Cowansville
Around Cowansville
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Town and around · Quebec · 15k people
Cowansville
Locals say Brome-Missisquoi
Where the hills meet the orchards, and cider flows like autumn.
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Welcome to Brome-Missisquoi! Whether you're here for the orchards, the vineyards, or just to enjoy the lakeside calm, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors. Come say hi!
Clubs for Cowansville
No clubs for Cowansville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cowansville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cowansville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lac Davignon Popular for swimming and picnics
- Parc de la Gare Downtown green space near the old station
- Outdoors Swimming at Lac Davignon
- Outdoors Cycling on the Brome-Missisquoi bike trails
- With kids Apple picking in Dunham orchards
- With kids Swimming at Lac Davignon
- Evenings Winery tastings in Dunham
- Evenings Local pub nights
- Locals love apple orchards
- Locals love vineyards
Through the year
Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall
Getaways
- Granby Zoo and water park
- Sherbrooke Larger city with cultural attractions
- Montréal Metropolitan area with diverse activities
- Plattsburgh US border city with outlet shopping
Local flavour
Teams
- Cowansville Vikings Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL)
Also rooting for Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Alouettes, Montreal Impact, Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Apple cider Local orchards produce a wide range of ciders, including ice cider
- Ice cider A regional specialty made from frozen apples
- Artisanal cheese From local fromageries
- Poutine Quebec-wide, but widely available locally
Where people go
- Apple orchards U-pick farms and cideries
- Vineyards Part of the growing wine region
- Sugar shacks (cabane à sucre) Seasonal maple syrup operations
- Cheese farms (fromageries) Artisanal cheese producers
- Cycling routes Scenic rural roads popular with cyclists
Heritage and traditions
Brome-Missisquoi is proud of its rolling orchard-covered hills, its family-run vineyards and cheese farms, and the easygoing rural charm that blends English and French Quebec heritage.
This time of year in Cowansville
- Apple and wine harvest September-October Fall brings apple picking and wine festivals.
Say it like a local: “Un p'tit tour” — A little ride or trip.
Festivals
- Cowansville Agricultural Fair August A classic country fair with livestock, rides, and local produce.
- Dunham Wine and Apple Festival September Celebrates the region's wines and apple harvest with tastings and family activities.
- Cowansville Winter Carnival February A family-friendly winter festival with ice skating and outdoor activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Cowansville Courthouse A heritage courthouse in the town center, reflecting 19th-century architecture.
- Cowansville United Church A historic Protestant church reflecting the Loyalist heritage.
- Dunham Anglican Church An early Anglican church in Dunham, dating back to the 1800s.
- Sainte-Croix Church A Catholic church in the village of Sainte-Croix, serving the local community.
Food traditions
- Apple cider and ice cider From the many orchards, especially in Dunham, ice cider is a sweet dessert wine made from frozen apples.
- Artisanal cheese Local fromageries produce a variety of cheeses, often paired with the region's wines.
- Sugaring-off In spring, families visit sugar shacks for maple syrup and taffy on snow.
- Poutine A Quebec classic, often enjoyed at local diners after a day of cycling.
- Cretons A pork spread served at breakfast, a traditional Quebec dish.
Music and arts
- Ice cider making A craft that combines winemaking and apple growing, pioneered locally.
- Folk and country music The region has a tradition of folk and country music, reflecting its rural heritage.
A little history
- late 18th century Loyalist settlement
- 1800s Founding of Cowansville
- 20th century Development of orchards and vineyards
- 1980s Invention of ice cider
- Game day Cowansville Vikings hockey games
- Game day Local baseball leagues
- Outdoors Cycling on the Brome-Missisquoi bike trails
- Outdoors Swimming at Lac Davignon
- With kids Apple picking in Dunham orchards
- With kids Swimming at Lac Davignon
Residents speak French with a distinctive Eastern Townships accent, and many also speak English. You'll hear a mix of French and English words in everyday conversation, reflecting the region's Loyalist and French-Canadian heritage.
Only here
- The invention of ice cider is attributed to the region.
- The region is one of the few in Quebec with both vineyards and apple orchards.
- The Cowansville Agricultural Fair has been running for over a century.
- The region has a strong Loyalist heritage, with many English-speaking residents.
New here? A few tips
- Bilingualism is common; French is the main language, but many speak English.
- The roads can be winding and hilly; drive carefully in winter.
- Try the local ice cider and cheese.
- Embrace the sugaring-off season in spring.
- The region is rural, so a car is essential.
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Nearby
Every areaBrome-MissisquoiQuebecRolling hills, apple orchards, and maple-sweet air.GranbyQuebecWhere the Appalachians meet the lakesLa Haute-YamaskaQuebecWhere the maple runs and the hills roll gently.RouvilleQuebecHeart of Quebec's apple countryLe Haut-RichelieuQuebecWhere the river meets the orchards — a quiet corner of Quebec.Les MaskoutainsQuebecCœur agricole du Québec, où la terre et la tradition se rencontrent.Saint-HyacintheQuebecDairy country's warm welcomeSherbrookeQuebecWhere the steeples meet the mountains.
Cowansville. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.