Things to do

By Gaëtan Vaudry

If you find yourself near Sept-Îles and are looking for an exceptional relaxation experience, you must stop at Spa Renaissance, a favored location offering a vast terrace with a breathtaking view of the water and the most beautiful sunsets.

This relaxation center offers a variety of packages to its clients, ranging from medical aesthetics to fitness, including relaxation, aesthetics, wellness, and much more. What sets Spa Renaissance apart from its competitors is that couples can receive treatments simultaneously, benefiting from very advantageous packages: "We indeed offer several package options that you can enjoy side by side," proudly states the owner Martin Carrier. "You can choose from several treatments: pedicure, manicure, facial, massage, hydrotherapy, neuro spa thermal sector, and much more!"

Another special feature of Spa Renaissance, located in the popular Hôtel Sept-Îles, are the tailor-made packages, which often include a variety of treatments, a gift card for the Bistro, and an overnight stay at the hotel. Spa Renaissance also offers two well-equipped training rooms, delighting many customers. A package that catches my attention is the Thermal Plus for $316, offering two three-hour accesses to the thermotherapy sector, a $50 gift card to the Bistro, and a double occupancy overnight stay at the hotel. Truly interesting! Additionally, I suggest inquiring about the Tropic and Havana packages, available until December 24th and perfectly fitting into a Christmas card, to offer your loved ones a special moment.

Spa Renaissance
451, avenue Arnaud, Sept-Îles
418 968-0606
sparenaissance.ca

By Gaëtan Vaudry

Ever heard of "glamping"? It's a blend of glamour and camping, offering eco-friendly lodging that immerses you in nature while providing the luxury and amenities of a hotel room. This is precisely what our friends at Exode en nature in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, a municipality on the north shore of the Saguenay Fjord, deliver.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the delightful Vincent Fréchette, one of the four shareholders and an unexpectedly professional and passionate guide. He began by sharing the story behind their beautiful venture. Legend has it that Exode was the name of the first shareholders Vicky Maltais and Patrick Prévost's sailboat during their incredible Bahamas adventure. In the summer of 2020, Exode was stolen in the Bahamas, and the couple wanted to preserve this beautiful memory by naming their unique lodging center after it.

The Tranquility of a Nature Retreat

Exode en Nature boasts five uniquely original and tastefully decorated residences, echoing their Caribbean sea experiences with catamaran nets. Nestled in an enchanting 8.5-acre site beside the Pelletier River and at the foot of the Monts-Valin, they offer La Mélilot and La Baumier chalets, Myrica Yurt, La Thuya Dome, and Pod Le Sumac cottage. Each can comfortably accommodate two to four adults (up to six with a sofa bed), featuring standard amenities like a shower, bedding, dishes, Wi-Fi, and a propane gas stove. Don't miss the outdoor relaxation spaces by the stream, whose gentle flow enhances the tranquility of a stay in nature, complete with outdoor fireplaces and wood-heated Nordic spas!

Interestingly, the owners of Exode en nature happily welcome leashed pets: "We want people to have a memorable adventure in the heart of nature," says co-owner Vicky Maltais. "Animals under 50 pounds are welcome, as we understand how many of our guests wish to rejuvenate accompanied by their pets." And speaking of rejuvenation, Exode en nature is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway or a weekend with family or friends.

Activities for Every Taste

Adventure enthusiasts will find plenty to do at Exode en nature. In winter, within a few kilometers, you can enjoy snowmobiling, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, dog sledding, tobogganing, and even ice fishing. Note that all Exode en nature accommodations provide free snowshoes, inviting you to escape into the wilderness. In summer, the list extends to fishing in nearly 650 lakes, hunting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, beach activities, golf, and of course, hiking.

Exode en nature represents the hard work of four members of this wonderfully welcoming family - Gabrielle Prévost, Vincent's partner, completes the quartet - all with one goal: to offer you a stay that meets your expectations.

Exode en nature
1516, Route de Tadoussac
Sainte-Rose-du-Nord
418 540-1455
exodeennature.com

By Gaëtan Vaudry

Tadoussac is arguably one of the most beautiful summer tourist regions in Quebec. However, this North Shore region is much quieter in winter. Fortunately, thanks to our friends at Chalets-camping Domaine des Dunes, it is possible to have very pleasant moments there, even in the winter season!

Located between the tourist village of Tadoussac and the famous Dunes (two huge marine sand terraces exposed by the last ice melt about 10,000 years ago), the Domaine des Dunes site, nestled in a birch forest, is simply enchanting. It offers both camping and chalet rentals that can accommodate up to six people, as well as the rental of a kamook and even a wooden tipi... nothing less! "We resume service in winter, to the delight of our customers," says co-owner Bernadette Roduit Bender, with a broad smile. "The experiences in kamook and tipi are done in camping styles, that is, with access to a sanitary facility with toilets and showers, washer and dryer, as well as a community room."

Several activities are available even in winter at Domaine des Dunes, including a highly appreciated welcome for snowmobile enthusiasts in the boreal forest, trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In summer, the region abounds with activities, including whale watching cruises, black bear observation, sea kayaking, marine mammal interpretation center, the region's fine dining, and much more.

Bernadette, who is joined by her daughter and son for all aspects of Domaine des Dunes, has worked very hard in recent weeks to welcome you this winter. During my short visit to Tadoussac at the end of November, the family was busy making final adjustments to welcome numerous clients for the beautiful winter season. Moreover, Bernadette and her team invite you to book your chalet, kamook, or wooden tipi for the holiday season before December 10th. They even promise a nice surprise!

Domaine des Dunes (Chalets-camping)
585, Chemin de la Rivière-du-Moulin-à-Baude
Tadoussac
418 235-4843
domainedesdunes.com

In the Monts-Valin, in Saint-David-de-Falardeau, the winter sports resort isn't the only thing that shines far and wide and makes its mark even elsewhere in Québec. There's also a distillery founded in 2016 that produces spirits there, the very first micro-distillery in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region.

Distillerie du Fjord is first and foremost a passion passed down through generations, a project that began with brothers Jean-Philippe and Benoît and their father Serge Bouchard. It reflects the history and experience of five generations of gin lovers.

"When our father brought out our grandfather's old still, we suspected it must be in our blood!" says Jean-Philippe.

The project began with a simple idea: to craft unique spirits that would offer an experience of pleasure and discovery. "We draw all our inspiration from the richness of the environment around us, whether it's the purity of the water flowing from the Monts-Valin, the vastness of the Fjord du Saguenay, or even diving into the heart of the boreal forest," he adds.

For example, the ingredients of their flagship product, KM12 (balsam fir bud, dune pepper, pinewood spikenard, wild raspberry leaf and sweet gale), are hand-picked in the distillery's own environment. An organic juniper berry is added to this flavourful blend, giving km12 gin a beautiful complexity.

The distillery's other products also have their specific qualities:
- The KM12 with northern cucumbers has the same base ingredients as its sibling, enhanced by the pleasant freshness of northern cucumber from the Toundra greenhouses in Saint-Félicien, Lac-Saint-Jean.
- 48 Chemin Price is a gin with characteristics unique in the world, offering the ultimate aromatic experience of the boreal forest. Thanks to the fermentation of regional blueberry must, 48 plants and flowers hand-picked north of the 48th parallel are incorporated into this eau-de-vie, giving this contemporary gin an intense and complex character.
- La Liqueur Lily crème de menthe is a classic digestif reinvented in the style of Distillerie du Fjord. Made from wintergreen and wild mint harvested from the heart of the boreal forest, the liqueur has a natural golden colour that brings out the true character of its blended ingredients.

- La Liqueur Lily thé du Labrador is a unique digestif offering an experience that leaves no one indifferent. Made from Labrador tea, a signature plant of the boreal forest and a prized infusion ingredient, it offers subtle fruit and eucalyptus notes with a hint of bitterness. The blend also includes vanilla-scented balsam poplar buds, wild raspberry leaves, and sumac, creating an experience that is both complex and comforting.
- Finally, a few "ready-to-drink" products round out the selection: Gin fizz aux bleuets, Lilymonade, Cosmo, and Smash, available only in the boutique.

Distillery products are available at the SAQ, with select items also sold online.

Sustainable development: a major issue
The Bouchard family is dedicated to applying sustainable development principles across most aspects of their business, including a building constructed to high energy standards, electric production equipment, responsible harvesting, and waste recovery.

Distillerie du Fjord employs 8 permanent staff, plus 6 casual workers during the plant harvest.
Three mornings a week, reservation-only guided tours feature the distillery's spirits. The tours take visitors on a discovery journey through the production process, the interpretation of boreal forest ingredients, and a tasting.

Distillerie du Fjord is a family-run entrepreneurial adventure driven by passion and quality, with a single goal: to give lovers of these original products a unique experience.
Summer can't come soon enough for the cocktail terrace

In an interview with marketing manager Frédérique Folly, we learn that visitors will be able to enjoy a terrace next to the distillery starting in summer 2023. The retail space is too limited to offer this pleasant service. Cocktails made from the distillery's products can be tasted there.

The website features several cocktail recipes for those looking to experiment and discover new flavours.

Distillerie du Fjord
distilleriedufjord.com
48, chemin de Price
Saint-David-de-Falardeau
Québec G0V 1C0
418 673-1012

In Greek mythology, he is the master and regulator of the winds. In a vast cavern, Aeolus keeps the winds and noisy storms chained and imprisoned, striving to escape. In Cap-Chat, Gaspésie, since 1994, people have been visiting the great Aeolus, one of the world's largest vertical-axis wind turbines.

 
In 2019, two Gaspésie enthusiasts, Benjamin Leduc and Benoit Bénéteau, acquired the vertical-axis wind turbine of Cap-Chat. A new young and dynamic management team is in place, bringing together diverse experiences. The ambitions of these promoters are significant for this project, which was nearly abandoned at one time, but is now undergoing complete revaluation and transformation. "Former wind research laboratory becomes a laboratory on the environment and renewable energy," explain its co-owners.

"I see the site as a unique industrial heritage in the world," Benjamin Leduc declared in an interview with Radio-Canada shortly after the acquisition. The site is intended for tourist purposes and presents the project as a monument dedicated to Quebec's technological heritage and is also an interpretation center on wind energy. The artistic and educational aspects around the theme of wind energy, omnipresent all around, are also being developed.

"Our concept is a bit like a research project of a research project," he explains, to demonstrate the unique and fascinating aspect of their commitment.

Located in the middle of an important wind farm in the region that adorns the plateaus at some distance from route 132 along the Saint Lawrence estuary, Éole is a relic from the beginnings of renewable energy research in Quebec. The 110-meter-high giant was an important step in the development of wind power. Anyone traveling in the area is surprised by the immensity of this large vertical ellipse that overlooks the landscape.

Built in the mid-1980s, Éole was decommissioned since 1993, following an unexpected strong wind that damaged the main bearing of the device, probably also due to the enormous weight of this structure. The power station was not in operation long enough to transition from experimental mode to the status of a modern electric power plant. The project launched by Hydro-Québec pooled resources from the National Research Council Canada (NRCC) and the Quebec Electricity Research Institute (IREQ) to develop these technologies in North America.

It is also important to understand that this experimental wind turbine, entirely made of steel, was erected at a time when the composite materials that characterize the blades of today's wind turbines were not yet available.

   
The two partners and co-owners wish to invest more in modernizing the tourist site. They see a lot of potential. In addition to knowledge transmission, they propose discovering the Éole site through various initiatives and playful activities. The site is intended to be a leading attraction for Gaspésie. "A place of wonder and discoveries," adds Benjamin Leduc. Beyond the technological and scientific aspect, the Éole Project also wants to capitalize on the growing interest in self-production of electric energy through small wind turbines. It will offer training and workshops for those interested in getting involved.

The visit to the Éole Project includes:
- Discovering the experimental energy plant built in the 80s.
- Entering the generator and seeing all its vestiges to understand its unique design.
- Explanatory panels on the history of Éole, wind power development, and current industry facts, along with a guide to answer all your questions.
- A panoramic viewpoint with a 360 view to admire the picturesque landscape of the Nordais wind park (first in Quebec) and its surroundings (Cap-Chat, the sea, and the Chic-Chocs mountains), as well as a closer view of the tower.

A Foundation to Ensure Its Future
Finally, let us mention the creation of the Fondation Éole, a new development tool for the project. It is an organization focused on the education of renewable energies and sustainable development. It will develop in a way to popularize and share new developments related to these current topics, all within a playful framework and a purpose of integration into community and cooperative initiatives.

Conferences, educational workshops, physical and digital documentation, research and development in energy, and community involvement are the vectors of progress for the foundation. It will provide tools for exporting and disseminating information, content, and vision beyond the physical boundaries of the site. Both will evolve in synergistic development in the coming years. The foundation will synthesize the information present on the site for national dissemination.

An Attraction for the Whole Family

The Éole Project welcomes visitors every year from June 15 to October 1, 7 days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm. A visit that will interest the whole family with its originality and related educational activities. Visitors can also have a picnic, walk through flowered trails, and a permaculture garden at the foot of Éole. The wind-themed souvenir shop at the reception and on the site offers local Gaspesian crafts and unique Éole products.

Éole Project
projeteole.ca
5, chemin du Cap
Cap-Chat (Québec) G0J 1E0
418 967-8812

Following a successful first edition that attracted about 500 people, the second Fierté aux Îles de la Madeleine, organized by the Vent de Fierté committee, will take place on August 22 and 23. For the first time, a Pride March will be held on Sunday, August 23. It will leave Cap-aux-Meules town hall and follow local streets for one kilometre to Place des Gens de Mer.
The preceding day, Saturday, August 22, the Marché Queer at Anse-aux-Baleiniers will bring together about 15 artists and craftspeople from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Representatives of Coalition des familles LGBT+ will also travel to the Îles especially for the event. Founded in 1998, the coalition advocates for legal and social recognition of LGBT+ families and provides a network in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans parents and prospective parents share information and activities.
A barbecue is planned, while DJs Beausir and Le Spiz of La Plage électronique will create a festive atmosphere. Usually based at Parc de Gros Cap, the DJ collective founded by Le Spiz and Beausir will once again energize the site with a moment of sharing, dancing and letting go. Drawing on their passion for house and electronic music, they will perform a set designed to celebrate our community.
Fantasy face painting will be available, and participants will make signs for the Pride March.

The Brome-Missisqueer collective is back with a second Cowansville Pride March on August 22. LGBT+ people, allies and friends are invited to join a march starting at 1:30 p.m. on rue du Sud, then head to an LGBT+ village set up at parc Centre-ville at 3 p.m.

The event will feature festive, fun and educational activities. ‘This year, it was important for us to apply the lessons from the first edition, which was organized in five weeks, so we can improve our facilities and include more partners in our event,’ says Béa Touchette, one of the collective’s members.

‘Last year’s success truly energized us as a collective. Our first goal is to show that welcoming communities for queer people exist in our rural areas and that people can put down roots there and build networks of solidarity,’ added Alex Fortin, another member of the collective.

The Brome-Missisqueer collective was recently formed by six people to promote the fulfilment of 2ELGBTIA+ people in rural communities and counter the rise of intolerance.

August 23: a Pride day in Sept-Îles
Queer Nord will once again present a day celebrating sexual and gender diversity. The expression of LGBTQ2E+ Pride and community sharing will take centre stage on Sunday, August 23, beneath the Tente jaune on the Vieux-Quai in Sept-Îles.
The day has particular significance for Queer Nord because it is the first Pride celebration since the group incorporated as a non-profit organization. ‘This is a new stage in the committee’s history as it continues to develop and help improve the living conditions and well-being of people representing sexual diversity and gender plurality (DSPG) on Côte-Nord.’
Organizers note that the chosen site in Sept-Îles stands on the unceded Innu territory of Uashat mak Maliotenam. They invite members of Innu communities and residents from across Côte-Nord to celebrate together at parc du Vieux-Quai.
The programme includes creative, participatory activities such as sign-making, a collective artwork, face painting, a music jam and karaoke. The day will conclude with the Pride March at 3 p.m.
Queer Nord will provide tables for artists and organizations wishing to present their work, services or projects. An open microphone will allow participants to share a text, poem, song or any other form of expression that inspires them.

By Pierre Perreault

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At Village historique de Val-Jalbert in Chambord, Lac Saint-Jean, the new season highlights the site’s railway heritage with two wooden railcars resembling those once used to carry pulp to major centres.

This is an opportunity to bring new life to the rich railway history of this emblematic place, shaped in the first half of the 20th century by a major industrial undertaking: the Val-Jalbert pulp mill and the company village created around it. Inside the cars, a pulp-themed maze and activities for children aged six to 12 offer a playful introduction to the transport and processing of wood pulp. For grandparents, the experience provides a wonderful opportunity to share part of industrial history with a younger generation.

 

The renowned regular activities at Village historique de Val-Jalbert will also return from May 16 to October 12. At Val-Jalbert, the 1920s never ended. Feel the soul of the Village through more than 40 preserved historic buildings, including workers’ homes, the general store, post office and convent school.

The immersive production « Du cœur à l’ouvrage » is presented within the industrial fabric of the pulp mill itself, transporting audiences to the workers’ workplace of the period and revealing the true stories of all the people who lived in this company town.

Enhance your experience with a cable-car ascent to the lookouts, with exceptional views of the powerful chute Ouiatchouan.

 

Several special events run throughout the summer and even into autumn. A range of accommodation options lets visitors extend their stay. The Moulin restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with a gourmet dinner featuring the region's rich terroir, while the Magasin général sells snacks and souvenirs to take home.

Designated a classified heritage site in 1996, Val-Jalbert now contains more than 90 buildings and remains, including 42 surviving structures, as well as an associated archaeological site covering the entire property. It is therefore a major place for transmitting Québec’s collective memory.

In 2009, Corporation du Parc régional obtained approval from the ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine (MCCF), Développement économique Canada and the Municipalité régionale de comté du Domaine-du-Roy, the site’s current owner, to finance a $19.7 million project fully revitalizing Village historique de Val-Jalbert. The work covered infrastructure, historical interpretation and the visitor experience.

Annual passports have been available since April and include several benefits, among them a partnership with Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien that gives access to two distinct and incredible regional experiences, restaurant discounts and other advantages. Individual and family passports provide unlimited access to the site and many seasonal activities, whether for a full day or simply an evening walk. They are valid from the date of purchase through April 30, 2027, with different prices in low and high season.

Further details are available at valjalbert.com.

Village historique Val-Jalbert
valjalbert.com
95, rue Saint-Georges
Chambord (Québec) G0W 1G0
418 275-3132

The Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site in Rimouski is unusual in that it takes visitors from ground level to the heights and then down into the ocean depths. Parcs Canada manages and operates the site, which offers visitors curiosities and thrills.
Martin Debolfe, the historic site’s marketing coordinator, explains that everything is in place to surprise and educate visitors through three distinct attractions:

• The Onondaga submarine, the first submarine in Canada opened to the public, offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the 70 crew members once confined aboard this 90-metre vessel. In summer, visitors can spend an evening and a night on board as part of an interactive experience.
• The lighthouse and its associated buildings. Built in 1909, it is the second-tallest lighthouse in Québec and one of the few that still has its prism. The keeper’s house contains an exhibition on the lighthouses of the Saint-Laurent.
• The Empress of Ireland Museum. Although the sinking of the Titanic is well known, fewer people know the story of this ocean liner, which sank off Rimouski in 14 minutes in 1914. The exhibition is impressive and moving, and its video presentation is surprising.
The museum opened in 2000, was expanded in 2017 and now features a completely redesigned exhibition. Digital technology allows for captivating interaction with visitors. A video simulation lets them relive the collision between the two ships and then watch the liner sink, which leaves no one indifferent, especially knowing that 1,102 people lost their lives in the disaster.

Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site (SHMP)
shmp.qc.ca
1000, rue du Phare
Rimouski, QC G5M 1L8
418.724.6214