Spring in La Petite-Nation, from sugar shacks to Canada geese
An all-you-can-eat sugar shack meal, thousands of geese in Plaisance, an Easter egg hunt in the woods and the manor reopening. What happens when La Petite-Nation thaws.
Seasons
Spring in La Petite-Nation
Sugar shacks and maple farms in La Petite-Nation
All-you-can-eat sugar-shack meals and taffy on snow on Côte Saint-Charles, farm syrup in Lochaber, maple popcorn in Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix. Sugar season, La Petite-Nation style.
Events
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.
Culture
Traditional Dance Evenings
Saint-SixteOctober 16, 2026Live musicians and a caller, and the figures get explained on the spot. No experience needed. Capped at 70 people, so book online.
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…
Culture
Exhibitions at Centre d'exposition Napoléon-Bourassa
MontebelloOn now until November 15, 2026The MRC's art centre runs four exhibitions a year in visual arts and fine crafts, always free. Until November 15, 2026: Mishtamishk 2…
Market
Place du Marché Saturday Market
RiponSaturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Victoria Day weekend to ThanksgivingRipon's co-op farmers' market: seasonal vegetables, lots of organic, crafts, and brunch at the café-bistro. It's where the village runs…
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…
Culture
Cinémaboule
PapineauvilleEvery other Thursday, 7 p.m.The Petite-Nation film club screens a movie every other Thursday at Salle Desjardins, plus a few nights at Ripon's Place du Marché.
Music series
Shows at Le Bankeur
MontebelloSeveral Saturdays a monthMontebello's microbrewery doubles as a music room: tributes, rock, duos. You drink beers named after the old Petite-Nation seigneury while…
Music series
Friday singer nights at Café Bistro Léo
ThursoEvery Friday at 6 p.m.A singer-guitarist every Friday night at Café Bistro Léo in Thurso. An easy way to end the week.
Food
Sugar Season at Chez Ti-Mousse
PapineauvilleDaily, late February to late AprilAll-you-can-eat sugar shack meal with the full classic spread, and you can bring your own wine. The kind of outing you do with a crowd at…
Market
Maple Market
RiponDuring sugaring season, date posted by the co-op · 2027 dates to be announcedOne of the Place du Marché's off-season special markets, held for sugaring season. Details go up on the co-op's site and Facebook page.
Community
Easter Egg Market
BowmanWeekend before Easter, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. · 2027 dates to be announcedA big outdoor egg hunt in the woods, with draws and chocolate to win. A good excuse to get the kids out in the forest in spring.
Community
Easter Trail
Val-des-BoisEaster Saturday, registration required · 2027 dates to be announcedA family Easter trail put on by the municipality. You have to sign up ahead, usually about a week before.
Community
Easter at Lac-Simon
Lac-SimonEaster Saturday · 2027 dates to be announcedFace painting, crafts, hot chocolate and Easter surprises for the little ones. Nothing fancy, just a good morning in the village.
Community
Papineauville Easter Egg Hunt
PapineauvilleEaster Monday, 10 a.m. to noon · 2027 dates to be announcedA free egg hunt for kids on Easter Monday.
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.
Outdoors
Knights of Columbus Fishing Days
ThursoLate March on the ice, then early August on the river · 2027 dates to be announcedThurso's Knights of Columbus run two fishing days a year, one on the ice and one on the river in summer.
Things to do
IllustrationCafé
La Crémerie 321
Saint-André-AvellinIce cream shop opened in 2021 in a fully renovated house: soft serve, hard scoop, slush, and a small lunch menu. Seasonal, from late March into the…
IllustrationShop
Paysages Rossignol – Centre Jardin
Saint-André-AvellinGarden centre and landscaper with flowers, trees, garden décor and staff who know their plants.
IllustrationCampground
Camping Saint-André-Avellin
Saint-André-AvellinCampground right in the village on the Petite Nation River, with a pool, splash pad, mini golf and canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals, no booking…
IllustrationCampground
Camping au Petit Lac-Simon
Saint-André-AvellinBig family campground with 291 sites, a beach, pool, water slide and splash pad.
IllustrationFarm
Ferme À Sabourin
RiponSame land since 1927. Maple syrup in spring, chicken, lamb and turkey in the fall, ordered ahead and picked up at the farm.
Illustration
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.
IllustrationService
Centre nautique Lac Simon
ChénévilleLac Simon marina with docking, fuel, and rentals of pontoons, motor boats, fishing boats, kayaks and pedal boats.
IllustrationCampground
Camping au Lac Schryer
MontpellierSeasonal and overnight sites with a lake view, fishing and a beach on site.
IllustrationCampground
Camping La Pinède
Lac-SimonTall pines, a fine-sand beach, trails and even a mini farm for the kids.
Campground
Camping Domaine du Canard Blanc
Lac-SimonForty-five lakeside sites, open May to September, pets welcome.
IllustrationCampground
Duhamel Camping & Chalets
DuhamelCampsites and cottages for rent near Lac Gagnon, with a beach and pétanque.
IllustrationService
Location Sport Duhamel
DuhamelPontoon, power boat, canoe and kayak rentals on the beach next to the Lac-Simon Sépaq resort.
IllustrationIllustrationCampground
Camping Lac des Plages
Lac-des-Plages191 sites, 70 of them for overnighters, with a private beach and pool. From May to October, propane and a food truck on site.
IllustrationSugar shack
Jardin des Érables
NamurMaple products sold at markets and online, with 1% of sales going to an environmental group. Visits by appointment.