Hotel and logging

coucher du soleil

By Pierre Perreault

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Located in Complexe Jacques-Gagnon, constructed in the late 1970s and substantially upgraded in recent years, Hôtel Universel d’Alma is a multipurpose property unique in the region. In addition to the hotel, the building contains several shops, a 16-room convention centre able to host as many as 500 people, a cinema and two restaurants.

This 211,000-square-foot business complex in the heart of downtown also leases office space. In October 2025, the hotel introduced a new brand identity reflecting the property’s evolution and modernization. It forms part of a broader programme of transformation and repositioning intended to give business and leisure guests a renewed experience that meets their expectations in comfortable, refined surroundings.

Universel Alma

In an interview, Maxime Robitaille, general manager of both the complex and the hotel, explains that a team of about 12 people supports his administrative and management role. He has held the position since 2019 and says that hotel guests and users of the complex’s many other services are a central priority for both him and the owners.

Universel Alma General Manager Maxime Robitaille

‘This role requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because a situation can arise at any time and demand a rapid response,’ says Robitaille, an Alma native with about 12 years of business-management experience, including a period at SDC d’Alma. As general manager, however, hotel accommodation remains his primary focus.

The property has 100 rooms designed for maximum comfort. A new 27-room section added in 2025 introduces a distinctive contemporary style inspired by current hotel trends and intended to evoke calm and relaxation. A total of $3.5 million has been invested over the past two years. 

The quality of the welcome and the hotel facilities are priorities for Robitaille. Human-resources management is another major concern: the complex employs as many as 130 people. Meetings, conventions, banquets and other events also account for a substantial share of year-round activity and require efficient organization to meet clients’ needs.

Universel Alma Universel Alma Universel Alma

In addition to Pacini restaurant and Bar l’Apéro, which are owned by the hotel’s shareholders, the complex provides catering for conventions and banquets.

Universel Alma Universel Alma Universel Alma

The hotel welcomes a substantial business clientele, participants in sports tournaments and their families, many leisure travellers in summer, and large numbers of snowmobilers in winter. Snowmobile guests benefit from direct access by a local trail, secure storage compounds and packages that include Centre de santé Elixir et Spa. Véloroute des Bleuets also draws many cycling enthusiasts to the property.

Travelodge Alma, which belongs to the same owners, is located in the heart of downtown Alma and provides an ideal location for getting around. Its 30 very spacious rooms have been completely renovated and offer a high level of comfort.

Universel Alma

Hôtel Universel Alma
hoteluniversel.com
1000, boulevard des Cascades
Alma (Québec) G8B 3G4
(418) 668-5261

Although the Rioux family of Matane created the Riôtel brand several years after entering the hotel business, its Gaspésie portfolio now comprises five upscale properties: two in Matane and one each in Percé, Bonaventure and Carleton-sur-Mer. The hotels also offer quality dining, along with convention and meeting centres in Matane and Carleton. As an added benefit, every property is on the waterfront with an incomparable view.

Founder Bertrand Rioux was a prominent real-estate developer and merchant in Matane and the surrounding region from the 1950s onward. The story began in Murdochville with a furniture store, followed by a second in Matane in 1961, when the family settled there. This was only the prelude to Rioux’s long and successful career in construction, real estate and hospitality, among other fields. He even made a notable foray into music retail and radio in the 1970s.

His first real experience in the hotel business came in Florida in 1978 and 1979. He had moved his family there in 1976 so that everyone could learn English, and then purchased two motels, the Flamingo and the Vagabond, in Treasure Island. His wife, Mariette, and eldest son, François, who was still a student, took charge of the two properties. The group sold them a few years ago.

As its Québec operations continued to grow, Groupe Rioux and its partners acquired Auberge des Gouverneurs in Matane in 1984. The following year, François returned from Florida with a university degree in accounting and became the group’s controller. Further hotel projects followed, including renovations to the Matane property and the addition of a convention centre, then the acquisition of Monaco des Monts in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.

In 1992, Groupe Rioux became sole owner of the hotel division and set out to expand it across the region. Château Blanc de Bonaventure and Auberge de la Montagne de Percé joined the portfolio in 1994. In 1995, a new pavilion was added to Hôtel de Matane to meet growing demand for accommodation.

 Riotel_divers Riotel_divers

Faced with this rapid expansion and wishing to unify the service offering across their hotels, Bertrand and François Rioux created the RIÔTEL brand and launched a major five-year renovation programme covering every property. In 2003, Percé’s largest hotel complex, at the foot of Côte Surprise, became Riôtel Percé. From 2013 to 2019, the group carried out major renovations in Matane, Percé and Bonaventure to move those hotels upmarket. The portfolio was completed in 2024 with the acquisition of Hostellerie Baie-Bleue in Carleton-sur-Mer.

Riotel_divers Riotel_divers

As Riôtel celebrated its 28th anniversary in 2025, vice-president of sales and marketing Lucie Dumas (pictured) said the company had not finished growing. Management’s development plan already includes at least one new hotel in Rimouski, a construction project discussed for a few years that is expected to proceed in 2026–2027 if all goes well. Riôtel is also working on a hotel project in Québec, although no firm timetable has yet been set.

Riotel_divers

Alongside François, who has served as group president since his father’s death in 2005, two third-generation family members hold positions there. Marie-Frédérik, a McGill graduate in administration, heads Riôtel Matane, while her brother Charles-Alexandre, who studied civil engineering, entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Notre-Dame in the United States, serves as director of strategy and operations.

The five Riôtel hotels in Gaspésie employ as many as 300 people in peak season. The company’s hotel division also gives approximately $100,000 a year to social and humanitarian causes, with particular emphasis on education, the environment, health and entrepreneurship.

The Bonaventure chapter ends in October 2025

As the Rimouski project appears increasingly close to being announced for early 2026, RIÔTEL management decided to end operations at Riôtel Bonaventure permanently in mid-October 2025. The board said the decision formed part of a strategic realignment intended to focus the group’s development on its resort-style hotels in Matane, Percé and Carleton, which offer complementary amenities and substantial convention and meeting facilities.

Employees affected by the decision are expected to be reassigned to the other hotels for the 2026 peak season, with accommodation provided during that period, RIÔTEL management said.

At present, nothing has been announced regarding the future of the Bonaventure establishment, which had been an established presence since 1906 and which RIÔTEL had operated since 1994.

Riotel_divers
RIÔTEL
riotel.com
250, avenue du Phare Est
Matane (Québec) G4W 3N4
1 888 427 7374

On the heights of Campbellton, near the Restigouche River, stands a grand manor over a hundred years old that Philippe Lévesque acquired, renovated, and lovingly furnished with good taste over the past seven years, a true passion project. But what will first delight travelers who visit is the lush and vast garden that surrounds the property.


The owner's background in botany is evident in the profusion of flowers and plants of all kinds that can be admired from May to October. Not to mention the large number of green plants and other types of greenery that occupy various spaces inside.

Maison Napier

Maison Napier
On its three floors, rooms and suites filled with antique or vintage furniture make this cottage a place where history and regional traditions have converged since 2022, all year round. This lover of vegetation and nature cultivates the art of warm hospitality as much as that of the plants in the vast garden.

Maison Napier Maison Napier
According to some comments read on the booking site, the quality of the stay at Maison Napier is noteworthy. “The architecture and associated furniture, Napier House has retained its charm! Philippe's welcome is very warm, the breakfast just perfect, with silverware and homemade jams,” can be read among the mentions.

From the entrance, you can smell something baking in the oven, which adds to the pleasure of the stay. Breakfasts are always a precious moment of the day.

Maison Napier
Maison Napier offers 4 bedrooms and a two-bedroom apartment for rent daily or weekly. The house's decor is in keeping with its architectural style and age, but it offers all the comforts of modern life.

Maison Napier
Its host and owner continues his work of landscaping and renovating the residence which once hosted a senior American executive of a manufacturing company who stayed there with his family during his tenure with the Campbellton company.

Philippe Lévesque

Worth noting, the place is only a few steps from the Interprovincial Bridge that connects Listuguj and Pointe-à-la-Croix at the start of the Baie des Chaleurs in Quebec, and the Restigouche region on the New Brunswick side.

Maison Napier
5 Stanley Street
Campbellton, NB
506-760-1945
phili664.wixsite.com/maison-napier

Local residents and travellers who have passed through Gaspé over the years knew the establishment as Motel Adams. In the mid-1940s, Frank J. Adams first set up a taxi business. In 1946, he opened a small six-seat snack bar, which he subsequently transformed several times. In the 1950s, he ceded land to the City of Gaspé for what would become rue Adams, linking rue de la Reine and rue Jacques Cartier.

Rodeway InnRodeway Inn

In 1967, Frank J. Adams founded Adams Motel Inc., whose shareholders are members of his family. Several transformations took place until 2010. The family restaurant that once operated under the same name has since been replaced by a St-Hubert, following the 2022 retirement of the last Adams son still involved in the company. Since 2019, the motel has operated as a Rodeway Inn under the Choice banner.


Today, the property offers 96 comfortable, air-conditioned rooms rated three stars by Hébergement Québec. It welcomes tourists, workers passing through and winter-sports enthusiasts. Every room has a refrigerator, coffee maker and amenities including high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi and cable television. Several rooms are accessible to guests with reduced mobility.


Motel Adams invested more than $400,000 in 2019 and 2020, notably to renovate rooms to meet the requirements of its newly acquired Rodeway Inn franchise. Other work included upgrades to a multifunctional meeting room, adaptation of the adjoining washrooms for people with reduced mobility and the purchase of furniture. The investment was intended to modernize the property, improve the quality of its tourism offering and strengthen its competitiveness.

Rodeway Inn Rodeway Inn
The hotel also has an adjoining restaurant, a resto-bar that serves meals, and a large meeting room that can be divided into four smaller rooms and, depending on the configuration, accommodate up to 70 people. The Orléans Express coach terminal is connected to the hotel reception area.

Rodeway Inn
General manager Marie-Josée Prudhomme, who has worked there for 25 years, describes the Rodeway Inn as one of Gaspé’s best hotels for budget-conscious travellers. Guests enjoy a range of amenities and easy access to local attractions including the Carrefour Gaspé shopping centre, the Musée de la Gaspésie and the golfe du Saint-Laurent. The hotel is also close to the Birthplace of Canada, a reconstruction of the city’s historic centre that commemorates Gaspé’s era as an important port of call and explorer Jacques Cartier’s taking possession of the territory for Nouvelle France in 1534.


The Rodeway Inn is just minutes from the cathédrale du Christ-Roi de Gaspé and a 10-minute drive from the airport. The stunning Parc national de Forillon is about 30 kilometres away, offering numerous activities throughout the year and whale-watching excursions in season. The famous rue de la Reine, with its popular shops and restaurants, is within walking distance.
Rodeway Inn
The general manager adds that the hotel’s staff, around 40 people on average, focus all their efforts on providing clean accommodation that complies with health measures, guaranteeing guests peace of mind throughout their stay. The hotel has also introduced a variety of enhanced protocols and best practices through the “Nettement engagés” initiative.

Hôtel Rodeway Inn
rodewayinngaspe.com
20, rue Adams
Gaspé, QC, G4X 1E4
(418) 368-2244

The very name of this ecotourism company already evokes something special. A blend of spatial escape and earthly experience comes to mind even before discovering what it offers.

Pat Gauvin and Émilie Leblanc founded Cielo Glamping Maritime, a year-round ecotourism accommodation site open since January 2019 in Haut-Shippagan, within Acadian territory in New Brunswick. Yet, nothing initially pointed these two young professionals—who worked in vastly different fields—toward entrepreneurship. He was a film and television producer-director; she worked in health and research.

In 2017, when they conceived this project, it was their deep connection to the community, their Acadian heritage, and their desire to showcase local and regional products and producers to a wider audience that inspired them. “There was no model like it in the region or anywhere nearby. Our concept was unique. The dome structures we wanted didn’t exist in the country. We found them in Poland. Then, we designed and built the interiors ourselves. The development site was untouched wilderness, with only a single path leading to it,” explains Patrick, whose family has a long entrepreneurial history near Moncton. Patrick grew up in Haut-Shippagan, while Émilie hails from the region.

Pat_Émilie

Cielo Glamping is located on the shores of St. Simon Bay, where guests can enjoy stunning sunsets from one of five luxurious domes available for rent. These domes, nicknamed the Pearls, are fully equipped small homes featuring a full kitchen, a bathroom with a glass shower, a charcoal BBQ, a hammock, a seasonal outdoor shower, and year-round electric hot tubs.


The Pearl of the Woods: Named for the surrounding forest. Sparse trees and coastal hay highlight an unrivaled view of St. Simon Bay. The Munro Pearl: Offers a unique view of Munro Island, framed by the famous sunsets over the water. It is the only dome with a semi-accessible ramp for people with reduced mobility. The St. Simon Pearl: Showcases the beautiful St. Simon Bay, whose breathtaking sunsets are unforgettable. It is also named after the famous oyster cultivated by Huîtres Mallet. The Moon Pearl: The only dome where guests can bring their dog. Watch the stars from the second-floor bed in this moon-inspired dome. The Lunatia Pearl: Inspired by the Atlantic moon snail found in the bay and the skylight that lets you glimpse the moon.

Cielo Glamping

To give guests a full Acadian experience and showcase local products, they created the Hub—a space focused on sharing resources and networking between community members, visitors, and local producers. The Hub emphasizes developing, producing, promoting, and selling new local products. The Cielo site includes extensive gardens where vegetables, small fruits, and edible flowers are grown and transformed in the on-site kitchen.


Since its inception, the Hub team has created dozens of new products, either made in the commercial kitchen or in collaboration with various regional producers.

hub

The Hub’s unique dining concept revolves around discovering these products and others from New Brunswick producers. Guests can select products from the Hub’s gourmet shop, and the team will transform them into exquisite Cielo sharing boards. Gift boxes with three or more products can also be assembled.


Cielo’s owners, Patrick and Émilie, are thrilled with their growing international recognition, with features in multiple publications and television programs locally and abroad. According to them, 60% of their clientele comes from New Brunswick, about 30% from Quebec and Ontario, and the rest from European tourists.

Cielo Glamping

For now, there are no plans to add more domes or undertake major work. However, the entrepreneurial couple is working on a unique new accommodation project: converting a crabbing boat into a tourist lodging. Patrick and Émilie are sure to keep surprising everyone.

Also, watch for upcoming events in 2024 and 2025: the Hub will host performances by various artists (singers, musicians, etc.) from Acadia and beyond. Memorable evenings await.

Cielo Glamping Maritime
glampingcielo.com
232, Chemin des Huîtres
Haut-Shippagan, New Brunswick
506 601-8005

The new Quality Inn hotel at the western entrance to the City of Sept-Îles was built in 2014–15 on land bordering the Galeries Montagnaises shopping centre. It offers 61 rooms with breakfast included, a fitness room, meeting rooms, a games room and a laundry room.


The land forms part of the Uashat territory, an enclave within Sept-Îles administered by the Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam Band Council, which financed the hotel’s construction. The hotel is owned by a company overseen by a board appointed by the Band Council.

Quality Inn Sept-Iles Quality Inn Sept-Iles
Mylène Babin-Duclos, the hotel’s general manager since 2017, manages and coordinates a team of about 25 people, 90% of whom are from the Innu community. Some are students who work during the summer and continue for a few hours a week during the rest of the year.


She has a degree in psychoeducation but soon found she was drawn to hospitality. She worked at Château Arnaud for a time before applying to manage the hotel she now runs. She admits, however, that her psychoeducation background is useful in day-to-day personnel management.


Her approach clearly gets results. One employee stood out to guests, who praised her particular qualities, so Mylène Babin-Duclos nominated her for Choice Hotels Canada’s annual Spirit of Hospitality Award in honour of Mark Pearce. The 2022 award went to Élisabeth Jean-Pierre, a breakfast attendant at the Quality Inn in Sept-Îles.

Quality Inn Sept-Iles
As one of the first people guests see at the hotel each morning, Ms. Jean-Pierre is greatly appreciated for her cheerful, energetic personality. She sings in the Innu language while serving guests. “One particularly impressed guest said it was a truly unique experience that made the hotel especially charming,” reads a Choice Hotels Canada news release.
The recognition created pride among staff and boosted the motivation of several. Departmental team meetings are held regularly so employees can speak up and, if needed, any issues can be addressed, explains Ms. Babin-Duclos.

Quality Inn Sept-Iles
The general manager adds that the Innu community provides constant support to the business. Support also comes through Shipeku, Tourisme Autochtone Québec’s sustainable Indigenous tourism programme, backed financially by Développement économique Canada through the Fonds d’aide au tourisme and by Tourisme Québec.


Finally, she highlights the Quality Inn brand’s ongoing collaboration on the hotel’s operational and financial management.

Quality Inn Hôtel & Suites Sept-Îles
qualityinnsept-iles.com
1009, Boulevard Laure
Sept-Îles (QC) G4R 4S6
(418) 960-5600

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.

Village historique Acadien
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.

Village historique Acadien Village historique Acadien

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.

Village historique Acadien

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.
Village historique Acadien
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).


Village historique Acadien


Acadian Historical Village
villagehistoriqueacadien.com

506.726.2600
5, rue du Pont
Bertrand, NB E1W 0E1

When arriving via Highway 170, which cuts through the entire city of Saguenay, the Delta Saguenay Hotel stands out with its impressive height and sprawling footprint, acting as a welcoming beacon. This sets the tone for what its management offers to visitors, whether for family vacations in the region, a brief work trip, or an event or business meeting at its conference center.


Located in the Jonquière sector of Saguenay, this 4-star Marriott hotel caters to both families and business travelers. It sits slightly outside the city center and away from the Saguenay River, 26 km from Bagotville Airport, which serves the region. With its Boston Pizza restaurant, newly added indoor pool, and fitness center, the Delta Saguenay is one of the premier hotel establishments in the area.

Delta Room 1 Delta Room 1
According to the hotel’s General Manager, Olivier Fortin-Tremblay, investments made by the owners since 2012 have transformed it into a unique location in the region. The refined rooms include amenities such as a desk, ergonomic chairs, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, and mini-fridges. Some rooms feature bathtubs, while others have walk-in showers. Suites additionally include a fridge, microwave, dining area, fireplace, and sofa bed.

Delta Room 1 Delta Room 1
All rooms were renovated in 2012, drawing inspiration from the Canadian landscape with a refreshing and modern color palette and maximized use of natural light. Previously owned by an Ontario financial group, the Delta Saguenay became locally owned in 2017, led by businessman Laval Boulianne with support from the regional FTQ Solidarity Fund.


In 2018, the franchise managers invested in building a restaurant near the main lobby entrance, followed by a $1.2 million investment in a two-story annex housing an indoor pool with a spa and sauna, as well as an interactive playroom. These upgrades, operational since 2020, were necessary to attract more families, according to the General Manager. While maintaining its business focus with the conference center, the building now also offers a recreational purpose.

Delta Saguenay
The Delta conference center boasts spacious rooms with all the necessary logistics for major events: 17 conference rooms and a ballroom spanning 11,660 square feet. The venue is highly regarded for the quality of its facilities and professional services provided to organizers of various events and meetings.

 Delta Room 1 Delta Room 1
Of note, the Delta Saguenay also welcomes snowmobiling enthusiasts during winter, given its proximity to major regional and provincial trails. Additionally, the management practices an inclusive guest policy for all visitors.


In fall 2023, the hotel owners hinted at plans to improve the region's accommodation offerings, which are deemed insufficient by local tourism development stakeholders. Studies show that event attendees prefer to stay onsite. The Delta Saguenay currently offers 160 rooms, with plans to increase to 200 by adding a new tower on businessman Laval Boulianne’s property. This project could be realized by early 2024.

Hôtel Delta Saguenay

Website

2675, Boul. du Royaume
Jonquière, QC G7S 5B8
(418) 548-3124

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

By Gaëtan Vaudry

Upon the announcement of my visit to Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, the well-informed promptly provided me with a list of the finest dining spots not to be missed in the region. Among them was the table at the O'Batillage restaurant, offering exquisite local cuisine within the Auberge des Battures in the town of La Baie. Chef Étienne Trottier ensures a local supply that introduces us to the best of the boreal forest and regional producers. Even though we were in the low season of November, the team at O'Batillage welcomed us wonderfully. For my part, I was treated to a three-course meal, starting with smoked salmon from La Boucanerie d’Henri. Beyond this salmon, which I believe is the best in Quebec, the dish included a Frambleu coulis (from Domaine Le Cageot), cucumbers, flaxseed oil (from Ferme Tournevent), capers, raspberries, and puffed wild rice. An unmissable starter!

For the main course, I chose the seafood pasta featuring fresh tagliolini (La Prod LP) in Mornay sauce, Matane shrimp, Prince Edward Island mussels, Iles-de-la-Madeleine scallops, white fish, and sea lettuce. A generous portion that satisfies hearty appetites. Of course, we always save room for dessert, and I was tempted by an excellent crème brûlée. I could not have made a better choice!

Experiencing the restaurant at Auberge des Battures is certainly a delight for the taste buds, but it is equally pleasing for the eyes. Throughout my substantial meal, the establishment, managed by Mr. Éric Civel, offered me an unparalleled view of the Saguenay Fjord. A feast for all your senses.

Restaurant O'Batillage / Auberge des Battures
6295, boulevard de la grande Baie Sud Saguenay, La Baie district
418 544-8234
https://obatillage.com