintre
MontebelloA painter whose vintage-car canvases are known to collectors worldwide. He also drew the Maîtres de Montebello logo.
IllustrationMaker
Atelier Alain Lévesque
MontebelloThe car painter: Porsche's guest in Stuttgart in 1998, poster artist for Barrett-Jackson, and creator of the 2005 Central Park Concours d'Elegance…
IllustrationMaker
Atelier Galerie d'art Solart
RiponCeramics, sculpture and jewellery by Michelle Lemire, who founded the studio in 1999. Workshops and classes by appointment.
IllustrationMaker
Atelier Galerie d’art Solart
RiponA studio, gallery and teaching space opened in 1999 on chemin du Lac-Grosleau. Original work, art coaching and intro workshops. By appointment.
IllustrationMaker
Atelier Louise Falstrault
Notre-Dame-de-la-PaixPainter and sculptor born in Montreal in 1947, shown in galleries across Canada. She opens her studio and small exhibit room year-round, by…
IllustrationHeritage
Saint-André-Avellin Heritage Walk
Saint-André-AvellinTwenty-two stops on foot from the Pioneers Museum: the footbridge, the old charnel house, the church, old houses, the Mont Saint-Joseph grotto. Next…
Illustration
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque Albert-Ferland (Chénéville/Lac-Simon)
ChénévilleLibrary shared by Chénéville and Lac-Simon, next to the town hall. Adult book club and story time.
IllustrationIllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Fassett/Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours
FassettFassett's library also serves Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours. It's in the municipal building.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Lac-des-Plages
Lac-des-PlagesGenerous hours for such a small village: six days a week, at the town hall.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Montpellier
MontpellierOne of the few libraries open Sunday mornings. Book drop for returns.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Mulgrave-et-Derry
Mulgrave-et-DerryA young library, opened in 2020 on chemin de la Mine. Closed on statutory holidays.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Namur
NamurNamur's municipal library, open two evenings a week. It shares a phone number with the school next door.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix
Notre-Dame-de-la-PaixSmall village library, open Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette
Notre-Dame-de-la-SaletteAt the municipal office, during office hours. It even lends VR headsets and museum passes.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Saint-André-Avellin
Saint-André-AvellinThe library is in the municipal complex next to the arena. No Saturday hours in summer. Book drop for returns.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk
Saint-Émile-de-SuffolkLibrary at the municipal office, open Tuesday evening and Saturday morning.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Saint-Sixte/Canton de Lochaber/Lochaber-Partie-Ouest
Saint-SixteOpened in 2020, it serves Saint-Sixte and both Lochaber townships. Book drop for returns.
IllustrationLibrary
Bibliothèque de Val-des-Bois/Bowman
Val-des-BoisAt Val-des-Bois town hall, also serving Bowman.
IllustrationLibrary
Val-des-Bois–Bowman Library
Val-des-BoisThe library Val-des-Bois shares with Bowman lends passes to the big Ottawa-Gatineau museums and for cross-country skiing in Gatineau Park. Handy…
IllustrationLibrary
Duhamel Library and Carrefour duhamellois
DuhamelThe town library and the Carrefour duhamellois share one roof: services and activities for residents and visitors alike, and the place to ask what's…
IllustrationLibrary
Montebello Public Library
MontebelloBooks, a board-game library, passes for regional attractions and an art hive stocked with free supplies. Part of the Réseau BIBLIO de l'Outaouais.
IllustrationLibrary
Papineauville Public Library
PapineauvilleA Réseau BIBLIO library run largely by volunteers, with access to the network's digital resources.
IllustrationLibrary
Plaisance Public Library
PlaisanceBooks, e-books, magazines and museum passes to borrow. Open two evenings a week.
IllustrationLibrary
Ripon Public Library
RiponA small village library in the Réseau BIBLIO network, with interlibrary loans. Open Mondays, Thursdays and one Saturday a month.
IllustrationLibrary
Thurso Public Library
ThursoStory time for kids 0 to 5, a book club, free Internet stations, and two little free libraries in town. Free card for Thurso and…
IllustrationRestaurant
Bistro Bar 321
ChénévilleThe local bar, fully renovated with a big patio, food, live shows and dance nights.
Illustration
Illustration
IllustrationAttraction
Guy Lafleur bronze statue
ThursoThe Flower in bronze, eight feet tall, by Jean-Raymond Goyer, outside town hall in his hometown. Place Guy-Lafleur lights up at night.
IllustrationCafé
Café des Orties
RiponNon-profit community café inside the Manoir de Ripon, with organic local food, wine, beer, cider and cocktails, board games and art on the walls.
IllustrationMaker
Carole Lavigne, artiste peintre
PlaisanceA Plaisance painter inspired by nature, shown in Québec and across Canada.
IllustrationVenue
Centre communautaire de Papineauville
PapineauvilleBig hall behind the high school, rented for weddings, trade shows and tournaments. The old arena next door, closed since 2017, is slated to become a…
IllustrationMuseum
Quebec Folk Art Centre
PlaisanceSelf-taught makers from all over Quebec who turned wood, fabric, metal and everyday junk into art. Moving sculptures, larger-than-life characters…
IllustrationMuseum
Centre d’exposition Napoléon-Bourassa
MontebelloThe MRC's art centre: four exhibitions a year in visual arts and fine crafts, wheelchair accessible, and always free. It also runs the in situ art…
Heritage
Louis-Joseph Papineau Funerary Chapel
MontebelloA small stone Gothic Revival chapel built 1853–55 by Papineau and his son among the pines and maples of the estate, rebuilt in 1933. Eleven family…
IllustrationLodging
Château Saint-Émile
Saint-Émile-de-SuffolkA former presbytery from around 1937, restored as a place to stay, with a hot tub.
IllustrationShop
ChocoMotive
MontebelloA chocolate shop and economuseum in the old train station. Organic, fair-trade chocolate, made where you can watch.
Lookout
Chutes de Plaisance (Chutes du Moulin)
PlaisanceThe Petite-Nation River drops more than 35 metres right next to the remains of North Nation Mills, the old mill village. A 2 km return walk, some…
IllustrationHeritage
Montebello Heritage Walk
MontebelloTwenty-five houses and sites marked with lecterns around the village, chosen by the Louis-Joseph-Papineau historical society and the arts committee.…
IllustrationHeritage
Papineauville Heritage Walk
PapineauvilleA walk through Papineauville's old buildings, in a village closely tied to the Papineau family. The town provides the brochure.
IllustrationVenue
Coopérative de solidarité Place du Marché
RiponSaturday farmers' market from May to October, then a community hall the rest of the year: Friday supper-and-concert nights, games nights…
IllustrationMarket
Coopérative Place du Marché
RiponRipon's farmers' market, Saturday mornings from May to October, with produce, local foods, crafts and brunch. Plus Friday 5-to-7s and game nights.
IllustrationMaker
Créations Grande Ourse
RiponRachel Trottier hand-engraves glassware with names or messages, for weddings and birthdays.
IllustrationAttraction
De bois, de fer et d’eau (art public)
ThursoEight works from 2021 along the bike path on the old rail bed, by Mustapha Chadid, Élisabeth Picard, Mélodie Coutou and others.
IllustrationMaker
Denise Fournier, céramiste
Lochaber-Partie-OuestA ceramicist working in raku since 1995, with workshops where you make the dishes and then eat off them.
IllustrationHeritage
Duhamel history trails
DuhamelPanels along the trails mark Duhamel's historic spots. The Au fil de l'eau trail adds village history, a bit on the deer, and the Peuples des bois…
IllustrationIllustration
IllustrationLodging
En Piste / Trailside Cabins
Lac-des-PlagesRenovated village buildings, including the old 1886 post office, plus cabins by the municipal park, right on the trails.
IllustrationAttraction
Ensemble naturellement (art public)
RiponEight works built on site in September 2025 by professional artists, around the Place du Marché. They change with the light and the seasons. Free to…
IllustrationMuseum
Mulgrave & Derry Historical Society exhibit
Mulgrave-et-DerryIn the St. Matthew Lutheran parsonage, the historical society shows photos and keepsakes from the German and Irish families who opened up the…
IllustrationCafé
Fabrik Café et Boutique Fabrik Artisanale
ChénévilleCoffee, hot chocolate, a reading nook and board games, in the same house as the Fabrik craft shop.
IllustrationAttraction
Val-des-Bois mural
Val-des-BoisA big spray-paint mural by Maria-Rosa Szychowska: the Lièvre, the High Falls dam and log drivers on the logs, as it was more than 60 years ago. Log…
IllustrationMaker
Galerie-atelier Jean-Yves Guindon
Saint-André-AvellinWatercolourist Jean-Yves Guindon's studio and gallery, full of the local countryside.
IllustrationMaker
Galerie Béliveau + Tse
MontebelloA gallery showing the abstract canvases of self-taught painter Françoise Béliveau.
IllustrationMaker
Galerie la Biquetterie – Coco, The British Girl
ChénévilleColette Duhaime's gallery. She spent close to 40 years as an arts reporter and now paints as Coco, The British Girl.
IllustrationLodging
Gîte du passant Gil-Ann
Saint-André-AvellinB&B in a Victorian house from around 1889, a recognized heritage building on rue Principale.
IllustrationGolf
Golf Fairmont Le Château Montebello
MontebelloA 1929 Stanley Thompson 18-holer cut through mature forest. In October the fairways turn red and gold. The clubhouse is the old Seigniory Club chalet.
IllustrationAttraction
Imaginer, semer, récolter (art public)
PapineauvilleThe seven works from the 2023 symposium, spread between Sainte-Angélique church, the Seigneurial Mill park, Parc Henri-Bourassa and Place Bonhomme.…
IllustrationPark
Jardin de la relève (Ma cabane au Canada)
NamurArtists' cabins set up in the village park in 2013. A good place to stretch your legs, and kids love them.
IllustrationBakery
Kîsisam pâtisserie
Saint-André-AvellinA café and bake shop where the pastry chef brings Indigenous culture into what comes out of the oven. Kîsisam means 'she who bakes with fire'.
IllustrationMaker
L'atelier de Juan Manuel Vásquez
MontebelloThe studio of a figurative painter focused on human emotion.
IllustrationMaker
La Jument Verte
Val-des-BoisA creative space with workshops and a gift shop full of local artists' work.
IllustrationHeritage
Hercule Chéné Heritage Trail
ChénévilleChénéville's heritage trail, named for Pierre Hercule Chéné, who opened the first post office in 1864. The brochure is online.
IllustrationMaker
La Shed qui tourne
MontebelloCeramicist Suzanne Ryan turned the old woodshed into a pottery studio, with a shop.
IllustrationHeritage
Lac-Simon history trail
Lac-SimonPanels at the marina tell the lake's story, and on Île du Canard Blanc an interpretive trail leads to Lac des Étoiles. There are docks on both sides…
IllustrationMaker
Laurence Bietlot, alias Lola
Saint-André-AvellinPainter working in fluid acrylic, watercolour and ink. Call to visit the studio.
IllustrationMaker
Laurence Bietlot (Lola), artiste peintre
Saint-André-AvellinLiquid acrylic, watercolour and ink, mostly gelatin monoprints: dreamy pieces, no two alike. Visits by appointment.
IllustrationVenue
Le Bankeur
MontebelloA brewpub and show room in a former bank: beer, wine, cocktails and live acts.
IllustrationBrewery
Le Bankeur – Les Brasseurs de Montebello
MontebelloBrewmaster Alain Larivière's microbrewery, with a stage for rock shows and tribute nights. The beers take their names from the old Petite-Nation…
IllustrationShop
Le Deuxième chapitre
RiponUsed bookshop and thrift store in the Manoir de Ripon. You come for a book and leave with a jacket. Occasional story hour for kids.
IllustrationIllustrationLodging
Le Salon des Inconnus – Maison Favier
NamurAn inn in an 1898 Victorian house that also hosts artists in residence and events.
IllustrationVenue
Le St-André
Saint-André-AvellinHalf pub, half concert room. It was recently enlarged by 40 seats, but you're still close to the stage. Tribute bands, comedy and well-known Quebec…
IllustrationAttraction
L’énergie de la Lièvre (art public)
Val-des-BoisEight sculptures from the 2019 symposium, inspired by the Lièvre River, its power and its history. They stand near the community centre.
Illustration
Heritage
Chutes du Moulin and North Nation Mills
PlaisanceFalls of more than 35 metres on the Petite Nation and, all around them, traces of North Nation Mills, the mill village that kicked off the region's…
Heritage
Manoir-Papineau National Historic Site
MontebelloLouis-Joseph Papineau's four-towered manor, its gardens and the big red oak where the family used to gather. Parks Canada opens it mid-May to…
IllustrationIllustrationMaker
Louise Falstrault, artiste peintre
Notre-Dame-de-la-PaixPainter born in Montreal in 1947, shown in galleries across Canada. Her studio is in the village.
IllustrationAttraction
Ma cabane au Canada (art public)
NamurFive cabin-sculptures made in 2013 by professional artists in the village park's garden. A good stop to stretch your legs.
IllustrationIllustrationMaker
MJ Potelle, artisane ébéniste
MontebelloMarie-Jeanne Potelle turns pens, razors and accessories from local wood.
IllustrationHeritage
Mont-Salettin
Notre-Dame-de-la-SaletteAbout 200 steps up to a cross that lights up at night, with a view over the village and Route 309. A place for quiet and memory, in a village marked…
IllustrationTrail
Montebello Vélo de Montagne
Montebello30 km of trail on Papineau's old seigneury land, with Ottawa River views, a cave to ride through and century-old pines. You start at the Château…
Museum
Pioneers Museum
Saint-André-AvellinSaint-André-Avellin's story from seigneury days to the 21st century, told through 1,000-plus objects and 600 photos, with old farm machinery in the…
IllustrationAttraction
Stone Park
PlaisanceAt the corner of rue Principale and chemin des Presqu'îles: a big open book carved from Baie Noire quarry stone, with sculpted geese pointing toward…
Attraction
Sundial Park
PapineauvilleA big metal armillary sphere sitting right on the 75th meridian, the line that sets Eastern Standard Time. Designed by Montreal sundial maker André…
IllustrationHeritage
Seigneurial Mill Park
PapineauvilleUnder the bridge, on the site of Papineauville's old flour mill: a view of the creek and the mill ruins, plus a few works from the 2023 art symposium.
IllustrationAttraction
Peuples des bois (art public)
DuhamelEight works from 2015 on the town hall grounds, including Caroline Monnet's Homo Sylvaticus and Normand Ménard's Les canots du ciel.
IllustrationAttraction
Peuples des rivières (art public)
PlaisanceSeven works from 2017 at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux picnic area and on the town hall facade, including an osprey by Mustapha Chadid.
IllustrationHeritage
Rocher Manitou
Lac-SimonOn the west shore, a rock sacred to the Algonquin, with red ochre paintings. You see it from the water. Look, don't touch.
IllustrationVenue
Salle Desjardins de la Petite-Nation
PapineauvillePetite-Nation's proper theatre: 357 seats in the Louis-Joseph-Papineau high school auditorium. Plenty of comedy tryouts, music, and the Cinémaboule…
IllustrationTrail
Sentier du Lièvre
Val-des-BoisAn easy walk through a pine stand along the Lièvre, made for families. There's a free all-terrain wheelchair to borrow, and an outdoor art walk…
IllustrationHeritage
Singer Trail
ThursoAlong the old Thurso & Nation Valley Railway bed, a Singer subsidiary: panels and archive photos on a century of history (1925–2025), plus eight…
IllustrationTrail
Sentiers des Pères Montfortains
PapineauvilleTrails laid out by the Montfort Fathers last century, right behind the high school. You'll pass what's left of a grotto to the Virgin Mary. In…
IllustrationMaker
Studio Libérez vos couleurs
ThursoNathalie Lauzon runs creative workshops in Thurso's old English elementary school.
IllustrationShop
Wööl, emporium de laine
MontebelloCommercial yarn and hand-dyed skeins, plus workshops. The owner founded the Twist Festival.
IllustrationLibrary
Chénéville / Lac-Simon Library
ChénévilleThe shared Chénéville and Lac-Simon library, wheelchair accessible, with a book drop outside Centre St-Félix-de-Valois.
IllustrationVenue
Centre communautaire de Thurso
ThursoTwo rental halls, Monday bingo, and meetings for the Fermières, seniors' clubs and the Optimists. The Knights of Columbus use the entrance at 123…
IllustrationHeritage
St. Malachy's Church and Our Lady of Knock Shrine
MayoIn 1955 Father Clément Braceland had a replica of the Knock shrine in Ireland built here. A pilgrimage has come back every summer since, on the…
IllustrationIllustrationIllustrationEvents
Festival
Ripon Winter Carnival
RiponMid-February, one weekend · 2027 dates to be announcedThree days that get the whole village out. Supper and a show at the market Friday, a parade and spaghetti supper Saturday, then free…
Community
Disco Skate
Saint-André-AvellinOctober 10, 2026Skating to music at the arena, costumes welcome. A Saturday-night outing that works for teens and parents alike.
Community
Optimist Club Comedy Dinner
ThursoA weekend in April · 2027 dates to be announcedDinner and a comedy show raising money for the Thurso Optimist Club. A fixture on the local calendar.
Culture
Manoir-Papineau National Historic Site season
MontebelloOn now until October 12, 2026Louis-Joseph Papineau's manor is open mid-May to Thanksgiving: Wednesday to Sunday in summer, weekends in the fall. A new outdoor…
Music series
Market Fridays
RiponFridays, show at 6:30 p.m.Supper at the market bistro and a concert on Friday night, with styles that change week to week. Saturday shows get added now and then.
Music series
Salle Desjardins show season
PapineauvilleSeptember to April, mostly Fridays and SaturdaysComedy and music in a 357-seat hall at Louis-Joseph-Papineau high school. Les Productions Les 2 Vallées book plenty of tryout shows…