This weekend, the first red leaves began to fall lazily from the trees and onto the narrow streets of the Eastern Townships’ villages— fall is slowly arriving in Quebec, and it’s going to be a long, mild one in 2026.
For the scent of wet earth, the warm sun, and the cool breeze—and for all the charm of a movie-style village like Gilmore Girls (or sometimes Twin Peaks, on stormy nights)—we’re spending a day in Ayer’s Cliff. The village, on the shores of Lake Massawippi, is one of the prettiest places to visit this fall.
AYER’S CLIFF AND THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS
The Eastern Townships, or the Estrie (the region has two names depending on who you ask), is northeast of Montreal and stretches along part of the Canada-U.S. border with Vermont.
It’s in Quebec, where the official language is French, but many of its residents—especially those closest to the border—speak English, and the villages along Lake Massawippi and Lake Memphremagog—including Ayer’s Cliff, which is right on the water—are predominantly English-speaking.
The region is known for its agriculture and agritourism, as well as for its beauty and lifestyle in harmony with nature. In addition to fruit and vegetable growers and cattle and duck farmers, there are about fifteen cheese dairies, thirty vineyards, microbreweries, cideries, and a Relais Châteaux property—the Manoir Hovey (a 20-minute drive from Ayer’s Cliff).
Ayer’s Cliff, the largest village on the shores of Lake Massawippi, is the hub of water sports (kayaking in the morning and lounging on a dock in the afternoon—it’s practically a way of life) and local agricultural activities. Honey, alpaca wool, vegetables, meats—all the region’s delicious flavors are available at the Saturday morning market, through October 10, 2026.
THE SATURDAY MORNING FARMERS’ MARKET
The Saturday market—possibly the largest in the area—is held at the same venue where the Ayer’s Cliff Fair takes place every summer. We recommend arriving early and bringing back wildflowers, cheeses, and apples from Verger Gros Pierre to Montreal.
And then, take a stroll along the lake with a coffee and a little scarf (made of alpaca wool?).
Where? 977 Main Street, Ayer’s Cliff
When? June 20 through October 10, 2026, Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
THE AYER’S CLIFF FAIR
The Ayer’s Cliff Fairrunsfrom August 27 to 30 this year, and it’s one of the region’s largest exhibitions of agriculture, horticulture, and local crafts. Until the unfortunate year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it had been held in Ayer’s Cliff without interruption for 175 years (since 1845).
Since then, it has resumed with all the iconic events of a goodold-fashioned country fair…This year, the Ayer’s Cliff Expo will be held on August 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2026, and the lineup is absolutely delightful.
Where? InAyer’s Cliff, 977 Main Street, Ayer’s Cliff, QC
When?August27, 28, 29, and 30, 2026
What?A $60 weekendpass, day passes starting at $12
For the schedule and tickets, click here!
