It is often said that you don't change a winning formula. Even though the Péchés Mignons boutique in Rimouski had been successful since 1991, the new owners since 2019, Céline Bilodeau and René Landry, brought their personal touch when they arrived.



The shop, located in a small shopping centre on rue Saint-Germain Ouest, has the feel of a bookstore, where everything is neatly organized and catalogued according to a well-established order. No surprise, since both have worked for a long time in the book trade, first in Lévis, and more recently at a branch in Rimouski. It was when they saw the business was for sale that they decided to take the plunge.

Péchés Mignons offers happiness to its customers. High-end chocolate, pastries, a wide variety of loose-leaf and bagged teas and herbal infusions, a good selection of fine confectionery, bubble tea and iced lemonades, ice cream and sorbets. "The best ice cream in town," says René Landry. And all of this is based first and foremost on the quality of the local and international artisans who produce it. They also offer exclusive products. European confectionery is also featured.

 

You have to see the immense display of white metal tea tins, all the same shape and size, as soon as you enter from the mall. You can't help but look at the labels to appreciate the variety. The display of fine chocolates alone is worth a short detour. And what about the Brets potato chips, imported from France and offered in 17 different flavours?

 

Céline and René have poured their hearts and souls into their business for the past three years, ensuring that customers always receive a warm welcome and find the products they're looking for, so they'll keep coming back. They know they hold a good part of the recipe for happiness in this world, and they fully intend to preserve and nurture it for many years to come.

Their son is involved in the business operations and could take over when his parents decide to retire, gradually but surely, so that the "merchant of happiness" can continue his work with a clientele that appreciates him.

Péchés Mignons
facebook.com/pechesmignonsrimouski
119, rue Saint-Germain Ouest
Rimouski (Qc) G5L 4B6
418.725.5707

By Gaëtan Vaudry

During our brief stay of a few days in the city of Saguenay, we couldn’t help but stop at Café Cambio on Racine East Street four or five times. Firstly, to enjoy the atmosphere of this downtown Chicoutimi solidarity cooperative, and secondly, to savor affordable and healthy dishes that showcase products from various local producers.

As soon as Virginie Simard-Dufour starts talking about the products available at this fair-trade and organic micro-roastery founded in March 2005, her eyes light up. She speaks passionately about the tireless teamwork of 32 members, including 10 worker-members: “ Under the label, we embody a vision of a better world—one where farmers and workers sit at the negotiating table as equals ,” proudly notes the service manager, restaurant coordinator, and barista.

Café Cambio, a key gathering spot for students from the Chicoutimi CEGEP and the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), is also a venue for showcasing young Saguenay artists. The establishment regularly hosts art openings and intimate acoustic concerts of emerging music.

During my visit last November, I had the chance to enjoy some excellent dishes at this establishment, which was the brainchild of two young Montrealers and childhood friends, Guylaine Pelletier and Geneviève Demers. To start, I had a comforting mushroom soup, perfect for that time of year. I followed it with the spicy Bedi panini (Cajun-seasoned chicken, caramelized onions, spinach, mozzarella, and vegenaise), served with salad, corn chips, and salsa. For dessert, I enjoyed the daily special, all accompanied by one of their excellent fair-trade coffees. To my surprise, the bill for this delicious three-course meal was very affordable!

What also struck me during my first visit was their “Pay it Forward” concept, where customers can anonymously donate a soup or coffee to someone in need. Given the growing issue of homelessness in downtown Chicoutimi, this gesture of generosity is truly admirable and meaningful.

Café Cambio’s coffee and products are available at various points of sale across the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, including Chicoutimi, Jonquière, La Baie, Saint-Ambroise/Saint-Honoré, MRC Lac-Saint-Jean-Est, MRC Domaine-du-Roy, Bas-Saguenay, Saint-Fulgence/Sainte-Rose-du-Sacré-Cœur, Tadoussac, Les Bergeronnes, Les Escoumins, and even the Côte-Nord!

Café Cambio
414, rue Racine Est, Chicoutimi
418 549-7830
cafecambio.ca

No visit to Tadoussac is complete without a stroll down Rue du Bord-de-l'Eau to admire the bay and its sheltered marina. This street captures the very soul of Tadoussac. It's easy to understand why locals remain captivated by the views before them - since 2000, Tadoussac Bay has belonged to an exclusive club of the world's most beautiful bays, alongside San Francisco Bay and the Bay of Mont-St-Michel in France.

Standing proudly over the bay is an unmistakable landmark: the elegant white-and-red Hôtel Tadoussac. Everything about this property speaks to its exceptional character - from the vibrant flower gardens and towering trees that surround it, to its history-rich interior with period furnishings, renowned dining room, and breathtaking views.

 

The story of the hotel begins in 1864, when wealthy families from Montreal and Quebec City built the original Hôtel Tadoussac. That first building boasted a grand façade with twelve windows spread across three floors. After changing hands in 1879 for $12,000, it underwent its first major renovation in 1888. Sadly, the original hotel was destroyed in the fall of 1941.

A new chapter began in 1942, when William Hugh Coverdale, an Ontario businessman and president of Canada Steamship Lines, rebuilt the hotel. When it opened its doors on June 27th that year, the new hotel offered 137 rooms to welcome guests.

  

Today's Hôtel Tadoussac carries forward its rich heritage while embracing the future. Though it has changed hands several times, it remains a cherished destination for travelers from around the world.

At the helm since 2000 is Tina Tremblay, who brings her own deep connection to Tadoussac. A graduate of Université Laval's business program in 1981, Tina joined the hotel as financial controller in 1985. She has guided the property through five different ownerships, including three changes between 2005 and 2016, when it was acquired by its current owner, a Canadian real estate management company.

The hotel's reputation as a regional leader in sustainable development owes much to Tina's dedication. Her commitment runs deep - not only does she work on Rue du Bord-de-l'Eau, she calls it home. Born in Tadoussac, she grew up playing on these very grounds and the nearby beach, where her grandmother also lived.

 General Manager since 2000, Tina Tremblay.

Today's guests can enjoy a full range of activities - from swimming and tennis to hiking and whale-watching excursions. The celebrated Coverdale dining room anchors the culinary experience, complemented by two additional venues: William and Café Lounge Coquart. With 60% of visitors coming from Europe, and year-round conference facilities hosting up to 200 people, the hotel buzzes with international energy.

 

Each June, Tadoussac welcomes the Happening des arts, launching the summer season. In 2025, from June 6th to 8th, artists will once again transform the streets into living galleries, creating works in real time across promenades and outdoor spaces - a truly immersive celebration of art against a stunning backdrop.

 

The Hôtel Tadoussac remains a key partner of this event, which grew from the Tadoussac Song Festival that Tina helped create in 1984. Each year, she also welcomes medical students from Université de Sherbrooke, who combine their conference with enjoying the festival's performances.

Tina's connection to local heritage extends beyond the hotel - she co-owns the historic Maison Tremblay, her family's home for four generations. Now available for rental, this century-old house offers a unique gathering space where families can come together, accommodating up to ten guests across five bedrooms.

Hôtel Tadoussac
hoteltadoussac.com
165, Rue du Bord-de-l'Eau
Tadoussac, QC G0T 2A0
(418) 235-4421

Pierre Perreault

The guest house La Mer Veille It has been part of the local landscape for 23 years. However, the ancestral home that houses it was built in 1880. It was converted by its owner to accommodate six fully equipped studios, encouraging stays of five days or more.
The site was largely spared by the high tides of December 6, 2010, which, combined with strong winds, caused flooding and devastated land in several places along the coast, from Rimouski to Sainte-Flavie among others.

Damien RuestDamien Ruest, who served as mayor of Sainte-Flavie for four years in the 2010s, and his partner Lise, are welcoming and charming hosts. Their establishment on the banks of the Saint-Laurent is well located right at the entrance to the village of Sainte-Flavie. With the Québec and Patriotes flags proudly displayed by this longtime independence activist, it's hard to miss. A well-maintained municipal park with family-friendly facilities is right next door.
Seasonal workers, small families passing through, and tourists from all over come to stay throughout the year. Many return regularly.
The La Mer Veille guest house is certainly worth considering if you're looking for peace and relaxation on the banks of the great river.

Motel La Mer Veille
motellamerveille.net
336, route de la Mer
Sainte-Flavie, Qc G0J 2L0
418-775-1700

A holiday in Charlevoix? Wild nature, fresh air and a stunning diversity of landscapes, three national parks, one of the world's best spots for watching marine mammals, and the astonishing variety of its natural sites: the Charlevoix region has plenty to appeal to even the most demanding.

This is what prompted Daniel Guay, 20 years ago, to create a centralized platform for chalet and condo rentals in the region, Hébergement Charlevoix. "Whether with friends, as a couple or with family, in a cozy retreat just for you. Rustic, luxurious, at the foot of the ski slopes or on the shores of a lake surrounded by wilderness, there are many options for finding a chalet to rent," explains its director.
The organization offers a selection of over 300 comfortable and affordable chalets, houses and condos in the Charlevoix region. "We offer the comfort and tranquillity of a house or chalet for a hassle-free stay, just like being at home," says Daniel Guay. Winter or summer, all year round, you can find the perfect getaway, bringing only your clothes and personal belongings. This has its advantages, especially when travelling with family.
Ski enthusiasts know how popular and highly regarded the ski resorts of Charlevoix are. Many of the chalets and condos available are conveniently located near the slopes, sometimes even right at their base. Those who prefer the river, the sea air, and the region's sandy beaches will also find plenty to enjoy. In short, there are chalets and houses for rent to suit every taste and occasion.
In addition to offering accommodation options, the company's website features a range of activities and tourist attractions to visit in Charlevoix year-round. There's plenty to choose from. It also highlights regional festivals and the best places to eat. A team of seven staff members continuously updates these sections.
Vacationers looking for the rare gem can easily find it by using the website's search tool, or by visiting the Baie Saint-Paul offices to meet the team in person.

In short, 20 years of experience in rental accommodations is certainly a guarantee of professionalism and quality. Furthermore, Daniel Guay is a director of the Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ), which is responsible, among other things, for registering tourist accommodations in Québec. All listings on the Hébergement Charlevoix website are registered there.

Hébergement Charlevoix
hebergement-charlevoix.com
43, rue Racine
Baie-Saint-Paul, Qc G3Z 2P9
418 435.5107

Birthplace of the first ‘Village gai’ of Montréal, around rue Stanley, is the neighbourhood where the events of 1977 and 1990 took place. Both were dubbed Montréal’s Stonewall and both resulted from police raids on GLBT meeting places. 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of a raid that would change the course of the struggle for our rights by setting in motion the ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. 

On October 22, 1977, after a raid on a gay bar on rue Stanley, the Truxx, accused of running a ‘house of debauchery’ where more than 140 gay men were brutally arrested. A nighttime protest organized at the initiative of the Association pour la défense des droits des gai(e)s gathered 2,000 angry gay men at the corner of Stanley and Sainte-Catherine. In the 1970s, raids on gay bars had multiplied in Montréal to ‘clean up’ the city ahead of the 1976 Olympics, and these practices had continued after the Games. This new abusive raid would prompt the Québec government, then led by René Lévesque’s Parti Québécois, to follow through on its 1976 election promise by adding sexual orientation to the prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Québec Charter of Rights on December 15, 1977, a first in the Americas.

In July 1990, another raid followed, this time at a private party, the Sex Garage, held in a vast loft in an industrial building on rue de la Gauchetière. On July 14, 1990, a group of police officers from the Communauté urbaine de Montréal, after removing their badges, decided to raid the party, citing noise as the reason. The roughly 400 participants were forced to leave the premises, then attacked by police when some of them tried to return for their personal belongings.

On July 16, after the police chief failed to keep his promise to meet, several hundred people turned up at the police station at the corner of De Maisonneuve and Saint-Mathieu for a peaceful kiss-in. While the protesters were all sitting on the ground, rows of police officers lined up in front of them to charge the crowd and force it to move on.

The brutality of the repression prompted several participants to get involved in the fight against violence toward gays and lesbians, which led in 1992 to the creation of the Table de concertation des lesbiennes et gais du Grand Montréal. In 1993, the Table secured public hearings held by the Commission des droits de la personne du Québec on violence and discrimination against gays and lesbians. The Commission’s report in 1994 From illegality to equality marked a new milestone in advancing LGBT rights in Québec, notably by paving the way for the recognition of same-sex couples. Several also got involved in setting up Divers/Cité which organized and rapidly expanded Montréal’s LGBT Pride parade from 1993 to 2008.

 For over 25 years, Magella Landry, once a commercial crab fisherman with several boats who spent his winters in Montréal, was involved in the tourism development of Natashquan and the Côte-Nord. Today, he has returned to a somewhat less hectic life, managing and promoting the Auberge Port d'Attache, which he built and has operated since 1995.

Located at the western entrance to the village, directly on the shores of the Golfe St-Laurent, the inn offers eight individually decorated rooms, each with a telephone and television. Guests can also relax in the reading room or simply admire the stunning view. In the morning, guests have breakfast with other travellers in the dining room, lovingly prepared by the chef, who takes pleasure in serving eggs, pancakes, or French toast. All of this is included in the room rate.

 
Like many other villages in the region, tourist accommodation is rather limited in Natashquan. The issue has been addressed in recent years with the aim of providing housing for workers and newcomers. A stay at the Port d'Attache is filled with fond memories, as the place is beautifully decorated with antique furniture, historical images, and paintings depicting local scenes, among other things.

Magella Landry remains an important figure in the Macacain scene*, having been vice-president of Tourisme Côte-Nord and president of the tourism and cultural development organization that recently became Destination Natashquan.

 
He also became involved and coordinated, in the mid-2010s, along with about a hundred other citizens, a movement dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Gilles Vigneault heritage site in Natashquan, or, in other words, to ensure the survival of "La Source." The aim was to prevent the sale of this site to private interests, which would spoil these places steeped in history, and to halt the deterioration of the buildings, which will soon be irreversible.

The people of Natashquan wanted to save these buildings (two houses and three outbuildings) to create a living memorial, a place to share the poet's source of inspiration, a welcoming space for creation, and an artist residency. A national fundraising campaign was launched to raise $500,000 for the Natashquan Fund for the Preservation of the Source. "A very small sum considering the scope of the act of remembrance and transmission of the source that the people of this tiny village are committed to carrying out for the entire province," said Magella Landry at the campaign launch.

After all these years of dedication, and in order to better care for his family, the innkeeper is considering finding a buyer for his inn. With no family member to take over, he must look elsewhere. He hopes a local or regional buyer will come forward when the time is right. The inn is open year-round and has an exceptional location, ideal for both those who appreciate beautiful scenery in the summer and snowmobilers in the winter.

And a word to the wise: the water in the bay at Natashquan is sometimes warmer for swimming than the surrounding air during the summer.

Auberge Port d'Attache
aubergeleportdattache.ca70, rue du Pré
Natashquan (Québec) G0G 2E0
418 726-3569

* Macacain: According to some, the demonym "Macacain" is said to be derived from "Acadian," the people from whom the inhabitants of Natashquan are descended.

On August 1^st, 2016, writer and poet Anne Hébert would have turned 100. Her centenary was to be commemorated in 2017 in Kamouraska, the village where her novel Kamouraska is set. The book made her famous and put the village on the map. Adapted for the big screen by Claude Jutra, with music by André Gagnon, the film introduced her work to the general public.

Anne Hébert was born in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier and spent her childhood in Québec. But as a descendant of the seigneurial family of Kamouraska, she spent several summers there, where she became familiar with the famous crime of passion involving her ancestor. After publishing various poetry collections from 1942 to 1953, in 1958 she published her first novel, Les Chambres de bois, with Éditions du Seuil, and in June 1960 was elected a member of the Royal Society of Canada.

In 1965, after her mother’s death, she moved to Paris. She finally achieved success with the publication of Kamouraska in 1970, which earned her the Prix des libraires de France. In 1975 she published Les enfants du sabbat, her third novel, followed in 1980 by a fourth, Héloïse. Her fifth novel, Les Fous de Bassan (1982), made her the fourth French-Canadian woman and the second Québécoise to win one of France’s major literary prizes: the Prix Femina. She was preceded only by Gabrielle Roy, also a Femina winner, Marie-Claire Blais, winner of the Médicis, and Antonine Maillet, winner of the Goncourt. Between 1969 and 1983, she received honorary doctorates from the University of Toronto (1969), the University of Guelph (1970), UQÀM (1979), McGill University (1980) and Université Laval (1983).

In 1988, her sixth novel, Le Premier Jardin, paid tribute to the women who founded Nouvelle-France. A seventh novel, L’Enfant chargé de songes, appeared in 1992. In 1995, at the age of 79, she published Aurélien, Clara, Mademoiselle et le Lieutenant anglais, a story midway between poetry and prose. Her fifth and final poetry collection, Poèmes pour la main gauche, was published two years later.

Early in 1998, after 32 years in Paris, she returned to Montréal. In 1999, her last novel, Un habit de lumière, was published, a few months before her death in Montréal in January 2000.

Anne Hébert always remained discreet about her private life; she never married or had children. Living in Paris, far from home, enabled her to keep her artistic and private lives separate, as it did for her friend Mavis Gallant, an English-speaking Montréal writer who had also moved to the City of Light and with whom Hébert shared a long friendship.

The shop at Cidrerie et Vergers Pedneault is an excellent showcase, not only of the diverse products this family artisan makes and distributes, but also of the art of cider making, which many people know little about. There, you'll find detailed information on the process of creation and production, from apple cultivation to bottling.
Visitors are quickly drawn to the many displays and colourful labels of the roughly 30 different products, grouped into various categories: mistelles, crèmes, sparkling, fruity stills, ice cider, aperitifs, and more. Two products really got our taste buds going: the maple apple, with its delicate, subtle flavour, and above all the star still unrivalled today, Glacier, which has won several awards at wine fairs.

Even the newcomer, Marée Rose, reveals more than 100 years of apple cultivation by the Pedneault family on the island. It is the first rosé cider, with a fine, vivid red colour thanks to the Geneva apple, which makes up 100% of its raw material.
On site, they take the time to offer tastings and thoroughly explain the range of varieties on offer. Teaching wine enthusiasts helps restore cider's prestige with many visitors to the shop.
Rising demand in recent years has led to shops opening in La Malbaie, Baie-Saint-Paul, and Québec.
Worth noting: you can pick your own apples, pears and plums in the orchards in autumn.

Cidrerie et Vergers Pedneault
vergerpedneault.com
3384, chemin des Coudriers
L’Île-aux-Coudres, Qc G0A 3J0
418.438.2365

The Le Manoir du spaghetti banner had a presence in Québec and Trois-Rivières for many years from 1978, while partners ran three branches (Charlesbourg, Ste-Foy), all housed in Canadian-style homes with a historic character.

 
Since 2016, only the restaurant in the Maison Hart in Trois-Rivières now bears the Manoir du spaghetti name. Pierre Plante, the sole owner, runs the business there with pride. He had been a chef there, as well as at the other two branches, for several years. That venture led him to become a shareholder, along with family members, before finally buying the Trois-Rivières restaurant in 2001.

So you could say Pierre Plante carries the DNA of the Manoir du spaghetti in his veins.

 
On Hart Street in Trois-Rivières, in the heart of the historic neighbourhood of the second-oldest French-speaking city in America, you'll notice the heritage house that has housed the restaurant Le Manoir du Spaghetti for 35 years. It was acquired from Jean-Louis Caron, the architect known for his work on the construction of the Trois-Rivières cathedral.

This authentic Canadian house has seen the joys and sorrows of several notable families from the city founded by Laviolette nearly 400 years ago, on July 4, 1634, including that of Ézéchiel Hart. He was the first Jewish deputy elected in Canada.

“It is therefore in a clearly historic and heritage setting that customers can enjoy the Italian cuisine of Le Manoir. The cuisine has evolved over the years, but it has brought back several of its original classics that made its reputation at the time, such as pasta trios, pasta and pizza combos, and more,” explains Pierre Plante.

With its warm, festive atmosphere, attentive service and distinctive menu, it’s a must-visit in Trois-Rivières. It’s just a stone’s throw from the historic district, the old port and the bustling shops and bars of rue des Forges. The wide choice of pasta and pizza is hard to resist, and the wine and beer selection is just as surprising. For dessert, what sets the place apart is the ice cream bar, a concept adapted from a Florida restaurant, which always delights young and old.

 
You can also buy various sauces, dressings, soups and other products online to keep the experience going at home.

 
Like a good family man
Pierre Plante is happy and proud to lead a team of about twenty employees who form a small family. All the more so since, with one exception, no one left their job during the stretches of the pandemic when the dining room was closed. "I look after my people. If someone works here, it's because I like them from the start. During the pandemic, I kept being attentive and looking after everyone. We shared food when some were having a hard time," he explains.

 The owner, Pierre Plante. (Photo: Pierre Perreault)

Le Manoir kept up takeout orders almost all the time Public Health allowed it. That let some kitchen staff, among others, keep working.

No wonder, then, that staff turnover is so low. Tenure ranges from 1 month to 38 years.

 
It's pretty much the same with customers. People come back. The vast majority come from Trois-Rivières and the surrounding area, even from the rive-sud. Others are travellers passing through between Montréal and Québec, tourists getting off cruise ships in summer, or conference attendees and business people gathered in the city's hotels. “Sometimes we serve the children and grandchildren of customers who had been coming here since the beginning.”

Pierre Plante, a cook through and through, insists on the quality of the ingredients that go into the dishes served to customers. “Never lower the bar. Always keep the best products in each category. That’s what sets us apart and what pleases our customers,” he says.

In addition to the spacious dining room spread across various ground-floor areas, Le Manoir has a superb, well laid-out and intimate terrace at the back, during the warm months.

Le Manoir du spaghetti
manoirduspaghettiv3r.com
1147, rue Hart
Trois-Rivières (QC)
819 373-0204