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
A true institution in the Côte-de-Beaupré landscape for 50 years now, Auberge Restaurant Baker on avenue Royale in Château-Richer is a place steeped in history and cultural heritage. Today, under Gaston Cloutier's management, the establishment is slowly but surely working on succession planning.
Originally a rather opulent bourgeois country house built in 1840 in one of Québec's oldest villages by Ferdinand Lefrançois and his wife Mary Ann (Anney) Brady, the place benefited from a period of prosperous economic growth. The finishes and ornamentation clearly show it was a comfortable, state-of-the-art home.
At that time, the second floor served as an attic and people only lived there in summer. Almost a hundred years later, in 1935, businessman Alvin A. Baker, who had lived through the recent economic crash, opened "The Baker's Inn" in the house, which he first rented from the owner and eventually bought in 1958. They served very Québécois dishes of the era, but it was also simple. After all, the popular dishes were bass (the fish) and steak. Since the sign read "fish and steak," it was very important for all the American visitors coming to the region.
After his death in the early 1960s, his second wife Lucienne Hamel continued to run the restaurant. Later, when she decided to step back from running the place due to health problems, Henri Simard (son of Idola Simard, owner of the land where the inn stands) bought the "Baker" in 1972. He soon sold it to one of his nephews, Gaston Cloutier, in the spring of 1975, and he remains the owner to this day.
He lived upstairs with his family until 1989, managing and maintaining the place. That year, the inn resumed its name chez Baker as five rooms were set up to accommodate tourists.
Gaston Cloutier (photo) has demonstrated a genuine passion for Auberge Restaurant Baker over the years. Alongside his work as an innkeeper, he pursued a career as a physical education teacher at a secondary school in the region from 1973 until his retirement in 2005. Since then, he has devoted himself body and soul to his establishment, which has become a significant presence in the gastronomy and terroir cuisine scene of the Capitale-Nationale region, among others. Few places can claim to have been serving meals for 90 years. Every year, he makes changes and improvements to better meet customer expectations, all year round.
For accommodation, there are six charmingly decorated rooms in the attic, plus a small neighbouring chalet and the "Maison du Village", Grandfather Cloutier's house in the heart of the village of Château-Richer. This ancestral heritage home from 1776 faces the river and Île d'Orléans and is furnished to accommodate six people for a journey through time in 21st-century comfort.
The restaurant seats two hundred and comprises a dining room and a spacious, versatile, glass-enclosed reception hall with all the multimedia equipment needed for a successful event. Evenings feature a table d'hôte menu, and Sundays bring fabulous brunches.
More recently, Gaston Cloutier chose to add a new product to his lineup: Baker, a Belgian-style beer brewed in Québec from hops grown on a local farm and locally produced blackberries. A special touch: it's fermented with champagne yeast, offering delicate effervescence and refined aromas.
Indeed, the success of Auberge Restaurant Baker over 50 years, under Gaston Cloutier's management, is linked to his constant dedication and to a motivation always driven by the quality of the welcome and the "Baker" product. Over 22 people work there, and the owner can rely on dependable, skilled staff to whom he can delegate a good share of the responsibilities.
An on-site visit is certainly the best way to discover and appreciate the quality of the place and its services.
Auberge Restaurant Baker
aubergebaker.com
8790, avenue Royale
Château-Richer (Québec) G0A 1N0
418 824-4478
Carleton-sur-Mer has long cultivated a culture of good food and comfortable lodging. People come from far and wide to enjoy this beautiful setting in the Gaspésie’s Baie-des-Chaleurs, but most of all for the dining scene, which has become especially appealing.
Among the offerings is Le Marin d’eau douce on rue du Quai, owned by the Benhamidou family, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. To mark the occasion, the restaurant offered a series of dinner-shows for guests all summer long.
Since 1999, they’ve served menus inspired by Gaspésie terroir, French and Moroccan cuisine. Chef-owner Mohamed Benhamidou, long separated from his father Mustapha, but finally reunited with him in Carleton-sur-Mer, took over in 2023 and shares his love for Gaspésie and Québec terroir cuisine, but always with a pinch of Moroccan inspiration.
In the 1990s, after working in major Québec establishments, Chef Mustapha Ben Hamidou decided to settle his small family in Carleton, in the baie des Chaleurs. In 1999, Mustapha, a Moroccan immigrant, bought café l’Indépendant and transformed it into Le Marin d’eau douce, now a must-visit in Gaspésian gastronomy. Today, his son Mohamed, his wife Iman, his daughters Fatima, Assia and Aicha, and a fine, passionate team are there to offer the best of terroir cuisine.
Le Marin d’eau douce occupies a house built in 1820 by Narciss Leblanc, known as "Buck Wheat". He was a blacksmith with a shop facing the sea. A few other owners followed. In 1980, Pierre Landry bought the property and turned it into a café restaurant, "Le Café l’Indépendant". Ten years later, in 1990, three local friends bought it and kept it as a café restaurant.
Then, in 1999, Mustapha Benhamidou acquired the building just steps from a beach on the Baie des Chaleurs, offering a stunning view that aptly complements chef Mohamed's refined, sunny cuisine. Mohamed has been in the kitchen since 2023, after several years as maître d'hôtel and general manager. Today, they still strive to make it a must-visit for lovers of fish and seafood, as well as meat and game. It's a warm, friendly place. Not to mention a wine list worthy of the finest cellars.
Among the specialties on the menu, Mohamed serves the delicious products of his adopted homeland, all with a touch of his Moroccan roots: grilled octopus with fennel and lime; scallops from the Îles with saffron lentils; lamb shank with Eastern spices.
Le Marin d’eau douce received a certificate of excellence in 2005 from the Guide Debeur, an annual gourmet magazine. The restaurant is among the 500 best restaurants in Québec, selected from approximately 15,000 establishments. This distinction was awarded in recognition of the quality of its products and service.
Mustapha Benhamidou was no newcomer to the culinary world when he bought his own restaurant. He had already spent 29 years in professional kitchens across Morocco, Europe, Québec, and Canada. His son Mohammed has since taken over with honour and confidence, knowing that the institution still has its place in the Gaspésie scene.
The chef-owner notes that the restaurant is open year-round, even during the end-of-year holidays. The team takes a well-deserved break in January. He also mentions that it's always best to reserve to ensure a warm welcome.
Le Marin d’eau douce
marindeaudouce.com
215, rue du Quai
Carleton-sur-Mer, QC G0C 1J0
418-364-7602
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
When you reach the end of the road leading to the tip of the peninsula and spot the vast seaside estate featuring a 24-room hotel including an aesthetic care center (spa), a convention center, and 33 chalets available for rent scattered about, one realizes the scale of the welcoming place.
The site impresses with its magnitude, its streets marked like those in a village, its tranquility, and the sense of well-being it exudes, thanks to a uniquely designed layout. A stay will convince even the hardest to please. The hotel offers all the amenities one might expect from such a location. Breakfast is included and served in a room with a full sea view, but no other meals are provided during the day. Several dining options are available a short distance away in the town of Tracadie.
Villégiature Deux Rivières truly provides hotel service worthy of major hotel chains, but without the associated constraints. Martin Albert, a native son with an MBA in Business Administration from the Université de Moncton, has been the general manager since 2013. Albert was previously the general manager of the municipality of Paquetteville.
“What sets Villégiature Deux Rivières apart from chain hotels is that everything is decided and managed locally,” explains its general manager.
Martin Albert is proud to have been part of this wonderful adventure for nearly 10 years. For him, the mission and vision of Villégiature Deux Rivières are part of his everyday life. Although the place has already become a staple for quality accommodation and stays in recent years, he aims to make it “the preferred destination in Atlantic Canada, where guests can capture unforgettable Acadian-flavored memories.”
The introduction of a bike path in the area has attracted a new clientele for whom the environmental tranquility of the place, with the omnipresence of the sea and breathtaking sunrises, are key attractions. In winter, the snowmobile trails also bring many visitors.
A story that began almost 25 years ago.
It was in 1999 that the adventure of the Deux Rivières Resort Center began in Tracadie-Sheila. The municipality had entrusted the Two Rivers of Tracadie Development Corporation (CDDRT) with developing this exceptional site.
From then on, thanks to a public-private partnership agreement between a group of local investors and the CDDRT, construction of 33 chalets began. The following year, the convention center was built. In 2001, 17 new chalets were added. Then in 2009, a 20-room hotel was built. Just in time for the World Acadian Congress.
In 2012, the company underwent a name change to become Villégiature Deux Rivières, better reflecting the services offered by the business. In 2013, the Two Rivers Development Corporation of the municipality withdrew from the resort center, which is now fully managed by this corporation of owner investors.
The company wanted to grow and have enough accommodations to host medium-sized conventions on the site. The chalet investors then became shareholders of the hotel with the registration of a Deux Rivières Hotel corporation to oversee its management.
Villégiature Deux Rivières
www.deuxrivieres.ca
100, rue Deux Rivières
Tracadie-Sheila, N.B.
506.394.4050
The gallery is still very young. It has character. It's filled with colourful, diverse works: paintings, sculptures, bas-reliefs, small furniture, and other mixed-media products. It occupies what locals remember as a long-time motel, on rue Richelieu, behind the Musée de Charlevoix. The address is 500. It was even gallerist Guylaine Fournier's father who built it. Not much of it remains, apart from the exterior walls and the foundation.
In 2021, Guylaine and her partner and co-owner Pierre Pellerin began transforming a partitioned space they had bought a few years earlier. What's more, the building is right next to her home in La Malbaie's Pointe-au-Pic sector.
Today, she's proud to welcome visitors to her gallery, which dazzles from the moment you step inside. Daylight is everywhere thanks to the many windows all around. Carefully directed lighting brings out the different works.
Guylaine Fournier has over 18 years of experience as a gallerist at her rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste gallery in old Baie-Saint-Paul, of which she is the sole owner. The gallery in La Malbaie, however, is independent of the other since it is run as a co-ownership, though several artists have their works displayed in both.
Interestingly, the Manoir Richelieu de Pointe-au-Pic recently asked to display some sixty works from Galerie 500 in several rooms and common areas of the hotel. This, of course, provides good visibility, as well as recognition of the quality of the product.
Guylaine Fournier never intended to go into this line of work. At 17, she left her family home in Charlevoix to finish her studies. At 22, she became a hotel owner. Later, an opportunity arose in Baie-Saint-Paul: a painter who ran a studio and was looking for someone to take over invited her to help with customer service. After two months, he offered to transfer everything into her name, and that’s how she became a gallerist.
She and her partner are motivated by several factors when selecting artists, including diversity, difference, contact with the artist, and of course personal favourites, in contemporary, figurative, and surrealist styles. Some artists become friends over time.
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A few projects are driving them at the moment, such as converting the second-floor apartment into a gallery, including an interior staircase for access. Visitors should be able to discover this new section starting in July 2023. They also hope to develop events, such as openings and cultural activities, including on the outdoor terrace they’re setting up for this purpose.
In short, Guylaine Fournier is brimming with enthusiasm about Galerie 500’s future. It’s essentially her clientele that motivates her to push herself.
Galerie d'art 500 Richelieu
galerie500richelieu.com
500, rue Richelieu
La Malbaie, Qc
(418) 665-7768
By Gaëtan Vaudry
Connoisseurs of fine dining in Matane are familiar with Pub La Fabrique and its namesake Artisanal Brewery, located on Saint-Jérôme Avenue. Matane's first artisanal brewery sprung up in the summer of 2010. Owned by the cooperative Le Cabestan, it has been gaining popularity ever since.
At Pub La Fabrique, you can enjoy an excellent pub-style meal featuring fish & chips, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers, along with sipping on a finely brewed beer made on-site, or one of the 35 whiskies that have built the establishment's reputation. During my meeting with Jean-Pierre Boutin (pictured), a member of the cooperative's board, the La Fabrique team had just unveiled their much-anticipated Holiday menu (discoverable here), to the delight of the place's many patrons. This menu is available every evening from 4 PM until mid-January.
Pub La Fabrique is simply stunning. With a cozy decor spread over two floors, it regularly hosts shows by emerging artists, drawing crowds to Saint-Jérôme Street, and often creating a buzzing atmosphere in the pub.
Supporting Matane's Businesses
La Fabrique - Artisanal Brewery brews around 25 beers, ranging from their classics to seasonal varieties, including oak barrel-aged beers. As Jean-Pierre Boutin explains, the brewery strives to use local products as much as possible, aiming to support businesses in Matane and the surrounding region.
If you're passing through Matane, a stop at the pub and the adjacent La Fabrique Brewery is a must. At the latter, you can sample the establishment's offerings and visit the official shop, which boasts an array of products.
Pub La Fabrique La Fabrique - Artisanal Brewery
360, Saint-Jérôme Avenue 366, Saint-Jérôme Avenue
Matane (Quebec) Matane (Quebec)
418 566-4020 418 566-4020
publafabrique.com publafabrique.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
The Acadian Coast has more to offer than just beaches and cultural attractions. Its culinary pleasures are quite appealing too. The region of La Sagouine and that of Shédiac, the lobster capital of the world, are examples.
In Bouctouche, the land of La Sagouine, you can expect to find distinctive spots. The Restaurant la Sagouine, next door to the gîte of the same name, right in the heart of the city, is a perfect example. For those looking for a novel gastronomic experience, you can enjoy Acadian dishes or famed seafood here. Tour buses regularly drop off passengers for an afternoon meal. The breakfasts are especially renowned.
The famous Marché des fermiers of Bouctouche welcomes local food lovers every Saturday from May to December.
In the heart of the city centre, on rue Main, the restaurant La Coast was founded in 2012. Its new owner since 2024 continues the tradition of this family restaurant, which quickly became a favourite with both locals and tourists. Seafood in various forms is king here, but they also serve a variety of dishes such as steaks, burgers, chicken, pasta and salads. Up to 16 beers and other beverages are on tap, plus a bottle selection, one of the largest in the region. Breakfasts are renowned and popular.
Inspired by characters from Alice in Wonderland, the playful bistro le Moque-Tortue, in a large house on rue Main, lets you play, escape, and eat, all in one place. With the largest board game collection in the Atlantic region as well as well-designed escape games, it offers a varied menu of good, well-prepared dishes. Seafood takes centre stage. The Sunday brunch alone is worth the trip. There’s music on the terrace every day throughout the summer.
Not far from Moque-Tortue, owners Sébastien and Heater offer Adorable Chocolat. The place offers a range of chocolates made on the premises from simple, natural ingredients, and is also a café serving soups, sandwiches, and desserts. In the mornings, you’ll find fresh brioches and viennoiseries. They now also serve alcoholic cocktails alongside a wide selection of coffees, daily until 6 p.m.
As if that weren’t enough, these same entrepreneurs have acquired the ciné-parc Neptune, back in operation since May 2024, where they will also run the canteen under the name Morse et Marteaux, to continue the "Pays des Merveilles" concept. They also secured the operating contract for the Plage Parlee canteen in Pointe-du-Chêne. Sébastien Després dreamed of a Texan-style meat smoker. He built one and installed it at the drive-in’s canteen. It will be used to smoke chicken and beef over a wood fire, to be served at both canteens and his two restaurants in Shediac.
Note: every July since 1949, Shédiac has welcomed its renowned Festival du homard celebrated across the city with a host of culinary activities. Don't miss the Grande Table on the main street right in the heart of downtown.
Believe it or not, 2024 marked 10 years since the arrival of Microbrasserie Le Malbord in the Gaspésie landscape. Housed in a completely renovated former grocery store by the sea in the heart of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts’ historic district, Le Malbord has become a welcoming gathering spot, bringing this heritage building back to life with a chic, rustic decor featuring creations made from recycled objects.
For language lovers, "malbord" is a folk expression for Haute-Gaspésie, the other Gaspésie that refuses to be forgotten. The Gaspésie is often associated with Baie-des-Chaleurs. Malbord refers to the other side of the Gaspésie. "For us, it's a way of saying it's worth stopping in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. There are fine products and a fine community of all ages, super involved," says co-owner Félix Labrecque.
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is the largest municipality in Haute-Gaspésie, yet it is also the Québec town that has seen the steepest population decline in recent years. It therefore deserved a little entrepreneurial energy.
In 2012, three people from very different backgrounds, yet all concerned about their future and aware of the buzz then surrounding microbreweries, decided to take the plunge and seize the opportunity before them. After two years of small-scale brewing experiments in the basement of one of their homes, they moved forward with their project by acquiring and renovating the building on 1ére avenue.
They even considered growing hops… but after careful thought and recognizing the lack of potential, the project never materialized.
In the meantime, they had their first self-designed beers brewed at Pit Caribou (Percé) and le Naufrageur (Carleton-sur-Mer), and finally welcomed their first customers in November 2014. A year after opening, Le Malbord celebrated the start of in-house brewing with modern equipment and recipes carefully crafted by the owners.
From 2018, Thierry Lafargue, a forestry worker, and Félix Labrecque, an architecture enthusiast, carried on the Malbord adventure on their own.
Le Malbord now offers refined craft beers with recipes inspired by the richness of the terroir. The owners describe their products as "beers to share and discover, beers that assert themselves over time. Good sea or bad, they cling to your palate like crags of rock to the sea. They’ll take you on a journey, letting you discover their flavours as well as the beauties of our corner of the country, with its mountains and endless sky."
The bistro bar serves 11 house-brewed draft beers at all times. Several products, including the white, blonde, red and black beers in 473 ml cans, are sold in grocery stores and shops across Québec. For hearty appetites, the pub-style snack menu offers tasty dishes. There’s also a dedicated shop selling Malbord clothing and accessories, plus beer to go.
Once a venue for cultural events and discovery, the emphasis is first and foremost on fun! As a small team, they occasionally host a comedian, a fun quiz or karaoke nights.
Le Malbord is open year-round from Thursday to Sunday. In summer, you can enjoy the front terrace and watch the beautiful sunsets over the Saint-Laurent.
Microbrasserie Le Malbord
lemalbord.com
178, 1ère avenue Ouest
Ste-Anne-des-Monts, Qc G4V 1C9
418 764.0022
