Sunny Sunday visit to the Old Aylmer Market and Aylmer

Posted on by Lani and Norm
Old Aylmer Market sign that says Marche Vieux Alymer.
Estimated read time 4 min read

I’ve been placing more enthusiasm, excitement, and expectations on the farmer’s markets farther away from Ottawa.  Not sure why, but perhaps the longer the drive, the more the excitement and expectation build.  This time was no different but the result was fantastic!  First off, the Marche Vieux Aylmer, or the Old Aylmer Market was really not that far however, it was absolutely wonderful. Far exceeded expectations! 

Once we found the Old Aylmer Market, or Marche Vieux Aylmer, I thought it was only a handful of stalls and that was alright. I wasn’t expecting anymore than that in a town the size of Aylmer. The signage at the entranceways was certainly impressive.  However, once we entered the market and started walking through the market, the market and vendors kept going. And going!  It was very impressive!  Memorial Park where the market is held, has a round central area with a statue and benches all around it.  The vendor stalls are lined up along the paths leading up to the central area and then there are vendor stalls all around the central statue and benches.  Wonderful layout and setup.  The landscaping and flowers in this park were also beautifully done.  There were plenty of trees so despite the sunny day the shade from the trees helped keep visitors, dogs, and vendors cool. 

There were the usual components to a farmers market, vendors, produce, baked goods, coffee, artisans, florists, jewelers, food vendors, and a performer and this was the first market where I saw a big lemon, lemonade stand. I did notice the jeweler that I saw at the Wakefield Farmers Market and I bought my necklace. While we’ve not been buying much lately from farmers’ markets, we did buy a couple of things from this one. We had a wonderful conversation and time with the vendor at Cizo & Deco were we bought Norm a bandana. Reasonably priced, attached to your dog’s collar and has a little pocket for your dog’s special things, poop bags!

I love almond croissants but they can be hard to find. I found some at the Old Aylmer Market. The Charlotte Macarons stall had many macarons and a few varieties of croissants including almond. That was my other purchase. Unfortunatley, the croissant didn’t make it home!

The energy and vibe of the market was great. So much so that we strolled along the main drag, rue Principale, which lead us to the Aylmer marina and the Ottawa River. There was a lovely park and path by the marina and lots of benches and places to sit and enjoy the view. The Old Aylmer town was very cute, with lots old builders, plenty of patios to sit at, each and enjoy the scenery and sunshine. Parking wasn’t easy to find but there were plenty of side streets and parking along all of them. One thing I noticed throughout out walk in Aylmer was benches. There were many artistic and scuplted benches. I took a few pictures of them but I didn’t get them all. Old Aylmer is a very artistic little town and I’m looking forward to exploring it more next year!

  • Sculpture of family in Aylmer, QC
    Statue along rue Principale, Aylmer, QC
  • Metal bench that looks like a pan flute in Aylmer, QC
    Flute bench in Aylmer, QC
  • Metal bench in Aylmer, QC
    Another bench in Aylmer, QC
  • Sculpture of two faces in Aylmer park
    Two faces statue in Aylmer park.
  • Blue dachshund statue with pink polka dots in Aylmer park.
    Polka Dot Dachshund Statue, Aylmer, QC
  • Merle corgi standing on Ottawa river bank watching ducks and boats.
    Norm watching ducks on the Ottawa River from Aylmer, QC
  • Boats sailing on Ottawa River from the Aylmer, QC side.
    Ottawa River from Aylmer, QC
  • Rocks in the foreground and boats on the Ottawa River in the background looking out from Aylmer, QC
    Boats on Ottawa River from Aylmer, QC
  • Boats at the Aylmer, QC marina.
    Aylmer, QC Marina
  • Almond croissant, top view.
    Almond Croissant from Charlotte Marcaons – Old Aylmer Market / Marche Vieux Aylmer
  • Pink stall and sign for the Charlotte Macarons stall at the Old Aylmer Market, Marche Vieux Aylmer.
    Charlotte Macarons, Old Aylmer Market / Marche Vieux Aylmer
  • Black and blue pendant with wood from Wakefield Farmers Market.
    Black and Blue pendant with wood from Wakefield Farmers Market.
  • Blue merle corgi wearing a Cizo Deco bandana at the Old Aylmer Market, Marche Vieux Aylmer.
    Norm with a bandana from Cizo Deco at the Old Aylmer Market / Marche Vieux Aylmer
  • Vendors at the Old Aylmer Market with visitors and venodrs.
    Vendors at the Old Aylmer Market / Marche Vieux Aylmer
  • Path leading into Memorial Park and the Old Aylmer March, Marche Vieux Aylmer.
    Entering the Old Aylmer Market / Marche Vieux Aylmer
  • Marche Vieux Aylmer canopy in Memorial Park, Aylmer, QC.
    Marche Vieux Aylmer Stall, Old Aylmer Market
  • Big vegetable stall and vendor at the Old Aylmer Market, Marche Vieux Aylmer.
    Produce Vendor at the Old Aylmer Market / Marche Vieux Aylmer
  • People sitting on Memorial Park benches at the Old Aylmer Market, Marche Vieux Marche.
    Central area of Memorial Park at the Old Aylmer Market / Marche Vieux Aylmer

Old Aylmer Market

Location: 117  Principale Street, Gatineau (Memorial Park; corner of Broad and Main St)

Dates: June – October

Hours: 10 am – 3 pm

Website: https://marchevieuxaylmer.com/en

Lani and Norm
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Lani and Norm

I enjoy learning and sharing that knowledge. Sharing has been in many forms over the years, as a teaching assistant, university lecturer, Pilates instructor, math tutor and just sharing with friends and family. Throughout, summarizing what I have learnt in words has always been there and continues to through blog posts, articles, video and the ever growing forms of content out there!

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