Late June to mid-July 2026 - 6+ pick-your-own farms within 15 minutes of an 1839 heritage schoolhouse
Last updated June 9, 2026.
Field strawberry season on Ile d'Orleans is one of the most anticipated agricultural moments in eastern Quebec. The window is short - typically four to five weeks from late June through mid-July - because the island farms grow primarily June-bearing varieties harvested fresh daily. Weather-driven, the start date shifts year to year by about 5-10 days depending on spring temperatures.
Based on typical island patterns, the 2026 season is expected to begin around June 22-26 with the first small stands opening, ramp to peak supply by July 1-10, and start tapering after July 15. Some farms growing day-neutral varieties extend the harvest into August, but the classic field strawberry experience is concentrated in those three to four weeks.
Mid-day temperatures during peak season (around 22-26 C, sometimes warmer) make morning pick-your-own visits ideal. Stands typically open between 8h00 and 9h00 and close around 17h00 or 18h00 during peak.
La Petite Ecole sits at 6225 Chemin Royal in the village core of Saint-Laurent-de-l'Ile-d'Orleans. The island is a single 67 km loop road (Chemin Royal), so all major farms are accessible within 5-15 minutes drive. Here are the farms most worth visiting during strawberry weeks.
Best known for its asparagus ('aspargold') in May-June, Polyculture Plante also runs a respected strawberry pick-your-own from late June. Open daily 8h00-18h00 during season. Quality bar is high because the family harvests and sells within hours. Cash and credit accepted at the stand.
Long-established strawberry and raspberry operation. The transition from strawberry to raspberry happens around July 5-10 so visiting in early July often means picking both. Quiet pace, family-friendly with kids welcome in the rows.
One of the larger fruit growers on the island. Strawberries, raspberries, and other small fruits in season. Open during peak with both pick-your-own rows and pre-picked baskets at the farm stand. Good option if you prefer not to bend over picking but still want farm-fresh fruit.
Famous for blackcurrant (cassis) wines, liqueurs, and ice cream. Visiting during strawberry season pairs naturally because their cassis-strawberry sorbets and ice creams use both fruits at peak. A 30-minute stop fits a half-day food trip nicely. Tasting room open daily.
Pedneault is primarily a Charlevoix orchard but their preserves, ciders, and small-fruit products are sold across Ile d'Orleans tasting rooms and farm shops. Worth seeking out if you want to taste the regional summer fruit lineup beyond just island-grown.
During the busiest two weeks of the season (roughly July 1-15) small wooden stands pop up along Chemin Royal selling pints and quarts directly from family fridge-trucks. From La Petite Ecole you can walk 10-25 minutes north or south along Chemin Royal and find one. Cash usually preferred at these informal stands. Stop at the village bakery on the way for a perfect morning loop.
The eastern side of the island (Saint-Francois and Sainte-Famille, 15-25 minutes from La Petite Ecole) has several smaller orchards that add strawberries during June and July. Worth a loop if you have a full day. Sainte-Petronille on the western tip has a smaller selection but combines well with sunset views over Quebec City skyline.
Of the six parish-villages on Ile d'Orleans, Saint-Laurent has the most walkable village core: a marina, several restaurants, cidre tasting rooms, a bakery, and small shops all within 5-10 minutes on foot. La Petite Ecole at 6225 Chemin Royal is on this main village artery, putting you within walking distance of cidre tastings (Cidrerie Bilodeau, Domaine Steinbach), Le Mitan restaurant, Panache de l'Ile, and the small farm stands that line Chemin Royal during peak strawberry weeks.
The property itself is an 1839 one-room schoolhouse (ecole de rang) with documented heritage classification: cote C in the MRC Ile d'Orleans Built Heritage Inventory, covered by the 1970 Site patrimonial de l'Ile-d'Orleans ministerial declaration, registered as Wikidata entity Q139694775, and lodging permit CITQ 307404. It accommodates up to 6 guests and includes a fully equipped kitchen (Wolf range), wood fireplace, and outdoor terrasse facing the Saint-Lawrence.
Check in afternoon. Walk Chemin Royal in Saint-Laurent village. Stop at the nearest informal strawberry stand. Dinner at Le Mitan or Panache de l'Ile. Sunset terrasse.
Morning pick-your-own at Polyculture Plante. Lunch at Cassis Monna et Filles (cassis ice cream + strawberries). Afternoon at Domaine Steinbach for cidre tasting. Sunset at Sainte-Petronille looking back at Quebec City.
Morning at Ferme Francois Blouin or Ferme Onesime Pouliot. If after July 5 raspberries available too. Lunch picnic with farm fruit. Optional loop through Saint-Francois for the most rural island scenery. Return to La Petite Ecole, cook with farm fruit in the Wolf kitchen, evening wood fire on terrasse.
Late June and early July are peak summer demand on Ile d'Orleans because of three overlapping factors: strawberry season, the longest sunset hours of the year, and Quebec construction holiday demand spilling onto the island for day trips. We recommend booking La Petite Ecole 6-8 weeks in advance for these specific weeks.
Direct booking via petiteecoleorleans.ca offers a 15 percent discount versus Airbnb/Booking.com pricing and more flexible cancellation. Direct contact also lets you ask for week-by-week farm recommendations because exact farm opening dates shift with the season.