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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Magog & Orford, Quebec
Bleu Lavande's fields peak mid-July to early August; Mont-Orford's 80 km of trails and a Benedictine abbey are under 30 minutes away.
4 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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Magog sits at the north end of Lake Memphremagog in Quebec's Eastern Townships, with Mont Orford rising just west of town. A lakeside path circles the bay downtown and links to the Rivière aux Cerises marsh, and within half an hour you can be hiking in Parc national du Mont-Orford, tasting wine on the slopes of Orford, or listening to Benedictine monks sing the evening office at Saint-Benoît-du-Lac. South and east, the roads lead past dairies and cheese makers toward Compton, North Hatley and Coaticook.
The lavender is at Bleu Lavande on rue Principale Ouest, which has grown true lavender in the Townships since 2004. Its fields usually peak from mid-July to the first week of August, and the site stays open all year. Pair a summer visit with a swim at Lac Stukely or Lac Fraser, or come back in late September and October, when the Mont Orford lift runs for fall color.
The lavender farms
- Bleu LavandeLavender farm · Magog
mid-July to the first week of August
Open year-round; high season June 20 to August 31, 2026, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with paid admission; no guided tours, self-paced visits.
Best time to visit
Seasons follow the Northern Hemisphere calendar. Bleu Lavande's 2026 high season ran June 20 to August 31, with peak bloom from mid-July into the first week of August and bloom updates posted until mid-September. In Parc national du Mont-Orford the Stukely and Fraser beaches are supervised daily from June 13 to late August, then on weekends to September 7, and hiking runs April 1 to November 30. The Mont Orford lift ran for fall color on late-September and October weekends in 2026 (September 26 to October 18). Musée Beaulne in Coaticook runs exhibitions into the fall, and the Louis S. St. Laurent birthplace in Compton opens to the public again in spring. In winter, Mont-Orford grooms about 50 km of classic cross-country ski trails from mid-December to the end of March.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Parc de la Baie-de-Magog🏞️ Park · Magog · about 3 mi, 8 min drive
A lakeside walking path loops about 3.5 km around Magog's bay on Lake Memphremagog, with rollerblading allowed on the bike path toward Pointe Merry; it connects to the marsh trails.
Year-round; city parks open 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
free
- Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises🌲 Preserve · Magog · about 3 mi, 8 min drive
About 1.5 square kilometers of forest, marsh, swamp and peat bog on Magog's edge, with walking trails and birds, mammals and amphibians year-round; guided kayak outings, including at sunset, have run in summer.
- Parc national du Mont-Orford🌳 State park · Orford · about 9 mi, 15 min drive
More than 80 km of hiking trails, including the Sentier des Crêtes, plus clear Lac Stukely and Lac Fraser with supervised beaches and canoe, kayak and pedal-boat rentals; motorboats are banned on the lakes.
Hiking April 1 to November 30; beaches supervised daily June 13 to late August (2026)
Quebec national park daily access fee; beach parking bought online
- Mont Orford fall color lift🌉 Landmark · Orford · about 7 mi, 12 min drive
On fall weekends the ski hill runs its lift for round-trip rides up the mountain to see the color across the Townships; tickets are limited and timed by morning or afternoon slot.
Weekends September 26 to October 18, 2026, rides 9 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Round trip adults $22.75, ages 6–17 $18.55, 5 and under free (2026, plus tax)
- Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac🏛️ Historic site · Saint-Benoît-du-Lac · about 15 mi, 25 min drive
Home to about thirty Benedictine monks, who sing the daily offices in the abbey church (Vespers at 5 p.m.); walk the grounds and orchards and buy the monks' cheeses, ciders and apple spreads at the shop.
free to visit the grounds and church
- North Hatley🏘️ Town · North Hatley · about 13 mi, 20 min drive
A small lake village with historic churches, waterfront parks, independent shops, cafés and bistros, and a summer farmers' market.
- Louis S. St. Laurent National Historic Site🏛️ Historic site · Compton · about 22 mi, 30 min drive
The birthplace of the former prime minister and his father's general store, shown on guided tours with a multimedia presentation and summer garden concerts.
Closed to the general public until spring 2027; groups June to September by reservation
free for youth
- Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook🏞️ Park · Coaticook · about 31 mi, 40 min drive
A river gorge crossed by a pedestrian suspension bridge, with 23 km of marked trails from easy to expert and the Foresta Lumina illuminated night trail in season (closed for the rest of 2026).
Last trail entry 3:30 p.m.
- Musée Beaulne🏛️ Museum · Coaticook · about 31 mi, 40 min drive
Housed in the 1912 Château Norton, a summer home with oak paneling and coffered ceilings; 2026 shows include a grandmother's quilts exhibition running to January 24, 2027.
Tuesday–Friday 1–4:30 p.m., weekends 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Chocolats Vanden EyndenGift shop · Magog
Chocolate maker on chemin de la Rivière-aux-Cerises since 2004, with pastries and summer ice cream eaten facing Mont Orford.
- Microbrasserie la MemphréBrewery or taproom (21+) · Magog
Downtown brewpub on rue Merry Sud with a kitchen, open from 11:30 a.m. every day.
- Au Vignoble d'OrfordWinery or vineyard (21+) · Orford
Orford vineyard with a six-wine tasting for $15 and hour-long guided vineyard walks; shop open daily 1 to 5 p.m.
- Distillerie Cherry RiverDistillery (21+) · Magog
Gins, vodka and spiced rum made in a former Anglican church more than 150 years old; visits and mixology workshops by reservation.
- Fromagerie La StationFarm market · Compton
Certified organic farm cheese dairy near Compton with guided visits, on the way to the St. Laurent birthplace.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMBleu Lavande
Walk the fields and gardens and watch the short film in the interpretation center; about 90 minutes.
- 11:45 AMChocolats Vanden Eynden · about 10 min drive
Pick up chocolates or a summer ice cream (closed Mondays); 30 minutes.
- 12:30 PMMicrobrasserie La Memphré · about 10 min drive
Lunch downtown; about an hour.
- 1:45 PMParc de la Baie-de-Magog · about 5 min drive
Walk part of the 3.5 km lakeside loop toward the marsh; 45 minutes.
- 2:45 PMAu Vignoble d'Orford · about 15 min drive
A six-wine tasting or the one-hour guided vineyard walk (reserve ahead); the shop opens at 1 p.m.
- 4:15 PMAbbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac · about 30 min drive
About 30 minutes south along the lake. Browse the monks' shop and walk the grounds, then stay for Vespers at 5 p.m.
Tips
- Buy Mont-Orford beach parking online, up to 30 days ahead; it is strongly recommended on summer weekends.
- Dogs are welcome on a leash at Bleu Lavande, but only some national park trails allow them, and in Parc de la Baie-de-Magog only the main path between the Merry Sud bridge and rue Lévesque is open to dogs.
- Bleu Lavande's parking is free and there is no time limit, so bring a picnic.
- Fall color lift tickets at Mont Orford are limited; buy online, and use the free Giroux Est lot to skip parking fees.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does Bleu Lavande bloom?
Usually from mid-July to the first week of August; the farm posts daily bloom updates until mid-September.
Can you swim near Magog?
Yes. Lac Stukely and Lac Fraser in Parc national du Mont-Orford have beaches supervised daily from mid-June to late August.
Can visitors hear the monks sing at Saint-Benoît-du-Lac?
Yes. The offices are sung in the abbey church through the day, with Vespers at 5 p.m. most days (7 p.m. on Thursdays, usually).
When is the best time for fall color near Orford?
Late September to mid-October; in 2026 the Mont Orford lift ran for fall color on weekends from September 26 to October 18.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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