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Archive for 2026

The facade of the building where O'Dwyer Distillery produces and distributes its products speaks volumes about what drives and inspires its leaders: perpetuating the history and traditions of this corner of the country. This was pointed out to Michael Briand, the sales and marketing director of the company founded in 2016 by two university graduates, one in civil engineering and the other in organic chemistry, and he seemed pleased to hear it.

Associés O'Dwyer
It all started one fine evening over a drink in a bar, as so many stories do. “Why don’t we produce something ourselves that reminds us of the history of the Irish settlers who arrived here in the wake of the Great Potato Famine of 1845–1849 in Ireland, caused by a fungus that decimated many of them?”
That was all it took for the “great darkness” to inspire the two entrepreneurs and some of their friends. Why O’Dwyer? “O” means descendant, and “dwyer” means darkness in Gaelic. Moreover, the abundance of chanterelles around Gaspé meant that the mushroom became the key ingredient in most of O’Dwyer’s products.

O'Dwyer produits

This is how Radoune (gin made from four wild mushrooms from the region), Radoune Vieilli (aged in specially chosen American oak barrels over 15 years old, previously used to make rye whisky, Canadian rye and bourbon), St-Pierre No20 (a nod to the prohibition whisky from St-Pierre-et-Miquelon, well known to Gaspésiens), and Gaspésienne No20 (an acérum, or maple brandy, made from the fermentation of concentrated Québec maple sap, according to strict standards) were created, and are now the pride of the two partners.
We can also mention Puddingstone, named after a high mountain near Gaspé (the ultimate Gaspé cream liqueur with complex aromas of chocolate, coffee and maple), and Dartmouth amaretto (a unique product, somewhere between sweet and earthy, featuring lichen and raspberry moss, dried and steeped for a long time in 96% alcohol).
O’Dwyer produces 80,000 bottles annually of these various products, available at the SAQ. One of the top sellers is Dartmouth, prized for its distinctive character and incomparable taste.

O'Dwyer produits
Finally, they decided to recycle even the mushroom and spice blends used for distillation, dehydrating and packaging them for lovers of fine cuisine. For now, this product is available only at the Gaspé distillery. An idea that’s sure to catch on.

Distillerie O’Dwyer
odwyerdistillery.com
6, rue des Cerisiers
Gaspé (Québec) G4X 2M2
418.360.0160

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.


Mer Veille

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


Whether passing through Tadoussac or making a deliberate detour, the unapologetic epicurean must visit Chez Mathilde, a gastronomic bistro that has established itself over the years as one of the best restaurants in Québec. At the mouth of the Saguenay and at the very start of the Côte-Nord, it's an excellent place to discover the novel boreal flavours of the region and Québec's terroirs. For fifteen years, this bistro, which originally opened in a former family restaurant in the heart of Tadoussac, just steps from the famous Hôtel Tadoussac, has evolved into a gastronomic destination. It helps lift this modest village of 800 inhabitants onto the short list of sought-after epicurean destinations. 

Chez Mathilde

Behind this remarkable success are two love stories: first, that of Jean-Sébastien Sicard, who fell in love with Tadoussac, a village he discovered while touring with his band Saud et les Fous du Roy; and second, that of Jean-Sébastien with Mireille Perron, a Tadoussac native, when he came to settle there. Partners in love and business ever since, Jean-Sébastien and Mireille grew Mathilde while starting a family in this village.


Chef Jean-Sébastien Sicard's creative cuisine

Jean-Sébastien Sicard


It was from his initial experience in the restaurant industry, working as a waiter and then in the kitchen in the Îles de la Madeleine, that this self-taught chef from Montréal developed his expertise, supported by Mireille for administration and service management. He belongs to this new generation of chefs who develop creative cuisine while drawing on tradition. 

By featuring the fresh, seasonal produce of numerous local producers, the chef has created a unique menu that never fails to reveal new flavours. Whether it's seaweed from De baies et de sève in Natashquan, forest products from Trésors des Bois, Petits fruits du nord, cheeses, breads, and craft beers from Charlevoix, Tadoussac, and the Côte-Nord, or fish, whelks, and Stimpson's surf clams caught in the estuary, all these delicacies are now offered in the evenings from June to November in three tasting menus: La Grande Côte, a five-course blind tasting that reveals the Côte-Nord terroir; Le St-Laurent, five courses featuring products from the St-Laurent estuary and gulf; and L'Appel du Jardin, five boreal-inspired vegetarian courses. All this is offered with food and wine pairings and served in a warm dining room that opens onto the kitchen, sometimes accompanied by live bands. And as with any good fine dining establishment, reservations are highly recommended, often several days in advance during peak season.

Chez MathildeChez MathildeChez MathildeChez Mathilde
The very popular Chez Mathilde express counter and gelateria have taken over in recent years for breakfasts and lunches, which have not been served in the dining room for two years, but remain just as popular.

Chez Mathilde
227, rue des Pionniers
Tadoussac, Qc
G0T 2A0
418.235.4443


Chezmathildebistro.com

https://fb.watch/nRvQrfpvLh/?mibextid=HSR2mg

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.

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.

Péchés Mignons

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.

Péchés Mignons 

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?

Péchés Mignons Péchés Mignons

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

A visit organized in May 2023 as part of the first presentation of Fierté Charlevoix, in collaboration with the organization Fierté agricole de la région, allowed about thirty people to discover the result of a dream shared by two enthusiasts: Muscovy duck farming combined with a country guesthouse in an exceptional setting in Saint-Hilarion.


Alexis Tanguay and Aleck Vitam, friends and partners in life for almost 10 years, embarked on this agricultural entrepreneurship project in 2021. “The creation of an agricultural business quickly became a life project allowing us to reconcile our ambitions and our personal values,” explains Aleck.

Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix
The two partners share much more than the tasks involved in livestock farming, food production, and running their tourist guesthouse. They are both driven by a deep conviction of the importance of challenging the status quo and constantly seeking innovation and elevation in flavours, service, business practices, and human relationships.


“For us, it is imperative to place people at the centre of all decisions and to promote respect, inclusion and personal development, both for our partners and for members of our community,” explains Alexis.

Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix
Their impact on the environment is also central to their concerns. Both strive to remain aware of excesses in order to avoid them, and always seek to acknowledge and correct their mistakes in a world bigger than ourselves.


“We must always question the ecological and social footprint of our practices and decisions, with a vision focused on a clean, equitable and profitable future,” adds Aleck, who has a pronounced environmentalist streak, with a touch of the philosopher. “For me, philosophy is the foundation of all science,” he says.

 Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix
To that end, he notes that their duck is free-range and pasture-fed, for a flavour truly rooted in the culinary terroir of Québec and Charlevoix. The birds are not force-fed and are treated well. For Alexis, “guaranteeing the quality of all our products by adhering to the highest standards and using fresh, locally sourced ingredients is what constantly drives us.” While duck may be unfamiliar to some, tastings help people appreciate it.


Because, beyond producing these ducks (which arrive as freshly hatched ducklings and are raised through to slaughter for consumption), the marketing of the shop and its fine duck products, lovingly prepared on site, takes up much of their time and energy.

Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix
Every weekend for almost three seasons, they set up stalls at public markets in Québec, Saint-Irénée, La Malbaie, and Baie Saint-Paul, rotating between them depending on the events. Their products are also distributed to a few retail outlets and shops in Charlevoix, and appear on the menus of some good restaurants in the region. The ducks and their products are also sold directly at the farm.


Ambrosia Farm therefore has a dual mission: to welcome people for a unique agritourism stay at its guesthouse and to produce flavourful and inspiring food, with respect for the environment and animal welfare.

Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix
To this end, seeking to become an agritourism destination in the region, the farm has secured financial assistance of $14,000 from the MRC Charlevoix, as part of a $55,823 farm financing project, to obtain new equipment, reduce dependence on subcontractors and facilitate the development of new products.

 
The company also plans to set up a shop at the farm, a picnic area, structures for observing the ducks, and interpretive signs to enhance self-guided visits.

Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix Ferme Ambrosia de Charlevoix
As for the guesthouse, it already offers three carefully furnished bedrooms, each with access to a beautiful bathroom. Breakfast is served every morning. Guests also have access to the common areas of the house during their stay. Several outdoor activities are available on-site and in the area around Saint-Hilarion.

Ferme Ambrosia
fermeambrosia.com
335 Rang 1
Saint-Hilarion (QC) G0A 3V0
(418) 400-8283

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.

Hôtel Tadoussac Hôtel Tadoussac

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.

Hôtel Tadoussac  Hôtel Tadoussac

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.

Hôtel Tadoussac 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.

Hôtel Tadoussac 

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.

Hôtel Tadoussac Hôtel Tadoussac

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

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

An authentically Mexican restaurant in the heart of Caraquet, in Acadia? This has been a reality since 2022. Forget some fast-food joints that offer "Mexican" dishes, which are far from representing the gastronomic delights of a country whose cuisine is undoubtedly one of the most varied and refined in the Americas.


All of this came about after the meeting of an authentic Mexican, Rodolfo Cantu, originally from the city of Monterrey, and a pure Acadian, Marie-Pier Cormier. The couple envisioned their project based on a menu of traditional gastronomic dishes inspired by Mexican cuisine, using local and regional products. The result: flavorful, fresh, and unique dishes.

Casa Guajillo
The menu is simple yet varied. The dishes may vary according to the season and the arrival of products. Charcoal grilling and wood smoking, on highly professional and modern equipment, ensure exceptional quality for meats, among other things.

Casa Guajillo Casa Guajillo
We enjoyed the tasting menu, which offers four different dishes. For starters, a shrimp cocktail, cut into pieces, in a savory sauce enhanced with avocado and seasoned tomatoes. A delight for the taste buds.

Casa Guajillo
Next came the duo of Ensenada tacos (battered fish) and Pollo a la Parrilla (chicken), both made with corn flour and exquisitely prepared with accompanying sauces. In the third place, it was the Cochinita Pibil, Yucatan-style braised pork, which added a truly surprising touch of taste and flavor to the meal.

Casa Guajillo
To finish, the Pastel Tres Leches (three milk cake) came to close this series of dishes, leaving no room for restraint or disappointment.

Casa Guajillo
The restaurant also offers various cocktails, tequilas, and mezcals, as well as pairing wines to start the meal or accompany the dishes.
Another element that adds to the pleasure of a meal at Casa Guajillo: it is housed in a more than century-old building that has been creatively and colorfully decorated, as Mexicans know how to do. It can accommodate 22 people, and groups of up to 12 guests. It is also possible to reserve for private events (parties, office parties, etc.).


Marie-Pier, at the bar and service, and Rodolfo in the kitchen, are proud to contribute to diversifying the restaurant offerings in Caraquet and the region with their Mexican gastronomic experience. The numerous clientele has already embraced the place for two years, which is a source of joy for the restaurateur couple.

Casa Guajillo
618, boul. Saint-Pierre
Caraquet, NB E1W 1A2
506 727-4696
facebook.com/casaguajillo

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

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