In Sherbrooke, Gris Estrie is making the most of Sherbrooke Youth Month to open its doors on Sunday, May 17th.
An opportunity to discover its mission or its premises and team at 1255, rue Daniel, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
Young people are invited to a free brunch to kick off the day. It's the perfect opportunity to see how you can get involved in the community and, perhaps, find a new way to connect with us.
All the details are here: https://17mai2026-gris-estrie.my.canva.site/portes-ouvertes-website
In Trois-Rivières, on Sunday, May 17, the GRIS Mauricie Centre-du-Québec is holding the 9th edition of its march. The march starts at Parc Champlain.
Fierté Agricole will have a booth to meet members of the LGBTQ+ community from noon onward.
Several organizations will be on site. For full details, see the website: https://grismcdq.org/ensemble/
By Pierre Perreault
April 2026
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Promoting “living together” and contributing to the well-being of LGBTQ+ people is what motivates and drives the organizers of the 4th edition of Fierté Charlevoix. The event's program, presented as a week of raising awareness about LGBTQ+ realities, was unveiled in Baie Saint-Paul with many community members and partner representatives in attendance.
Thus, from May 14 to 18, 2026, Charlevoix will feature festive, community-building moments with a focus on popular education and awareness. In addition to the awareness booths in the region's schools, all Charlevoix residents are invited to numerous festive, social, and musical activities.
Here are a few elements of this program.
Thursday, May 14
- 10 a.m., LGBTQ+ flag raising in partner municipalities.
- Evening screening of the film “On sera heureux” by director Léa Pool and author/screenwriter Michel Marc Bouchard at Domaine Forget, in collaboration with Ciné-Charlevoix. The film explores immigration and homosexuality.
- Cocktail reception featuring booths from Fierté Charlevoix and SANA (newcomer welcome service), with a virtual meeting with Michel Marc Bouchard to conclude the evening. Paid event (on site).
Friday, May 15
- Farm visit with an agricultural focus (pasture-raised ducks) starting at 5:30 p.m. at Ferme Ambrosia in Saint-Hilarion, followed by a shared supper and the live recording of an episode of the podcast “Au-delà des cases,” where we will discuss diversity in rural life.
- Homemade sangria and duck bites will be served on site.
- We then head to the Auberge/Bistro des Balcons de Baise Saint-Paul at 8 p.m. for a cabaret evening with the production “un cabaret légume,” which immerses us in the world of adult puppets interspersed with burlesque acts, telling love stories between vegetables in a restaurant kitchen.
Saturday, May 16
- Community market in collaboration with Saveurs Authentiques de Charlevoix from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parc du Havre in La Malbaie.
- On site, vendors, terroir products, organizations, face painting, drag performances and a musical atmosphere will entertain the whole family.
- Pétanque tournament from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; register via the form on the Facebook event page.
- Screening of the documentary “En marche: L'amour et la résistance Queer” by Noam Gonick at 1:30 p.m. at the La Malbaie library. This uncompromising account of LGBTQ+ history in Canada traces the key demonstrations and passionate voices that sparked a movement of love and resistance.
- At 8 p.m. at Auberge la Fascine on Isle-aux-Coudres, drag show “Rainbow Fever” with Océane Aquablack and her guests. Tickets available via the link in the Facebook event.
Sunday, May 17
- From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Musée d'art contemporain de Baie Saint-Paul offers a guided tour of the exhibitions “Dessiner le monde depuis ma fenêtre” and “Seuils”.
- Also on site during the activity: photo booth, creative workshop, pastries and products from the Migneron family.
- At the end of the day, we head to the DACO (Domaine à Ciel Ouvert) forest in La Malbaie, Sainte-Agnès sector, for an evening with two energetic DJs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Monday, May 18
- We end the festival on a gentle note at Jardins des Lilas in Cap-à-l'Aigle, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with a sound meditation guided by the sounds of drums and crystal bowls in collaboration with Sons de Vie.
Find more details and all useful information on the website fiertecharlevoix.com.
Follow the Facebook and Instagram pages @fiertecharlevoix for all the event details.
Watch the launch video from Charlevoix community TV: https://tvcotv.com/une-4e-edition-pour-fierte-charlevoix/
By Pierre Perreault
May 11, 2026
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As it has every year since 2023, the Fondation Émergence is calling for a citizen gathering as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, on Sunday, May 17, in Montréal. This year's theme is "May 17, we march. Together."
The march starts at 1 p.m. at Place des Festivals (Place-des-Arts metro station), Montréal, and ends in the Village, at the corner of Sainte-Catherine and Alexandre-de-Sève.
Given the rise in hate speech and the erosion of rights, it is more important than ever to come together and occupy public space, says the Fondation Émergence. It is also counting on the Effet Allié to "stand up, march, and act." Because every presence counts. Because visibility makes a difference. Because change comes through collective action.
More details here: https://tinyurl.com/marche17mai2026
By Pierre Perreault
April 2026
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More than 60 local artists are featured in the exhibition. Variations on Local Art, on display from April 29 to May 10 at the Écomusée du fier monde. The works on exhibit will be auctioned at the Écomusée's 25th benefit auction, which highlights a journey marked by commitment, culture, and community.
While the Variations on Local Art exhibition is on, enjoy free admission to the museum and spot your favourites! After examining the catalogue of the works on display, Jean De Julio-Paquin, art historian, points out that "several important artists are part of the 2026 selection".
25 years of being carried by its own people!
Once again this year, the Écomusée is offering a hybrid format, combining an in-person and online event. The event's proceeds go to the Écomusée and the artists. True to its mission, the proceeds from the sale of three works are shared with neighbourhood organizations. The fundraising goal has been set at $175,000, nearly half of the $350,000 we hope to raise through crowdfunding this year, explains Écomusée director Éric Giroux.
A history museum and a civic museum, theÉcomusée du fier monde celebrates collective memory and civic engagement. Since 1980, participatory projects have been developed there, designed with the population, institutions and organizations of the neighbourhood.
In-person auction led by auctioneer Patrick Masbourian
* Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 5 p.m.
- 36 works for sale
- Tickets on sale for $50 each
Virtual (online) auction
* Start date: April 29, 2026
- End: May 13, 2026, 8 p.m.
- 30 works for sale
Full details are available on the event website: https://ecomusee.qc.ca/programmation/variations-sur-lart-dici-2026/
Several anniversaries in 2026-2027
The century-old Bain Généreux building, which houses the Écomusée du fier monde, on Atateken Street, with its Art Deco facade, the work of Montréal architect Jean-Omer Marchand.
Not surprisingly, the Écomusée, which will celebrate the 45th anniversary of its incorporation in 2027, as well as the 30th anniversary of its move into the Bain Généreux this coming December, has faced demanding fundraising efforts since the COVID-19 pandemic, explains Éric Giroux, the organization's director since April 2020, who has been involved in various capacities since 1996-97, initially as a student. With an annual budget of $750,000 that has not seen a significant increase compared to the past few years, more energy must be devoted to ensuring self-generated revenue, as government subsidies are less generous.
Éric Giroux, director of the Écomusée du fier monde
However, a few projects submitted to the Ville-Marie borough in connection with existing financial assistance programs could help meet the budgetary needs, adds Mr. Giroux. Furthermore, special activities are planned for next year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bain Généreux, the honourable building that proudly houses the Écomusée du fier monde.
Écomusée du fier monde
ecomusee.qc.ca
2050, rue Atateken
Montréal, QC, H2L 3L8
514 528-8444
Since July 2024, a new sign has graced the building at the corner of Sainte-Catherine and Papineau in the Village: la Maison des bières. You won't find hamburgers or chicken nuggets there… remember, the last tenant was a MacDonald. Now you'll find beer, cider, wine, kombucha, and several other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
La Maison des bières has been a fixture on the Plateau Mont-Royal since July 2013. Its owner, Marc Antoine Gagnon, had a keen interest in the brewing world long before that date. After more than three years of market research, a beer sommelier course and a tasting course, he finally went into business.
It took exactly 11 years before he decided to move forward with a second location. Now in business with his partner, Barbara Aburtto Alarcon, who shares his passion for Québec microbreweries and artisanal terroir products, la Maison des bières is now targeting the Village market and surrounding neighbourhoods. With her strong work ethic and experience in retail, she has completely revolutionized the shop's design and marketing.
Met in his new premises on opening day, Marc Antoine Gagnon explained that he had been looking for a location in the area for more than 2.5 years. He is aware of the real estate development under way for several years in the centre-sud: projects like the former Radio-Canada building, the new building next to his store, which will soon house a Maxi supermarket with apartments on the upper floors, and the residential buildings springing up like mushrooms east of the Pont Jacques-Cartier, among others. All of this will bring tens of thousands of new residents with good incomes, so the development potential is clearly there.
He and his partner see things far beyond the current problems that many in the Village are denouncing and criticizing. They have no intention of burying their heads in the sand; quite the opposite. They believe they can bring an interesting new dynamic to this corner of the neighbourhood, attracting a clientele that appreciates the type of products he offers.
La Maison des bières offers a vast selection of beers from Québec microbreweries and features products made by local artisans. They carry a selection of more than 1200 different beers from over 120 microbreweries in Québec (and Ontario), in addition to other products. They do not carry commercial products such as those found in grocery and convenience stores. Customers always have access to advisors, available 7 days a week.
A visit to the premises will convince even the most sceptical (and there are several) that such a business is viable in the neighbourhood. You'll also meet the canine mascot of la Maison des bières, a beautiful young American Akita who greets customers calmly and affectionately, despite his imposing size.
La Maison des bières
maisondesbieres.ca
1703, rue Sainte-Catherine est
Montréal (Qc) H2L 2J5
514 419-1591
Plateau Mont-Royal
4485, rue de Lanaudière
Montréal (Qc) H2J 3P3
514 564-3100
Sugar season returns once more, born of the collaboration between Camp de Base Coin-du-Banc and Érablière Côté Sucré to create Québec's only "sugar shack on the sea".
Throughout April, the restaurant at Auberge du Camp de Base Coin-du-Banc, located a few kilometres from the heart of Percé, will don traditional attire and checkered tablecloths to offer a unique sweet experience in a festive, maritime atmosphere.
The Auberge's restaurant becomes a sugar shack, serving a hearty traditional meal accompanied by a tasting of maple taffy on snow. A fitting atmosphere for indulging your sweet tooth as a family. As a bonus: breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding mountains.
Unlimited servings:
- Pea soup
- Oreille de crisse
- Bread roll
- Cretons
- Apple and maple butter
- Soufflé omelette
- Shredded ham & sausages
- Baked beans
- Pickled beets
- Home fries
- Grandma's pancakes
- Beverage (coffee, tea and milk)
- Maple taffy on snow!
A vegetarian version is also available. Bar service is available on site.
Various maple products will also be available for purchase (syrup, butter, and caramel depending on availability).
The dining room can accommodate 55 people per seating. In April, meals will be served at 10:30 am and 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and on some Fridays at 1 pm and 4 pm. Groups of 30 or more can also be accommodated on weekdays upon request.
For rates, to book and for more details on the dates, call 418-645-2907 or write to info@campdebasegaspesie.com
It's a unique and memorable spring adventure that the team at Camp de Base du Coin-du-Banc offers to visitors from Gaspésie and beyond.
The Écomusée du fier monde hosts the 21st edition of the annual cultural event D’un œil différent From March 11 to 22, 2026. This new edition, celebrated under the theme "A touch of us!", spotlights more than two decades of creativity, artistic diversity and social inclusion through art.
A fresh perspective on art and inclusion
Since its inception, D’un œil différent has fostered the visibility and promotion of artists living with intellectual disabilities or autism, as well as independent artists, emphasizing the creative act rather than differences. The event offers a space where art
Theme: "A touch of us!"
The 2026 edition celebrates the unique expression of artists whose works tell personal, sensitive and powerful stories. This theme invites the public to recognize that every artistic gesture, every perspective on the world, brings "a touch of us!" to the collective narrative of our shared humanity.
Free entry and activities open to everyone
The exhibition and all mediation activities are free and accessible to all audiences: couples, families, schools, community organizations, art lovers.
The Écomusée du fier monde is located at 2050 rue Atateken, at the corner of rue Ontario in Montréal (Berri-UQAM Metro).
For a detailed schedule of activities offered during the exhibition, please visit www.dunoeildifferent.com
By Pierre Perreault
December 2025
It was a monastery of the Redemptorist Fathers for nearly 60 years. When they left, the site was stripped of everything and left abandoned for several years. The Desbiens Monastery, on Lac-Saint-Jean, considered a jewel of Québec's religious heritage, was built as a retreat, a calm, serene place for renewal and rest. Next to the church, it has been Maison Zacharie since 2014, an authentic inn that brings the site back to life by drawing on its historic and heritage character.
Véronique Jolin-Noël and her partner Michael Forbes, both working in finance and administration, were passing through Lac Saint-Jean in 2014 when they saw the "Monastery for Sale" sign as they drove past the site, returning from Normandin and heading toward Montréal. They had been looking for a rectory for sale for some time. A solid, secure building. Their searches across the region had come up empty. Everywhere they looked, they found wooden buildings.
That's when their life turned upside down: they had just found the perfect place… or almost. Two weeks later, at the end of summer 2014, now the owners, they moved to Desbiens and settled into the monastery. Since the place was completely unfurnished and had been abandoned for three years, they set about redecorating the spaces and acquiring furniture that respected the unique character and the mission its new owners had in mind for it.
You can now discover this unique place in its enchanting setting. Works by local artists adorn its walls. Maison Zacharie has 16 comfortable rooms accommodating 2 to 4 people. Six have private bathrooms, while others share communal facilities. The rooms contain only the bare essentials. No alarm clocks, no television, no telephone… at the monastery, people gather, talk, and rest. The common areas on the ground floor allow guests to fully appreciate the richness of the place and the calm, restorative atmosphere of the house.
The monastery, though transformed, has kept its charm, with its antiques and reminders of old Québec homes. The shop also sells merchandise in the inn's colours, along with local crafts, soaps, teas, and herbal infusions from a local herbalist.
Outside, you'll find a unique and enchanting setting. The vast back gardens offer a calm, relaxing atmosphere, and the scenery is stunning. The Véloroute des bleuets winds around the property, much to the delight of cycling enthusiasts.
Maison Zacharie is the ideal setting for group stays, within the vestiges of a storied past, offering an authentic experience in a peaceful environment. The inn is the perfect place to gather with family or friends. By booking the entire monastery, you can enjoy exclusive use of the premises, including the rooms, a large kitchen, a reception room, a lounge, and our spacious garden.
If breakfast is not included in the rental price, it can be served upon request for a small fee. For evening meals, you can use the kitchen to prepare your own meals or hire a catering service.
Véronique adds that, in addition to the existing accommodation options, the large common areas on the ground floor, with access to the back gardens, can be reserved for events. Up to 40 people can be accommodated indoors, but larger events can be organized by setting up a temporary outdoor marquee near the garden pergola.
Couples have chosen the location to celebrate their wedding in a dreamlike setting. At the end of summer 2026, it will host its first gay wedding.
Some may wonder where the name "Maison Zacharie" comes from. It was during their 2014 search that they visited the old rectory in Saint-Zacharie, in Beauce, whose architecture stands out. According to them, it's one of the most beautiful in Québec. Even though other aspects of the property kept them from acquiring it, it was certainly there that Véro and Michael's dream was confirmed and their shared project took shape.
A few hours spent within its walls in late autumn showed us that the place is truly a special spot for finding calm and serenity. The atmosphere recalls the history and life of the towns and villages of yesteryear, just a few steps from the shores of Lac Saint-Jean.
Maison Zacharie
maisonzacharie.com
980, rue Hébert
Desbiens (Québec) G0W 1N0
(581) 817-1299
They say that a people or community's future depends on knowing its history. If that's true, a visit to the Acadian Historical Village in Blanchard, near Caraquet, is a must for anyone interested in the history of Acadia and its people.
From June to September, the Village showcases the daily life of Acadians from 1770 to 1949, thanks to some forty historical buildings brought to life by costumed, bilingual interpreters. This vast open-air museum also offers a hotel and a restaurant, in addition to activities and entertainment.
Located in the heart of the Village, the Château Albert Hotel offers 14 rooms and is a replica of the Château Albert, built in 1907 in Caraquet. The rooms respect the historic character, with a few minor details. Enjoy the tranquility of yesteryear in a modern setting. A buffet breakfast is offered to guests.
During a visit to the Historical Village, you can also treat yourself to a snack or a delicious meal. The Village Café-Bistro is a 40-seat family restaurant with a terrace, near the Village entrance. It offers a menu of Acadian dishes and contemporary cuisine staples, as well as a selection of specialty coffees. Open from June 6 to September 16, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
La Table des Ancêtres is housed in the historic Dugas house. The 30-seat restaurant offers traditional Acadian dishes, in addition to the best sugar pie in the region. Discover the delights of yesteryear served with love, just like at Grandma's, from June 6 to September 16, 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
The 2024 season has started since June 6. Season passes are available for visits all summer long, for the whole family. The Acadian Historical Village identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly (homosympa).
Acadian Historical Village
villagehistoriqueacadien.com
506.726.2600
5, rue du Pont
Bertrand, NB E1W 0E1
