Hotel and logging

In 1852, John Robinson Hamilton began building a manor in the English neoclassical style on a vast plot in the heart of the village of New Carlisle, in Gaspésie. The style was very rare in Québec.

 
Born in Québec, he studied at the Bar, became a lawyer, and practised in Québec before settling in Gaspé and then New Carlisle. After his father died when he was 11, his mother married a French-Canadian, which certainly contributed to his perfect bilingualism.

He served in the Assembly of Bas Canada as deputy for Bonaventure County (1841–1844), and was also appointed Queen’s Counsel. He was later re-elected and defeated on a few occasions, until 1851. He was finally elected to the Legislative Council in 1858.

 
He married an American in New-York in 1831 and had a family of four daughters and five sons, who lived and grew up in New Carlisle. One of them, too, was elected deputy for Bonaventure in Québec from 1867 to 1871.

A unique manor
The construction of the Manoir took four years. The building is of great heritage value. It also has four chimneys and eight fireplaces. All of its exterior walls are made of stone. The architecture of manoir Hamilton is unique in Gaspésie and was influenced by the Palladian style of Andrea Palladio, the Italian Renaissance architect.

The family lived there for a long time. It was then converted into a hotel and later into a summer residence. John Robinson Hamilton died there on Christmas Eve in 1870.

The manor tour is a must-see. Every room is furnished with period furniture, carpets, old books, paintings and tableware, and the visit undoubtedly transports us to the 19th-century atmosphere of the Loyalist era in Gaspésie.

The kitchen has a traditional bread oven and a hearth with a crane. The Manoir Hamilton offers five cosy and comfortable rooms furnished with period pieces. You are served a gourmet breakfast in the morning.

In 2004, Nicole Duguay acquired the Manoir and the neighbouring campground with her partner at the time. She saw herself as somewhat privileged to be able to live such a 'princess' dream. The manor had been abandoned for about forty years when they began converting it into a tourist guesthouse. Ms. Duguay reportedly invested nearly $300,000 to renovate the building’s interior.

A few years later, the building’s condition called for further major work. No funding was available from the Ministry of Culture, from either level of government, from the Municipality, or from Heritage New Carlisle, since the building was not owned by a non-profit organization. It was concluded that a buyer had to be found who could invest in the repairs and keep the accommodation running in a heritage setting.

In 2014, the Manoir was sold to Marcel Rancourt of Groupe GID, whose head office is in Québec. Rancourt is an entrepreneur who helps clients develop cultural projects and projects in social, community, or economic development. Nicole Duguay remained the manager, as well as the owner of the neighbouring campground, which she runs.

 Nicole Duguay, manager of the Manoir

Since taking ownership, Mr. Rancourt has invested in restoration work on the exterior walls and the four chimneys, in the electrical system, and in converting the heating system to electric. Mr. Rancourt plans to continue over the coming years to maintain the Manoir in good condition.

An all-inclusive campground
Camping du Manoir is an oasis of tranquillity facing the baie des Chaleurs. Twelve sites offer three services, 30-amp electrical hookups, showers and a laundry room. Breakfast is available at the Manoir.
Well located in the heart of New Carlisle, it’s popular for short stays

Manoir Hamilton
manoirhamilton.com
115, boulevard Gérard-D.-Lévesque
New Carlisle (Qc) G0C 1Z0
418 752.6498

Camping du Manoir
113, boulevard Gérard-D.-Lévesque
New Carlisle (Qc) G0C 1Z0
418 622-4880

Besides its enchanting location, a little set back from downtown and next to a championship-calibre golf course unique in Québec, the Double Tree par Hilton Québec is easy to reach along Highway 73 North. It is part of a hotel group that takes great care over the quality of its welcome and its clientele’s total satisfaction.

Built about twenty years ago, the hotel has carried the Double Tree Hilton brand since 2019, when major renovations were carried out and the facilities were upgraded at several levels, all aimed at raising the prestige of the property and of the brand. However, it was in 2023 that the hotel was acquired by Groupe Hôtelier Ben, which already owned three other hotels in Québec and Trois-Rivières. The group now operates it.

The director of operations for the past three years at this hotel, which has about a hundred rooms in various categories, Sebastian Martinez, has about ten years of experience in Hilton hotels. As the person in charge of everything that keeps the hotel running smoothly, he is well placed to tell us about its strengths and advantages.

 

Guests can enjoy several services and amenities, including a heated outdoor pool, a gym, meeting and function rooms, and the renowned Le Dijon restaurant, which is as popular with people from the region as with guests. Guests can also use electric vehicle charging stations, and parking is free at all times.

  

In fact, Dijon, the hotel’s welcoming and elegant restaurant, offers a gastronomic experience inspired by chefs, along with a breathtaking view of the lush courses at golf de la Faune. On pleasant evenings, guests can dine outdoors on the terrace, which has a retractable roof, and choose from an extensive list of refined wines, craft beers and exclusive cocktails. Dijon hosts special events several times a year, including brunches for Easter, Christmas and New Year’s.

  

Notably, the hotel has partnered with the organizers of the Fierté de Québec celebrations since 2024, a partnership that will continue for the next few years. Sebastian Martinez is proud to have earned the trust of the organization’s leaders and is already delighted by the benefits of this partnership to date. On the Double Tree par Hilton’s Facebook page, they invite people from the LGBTQ+ community to join them in celebrating diversity and inclusivity during the Labour Day weekend in the heart of the City of Québec. "Let’s come together to support the LGBTQ+ community and enjoy a series of vibrant events, shows, and celebrations that honour love, equality, and pride," reads the post.

M. Martinez also points to the hotel’s community involvement, taking part in various fundraising campaigns throughout the year with local organizations and in activities of the City of Québec, among others.

A dynamic hotel group
After acquiring his fourth hotel, DoubleTree par Hilton Québec, Qingdong Ben founded Groupe Hotelier Ben. His career began in 2016 with the purchase of Hôtel Quartier du boul. Laurier in Québec. It continued in Trois-Rivières in 2020 with Les Suites Laviolette, and in 2021 in Québec with Quality Inn du boul. Wilfrid-Hamel. Qingdong Ben is president of Groupe Hotelier Ben. Linche Wang is vice-president. Karen Coronel is vice-president of operations, and Guylaine Desrosiers is vice-president of sales and development.

For the president of Groupe hôtelier Ben, needless to say, such an acquisition will have economic spinoffs, not only for the entire regional tourism industry but also for retail trade in general.

Double Tree par Hilton
facebook.com/doubletreequebec
hilton.com/fr/hotels/yqbqcdt-doubletree-quebec-resort
7900 rue du Marigot
Québec, Qc, G1G 6T8
(418) 627-8008

Stay in a building from 1860, a few dozen metres from the fleuve Saint-Laurent in the Vieux-Port de Québec area. The Hôtel Port-Royal offers 76 spacious rooms and suites housed in two connected buildings, each with an inspiring past and history.

All of this is thanks to the passion and ambition of a construction entrepreneur who bought the complex in the early 2000s and turned it into a chic hotel that opened its doors in 2005. Éric-Yves Doyon travels a great deal, loves the hotel business and appreciates tourist attractions. That was all it took for him to turn his passion into reality. The building that houses the suites, including the royal suite across from the hotel, is a former bank. It also houses the offices of his company.

For history buffs, the building that now houses the hotel was originally a warehouse for food products unloaded from ships. More recently, it has housed various businesses, including a gourmet grocery store, the restaurant Quai 19 and the bar l’Inox.
Each room has a distinctive design of its own, inspired by the original geometry of the building. The warmth of wood, the dignity of stone and brick, and the clean lines of contemporary decor create an environment that is a perfect blend of past and present.

In addition to a comfortable Queen or King bed, all rooms and suites include a kitchenette or fully equipped kitchen, a dining nook, and a bathroom with shower or bathtub/shower. Several rooms and suites also have a double sofa bed.
General manager of Port-Royal for 15 years, Agnès Marsoin is proud to be associated with this hotel's success and to look after guest comfort and satisfaction. With 30 years of experience in hospitality, in France and Québec, she watches closely over the fortunes of this establishment. It combines a host of advantages for guests looking for quality accommodation in Québec.

She is keen to point out that guests' pets are welcome in first-floor rooms, for a fee. There are no carpets in the rooms and suites. Parking and valet service are offered, there is a fitness room, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.

The general manager also notes that the suites are spacious, luxurious spaces decorated in various styles. They offer features such as a separate bedroom, Italian-style baths and showers, work desks, a kitchenette, and a Murphy bed, along with other details depending on the suite chosen.

 
For its part, the sumptuous 2,200-square-foot Royal Suite is located at place de la FA0, a heritage site in Québec, and occupies the top floor of the massive 19th-century building formerly known as Banque de commerce. It features a luxurious bedroom with a queen-size bed and a large bathroom in marble or granite.

 
The suite offers an experience fit for kings and queens: an unusual private space in this exceptional setting, with a stately living room, a dining room, and access to an impressive 2,000-square-foot terrace with spectacular views of the streets of Vieux-Québec. Breakfast is included.

The Port-Royal employs up to 40 people and welcomes a diverse clientele: maritime professionals, staff in training, businesspeople, cruise passengers, and tourists from all over Québec, Canada and elsewhere in the world.
For dining, the hotel has Louise Taverne & Bar à vin, which serves breakfast and meals throughout the day, with bar service every day. In summer, guests can relax on the terrace and enjoy the unique cuisine of chef Nikolas, which uses only local Québec ingredients. Dishes are made fresh every day, and the menu changes regularly.

In short, for a stay in the magical setting of the Vieux-Port de Québec and its historical atmosphere, Port-Royal is certainly the obvious choice. It is also inclusive of all types of guests.

Hôtel Port-Royal
leportroyal.com
144, rue Saint-Pierre
Québec, QC, G1K 8N8
418 692.2777

By Gaëtan Vaudry

During a 40-day tour of Eastern Quebec and New Brunswick, we visited many places and met numerous people! Some places captured our attention, and one of them was the LaRichardière inn, located in the village municipality of Godbout on the North Shore, with a population of just 262 inhabitants, according to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

I must say from the outset that the place is simply magnificent. And what about our hosts, Claude-Joseph Gosselin and his wonderful dog Body (a Great Dane-Labrador mix), who welcomed us like royalty! We arrived on a Wednesday evening, after a long day's drive. We were greeted in a splendid house dating back to 1928, warm and tastefully decorated. Claude-Joseph, who has traveled extensively himself, has personalized his hosting style. Proudly, he doesn't overdo it. Just enough. And that's what the guests – myself included – appreciate about him.

Four Artists from the Region

I'd like to begin by talking about the history of this nearly centenarian house. Why is it named LaRichardière? To pay tribute to two important figures in the eyes of Claude-Joseph. The first is the noble Richard Testu de la Richardière (1681-1741), a ship's captain and harbor master, and master pilot in the St. Lawrence River and Gulf. And also for Mathieu Richard, a worker who lived in this magnificent residence with his family for over 40 years. The inn features four bedrooms, each named in honor of a regional artist. There's the Gilles Vigneault room (famous poet from Natashquan), the Éric Maillet room (sculptor and blacksmith, Bergeronnais by adoption), the Claude Le Sauteur room (painter, 1926-2007), and finally, the Francine Chicoine room (author from Baie-Comeau). Notably, the bed in the Éric Maillet room was custom-made by the artist himself (see the photo). A truly unique work of art! "I wanted to honor regional artists," the owner proudly states. "I obtained the permissions and have since made it my mission to introduce their talent to many of our guests."

One could almost say that the LaRichardière inn is a mini museum. It houses several works of art, a multitude of books on the region's history, and a passionate host, who kindly introduced me to the work of the painter Claude Le Sauteur. Truly enriching.

A Delight for the Taste Buds

Claude-Joseph, who has lived in Godbout for three decades, manages this inn with passion. Coming from the hotel industry, he takes care of the management, entertainment, cooking, and even housekeeping. Speaking of food, our host knows his stuff! For breakfast, he starts us off with orange juice, followed by a magnificent bowl of fresh fruit, which is a delight for the taste buds. We finish with excellent French toast, served with homemade raspberry jam and, of course, delicious local maple syrup. What more could one ask for?

I can only say bravo and thank you to Claude-Joseph for these memorable 24 hours. I would have gladly accepted a longer stay, to discover more about this charming little seaside region and to play with

Looking for a new project and wide-open spaces, Dany Torchy, an event promoter from the Québec region, learned in 2020 that a rather unusual castle was for sale in Escuminac's Pointe-à-la-Garde sector, in Gaspésie.

 
Jean Roussy, the castle's designer and creator, had devoted nearly 40 years of his life to it, about 30 of them spent building it, and had announced his intention to sell at the beginning of 2020. As fate would have it, he died a few months later from a long illness, leaving his life partner and several family members in mourning. His estate therefore decided to put the Château Bahia property up for sale.

 Jean Roussy, creator of Château Bahia, died in 2020.

During a first visit in October 2020, Dany Torchy, who was then living on Île d'Orléans, fell in love with the place. He convinced his friend, Mickaël Retailleau, a Montréal-area expert in car and motorcycle interior design, to join the venture. "When we saw the castle, we immediately saw its potential," he said. In the end, they convinced the family to sell them the castle and another residence built on the 170-acre property, at the end of a 600-metre road deep in the forest. The family was looking for kind-hearted people who would continue the founder's work.

Château Bahia was built over 16 summers without a precise plan, as its creator admitted in a 2020 Radio-Canada interview shortly before his death. He had converted the roadside house into a youth hostel, where he welcomed young travellers, offering them accommodation in exchange for help with construction.

 
"At first, I decided what we would do," Jean Roussy recalled. "Then, after a while, it was the castle that told me what was missing or what needed to be added."

Dany Torchy and Michaël Retailleau believe they will be able to play the role of finishers, while continuing the mission the founder of the inn set for himself. The owners also plan to name a tower in honour of Jean Roussy, who spent 7 long years juggling the idea alone, suppressing the rational voice that would have told him, "It's impossible."

Since 2021, the new owners have had to face the COVID pandemic, like everyone else. This has delayed planned work in certain sections of the castle, which blends styles from medieval to baroque. The interiors of both buildings are also filled with images of castles from around the world that Jean Roussy had visited. The partners also want to carry out work to bring the castle's interior up to date. They hope to eventually decorate the castle's facade with flags.

 
Currently, visitors stay in the small castle (the five-storey tower just behind the main building) and in a few rooms in the main building, for a total of 10 rooms. Seven have private bathrooms, while three share a common bathroom. You're guaranteed a peaceful, comfortable stay. This isn't the "castle life" often compared to the luxury of certain hotels, but the welcome is warm, not to mention the view from the top of the tower over the surrounding area and Baie des Chaleurs.

While they are well aware that maintaining the property is a substantial task, the scale of the challenge is far from frightening the newcomers. The trio's dream is now to make the place accessible year-round and share it with Gaspésiens. They are also counting on a website redesign and new promotional campaigns in the region and beyond.

The partners are fully committed and also aim to make the Château Bahia inn a genuine cultural hub, featuring the work of Québec artisans and organizing performances. A big top tent set up in the back courtyard has been hosting evening shows with musicians and other performers since 2022, particularly in June, July and August.

 
They also hope to revive the ballroom as a dining room for meals prepared by their chef, in a "surprise" format, with limited but original menus.

In 2021, the mayor of Escuminac welcomed the arrival of these new entrepreneurs, calling it excellent news for the municipality of about 521 people, since the activities of Château Bahia will contribute to the area's vitality. He noted that the Château Bahia inn is now the municipality's only hotel accommodation.

Finally, it's worth noting that the castle's name was chosen in honour of a Véronique Sanson song, and the new owners decided to keep it.

Auberge du Château Bahia
chateaubahia.com
152, boulevard Perron
Pointe-à-la-Garde (Escuminac), Qc
(418) 330-1991

A stay in the Îles de la Madeleine is more than an exotic stopover in the middle of the Golfe Saint-Laurent. All local players are redoubling their efforts so that visitors, whether first-timers or repeat guests, fully enjoy their stay.

That's partly what drives the owners of Petit hôtel de la Montagne in Bassin, at the heart of the île du Havre-Aubert. Vincent and Jan-Nicolas fell in love with the islands from their first visit. "We landed in the Îles in 2016, and our hearts never truly left," they say. "Through travel, books and museums, we draw inspiration to create accommodations that blend contemporary design, refinement and maritime life." Since their arrival, they've acquired two other properties that offer accommodation before opening the Petit hôtel.

 Owners Vincent and Jan-Nicolas

Set in a former general store, Petit hôtel de la Montagne offers four very comfortable rooms, each with a private bathroom. Groups wanting to enjoy the space fully can also book it exclusively.

Access to the building and to each room is self-service, using individual code locks. The common areas are superb. On the ground floor, there is a café, a shop and art gallery, a laundry room and a large terrace. Upstairs, guests have an open kitchen, a library lounge and a dining room, creating an ideal space for remote work during the day.

 

Petit hôtel de la Montagne has a terrace and offers free Wi-Fi throughout its premises, as well as private parking.

The rooms were designed to offer a high level of comfort and refinement. Radiant floors, individual heating and air-conditioning controls, and high-end bedding are a few of the details that will make your stay exceptional.

The second floor of the building has a common area exclusive to guests of the four rooms. This shared space houses a fully equipped open-plan kitchen, a living room, and a dining room. It's the perfect place to relax, enjoy an aperitif, and meet people!

For young families, they offer family rooms with two beds, and also provide a travel cot, a booster seat, and children's dishes.



A project that spawns others

The owners of Petit hôtel de la Montagne had completed two earlier lodging projects before the Petit hôtel: Les Rochers, a one-of-a-kind house designed by an architect, and la Blanche de l'Ouest, a large house typical of the Îles, fully renovated.

They also partnered with other owners of similar lodgings to create Collection Maison Mer : a hotel-quality offering in the comfort of a private home. It offers a selection of rental houses and hotels on the Îles, where the comfort of a home meets the elegance of hotel services.

  

It's also worth noting the shop and gallery on the ground floor, Maison Papier. Maude Jomphe, a photographer and graphic designer, is behind the project. Visitors will find art prints by local artists, as well as frames and selected objects made by artisans from the Îles. You can also sit down there to enjoy a coffee.

Petit hôtel de la Montagne
petithoteldelamontagne.com
2979, ch. de la Montagne
Bassin
Îles de la Madeleine (Québec) G4T 0A4
438 816-9977

When Mathieu Guimond was developing his vision for a unique and distinctive lodging site in Gaspésie during the pandemic, he was struck by a spark of motivation that drove him to search for the perfect location.

It was upon seeing this expansive plot of land overlooking Gaspé Bay, perched atop the cliffs somewhere between Percé and Gaspé, that he decided this would be the place to bring his vision to life. It took him four months to negotiate with the Ontario-based owner. He even acquired adjacent plots and another strip on the mountain for future projects.

In 2020, he began work to prepare the vacant site, draft occupancy plans, design various chalet styles, develop the construction and interior design concepts, and coordinate with contractors to start building.

 
He planned underground electrical installations for each chalet, a potable water supply, and septic systems, ensuring that no unsightly elements would detract from the setting. The result is almost like a small independent village.

   
Chalets Nautika were built to offer an unforgettable Gaspésie experience. Stay in style and comfort while maintaining a connection with the natural beauty of a region full of attractions. You can even visit to enjoy the joys of Gaspésie’s winter. In addition to cozy, inviting accommodations, you'll be near places to enjoy unique activities like fat biking on the beach and in the forest, skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, skating, Nordic spas, and more.

The chalets feature a modern, minimalist design while being warm and welcoming. They are equipped with everything necessary for modern life. Mathieu has gone above and beyond to ensure travelers feel entirely at ease. The mattresses are superior to anything else on the market, he emphasizes. "All you need to bring are your clothes, toiletries, and food—everything else is already there," he says.

 
Nautika offers a form of “glamping”—a blend of glamour and camping. This eco-friendly lodging immerses you in nature while providing the luxury and amenities of a hotel room. Here, it’s upscale “ready-to-camp.”

From the moment you step in, the light-filled space with its large windows invites nature inside. Throughout the seasons—under the sun, the stars, or with the sunrise on the point—Chalets Nautika provide a serene oasis. This scenic location offers panoramic views and top-tier comfort in Gaspésie.

 
Currently, the site features 20 chalets: 2 double units in the front, 5 double units in the rear, and 13 regular two-bed units scattered throughout. Plans are underway to add two more rear units and seven on a neighboring lot by 2023–2024. The site operates year-round. Chalet access is via a code for a key box mounted outside.

The site offers abundant entertainment options, including children’s games, hiking trails, cross-country ski tracks, birdwatching, volleyball, badminton, pétanque courts, campfire wood, and an on-site laundry facility. A semi-private beach is just 1 km away.

Chalets Nautika are just 15 minutes from Gaspé and 30 minutes from Forillon National Park and Percé, making it an ideal base to enjoy nearby tourist attractions.

Reservations can be made online through the Nautika website or other platforms like Airbnb.

One thing is certain: Mathieu Guimond (pictured) has plenty more ideas and projects in mind for this site and the surrounding area. Stay tuned to see what he has planned next.

Chalets Nautika Gaspésie
chaletsnautikagaspesie.ca
1961, Boul. Douglas
Gaspé, QC G4X 2W9
1 (866) 467-0801

Miscou Island, in the Acadian Peninsula, is exceptionally beautiful. No wonder Michèle Garceau and her family chose to make it their home more than 10 years ago. She had found her partner there some fifteen years earlier. Today, she runs what became her project as early as 2012, though it took time to come to fruition for various reasons, including the tragic death of her partner and, of course, the COVID pandemic. 

Notably, this anthropology graduate, who has worked for over 25 years in Québec in television and film production, among other fields, covering social, cultural, anthropological, human, and many other interests, has since added another string to her professional bow: lobster boat captain since 2016. She remains one of the few women in the Maritimes to practise this trade, which was in fact the subject of a documentary (*) in recent years.

Once the fishing season ends in June, her project at La vieille école de Miscou takes over for the summer season, running through October.

La vieille école de Miscou, which she owns, is now part of the socio-economic, tourism and cultural landscape of the island and indeed the entire region. "I bought the school thinking I wanted to do something creative," she explains. Life's twists and turns delayed things somewhat, but over the past three years, the project has finally taken shape and become a reality.
 

The building, built in the 1950s, has two floors and aims to be a multipurpose space based on Michèle Garceau's concept of a house for travellers, artists and locals. Extensive renovation, improvement and redevelopment work has been carried out over the past 10 years. The upper floor has eight well-appointed rooms with bathrooms, each accommodating 2 to 5 people, for a total of 32 people. There is also a coffee corner and an equipped kitchen for meals served in the dining room. Downstairs, a large community room will host gatherings, performances, conferences or receptions starting in summer 2024.
 

At the back, on the spacious grounds surrounded by trees and greenery, covered structures have been set up to host family activities, yoga classes, or other gatherings. Smaller ones can be used for sheltered picnics, while two others house a spa, accessible to guests staying in the rooms. The courtyard can host all kinds of outdoor activities, tailored to the seasons.

In August, around National Acadian Day, they hold the popular Festival du thon, featuring games, music, food, entertainment, contests, tastings, a family celebration, and more.

Michèle Garceau notes that for the past three years, the venue has hosted private events throughout spring and autumn, both before and after the tourist season. These events occupy the space entirely or in part, for a few days or even whole weeks. The venue is a favourite with event organizers seeking a calm, well-organized, welcoming, and versatile location. The administrators and members of Caraquet's LGBT organization Acadie Love even held an orientation meeting there last autumn. Before closing for winter, a large Halloween party for the local and regional community was held there in 2023. We can bet it will return in the coming years.


Public access to the rooms and restaurant is mainly from around June 19 to October 15. "Actually, once the bog has lost its fiery red," recalls Michèle Garceau. "Toward late September and early October, it's practically a ritual, with everyone coming to Miscou to see this annual spectacle." 

During the season, you can enjoy the seasonal licensed café/restaurant. In addition to the café corner, which serves coffees, smoothies, croissants, chocolatines and muffins, traditional breakfasts and lunch are also available. They also serve lattes and iced lattes, homemade fish cakes, filled paninis, and even a homemade Caesar salad and lobster roll. Whether you're staying a few days or just stopping by on a visit to the historic 23-metre lighthouse at the island's tip, you'll be welcome, says Michèle Garceau.

  

La vieille école is proud to contribute to Miscou Island's economic and tourism growth, employing 8 to 10 people from June to September.

La vieille école de Miscou
facebook.com/LavieilleecoledeMiscou
506.344.0190
10577, New Brunswick 113
Miscou, NB E8T 1Z6

(*) Femmes capitaines, 2022, tou.tv. Available online for free. ici.tou.tv/femmes-capitaines

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