Railway heritage lives again at Val-Jalbert in 2026
By Pierre Perreault
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At Village historique de Val-Jalbert in Chambord, Lac Saint-Jean, the new season highlights the site’s railway heritage with two wooden railcars resembling those once used to carry pulp to major centres.
This is an opportunity to bring new life to the rich railway history of this emblematic place, shaped in the first half of the 20th century by a major industrial undertaking: the Val-Jalbert pulp mill and the company village created around it. Inside the cars, a pulp-themed maze and activities for children aged six to 12 offer a playful introduction to the transport and processing of wood pulp. For grandparents, the experience provides a wonderful opportunity to share part of industrial history with a younger generation.
The renowned regular activities at Village historique de Val-Jalbert will also return from May 16 to October 12. At Val-Jalbert, the 1920s never ended. Feel the soul of the Village through more than 40 preserved historic buildings, including workers’ homes, the general store, post office and convent school.
The immersive production « Du cœur à l’ouvrage » is presented within the industrial fabric of the pulp mill itself, transporting audiences to the workers’ workplace of the period and revealing the true stories of all the people who lived in this company town.
Enhance your experience with a cable-car ascent to the lookouts, with exceptional views of the powerful chute Ouiatchouan.
Several special events run throughout the summer and even into autumn. A range of accommodation options lets visitors extend their stay. The Moulin restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with a gourmet dinner featuring the region's rich terroir, while the Magasin général sells snacks and souvenirs to take home.
Designated a classified heritage site in 1996, Val-Jalbert now contains more than 90 buildings and remains, including 42 surviving structures, as well as an associated archaeological site covering the entire property. It is therefore a major place for transmitting Québec’s collective memory.
In 2009, Corporation du Parc régional obtained approval from the ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine (MCCF), Développement économique Canada and the Municipalité régionale de comté du Domaine-du-Roy, the site’s current owner, to finance a $19.7 million project fully revitalizing Village historique de Val-Jalbert. The work covered infrastructure, historical interpretation and the visitor experience.
Annual passports have been available since April and include several benefits, among them a partnership with Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien that gives access to two distinct and incredible regional experiences, restaurant discounts and other advantages. Individual and family passports provide unlimited access to the site and many seasonal activities, whether for a full day or simply an evening walk. They are valid from the date of purchase through April 30, 2027, with different prices in low and high season.
Further details are available at valjalbert.com.
Village historique Val-Jalbert
valjalbert.com
95, rue Saint-Georges
Chambord (Québec) G0W 1G0
418 275-3132