L’Orignal Old Jail
Escape from the daily grind by visiting the oldest jail in Ontario and second oldest in Canada at L’Orignal, in Eastern Ontario.
Put yourself in the shoes of former inmates who served time in the Old Jail between 1825 and 1998.
Converted into a tourist attraction in June 2007, the jail provides a unique window on prison life long ago.
The neoclassical Loyalist stone structure still houses the Court House, the oldest one operating in Ontario, which is considered the focal point of the village of L’Orignal. Its orange-coloured roof will draw you in; its fascinating aura will tantalize you and fill your senses! Besides the prison, you can enjoy three exhibitions about life in Canada between the two great wars, about the Treadwell family, who founded L’Original, and Caledonia Springs, the country’s largest health spa between 1835 and 1915.
Want to celebrate a special event? We have a large tent and a meeting room to meet all your needs! Or would you prefer to enjoy games and theatre? We frequently host Murder Mystery evenings and games, as well as plays.
In short, you’ll feel quite free in this jail!
Prescott & Russell
Referred to as ‘Ottawa’s Backyard’, The United Counties of Prescott & Russell is an amalgamation of two counties east of the national capital. Agrarian countryside unfolds as you wind down picturesque rural roads that connect some of Ontario’s oldest and most storied towns and villages.
Prescott & Russell is close enough to the city to be super convenient for a short getaway, but the serene landscape, welcoming locals, country shops and bilingual culture make you feel like you’re a world away.
To learn more about all there is to see and do in Prescott & Russell, visit the city’s tourism website.
For more resources on Francophone Experiences, visit DestinationOntario.com.
Ontario Travel Information Services
For more general tourism information or to plan your visit, please call to speak with a Travel Counsellor at 1-800-668-2746 (1-800-ONTARIO). Travel Counsellors are available to speak with you in either English or French.
Book an appointment with a Travel Counsellor or send an Email at travelinfo@ontario.ca with your Ontario travel questions.
