As the summer winds down and the fall gets underway, farmers markets are slowly packing it in for the season. But in these last few weeks of the farmers market season, I’ve decided to start exploring the Outaouis in Quebec. There are a number of things to see and do in the Outaouis including farmers markets. I was so excited for today because I was going to visit two markets in the Outaouis. The Ripon and Plateau farmers markets. Let’s start with the farmers market in Ripon.
Ripon Farmers Market / La Cooperative Place Du Marche
The drive to the Ripon farmers market or LA COOPÉRATIVE PLACE DU MARCHÉ was very scenic! The colours of the leaves have started changing colour. I am always impressed with all the different shades of green there are when I get out into the countryside. This drive was no different. There were lots of hills, so ups and downs, winding roads snaking through the gentle hills and of course, I couldn’t take a single picture of it because I was driving! While I didn’t know this before even while I was there it seems there is a park in Ripon where you can do some walking and go to look out to see the view. Parc des Montagues Noires de Ripon, Black Mountains Park in Ripon, I think is the closest translation I can come up with. It’s definitely worth the drive back in the fall to see that.
Once we arrived at the Ripon farmers market destination I was initially a little confused. I didn’t see any stalls or canopies set up for the vendors. We thought we were late or got the hours mixed up because we arrived after 12 p.m. We weren’t late and arrived on time as the market closes at 1 pm. However, what we didn’t know was the market was indoors. It seems there is this large, barn-like building with big garage doors as entryways. Once we realized it was an indoor market, I poked my head with Norm to see if dogs were permitted. I was thinking, maybe we’ll be lucky and dogs will be allowed. This one lovely vendor greeted Norm and we chatted with her a bit. We eventually talked to the bar manager. It seems that this building has a restaurant-bar in it and a large area where the market takes place.
The bar manager didn’t have good news for us. She went to confirm with the person in charge of the market and sure enough, no dogs allowed. It was very disappointing but after the Maxville Farmers Market disappointment, we go into these markets with the possibility that we will be turned away.
I really can’t comment on the market and vendors at the Ripon farmers market. What I saw, however, looked quite nice. It was a nice setting, felt very comfortable and protected from the elements. I noticed a steady stream of people coming in and out. There is the restaurant and bar at one end with lots of seating, both indoor and outdoor. There is also plenty of parking outside. I noticed community garden lots outside as well. I’m not too clear on the extent of the town of Ripon, and while I wouldn’t go back for the market I will certainly go back to visit the Parc des Montangues Noires du Ripon. Now our journey back to the Plateau Farmers Markets.
Plateau Farmers Markets / Marche d Plateau
I have heard of Le Plateau in Gatineau and have been there before. However, my recollection of Le Plateau is that it’s a suburb, a neighbourhood containing newer model homes. Nothing exciting in my mind. So when I saw that there was a farmers market in Le Plateau, I was surprised and thought it was some special area of Gatineau. Well, it’s not. It is indeed a neighbourhood with new homes, condos, parks, shopping and eating areas. Nothing exciting. However, there was a farmers market in one of the parks. And it was an outdoor market that allowed dogs. Parking was on the streets but it was easy to find and free. There were a variety of vendors, including produce, meat, baked goods, artisans, a woman selling yard from her sheep, and someone selling garlic. There was even a woman selling dried mango. It checked all the boxes for a farmers market however the setting left a lot to be desired. There were no vendors selling food that could be eaten there and as a result, no seating area and come to think about it, no performer.
Did we leave with anything from the Ripon or Plateau farmers markets? We bought nothing from the Ripon farmers market because I’ve decided not to support a farmers market that doesn’t allow dogs or isn’t transparent that dogs are not allowed. I did try a couple of things from the Plateau farmers market. There was a pushy woman selling what I believe is gluten and natural ingredient foods. She was so focused on the features of her product and her story that she just went into her script in French without even saying a word to me to find out what language I speak. And then she made me feel like it was my responsibility to tell her what language to ramble on in. I didn’t get her business name, but I ended up buying a quiche from here thinking this would be a nice meal for when I got home. It wasn’t. It was a disappointment. I thought it was the size of the round pie plate, but it wasn’t. It was just a cut slice that was a quarter of a round, larger pie plate. Her prices were also rather overpriced. She said this was part of a project she did for some entrepreneur or business course. Nice idea but customer service and sales clearly weren’t her forte in that program. The other item I bought was from the woman who sold the dried mango. Those were good and reasonably priced.
All in all, it wasn’t a home run with regards to farmers markets today but it was good to visit and see what some of the farmers markets in the Outaouis are like. No regrets!
Scenes from the Ripon and Plateau Farmers Markets
Dried Mango from Plateau Farmers Market, Gatineau, QC 
Entrance to the Ripon Farmers Market / La Cooperative Place du Marche, Ripon, QC 
Spinach Quiche and Ingredient from Plateau Farmers Market, Gatineau, QC 
Spinach Quiche from Plateau Farmers Market, Gatineau, QC 
Vendors of the Plateau Farmers Market, Gatineau, QC 
Vendor Stalls of the Plateau Farmers Market, Gatineau, QC
La Cooperative Place du Marche (Ripon Farmers Market)
Location: 4, rue du Marché, Ripon, QC
Dates: May 2 – September 30
Hours: Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Website: https://www.cooperativeplacedumarche.com/
Notes: It is an indoor market and doesn’t allow dogs. There is plenty of parking available. No performer.
Marche du Plateau (Plateau Farmers Market)
Location: 205, rue de Bruxelles, Gatineau, QC
Dates: June 3 – September 30
Hours: Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm
Website: https://www.marchevieuxhull.ca/marche-du-plateau/
Notes: Neighbourhood market in a residential area. Street parking within the neighbourhood. There was no performer.
References:
- Croquez l’Outaouis, URL: https://www.croquezoutaouais.com/en/
- Cooperative Place du Marche, URL: https://www.cooperativeplacedumarche.com/
- Marche Vieux Hull, URL: https://www.marchevieuxhull.ca/marche-du-plateau/
- Parc des Montagues Noires de Ripon, URL: https://www.parcdesmontagnesnoires.ca/
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