About Embrun
Embrun dates back to 1845, when the first settlers arrived along the Castor River. The community sits about 44 kilometres from Ottawa, just south of Highway 417, with access from Exit 88.
Embrun had 8,680 residents in the 2021 Census, up from 6,968 in 2016.
French is the majority language at home, and most residents are bilingual. Many people commute to Ottawa for work, while dairy farming and agriculture remain part of the local economy. Notre-Dame Street, the main east-west road, ties the village together, with Église Saint-Jacques standing at its centre.
Homes in Embrun
Detached houses dominate the Embrun market, with a mix of established homes and newer family homes. Townhouses offer a lower-cost way in, while condos remain a small share of what is available.
According to Embrun market trends, the average sold price between August 24 and October 19, 2026, was $602,059, up 3.7% from the same period a year earlier. Homes sold in about 40 days on average, at roughly 98% of the list price.
Ready to compare homes side by side? Browse our Ottawa-area property listings to see what is available in Embrun today.
Schools in Embrun
Embrun offers French and English schools from both public and Catholic boards, so families can choose a program that matches their language and faith preferences from kindergarten to graduation.
- Location: 100 Maheu Street, Embrun
- Grades: Kindergarten – Grade 6
- Visit website
- Location: 2123 Route 500 West, Embrun
- Grades: Kindergarten – Grade 6
- Visit website
- Location: Pavillon Saint-Jean, 1045 rue Notre-Dame, Embrun & Pavillon La Croisée, 1215 rue Saint-Augustin, Embrun
- Grades: Kindergarten – Grade 6
- Visit website
- Location: 1276 chemin St-Jacques, Embrun
- Grades: Grade 7 – Grade 12
- Visit website
Shopping in Embrun
You can handle most day-to-day errands without leaving the village. The Embrun Plaza Shopping Mall at 767 Notre-Dame Street brings together many popular stores and services.
The list includes Dollarama, Pet Value, First Choice Haircutters, a nail salon and tax services, plus quick bites from Dairy Queen, Grilled Shawarma, and Boston Pizza.
For a more local experience, the Notre-Dame Street commercial strip is the village’s heart. Local retailers, professional services, bakeries and restaurants line the street, and many of the businesses featured further down this guide are only a short walk apart.
For bigger shopping trips, residents typically drive west along Highway 417 into Ottawa’s east end.
Public Transportation
Embrun is outside the OC Transpo service area, so most residents drive.
Commuter bus service between the township and Ottawa is now offered privately by 417 Bus Line, which took over after the township’s Russell Transpo service ended in December 2020.
Another option is to drive to the Vars Park and Ride, where OC Transpo Route 222 provides weekday service into Ottawa. Routes and departure times change occasionally, so check both operators for current schedules before planning a daily commute.
Healthcare in Embrun
Embrun residents have several primary care options in the village, with full hospital services a drive south in Winchester.
Notre Dame Medical Centre on Notre-Dame Street runs a walk-in clinic for everyday concerns such as colds, ear infections, rashes and minor injuries, with same-day appointments also available.
The Embrun clinic of the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie offers primary health care, mental health services, diabetes education and wellness programs, with a focus on serving francophone residents across Prescott and Russell.
For emergencies and surgery, Winchester District Memorial Hospital in Winchester is the closest full-service acute care hospital, with a 24/7 emergency department and surgical services.
Community and Entertainment in Embrun
Community life in Embrun centres on its township facilities, where seniors, sports teams and young families all cross paths throughout the year.
The Camille Piché Community Centre on Blais Street hosts local gatherings, markets, and offers hall rentals through the site’s online portal. A popular event are the community suppers that bring neighbours together around home-style meals.
The Russell Township Sports Dome keeps residents active year-round with an indoor turf field, a training centre, a multisport court for tennis, badminton, and pickleball, and a free-to-use three-lane walking and running track.
The township is also building a new recreation complex between Embrun and Russell with three arenas, a swimming pool and a large community hall, scheduled to open in fall 2026 at the time of writing.
The Centre d’aide communautaire Embrun is a francophone non-profit that improves living conditions for people in need, and it’s a great place for newcomers to volunteer and give back.
Dining Out in Embrun
Embrun’s food scene punches above its size, with craft beer, slow-cooked curries and five styles of pizza all close to home.
The Uptown Resto Bar serves Punjabi-influenced Indian cooking, from tandoori dishes and biryani to butter chicken, in a warm setting with a modern bar and lounge.
RustBelt Pizza is a takeout spot for pizza lovers who like variety, baking Ottawa-style 613 pies alongside Detroit square, Chicago deep dish, Chicago tavern and Windsor-style pizzas.
The Homestead Pub is a casual neighbourhood pub serving comfort food and local craft beer on tap, with live music, trivia and karaoke nights keeping the room busy.
Pearson Street SmashBurgers N’ Melts is a family-run food truck known for smash burgers made with locally raised Black Angus beef, cheesy melts, poutine and fresh-cut fries.
Gabriel Pizza Embrun is a go-to for families, serving familiar pizzas and Italian dishes from an Eastern Ontario staple.
Parks in Embrun
The old railway line that once connected Embrun to Ottawa now anchors a network of parks, trails, playgrounds, and sports fields, making it easy to get outside close to home.
Jonathan Pitre Accessible Park – The township’s first accessible park at 150 Sportsplex Road, with an accessible play structure, swings and exercise equipment for seniors.
Yahoo Park & Splash Pad – A neighbourhood favourite on Marcel Street, where the splash pad opens daily from June to September, weather permitting.
New York Central Recreational Trail – A paved, 10-kilometre multi-use trail linking Embrun and Russell along the former railway corridor, ideal for walking, running, cycling and rollerblading.
Richelieu Park – A local sports park on St-Moritz Trail with a ball diamond, washrooms and parking.
Omer Lamadeleine Park – A green space for family recreation in the village.
Curious how Embrun stacks up against communities inside the city? Our roundup of Ottawa’s top neighbourhoods is a helpful place to start.
Ready to Call Embrun Home?
Embrun offers something that is getting harder to find near Ottawa: a bilingual village with its own schools, clinics, restaurants, and recreation, at prices that still leave room in your budget.
Detached homes make up most of the market, so growing families have real choices. It’s also a growing community. With a new recreation complex set to open and the population climbing, Embrun belongs on any list of up-and-coming communities around Ottawa.
Our team knows the Embrun market and can help you compare neighbourhoods, schools, and commute times before you move. Call us at 613-788-2122 or reach out online to start your search.
Paul Rushforth
Since 2004, Paul and his team have helped over 7000 families reach their real estate dreams. He continues to train and consult agents throughout the industry and is considered one of the most forward thinking pioneers in the industry, blazing trails for those around him.