Saint-Didace, Lanaudière
The Grand-Portage Gardens
Two acres of organic gardens cultivated for 46 years by the pioneers of organic gardening in Quebec.
Season over — by appointment2026 season: from July 1st to September 15th, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plan Your Visit
Hours and season
From July 1 to September 15
Every day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guided tours: Sundays at 11 a.m., by reservation
Off-season: by appointment
Rates
Self-guided tour: $12 per adult
Guided tour: $30 per adult
Free for children 12 and under
Online booking for both options, or on-site: cash or Interac
Getting there
800, chemin du Portage
Saint-Didace (Quebec) J0K 2G0
1.5 hours from Montreal, 45 minutes from Joliette and 1 hour from Trois-Rivières — the perfect day trip in Lanaudière.
Book your guided tour
Every Sunday at 11 a.m., explore the gardens in the company of your guide: the history of the site, the choices that have shaped each garden, and the plants that grow there side by side. Spaces are limited — choose your Sunday.
The tour is preceded starting at 10 a.m. by a service of homemade muffins, coffee or herbal tea and followed by a short presentation by Diane Mackay on a seasonal medicinal plant.
- Duration
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the group's pace.
- What's Included
A guided tour of the gardens, followed by free access to the site for the rest of the day. Bring your camera: each garden offers its own unique scene.
- Your guide
A member of the Jardins du Grand-Portage team, who knows the site's 46-year history and its constituent plants intimately.
- Group size
Groups of 18 people maximum.
- Meeting point
At the garden entrance, 800, chemin du Portage, Saint-Didace. Plan to arrive about ten minutes early.
- In case of rain
The tour takes place rain or shine — please wear closed-toe shoes and a raincoat if necessary.
- Cancellation
Full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours before your visit. After this period, we offer to reschedule for another Sunday.
Book your self-guided tour
Every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from July 1st to September 15th, explore the gardens at your own pace. Choose the day that suits you best: booking online ensures you a spot and speeds up your arrival.
The visiting season is over for this year. However, the garden can still be visited by appointment: write to us at support@semencesduportage.com or call us at 450 835-5813.
Would you prefer to book by phone?
Booking by email or phone remains possible at any time, for both self-guided and guided tours: write to us at support@semencesduportage.com or call us at 450 835-5813. We will confirm the date with you.
- Missed date
Couldn't make it on your chosen date? Your ticket remains valid for another day in the same year—simply present your confirmation upon arrival, with no changes to your order.
- Duration
It's up to you: most visitors take one to two hours to explore the two acres at their own pace.
- Upon arrival
Present yourself at the garden entrance, 800, chemin du Portage, Saint-Didace, with your reservation confirmation. Free parking on site.
- In case of rain
Self-guided tours are possible come rain or shine — bring closed-toe shoes and a raincoat if needed.
A living work, cultivated for 46 years
In 1980, charmed by the peaceful beauty of the Lanaudière foothills, Yves Gagnon and Diane Mackay decided to settle along the Maskinongé River on a plot of land where an old barn stood. Over time, they transformed it into an original and picturesque dwelling, wonderfully integrated into its surrounding environment.
On the two-acre plateau that surrounds it, with passion and perseverance, they designed and developed ecological gardens of great beauty, sometimes in the English style, sometimes in the oriental style. Today, you can find majestic trees, a blend of fruits, vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants, ponds teeming with life, and successions of gardens full of biodiversity and balance that create dramatic perspectives and eloquent scenes.
Time seems to stand still
"Once you take the winding path that leads to the heart of the work, you become part of this powerful and harmonious microcosm. When you immerse yourself in it and merge with it, time seems to stop. You then experience a letting go that revives certain perceptions, stifled as they are by the matter and agitation inherent in contemporary life. More present to time and space, you stop at the Zen garden, sit on the old wooden bench, close your eyes and settle down for a while."
— Yves Gagnon, co-founder of the gardens
The garden in pictures
They drove
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By appointment, the rest of the year
The garden can also be visited outside of regular season hours, by appointment. Call us at 450 835-5813 or email us to arrange a time.
The Grand Portage Gardens
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there on-site parking?
Yes, free parking is available directly on-site, at the entrance of 800 chemin du Portage.
How long does a visit last?
The choice is yours: most visitors take one to two hours to explore the two acres at their own pace. The guided tour, however, lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Is the site accessible by wheelchair or stroller?
The paths are gravel and compacted earth, with some steps in the Zen garden: access may therefore be limited in places. Call us at 450 835-5813 before your visit: we will assess together what is possible.
May I bring my dog?
Leashed dogs are welcome in the gardens. However, they are not allowed in the shop.
Are there restrooms on site?
Yes, restrooms are available on site during opening hours.
Can we picnic or eat on site?
You can bring your own picnic and enjoy it in the designated areas on site.
What happens if it rains?
The self-guided tour is possible rain or shine. The guided tour takes place as scheduled, except in the event of major inclement weather — in which case, we suggest rescheduling for another Sunday.
What payment methods do you accept on site?
Cash or Interac on site. Guided and self-guided tours booked in advance are paid for online at the time of booking.
Is the shop open during the tours?
Yes, the small seed and organic products shop remains open during visiting hours.
What extra benefits does the guided tour offer compared to the self-guided tour?
The self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace. The guided tour takes you behind the scenes: the history of the site since 1980, the choices that shaped each garden, and the plants that grow together and why. It takes place on Sundays at 11 a.m., places are limited and reservations are required.
When is the best time to visit?
The garden changes throughout the summer: July blooms, abundant August vegetable garden, soft September light. Between July 1st and September 15th, there's no bad time to visit—every visit is different.
Do the children enjoy the visit?
Yes — the winding paths, the water features, and the Zen garden are designed like a journey. Admission is free for children aged 12 and under.