Escape to these gorgeous lavender farms near Ottawa

If you’ve had a crazy spring of deadlines and commitments, you may find yourself wondering, “Are there any lavender farms near me?” Just the idea of breathing in that restful fragrance may ratchet your heart rate down a bit.

The weeks between late June until mid-July are the ideal time to visit lavender farms near Ottawa or to enjoy a lavender festival. The plants will be blooming and farmers will be selling dried lavender, lavender bath and body products, tea, sachets, cookies…the list goes on and on, really! Can you think of a better place to relax and unwind?

Here are a few lavender farms near Ottawa where you can indulge in all things lavender. (Of these, I’ve only been to La Maison Lavande…but I hope to get to some of the others this season.) Note that driving-time estimates below are measured from downtown Ottawa in non-rush hour.

Les Jardins Écologistes Grégoire, Saint-Albert, Ontario

Les Jardins Écologistes Grégoire is a new lavender field close to Ottawa, between Embrun and Saint-Albert. It’s about a 35-minute drive southeast of downtown. The owners of the eco-friendly gardens have set up interactive exhibits, and offer workshops and activities for adults and kids.

The Kirk Farm, Kemptville, Ontario

At The Kirk Farm, located between Kemptville and Oxford Mills, you can buy cut lavender from the farm stand when available. You can also sign up for special events, such as yoga evenings or Soirée in the Field, an outdoor dinner with live music (the upcoming dinner on July 12 is sold out, but there’s another one on Thursday, August 1). The farm is about 40 minutes south of Ottawa.

Rae Country Farm, Almonte, Ontario

Rae Country Farm is opening its lavender fields to the public for the first time in 2024. The fields will be open on three days only—July 6, July 13 and July 20—and you need to buy a ticket in advance. Your ticket allows you to pick-your-own lavender—as much as will fit in a 16-oz cup, which the farm supplies. Rae Country Farm is about 40 minutes southwest of Ottawa.

Lavande Braydale Lavender, Moose Creek, Ontario

Lavande Braydale Lavender grows about 5,000 lavender plants on four acres near Moose Creek. You can book a picnic in the lavender fields, sign up for sunset yoga, buy plants, shop for soaps, essential oils and even lavender maple syrup, or simply show stroll among the plants and cut your own lavender to bring home. The farm is about 45 minutes southeast of Ottawa.

McGregor’s Orchard, Renfrew, Ontario

As the name suggests, McGregor’s Orchard is primarily an apple grower, but the family farm does also grow three varieties of lavender. From the farm shop (check their website for hours) or online, you can buy lavender wreaths, lavender soap, lavender oil and more. The farm is located between Arnprior and Renfrew, about 55 minutes west of Ottawa.

LouLou Lavender, Williamstown, Ontario

At LouLou Lavender in Williamstown (about an hour and 20 minutes southeast of Ottawa), you can shop for lavender plants, cut your own lavender and take photos in the lavender fields. They run special events, too. (The video above is by YouTuber Everyday Val.)

La Maison Lavande, Saint-Eustache, Quebec

In 2023, I took a road trip to La Maison Lavande, a pretty lavender farm north of Montreal. It’s a big operation, where you can wander among the lavender plants and take photos, entertain your kids with a play area and a chicken coop, snack on treats such as lavender lemonade and lavender scones, and shop for a huge range of farm-made products. They also host evening concerts in the fields and other events. La Maison Lavande is a two-hour drive east of Ottawa.

Prince Edward County Lavender, Hillier, Ontario

OK, I concede that Prince Edward County Lavender isn’t exactly around the corner from Ottawa. So why make the three-hour drive? Two words: lavender festival. On the first two weekends of July each year, this farm in Hillier hosts a festival with live music, food, kids’ activities and more. If that sounds too hectic for you, you can also visit the farm on non-festival days from late June to mid-July. (Tip: Admission fees are lower on non-festival days.)

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.