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Archive for January 2026

There are museums that transport you instantly, from the very first moment, into the history they were created to tell. When you enter the reception pavilion of the Maritime Museum of Charlevoix, founded in 1981, you immediately feel this unique sensation, even before being immersed in the treasures it holds.


Located in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, now part of the village of Les Éboulements, a few steps from the ferry wharf to Isle aux Coudres, this museum brings to life the rich history of wooden schooner shipyards in Charlevoix.

 Despite a violent fire that destroyed the three boats preserved up to that point in 1998, those involved did not give up.
Through donations and purchases, the schooners Jean-Yvan and Saint-André, as well as the fishing schooner Marie Clarisse, were acquired and became the new witnesses to the permanent exhibition dedicated to the famous "water cars," which were the subject of a cult film from the National Film Board (NFB), directed by the late filmmaker Pierre Perrault.

Musée maritime de Charlevoix

From shipyard closure to museum
In 1973, the Chantiers maritimes de Charlevoix, in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, a company dedicated to the wintering and maintenance of schooners since 1946, closed its doors. The last seaworthy schooners were sold and set sail for the Caribbean Sea in 1978. Those that remained were deliberately beached on the region's shores to die there gently. It is said that 28 schooners were built there, with a staff of 25. A page of history had thus just turned…

Musée maritime de Charlevoix 
A few years later, residents of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive introduced the public to the remarkable story of the wooden schooners and the craftsmen who built so many boats on the shores of the village's bay. Thus, in 1981, a maritime exhibition was set up in the municipality's former school. Then, in 1985, Joseph-Arthur Zélada (JAZ) Desgagnés, of the famous family of shipowners, now owners of the shipyard, agreed to the development of the site into an interpretation centre dedicated to wooden schooners and the maritime heritage of Charlevoix. The three schooners aging there regained their former glory and became the vestiges of a life that will never return.


The site of the Maritime Museum of Charlevoix was soon designated a "historic site" by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 1998. It is believed that more than 600 boats were built in the area between 1791 and 1959.
Musée maritime de Charlevoix Musée maritime de Charlevoix

Curiously, it was Martin Desgagnés, a direct descendant of the Desgagnés family and passionate about history, who served as our guide for the visit to the museum on a beautiful Sunday in July 2023.

Musée maritime de Charlevoix Martin Desgagnés, guide-interpreter, MMC

The Marine Forest and the Navigators' Park
In 2008, the Museum received a 40-hectare forest, a precious gift from a resident of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. Now called the Marine Forest, it is dedicated to the restoration of the so-called "boat forest" and developed in partnership with Université Laval. Since 2016, a spectacular 4-km trail runs through it.


After receiving a donation of 8.2 hectares (20 acres) of land adjacent to the former shipyard, the Museum began its redevelopment in 2015 with the Navigators' Park project. Navigators' Park allows the Museum to offer a 360° experience, from the forest to the river, encompassing both nature and culture. It adds to its offerings: exhibitions, a large park with a play area, an arboretum, an obstacle course, sculptures, a walking trail, picnic areas, and more.

Musée maritime de Charlevoix
The Museum focuses heavily on families and school groups. Several facilities are in place to welcome them and enhance their visit. Numerous exhibitions and attractions are presented in various formats and locations throughout the site. Visitors' curiosity is constantly piqued, and many artifacts, models, and historical images transport them through the ages.


A reminder of the rich history and proud past of these places, worth experiencing and even reliving on each visit to the Charlevoix region.

Musée Maritime de Charlevoix
museemaritime.com
305, rue de l’Église
Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive
(Les Éboulements)
Québec G0A 3Y0
418 635-1131

If Sébastien Després and Heater Wright had been told, after acquiring their four-star inn, Le Griffon, in Shediac in 2017, that a few years later they would own a playful bistro-restaurant and a chocolate shop within a few hundred metres of one another, forming a triangle downtown, they probably wouldn't have believed it.

Triangle SHédiac
Their meeting in Newfoundland, she from Vancouver and he an Acadian who had travelled to Europe and elsewhere for his studies, was anything but ordinary. It was ultimately in Acadia, near the sea, that they decided to settle their family. Their entrepreneurial spirit quickly led them into business, starting with the purchase of their house, which became their first venture: Le Griffon.

Triangle SHédiac
This is the reality they live today. With the Moque-Tortue bistro and the Adorable Chocolat boutique, they manage a trio of businesses employing nearly fifty people, some of whom split their time between two of them depending on the season and how busy things are. The newest addition, the chocolate shop, joined the group in February 2023, but has been operating for over 12 years.

Triangle SHédiac
Given the particular complexity of this artisanal production, the teams from Le Griffon and Moque-Tortue spent dozens of hours with the chocolate shop's experts to learn the basics and ensure a smooth transition.
In short, besides being parents of three young girls, Sébastien and Heather oversee three 'wonderful' businesses whose reputation in Shediac and across the Atlantic region is growing.


- The Le Griffon Inn : An elegant Victorian villa located a few minutes' walk from downtown Shédiac, named after one of the characters from Alice in Wonderland. It earns its four stars with its spacious and comfortable bedrooms, welcoming lounge, guest kitchen/dining room, and gardens perfect for relaxing.

Triangle SHédiac
- Seven doors down from the inn is this playful bistro, Moque-Tortue. With the largest collection of board games in Atlantic Canada, as well as well-designed escape rooms, Moque-Tortue offers a varied menu of well-prepared dishes. Seafood is a specialty. There's music on the patio every day in summer.

Triangle SHédiac

- Adorable Chocolat It has been open since 2011. Every day, it serves delicious homemade treats to people from all over Atlantic Canada. Simple, natural ingredients feature in options to suit all types of dietary preferences and restrictions. It contains no GMOs, hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, or artificial ingredients.

Triangle SHédiac
The owners, who hold university degrees ranging from ethnomusicology to Canadian studies, folklore, and socio-cultural anthropology, seem to have kept their childlike wonder. When they acquired the chocolate shop, Sébastien partly explained their decision by saying, 'It's diagonal; we bought our neighbour. Le Griffon is just seven steps away. We're really like a corner of Alice in Wonderland!'

 
And needless to say, they have sought recognition as an LGBTQ+-friendly business from the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce of Canada (CGLCC). The organization partnered with Tourism HR Canada to launch the 'Official Rainbow' certification program for 2ELGBTQI+-friendly environments (*).

 
Le Griffon Inn
legriffon.ca
426, Main St
Shediac (NB) E4P 2G4
506.532.5412

Moque-Tortue Bistro
moquetortue.ca
402, Main St (Unit A)
Shediac (NB) E4P 2G1
506.532.4911

Adorable Chocolat
adorablechocolat.ca
395, Main St
Shediac (NB) E4P 2B1
506.351.0367

(*) Term used by the CGLCC.

Located at the western entrance to Rivière-au-Renard, a sector of the City of Gaspé, just 5 km from the stunning Forillon National Park, Auberge Le Caribou offers a comfortable stay in harmony with the sea. The property has 39 motel rooms and two cottages, plus the Resto-Pub La Révolte, where you can enjoy a heated terrace with ocean views in the summer. Just steps from the port and marina, it's easy to be charmed by the warm atmosphere and the invitation to unwind in a setting that's especially pleasant year-round.

Auberge Caribou

The man who took over in January 2020, just before the COVID pandemic hit and led to a general closure of non-essential businesses, didn't let events get him down. Mathieu Samuel started working at La Révolte, the restaurant at Auberge Le Caribou, at 18, in 2011. Over the years, he learned the ropes of running such an establishment, until the day the owner let him know he intended to sell.

In the village of about 3,000 people where he was born and raised, and where his family already has a tradition of entrepreneurship, few tourism businesses stay open year-round, and he could see himself taking over this one. "Le Caribou has been around since 1930; several generations have passed through it," he explains. "The business interested me. So I told the owner to come see me when he wanted to sell. But it really happened faster than expected," he says in an interview.

After accepting the position of Director of Operations in spring 2019, while pursuing business management studies at Université Laval, he would officially become the owner in January 2020.

Thanks to sound management, the employees' goodwill, and the return of tourists to Gaspésie starting in summer 2021, the business fared well. They used this time to renovate all the rooms and the two cottages. The goal was to move from being a "roadside Highway 132 motel" to a sought-after destination.

The ambitious new owner also plans to add 6 to 8 cottages to meet demand from certain guests, including families.

With around thirty employees, some of whom have been with the company for a very long time, he feels well-positioned to maintain the establishment's success. The restaurant, which operates year-round, seven days a week, serving three meals a day, also employs immigrant workers, particularly Africans and Malagasy. This committed Gaspésien strives daily to bring a youthful touch to La Révolte, especially in the menus, and to attract customers his own age by following market trends.

Auberge Caribou Auberge Caribou

The owner makes no secret of his grand ambitions for his business: "I want everyone to know the establishment as a must-visit stop. I want tourists to come and enjoy what we have to offer." Not to mention the view from his inn, on the edge of the Gulf and two minutes from the beach.

Auberge Caribou

A private room is available for meals or business meetings, family gatherings, or get-togethers with friends. Meal, beverage, snack, and buffet service is available on request.

And for those wondering where the name La Révolte comes from, we have to go back to the history of this village. In August 1909, fishing companies cut the price paid per quintal of salt cod, the main product traded by the fishermen of Rivière-au-Renard, by 30%. Over 150 years ago, part of the Auberge Le Caribou existed as the William Fruing and Company. It was on the current site of the Auberge Le Caribou that fishermen revolted against the Jersey companies. Naming the Resto-Pub La Révolte in honour of this event was only natural.


Auberge Le Caribou
Resto-bar La Révolte

aubergelecaribou.ca
82, boulevard Renard Ouest
Gaspé (Qc), Canada
G4X 5H1
(418) 269-3344

Almost at the eastern tip of the island, the site offers views of the great Saint-Laurent stretching as far as the eye can see. The fine trees along the road offer a cool oasis where one lingers to read or simply admire the landscape. Entering the main building, standing here since 1961, visitors are struck by the splendour of the reception desk, its lines echoing those of a schooner's railing. A unique piece, made by a long-time artisan employee.
Hôtel du Capitaine
The memory of Captain Desbiens, grandfather of the current owner, is omnipresent here. His cap, photos, and various artifacts are scattered across the floor and walls of the reception area and adjoining dining room.
Why come here? "For happiness," replies Marcelle Tremblay, the reception manager. Seven rooms in the hotel and 13 more in the adjacent motel. Pets welcome. Heated river-water pool. Spa and sauna. The renowned Saturday dinner concerts in high season, hosted by the hostess herself.

Hôtel du Capitaine piscine
Speaking of the dining room, its menu changes daily. A mix of regional terroir products and traditional cuisine. Variety is a constant.

Hôtel du Capitaine resto
So many stories and legends can be felt in this welcoming place. The lives of sailors have always permeated this island's history. We've all seen or heard of the films about the boats, the schooners, and the daily lives of the island's fishermen and sailors by filmmaker Pierre Perrault, a son of Charlevoix. In this hotel, you can feel its moods, and the walls recount great fragments of them.

Hôtel du Capitaine
hotelducapitaine.com
3033, chemin des Coudriers
Île-aux-Coudres. Qc
418.438.2242

Having moved to Les Méchins a year ago, Daphné and Elaine were making a dream come true: living by the sea. They had fallen in love with this little yellow house in the heart of Les Méchins, with its uninterrupted view of the sea. In this Matanie, which enjoys some of the most beautiful sunsets in Québec, they felt they were in paradise. The stars aligned, and they bought it last year.
Elaine and Daphné

They immediately saw the opportunity to share their little piece of paradise with friends. So they converted a loft on the ground floor. This comfortable two-bedroom vacation rental with its own entrance can easily accommodate 3 to 5 people. With its kitchen, living room, and dining area, guests are fully self-sufficient. And as a bonus, they have access to the small private beach right in front of the house at the mouth of the little river, whose waters are swimmable in the summer. 

In the heart of the village, near the wharf and the municipal park by the sea, it's an excellent spot for observing marine mammals or collecting seashells on the shore. At the edge of the Matanie, Les Méchins borders Cap-Chat and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. The loft can therefore serve as a base for visiting the attractions of the Matanie as well as those of Cap-Chat or Ste-Anne-des-Monts, and the Chic-chocs Mountains in the hinterland.

Sunset at Les Mechins
And of course, it's a very welcoming place for LGBT tourists. Although it's easy to find since everyone in Les Méchins knows La Petite Maison jaune and its new hosts, I'll give you the contact details.

The Little Yellow House
514.895.5294

ribeler2@gmail.com

In l'Anse St-Jean, Le Bistro La Chasse-Pinte, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022, has little to do with a cauldron. It's worth noting that the term is linked to the famous tourtière: the one from Lac-Saint-Jean, of course, but in the Saguenay it is first cooked in a 'chasse-pinte', a corruption of the English word saucepan, which means 'frying pan'. That said, the chasse-pinte looks more like a large pot.
Chasse-Pinte
In 2002, a group of residents of L'Anse-Saint-Jean transformed a former fishing camp belonging to the Price family into a small cultural bistro. Very quickly, Bistro de l'Anse became an essential social hub, with a rich cultural life. Today, the establishment is recognized as a true institution throughout the region. It offers a menu of original dishes, serves beers and cocktails, and hosts a variety of musical performances throughout the summer, bringing together well-known and lesser-known artists.

Chasse-Pinte
In 2013, a solidarity cooperative was created to establish a microbrewery. The cooperative then acquired the bistro, which now bears the name Chasse-pinte, as does the microbrewery that began operations in 2015 in the former fire station. Since then, the microbrewery has been creating beers that draw on the richness of boreal forest botany. They can be sampled at the Bistro and found at retailers throughout Québec.


The microbrewery employs about ten people who oversee the production of various types of organic beers, including Peau-de-Lièvre, a wheat beer with flowers, and Crochetée, an amber ale with Labrador tea, which are among the most popular of the twenty or so beers brewed there. They are classified under the categories Classic, Creative, Hoppy, and Unique Brews.

Chasse-Pinte
More recently, in 2021, a small shop was set up next to the Bistro (in a former snack bar), selling the microbrewery's various beers, t-shirts, caps, etc., and other souvenirs, along with local products from Ferme d'en haut, Ail du Moulin and Délices du Lac-Saint-Jean, as well as about ten agri-food products.


Regarding future development projects, the cooperative's marketing director, Ève Breton, explains that they will focus on consolidating their three current products, in addition to adding a line of ready-to-eat meals and prepared dishes available at the shop. This will allow them to better meet demand, which the Bistro itself can no longer meet, given its constantly growing popularity year after year.

Chasse-Pinte
L'Anse-Saint-Jean is increasingly becoming a creative community, brimming with outdoor activities, making it the perfect place to spend a summer filled with wonderful encounters and nature. Cruising, boating, kayaking and other seasonal activities attract people eager to enjoy the products and services on offer. The Bistro has become a victim of its own success, and that's why the cooperative wants to make its high-quality cuisine accessible to as many people as possible.


The Coopérative de solidarité La Chasse-Pinte employs nearly 40 people annually. It has over 1100 members.


Bistro La Chasse-Pinte
chasse-pinte.com
319, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Boutique La Chasse-Pinte
317, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste
L'Anse-Saint-Jean, Qc G0V 1J0
418 272-4222

The artisanal microbrewery La Compagnie, in Sept-Îles, was the first to set up in the region in 2018. It then became the fourth microbrewery to open on the Côte-Nord in less than two years, after St-Pancrace in Baie-Comeau, the Tadoussac microbrewery and La Mouche in Natashquan.


Marie-Pier Johnson, co-owner of La Compagnie, explains that the concept was two years in the making before work began on transforming the space next to the Convention Centre, in the former bowling alley downtown. In addition to brewing equipment, it includes a pub with seating for 85, a boutique, and a stunning outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.

This way to La Compagnie
The company's name is tied to the city's history. "People who came to work in Sept-Îles came to work for the company, which refers to IOC. We wanted to reflect this in every aspect of the project, from the names of the beers to the decor in the pub," explains Marie-Pier Johnson.


The three co-owners are on a mission to "celebrate the pride that has united us in Sept-Îles for generations, in a relaxed atmosphere, among friends to chat, share a laugh and drink a good craft beer. And if you get hungry, treat yourself to one of our comfort foods, made right here or at one of our partner businesses," reads their promotional copy.

This way to La Compagnie
The menu offers snacks and meals such as fondue, various pizzas, tacos, salads and mac & cheese, among others.
The beers all have evocative names, such as l'Ouvrière, la Wagon Rouge, la Blanche des Forges, la Pointe-aux-Basques, la Clarke and la Sorensen (IPA). The latest addition is La Corossol, their first-ever Gose. They are brewed and reflect the company's focus on the industry's role in the region's development.


This allusion to the workers and industrial builders of Sept-îles is also evident in the original promotional messages, such as this one: Here, we're not afraid to say that our beer is made from iron ore, whale blubber, paper pulp, and stories of hardworking workers. Back in the day, they said, "I'm off to work at Compagnie," today they say, "I'm off to drink at Compagnie."

 This way to La Compagnie
La Compagnie has won several awards in the microbrewery industry in recent years for its beers. "But honestly, what makes us most proud is knowing that it's the people here who drink them," according to the company's Facebook page. "Let's be honest, we brew them first and foremost so that the people of Sept-Îles will love them... and be proud of their microbrewery," add the owners, who thank the entire team.

This way to La Compagnie
The company store offers a variety of merchandise bearing the La Compagnie brand: clothing, accessories, and gift cards. Currently, home delivery is not available; purchases must be picked up at the downtown microbrewery.


La Compagnie employs about twenty people and its pub is open year-round. Several of its 10 products have been available in convenience stores since 2020. The company now plans to stabilize operations and distribution before discussing new product development, says Marie-Pier Johnson.

La Compagnie Microbrewery and Pub
microlacompagnie.com
15, rue du Père-Divet
Sept-Îles (Québec) G4R 5B6
418.961.2337

It will turn 35 in October 2023. It represents one of the greatest gifts a society can give itself: a tool for preserving its collective memory. Since its creation, this brainchild of the Québec government has never failed to amaze us with exhibitions and events that go far beyond what museums usually offer.

The mission entrusted to it is specifically:
- to present the history and various components of our civilization, in particular the material and social cultures of the inhabitants of the Québec territory, as well as those that have enriched them;
- to ensure the preservation and promotion of the ethnographic collection and other collections representative of our civilization;
- to ensure a Québec presence in the international museum scene through acquisitions, exhibitions and other cultural and educational outreach activities.

The Musée de la Civilisation is unique in that it DARES to engage with themes, subjects and issues that reflect our deep realities as a Québécois people.

Le Musée de la Civilisation

Since opening to the public on October 19, 1988, the national museum institution has, over the years, been given additional responsibilities by the Québec government: conservation and promotion, the creation of the Centre national de conservation et d’études des collections, and the promotion and programming of Place Royale, etc.

Today, the expertise of the Musée de la civilisation is consolidated, known, and recognized throughout the Canadian network and the international circuit of major museums. The creativity, know-how, and efficiency of its craftspeople are a hallmark of the Museum.

Firmly committed to the 21st century
According to the Museum's CEO, Stéphan LaRoche, "the MCQ's cultural offering, through its diversity, abundance and quality, has left its mark on the imagination of the Québécois and visitors from everywhere. The sheer variety of its outreach methods continues to surprise. Like any living organization, it adapts and transforms, continuing to explore new avenues and develop new ways of doing things."

Innovation, digital engagement and organizational optimization are at the heart of the work carried out by the skilled team of more than 230 people, with the goal of being more creative and more effective, and of strengthening the museum's positioning as a gathering place for the community.

The daily work of all these people includes mounting exhibitions and cultural and educational activities, conserving and handling objects, communications, sound management, and welcoming and engaging different audiences.

“Our museum is a ‘house of the world’, where families, young people and communities of all backgrounds come together to better understand the past, build the present and dream of the future. Our diverse programming of exhibitions and activities eloquently reflects this,” continues Mr. LaRoche.

Extraordinary and incredibly welcoming places
As soon as you enter the Museum's grand hall, you are struck by the sheer size of the space, its brightness and its truly astonishing layout.

Indeed, below the reception area, a rather unusual installation can be seen. Archaeological excavations carried out in the Guillaume-Estèbe house during the construction of the Musée de la civilisation revealed a boat dating from the French Regime, preserved because it was not exposed to the open air. The boat is displayed prominently in the museum's hall.

Le Musée de la Civilisation

She "navigates" amidst a large-scale sculpture, La débâcle by Astri Reusch. This was the winning entry in a 1982 province-wide competition to design and create a sculpture on the theme of the Saint-Laurent River. These large blocks of cast reinforced concrete evoke the melting of the river's ice in the spring. A truly impressive display.

It's quite incredible to think that at high tide some 250 years ago, the Museum's hall was submerged. Where the doors are today, the water would have been knee-deep.

An exhibition that really makes you think!
After the presentation of the retrospective photography exhibition Evergon – Theatres of Intimacy Following the exhibition by the MNBAQ on the Plains in 2022, on a plurisexual theme that truly broke new ground, the MCQ is now offering in 2023 an exhibition that also "dares" to address pressing issues in contemporary Québec society, entitled "One of a kind".

Le Musée de la Civilisation

We are truly invited to dive into the heart of the human experience and its diversity by exploring the multiple realities linked to gender identities. In Québec, as elsewhere, we see how these identities transform over time and evolve across cultures. The visibility of trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people is gaining importance, but gender-based violence persists despite the efforts of communities to have their identities and rights recognized.

After two visits (the first, shorter one, during the launch last May, and the second, more in-depth one, on June 27), we must admit that the informational content of this exhibition is phenomenal. By presenting video sequences with various people who have experienced, or are still experiencing, particular situations related to gender identity (including parents, doctors, psychologists, teachers, various experts, etc.), the exhibition helps us better understand the reality of these individuals, while also helping us move dynamically through a world that is often confusing for those unfamiliar with it.

To help visitors or anyone else interested in better "navigating" this world of gender issues, the Museum team has prepared a "One of a kind" guide which can be downloaded. Recommended for a fully informed visit to the exhibition (before or after).

Le Musée de la Civilisation Le Musée de la Civilisation

Through this exhibition, the Museum wishes to participate in these important discussions and contribute to demystifying and celebrating the plurality of gender identities.

Le Musée de la Civilisation

For his part, at the MNBAQ in 2022, the immensely creative Canadian artist Evergon explored identity, bodily diversity, love, desire, and aging at the heart of his work. All facets of life were celebrated, often with humour. Evergon incorporated notions of autofiction and extimacy (a revelation of the intimate in the public sphere), common today, but which he explored early in his career. Evergon delved into the terms of queer masculine and feminine identity, shaking up overly rigid perceptions.

A Green Museum!
In addition to presenting an exhibition until October 10th that invites visitors to see Life in Green Thanks to a carefully selected spectrum of objects from the Museum's various collections, the MCQ has just realized an old dream: that of keeping a vegetable garden on the roofs of the building.

Le Musée de la Civilisation

A temporary vegetable garden project was installed in 2008 to mark the 400th anniversary of Québec, but the Museum dreamed of creating a permanent green space. In partnership with Nature Québec, the green roof project was finally put in place in October 2021. On your next visit to the Museum, you must climb the grand staircase and go see the greenery!

The concept of this greening reflects the natural functioning of an ecosystem: its process of evolution and development. At the bottom of the stairs, a familiar, man-made world welcomes the visitor. The higher one climbs towards the roof, the more one moves towards a dense, almost wild natural environment, where life can flourish.

Le Musée de la Civilisation Le Musée de la Civilisation

This path allows us to realize the extent to which humans can exert influence and control over this fragile natural world. It fosters awareness of how we have taken over these places, and ultimately, the need to return them to a wilder, more natural, and healthier state for all living things. The project's concept and objectives are perfectly aligned with the role of the Musée de la civilisation: that of a museum of society.

Among the greening projects in development are perennial, native and fruit-bearing plants, flowers, and even trees! But above all, the priority was to create a shared, community vegetable garden. In fact, the MCQ wants to give back and redistribute to the community, to local organizations, for example.

Musée de la Civilisation
mcq.org
85, rue Dalhousie
Québec (Québec) G1K 8R2
418 643-2158

Expo "One of a kind"
Presented until April 2024.
Click the link for description and tickets.

Pierre Perreault

A stone's throw from the town of Matane, a little further east on the shores of the Saint-Laurent Estuary, a building has stood for over 80 years. Known from 1940 to 1970 as the Magasin général de Petit-Matane, it was owned by Armand Gauthier. Left unoccupied for nearly 25 years, it wasn't until 2004 that it was revived as a museum and restaurant, a role it held until 2013.
At the time, many visitors were able to see much of the store's inventory, which remained intact. Since 2014, the Ancien Magasin Général has had a new owner, Cathy Truchon, a Matane native, who has undertaken a bold restoration to bring the period building back to life.

AG General Store Beach


Today, it offers probably one of the most authentic and original accommodations in Gaspésie, just steps from the shores of the mighty Saint-Laurent. The blend of old and new gives a unique character to each of the two sections that make up the house: the living quarters and the shop. Right on the waterfront, this house is the ideal place for a relaxing stay in a stunning setting.

AG General Store 2 3 4


Although its role as a museum has been abandoned, the building remains an important reminder of a not-so-distant past, when the local general store played a central role in supplying the community. The two accommodations thus offer guests staying for a few days subtle nods to the era when it was still a general store.

AG General Store 3

The "shop" section sleeps 7, while the "residential section" (where the merchant and his family lived) sleeps 6. The entire property can also be rented by a single group for larger parties.
Of course, both sections come with all the amenities you'd expect: all kitchen utensils are included, even lobster crackers, basic spices, coffee (Nespresso and filter), bedding, towels, paper towel, tissues, shampoo, soap, outdoor BBQ, etc. In fact, guests only need to bring their personal belongings.
Guests can also enjoy TVs with Netflix access, as well as a record player with vintage vinyl records found in the house when it was acquired.

Sunset in Matanie

The basement is perfect for teenagers, with a small lounge, a game console, and a popular arcade machine.
Finally, guests can use two sea kayaks to enjoy the waters of the estuary when the weather permits.
Of course, internet access is available, making it an ideal spot for remote work with friends or family.
You'll find everything you need to stock up on food nearby, including lobster, fish, and seafood, depending on the season. Excellent restaurants are also not far away. The owner will know which ones to recommend, if needed.

Sunset at AG General Store

Take a look at the photos accompanying this profile. They'll convince you to book a stay soon.
827 Chemin de la Grève, Matane, QC G4W 7A1
514-594-3534
AirBnB page
Facebook page

Other accommodations offered by Cathy Truchon in the area

Lobster at the General Store

Two other properties are available for short- or long-term stays, each with different features. La Maison du Littoral and Cabine F., in Matane-sur-Mer, are located directly on the seafront with private beach access, as is the Magasin Général.
La Maison du Littoral offers a breathtaking view of the estuary, an ever-changing tableau that shifts with the weather. Sleeps 6 · 3 bedrooms · 3 beds · 1.5 bathrooms
Cabine F. offers a striking industrial-style loft design, sleeping 6 · 3 bedrooms · 3 beds · 2 bathrooms.

It's not every day that a business in the Village has lasted 40 years. Yet that's what Guillaume Patenaude, owner of Campus Bar & Danseurs nus, and his team will be celebrating this Tuesday, August 28th, and throughout the Labour Day weekend.

Campus 40

For the occasion, there will be several special activities and surprise guests, as the Campus has accustomed its customers to expect over the years. The previous owner, Gary Blanchard, worked hard to build a reputation for this place for more than 22 years.

Upon taking over as owner in 2022, Guillaume Patenaude was determined to continue in the same direction, and even to develop a new concept, the Daddy's Corner, which welcomes male customers only between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily. The club's graphic identity was also updated, giving it a classy look, featuring a loop within a shield, surmounted by the letter "C".

Campus 40
This, then, is the occasion to celebrate 40 years in the Montréal sky with the dance team, who will once again dazzle audiences all weekend long. The Campus is open daily from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Campus Bar

Campus Bar & Danseurs nus
campusmtl.com
1111, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Montréal
514-526-3616

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