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Follow Samuel Champlain’s epic journey and discover Ontario’s Francophone regions.
Many adventurers have explored Ontario, but as one of the first, France’s Samuel de Champlain holds a special place. The Ontario Champlain Route is based on Champlain’s great expedition in 1615 and is built around experiences involving French/bilingual services that reflect the famous explorer’s adventures and his legacy.
The route opened to the public in 2018 allowing visitors to follow Champlain’s footsteps and experience the local culture, heritage, natural beauty, and warm hospitality of Ontario’s Francophone regions. It is replete with products, experiences, and attractions, including services in French for local and foreign Francophone tourists.
The entire loop stretches all the way from Kingston to Ottawa and can be covered in a single trip. But to truly experience everything the region has to offer you’ll need at least 10 days. To help you navigate this incredible route, we have created three itineraries, like this five-day road trip through Ottawa Region.
OTTAWA REGION
Get lost in a colossal 7-acre corn maze, hike through a century-old coniferous forest, take a self-guided craft beer tour, explore gigantic POPSILOS murals in Eastern Ontario, visit one of Canada’s oldest cheese factories, and spend two perfect days in Canada’s capital!
DAY 1
HAWKESBURY – VANKLEEK HILL
Day one begins in Hawkesbury which lies on the south shore of the Ottawa river in the Prescott-Russell region, halfway between Downtown Ottawa and Downtown Montreal. Start your trip with a visit to the Maison de l’Île, at the Centre culturel Le Chenail, for a surprising, enchanting journey into the history of the Ottawa River.
Next, visit Les Fruits du Poirier farm in East Hawkesbury for an afternoon of berry-picking and jam making. This family-owned farm specializes in growing small berries using sustainable and organic farming practices. In season, you can pick raspberries, gooseberries, currants, table grapes and Nordic kiwi, as well as superfruit like haskap, Saskatoon berries and jostaberry, and turn your haul into delicious jam with Les Fruits du Poirier’s resident chef.
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Take a 12-minute drive from Hawkesbury to Vankleek Hill — a picturesque rural town in the Champlain township, also known as the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario owing to the gingerbread trim on its many Victorian-era buildings. Spend the night in one of the charming B&B’s there.
DAY 2
VANKLEEK HILL – ST. ALBERT
Vanleek Hill has a number of cosy cafes and coffee shops where you can pick up coffee and breakfast to fuel up for a day of exploration.
With Over 2,000 square kilometers of expansive farmland and picturesque countryside, the Prescott-Russell region has got plenty of natural and cultural attractions to explore, including the POPSILOS circuit — a tourist experience that’s unique to the area. Punctuating the rural skyline are 19-meter farm silos with giant murals painted on them. Called Popsilos, these spectacular works of art are dotted through the Prescott-Russell countryside. The project was launched in 2017, in collaboration with regional partners and street artists from across the province. It was intended to celebrate Canada’s 150th and bring rural and urban communities together. Since then, the POPSILOS circuit has become a gateway to exploring rural Ontario.
From Embrun to Vankleek Hill, there are seven Popsilos, each one depicting local farmland, the surrounding landscape and themes of Canada’s 150th celebrations. You’ll encounter the first painted silo in the circuit at Ouimet Farms. Titled ‘Farm Boy’ this beautiful mural depicts a young farmer looking towards the sky with confidence — a symbol of hope and ambition for the future. The farm offers lots of fun activities for kids and grownups, including a colossal 7-acre corn maze. All that farm activity can sure work up an appetite! Grab a quick bite from their onsite snack shack, and then drive to Vankleek Hill Vineyard for a tour and tasting. This family operated craft winery grows Frontenac (red) and Frontenac Gris (white) grapes on their 55-acre property, it’s also home to another spectacular Popsilos titled ‘Kruk’ (raven in Polish). Standing at 30 meters, it’s the tallest painted silo in the circuit.
Next, visit Beau’s, a Feast On certified craft brewery, just minutes from Vankleek Hill Vineyard. Everything at Beau’s starts with a real love for craft beer and every Beau’s beer is certified organic and made with organic malts and hops, and local spring water. Visit the taproom for a few nibbles and a pint of their outstanding brews, like the Lug Tread Lagered Ale.
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Make a quick stop at Lalande farm to see one more Popsilos mural before making your way to St. Albert where you’ll spend the night.
DAY 3
ALBERT – OTTAWA
Start off with brunch at St. Albert’s Cheese Co-operative. Founded in 1894, St-Albert Cheese Co-operative is one of the oldest cheese factories and co-operatives in Canada, and a popular gourmet attraction in the area. Their onsite restaurant serves delicious cheese-forward dishes, including 15 gourmet poutines with the freshest, squeakiest cheese curds in Eastern Ontario! After brunch, take a self-guided tour of their production plant, learn about cheesemaking at the visitor center and museum and pick up some St. Albert Cheddar and fresh curds from the onsite cheese boutique.
Spend the afternoon hiking the pristine trails of Larose Forest. Larose Forest was initiated in 1928 when agronomist, Ferdinand Larose, undertook a conifer plantation on lands that were abandoned due to soil erosion. At 11,000 hectares (and 18 million trees!), it’s the second largest community forest in Southern Ontario. The forest shelters a variety of wildlife from the small chickadee to the majestic moose, you’ll also find beautiful wildflowers and mushrooms scattered throughout the area.
Follow up your woodland hike with a cold one from one of two breweries in the area (we recommend you visit both!). Étienne Brûlé Brewery in Embrun, just 18 minutes from Larose Forest, is an organic brewpub named after the famous French explorer and the first Franco-Ontarian to live in Canada among the First Nations. The microbrewery uses local Ecocert-certified ingredients and their exceptional beers pair well with the food on their menu. Just a short drive away, you’ll find Microbrasserie Cassel. It’s another great spot to grab a chilled pint and snacks. And while you’re in the Prescott Russell region, be sure to visit Mongeon farm in Embrun and Drouin farm in Casselman. Both farms host two stunning Popsilos.
Get back on the highway and drive to Ottawa, your base for the next two days. Visit the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum along the way for an immersive and educational experience that showcases life in the 1920s and 30s with dozens of heritage and true-to-the-era reproduction buildings scattered across a 100-acre field.
Check into one of the many hotels, motels, inns, and B&Bs in Ottawa’s Downtown Rideau area and get settled. Located near Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market district, the Downtown Rideau area is a great base from which to explore the city’s countless attractions. For dinner, head out to dinner at The Grand Pizzeria & Bar. Built on the site of the original Grand Hotel that opened in 1882, The Grand is an Ottawa landmark. They’re Feast On certified and are known for their delicious wood-fired pies.
DAY 4-5
OTTAWA
The best way to experience the capital city is to take a guided walking tour with Ottawa Walking Tours. Their most popular tour is the 2-hour Historical Highlights Walking Tour which stops at sites like Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, the Rideau Canal – Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, Major’s Hill Park, and the ByWard market, among others.
Spend the afternoon learning about Ottawa’s oldest neighbourhood at the Bytown Museum. The museum is located at the Rideau Canal’s Ottawa locks, between Parliament Hill and the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel – one of the most picturesque sites in the city.
If spooky stories, ghosts and ghouls are up your alley, book a tour with Haunted Walks Inc. On their Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa tour, you’ll hear chilling ghost stories from the area while being led by lantern light to some of the spookiest haunted spots in Ottawa, including the Bytown Museum, the Fairmont Château Laurier, and Ottawa’s haunted high school.
End your day with a relaxing cruise on the Rideau Canal with Ottawa Boat Cruises, aboard the largest 100% electric boat in North America.
On Day 5, visit the Canadian Museum of History and spend the morning exploring the history of Canada and its rich cultural heritage. Highlights include the Canadian History Hall which showcases the story of Champlain during his exploration of the Ottawa region and the First Peoples Hall which celebrates the history, diversity, creativity, resourcefulness and endurance, and the outstanding achievements of Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. Next, visit the National Gallery of Canada, a major attraction for art lovers. It’s home to the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of Canadian and Indigenous art.
Catch the sunset from aboard the decks of the Empress of Ottawa as you cruise along the Ottawa River, with Capital Cruises’ Sunset Cruise. Upgrade to a Dinner Cruise and you can enjoy a fully catered buffet and reserved seating.
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Cap off your five-day road trip with a delicious dinner at Beckta Dining & Wine. This Feast On certified fine-dining restaurant on Elgin Street serves contemporary Canadian cuisine, using local, seasonal ingredients.
After dinner, take a leisurely stroll across the Alexandra Bridge and soak up the panoramic views of the city skyline and the Ottawa River.
Discover the best of northeastern Ontario on this 6-day adventure:
