Living in the Embrun area: questions, answered
Answers to 33 questions people ask about living in and buying in the Embrun area: neighbourhoods, schools, the O-Train, prices, walkability, parks and shops. Each answer comes first, then the detail, the sources and the date it is current to.
Updated · Facts on this page link to their sources
- Neighbourhoods 5
- Schools 6
- Commute & O-Train 4
- Prices & market 1
- Walkability & errands 1
- Parks & outdoors 4
- Shops & dining 3
- Safety & services 1
- History 2
- Who it suits 6
Neighbourhoods
5Where is Embrun?
Embrun is a community in the Township of Russell, in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell in eastern Ontario. It lies east of Ottawa, south of Highway 417, between Russell village and Limoges.
As of 2026-10-30 · en.wikipedia.org
What are homes like in Embrun?
Established detached housing is documented in Embrun: a 2022 municipal planning report describes the area around Forget Street as mainly single-detached dwellings. The approved Official Plan also provides for semi-detached homes, townhouses, duplexes and apartments, but those permissions do not measure the existing housing stock.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.civicweb.net russell.ca
Where are Embrun's boundaries?
The Township's Official Plan maps the Embrun village settlement area on Schedule A1. This guide's population figures use Statistics Canada's 2021 Embrun population centre, so planning and statistical boundaries should be checked separately.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca russell.ca
Is Embrun the same place as Russell?
Embrun and Russell are separate villages within the Township of Russell. The Township's Official Plan provides separate land-use schedules for Embrun and Russell.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca
Which parts of Embrun should I compare?
Start with the Notre-Dame Street village core and the surrounding residential areas shown in the Township's Official Plan. The Township also identifies the St-Thomas development when describing its park on Lucerne Drive.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca russell.ca
Schools
6What schools serve Embrun?
Elementary options include Cambridge Public School, De la Rivière Castor and École élémentaire catholique Embrun, with St. Mother Teresa Catholic School in nearby Russell. Secondary options to check are École secondaire catholique Embrun, Russell High School, St. Thomas Aquinas in Russell and L'Académie de la Seigneurie in Casselman. The appropriate school depends on the board, program and home address.
As of 2026-10-30 · cambridge.ucdsb.on.ca riviere-castor.cepeo.on.ca
What French public schools are near Embrun?
École élémentaire publique De la Rivière Castor in Embrun offers kindergarten through Grade 6. L'Académie de la Seigneurie in Casselman offers French public education from kindergarten through Grade 12.
As of 2026-10-30 · riviere-castor.cepeo.on.ca academiedelaseigneurie.cepeo.on.ca
What French Catholic schools are in Embrun?
École élémentaire catholique Embrun teaches kindergarten to Grade 2 at pavillon Saint-Jean and Grades 3–6 at pavillon La Croisée. École secondaire catholique Embrun offers Grades 7–12 through the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien.
As of 2026-10-30 · eece.csdceo.ca csdceo.ca
What English Catholic schools are near Embrun?
The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario lists St. Mother Teresa Catholic School in Russell for JK–6 and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell for Grades 7–12. Both schools list French Immersion programs.
As of 2026-10-30 · cdsbeo.on.ca
Is French Immersion available for Embrun families?
Cambridge Public School describes itself as a dual-stream school offering English and French Immersion programs. It serves Embrun and surrounding communities from kindergarten through Grade 6.
As of 2026-10-30 · cambridge.ucdsb.on.ca
How do I check school boundaries before moving to Embrun?
Check the exact property address and intended program with the relevant school board. For example, CDSBEO's school locator asks for the street number and name and provides a separate French Immersion program selection.
As of 2026-10-30 · cdsbeo.on.ca
Commute & O-Train
4How far is Embrun from downtown Ottawa?
By road, Embrun's centre is about 44.4 km from Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa, roughly 39 minutes by car in free-flowing traffic (OSRM routing estimate). From Embrun, St-Guillaume Road connects Notre-Dame Street to Highway 417 at exit 88 for the trip towards Ottawa.
As of 2026-10-30 · router.project-osrm.org en.wikipedia.org
How do you get downtown from Embrun by transit?
417 Bus Line's privately operated Route 528 connects Embrun with downtown Ottawa. The operator advertises Monday-to-Thursday service, and its timetable effective October 1, 2025 shows a morning trip towards Ottawa and an afternoon return.
As of 2026-10-30 · transpo.417busline.com transpo.417busline.com
Can I use OC Transpo from Vars for an Ottawa commute?
Vars Park & Ride is an option identified by the Township for travel to Ottawa. OC Transpo's Route 222 map shows weekday peak-period service between Vars and Blair, where Line 1 provides the rail connection towards downtown.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca octranspo.com
Does PR Transpo still serve Embrun?
The United Counties of Prescott and Russell announced the permanent suspension of PR Transpo's intermunicipal service. Old fixed-route schedules remain online, but they should not be used as evidence of an operating Embrun bus service.
As of 2026-10-30 · en.prescott-russell.on.ca en.prescott-russell.on.ca
Prices & market
1Where can I find official market data relevant to Embrun?
The Ottawa Real Estate Board publishes market information through CREA's statistics service. This independent guide does not estimate Embrun neighbourhood prices or treat a broader board report as an address-specific valuation.
As of 2026-10-30 · creastats.crea.ca
Walkability & errands
1Is Embrun walkable?
Embrun has a paved recreational trail linking it with Russell, while grocery destinations include Notre-Dame Street and Village Street. Those locations do not establish that every home is within walking distance; check the route from a specific address.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca coopembrun.com
Parks & outdoors
4Is there a trail between Embrun and Russell?
The paved New York Central Recreational Trail connects Embrun and Russell along a former railway corridor. The Township identifies walking, running, cycling and rollerblading as uses and lists an Embrun access point at 901 Notre-Dame Street.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca
Does Embrun have an accessible playground?
Jonathan Pitre Accessible Park is at 150 Sportsplex Road in Embrun. The Township lists accessible play structures, swings and exercise equipment for seniors.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca
Is there a splash pad in Embrun?
The Township's 2026 resident guide locates the seasonal splash pad in Yahoo Park at 2 Marcel Street, Embrun. The Township publishes the season's opening and closing dates on its website and social media.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca
Where can I exercise indoors near Embrun?
The Township Sports Dome at 150 Sportsplex Street provides indoor recreation near Embrun. The municipal resident guide lists a gym area, multi-sport court, turf field, and walking and running track.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca russell.ca
Shops & dining
3Where can I buy groceries in Embrun?
Embrun Co-op's Your Independent Grocer is at 753 Notre-Dame Street. Food Basics lists its Embrun store at 245 Village Street.
As of 2026-10-30 · coopembrun.com foodbasics.ca
Where are pharmacies in Embrun?
Jean Coutu lists its Embrun pharmacy at 867 Notre-Dame Street. Champlainhealthline lists Embrun IDA Compounding Pharmacy at 934 Notre-Dame Street, Unit A.
As of 2026-10-30 · champlainhealthline.ca
Is there a medical clinic in Embrun?
The Clinique de médecine familiale d'Embrun is at 869 Notre-Dame Street. Champlainhealthline's July 10, 2026 update lists it as serving registered patients by appointment and closed to new patients.
As of 2026-10-30 · champlainhealthline.ca register.cpso.on.ca
Safety & services
1Is Embrun safe?
Embrun is served by the Ontario Provincial Police, whose Russell County Detachment is at 411 New York Central Avenue. This research did not establish an Embrun-specific comparative crime rate or safety ranking.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca
History
2Why is Embrun called Embrun?
The Société historique d'Embrun dates the name to 1857, when missionary François-Xavier Michel suggested Embrun in reference to the community in the French Alps. Its history places the arrival of French-speaking settlers along the Castor River in the mid-1840s.
As of 2026-10-30 · stationembrun.ca
What remains of Embrun's railway history?
The New York Central Recreational Trail follows the former railway corridor between Embrun and Russell. The Société historique d'Embrun also works to preserve and share local heritage through the station and museum project.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca stationembrun.ca
Who it suits
6Is Embrun a good place to live?
Embrun has French-language schools, local grocery stores and township recreation facilities, including the Sports Dome. Its private commuter bus operator advertises service to Ottawa from Monday to Thursday.
As of 2026-10-30 · riviere-castor.cepeo.on.ca csdceo.ca
Where is the Embrun library?
The Township of Russell Public Library currently lists its Embrun branch at pavillon La Croisée, 1215 St-Augustin. Its August 18, 2026 project update says the new branch is expected to open in 2027.
As of 2026-10-30 · russellbiblio.com russellbiblio.com
Are Embrun homes on municipal water and sewer?
Embrun has municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, but service connections should be checked for each property. The Township's water information describes supply from Ottawa, while its 2024 wastewater master plan notes that some developed areas in Embrun and Russell use private sewage services.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca russell.ca
What community groups can I contact in Embrun?
The Société historique d'Embrun is a community organisation focused on local francophone heritage. Optimist International also lists an Embrun French-language club, which provides a separate local contact for involvement.
As of 2026-10-30 · stationembrun.ca optimist.org
Where can I find Embrun community events?
The Township's event calendar lists local activities, including Embrun Summerfest baseball in its June 2026 calendar. Its January 2026 calendar also records carnival activities and public skating at Embrun Arena.
As of 2026-10-30 · calendar.russell.ca
Who handles waste collection in Embrun?
The Township's 2026 resident guide directs garbage and organics enquiries to its Infrastructure Department. It states that recycling is no longer managed by the Township as of January 2026 and directs recycling enquiries to Miller Waste.
As of 2026-10-30 · russell.ca russell.ca