I’m stretching the Magog region to include Saint-Benoît-du-Lac where a Benedictine abbey lies. The monastery was founded in 1912 and the construction of the present stone structure began in 1939. The cheese factory was actually built a year before but didn’t serve its cheese to the public until 1943.
Stone abbey 
Corridor to the church 
Cheese! 
Cider!
The monks were originally from Saint-Wandrille in France, but exiled to Belgium when anticlerical law came into force in 1901. They established themselves in Canada in 1912 while still in exile.
Today, the monastery makes fruit tart, alcoholic cider, and maple cones in addition to cheese to support their work. You can buy all their delicious food at the gift shop for a very competitive price. I suppose you can call them “homemade” products since the monks actually live in the abbey.
Bleu Lavande 
Lavender gallery 
Lavender lab 
Growing lavender
Nearer to Magog, a regionally famous lavender field comes into full bloom every summer. The lavender is turned into various products such as essential oils used in the production of perfumes and soaps. You can also buy bunches of lavender in the gift shop.
Lavender 
Lavender
The purple fields are more than just a pretty sight, the exhibition centre in the main building also shows visitors how the plant is grown, processed, and puts part of its extraction lab on display. Don’t hurt the bees while you’re there, they’re working hard to spread seeds!
