Centre Archéo Topo: living archaeology on the Côte-Nord

With a panoramic view of the tidal flats and Pointe Sauvage, Centre Archéo Topo in Les Bergeronnes enjoys an idyllic setting. It offers an encounter with the archaeology and history of the Côte-Nord.

In the 1950s, Louis Gagnon, a hermit from Les Bergeronnes known as Ti-Louis, found objects and sent them to archaeologists. His passion proved contagious. The region’s exceptional heritage came to light.

A few decades later, 1,500 sites were uncovered along the 1,300-kilometre stretch from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon. Most are Amerindian sites, and some date back 8,000 years.

How did these peoples live here? Why did they settle in the region? Who were these travellers, traders and explorers? How did they use plants such as pumpkins, beans and serviceberries?

The centre’s new exhibition, Tours de force, presents archaeology through a human lens, drawing on 25 of the most representative sites in Haute-Côte-Nord, Moyenne-Côte-Nord and Basse-Côte-Nord. In Les Bergeronnes, Anse-à-la-Cave revealed a Basque presence; Cap-de-Bon-Désir holds 8,125 years of Amerindian history; and the Lavoie site records more than 5,000 years. Pépechipissinagan, with its fragile rock paintings, is kept top secret.

In the 19th century, 400 people lived around a foundry at the mouth of the Moisie. Near Blanc-Sablon, Basques settled at Middle Bay to hunt whales. It is archaeology brought to life through avant-garde, playful exhibition design.



Archéo Topo
archeotopo.com
(581) 475-0387
498, Rue de la Mer
Grandes-Bergeronnes, QC G0T 1G0