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8 places to shop for local Christmas gifts in La Petite-Nation

Handmade pottery, organic cider, watercolours, locally made decorations and maple products: eight places to do your Christmas shopping without leaving La Petite-Nation.

By La Petite Nation · · Who we are

Ceramic bowls and vases drying in a pottery workshop
Photo: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0

Gifts purchased in the region have an advantage: when they are unwrapped, you can mention that they were made in Montebello or that the apples were grown in Lochaber. In addition, the money spent stays in the region.

We selected eight places based on three criteria: the place is local, it is open (or the event takes place) between November and Christmas, and you can leave with something to place under the tree. We also sought to cover the whole territory, from south to north. The order of presentation is not a ranking.

Hours come from the businesses' own websites and from Tourisme Petite Nation, and were checked in mid-October. As they sometimes change in December, we recommend calling before you travel.

1. Montebello Christmas Market

This is the largest Christmas market in the region, held in front of the church at 545 rue Notre-Dame. It brings together more than 40 growers and makers over two weekends: November 27 to 29 and December 4 to 6, 2026. It is open Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Why go: in an hour's visit, you can meet more makers than anywhere else in the MRC. Please bring cash, as some booths accept no other form of payment. It is best to leave dogs at home.

27Nov

Market

Montebello Christmas Market

MontebelloNovember 27–29, 2026

The region's large European-style Christmas market is held in front of the church. It brings together more than 40 producers and artisans…

2. La Shed qui tourne, Montebello

Potter Suzanne Ryan's studio and shop is located at 610 rue Notre-Dame. It offers hand-thrown bowls, mugs and plates. It is open Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through December; Monday to Thursday by appointment.

Why go: a mug made a few steps from where it is sold is a gift that will be used every morning. The studio is also on the same street as the Christmas market.

Ceramics & pottery

La Shed qui tourne

Montebello

Ceramicist Suzanne Ryan turned the old woodshed into a pottery studio, with a shop.

3. La Destination de Noël, Ripon

This year-round Christmas shop at 18 rue du Rivage showcases more than 40 makers: paper art, painting, ceramics, quilting, knitting, felting, jewellery, soap, blown glass and stained glass. The workshop also makes wooden decorations. It is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment.

Why go: the shop is one of the three sites of Sous les flocons de Ripon, November 20 to 22, with more than 60 booths around the village. For the rest of the season, the shop remains open.

Gift, decor & antique shops

La Destination de Noël

Ripon

Christmas shop open all year, offering vintage and rustic décor made with local artisans. A Christmas market is held in November.

4. Boutique François Lambert, Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix

The shop is located at 1270 montée Sainte-Madeleine. It offers maple products, chocolate, soap, natural skincare, soy candles and books. It is open every day: Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday hours may vary.

Why go: this is the ideal place for edible gifts. Maple popcorn and maple cotton candy make excellent stocking stuffers.

The watercolourist has been painting the region's countryside for more than 40 years. At 1072 route 321 Nord, one pavilion is a shop with cards and prints of his watercolours. Outside his seasonal shows, visits are by appointment: 819 983-3451.

Why go: a print of a local landscape makes a thoughtful gift for someone who has moved to the city and misses La Petite-Nation.

Painters & art galleries

Galerie-atelier Jean-Yves Guindon

Saint-André-Avellin

Studio and gallery of watercolourist Jean-Yves Guindon, who paints the local countryside.

6. Chénéville Christmas Market

The market takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Centre St-Félix-de-Valois, 77 rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville. More than 40 vendors have been announced, along with a singer, a photographer and face painting for children. According to Tourisme Petite Nation's calendar, it opens at 10 a.m.

Why go: it is the main market in the northern part of the MRC, and convenient if you are travelling to Lac Simon for the weekend.

5Dec

Market

Chénéville Christmas Market

ChénévilleDecember 5, 2026

The market brings together more than 40 exhibitors, a singer-guitarist, a photographer and a Grinch who entertains the children.

7. La Jument Verte, Val-des-Bois

A creative space at 452 Route 309 with workshops all year and a gift shop selling work by 32 regional artists. An open music jam is also held on the third Sunday of the month. Opening hours are not posted online; please call 819 712-7654.

Why go: it is the westernmost stop on this list, on the Lièvre side, and an opportunity to buy an original work at an affordable price.

Crafts & workshops

La Jument Verte

Val-des-Bois

Creative space offering workshops and a gift shop featuring the work of local artists.

8. Verger Croque-Pomme, Lochaber-Partie-Ouest

A certified organic orchard at 20 montée Berndt, with about 4,000 apple trees in some thirty varieties. The orchard produces seven ciders, four juices, a cider vinegar and an eau-de-vie. Off-season, the shop is open by appointment at 819 281-2061.

Why go: a bottle of cider made from Petite-Nation apples is an excellent hostess gift for a Christmas Eve réveillon.

On rue Notre-Dame in Montebello

Three more stops are available on the same street as the Christmas market. Chocomotive, in the old train station, sells chocolate in gift boxes, as well as gift certificates. Fromagerie Montebello has its Tête à Papineau and Rébellion 1837 cheeses, along with Québec charcuterie and jams; the shop is open daily. Finally, La Fouinerie, the shop at the Centre d'exposition Napoléon-Bourassa, sells consigned work selected by a committee, Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dates for every Christmas market, confirmed or not, are in our Christmas markets and local makers 2026 guide. For the rest of the holidays, see Christmas and winter in La Petite-Nation.

If a maker from your village is not listed, we invite you to send us their details. Our selection is based on the criteria above, not on any payment.

Sources

MontebelloRiponNotre-Dame-de-la-PaixVal-des-BoisLochaber-Partie-OuestSaint-André-AvellinChénéville

Sources

The facts in this story come from these public sources. Every place and event mentioned has its own page, with its sources and the date it was checked. Legal notice

Links cited in the story

Sources for the places and events mentioned (31)

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