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All Canada Ontario Ottawa Vanier Sugar Shack
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

Vanier Sugar Shack

Watch maple syrup being made without ever leaving the city.

Ottawa, Ontario

Added By
Vanessa Chiasson
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Equipment for making maple syrup.   Courtesy of Vanier Sugar Shack
Equipment for making maple syrup.   Courtesy of Vanier Sugar Shack
The old sugar shack, before the fire.   Courtesy of Vanier Sugar Shack
A photo of the sugar shack in 1947.   Courtesy of Vanier Sugar Shack
The current exterior of the sugar shack.   Courtesy of the Vanier Sugar Shack
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About

When most people think about maple syrup production, they likely envision pancakes in the countryside, not a city with a population just shy of 1 million—and they certainly don’t imagine arson and royalty. All that changes when they visit the Vanier Museopark Sugar Shack in Ottawa, Canada, believed to be the world's most urban maple syrup producer.

Located about five kilometers from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill in the historically francophone neighborhood of Vanier, the non-profit Vanier Sugar Shack is surrounded by 17.5 acres of forest. Each year, an army of volunteer “maple farmers” taps the trees and collects the maple sap. They also collect sap from their neighbor, the governor general of Canada. As the governor general represents the monarchy, the maple farmers are essentially harvesting sap that’s fit for a king. Their efforts result in 400 to 600 liters of maple syrup a year.

In 2020, tragedy struck the Vanier Museopark's Sugar Shack when a devastating arson attack decimated the historic property. In a remarkable show of community solidarity, rebuilding efforts began immediately. The new and improved building reopened just in time for the 2023 maple harvest.

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Sugar Maple Syrup

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The Museopark’s annual Sugar Festival occurs in late March through early April. The program typically includes culinary experiences, traditional music, family activities, and ample opportunities to taste the season’s first batch of maple syrup.

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Added By

Vanessa Chiasson

Published

March 31, 2023

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Vanier Sugar Shack
320 Pères-Blancs Ave
Ottawa, Ontario, K1L 7L5
Canada
45.444326, -75.662501
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