Almost at the eastern tip of the island, the site offers views of the great Saint-Laurent stretching as far as the eye can see. The fine trees along the road offer a cool oasis where one lingers to read or simply admire the landscape. Entering the main building, standing here since 1961, visitors are struck by the splendour of the reception desk, its lines echoing those of a schooner's railing. A unique piece, made by a long-time artisan employee.
The memory of Captain Desbiens, grandfather of the current owner, is omnipresent here. His cap, photos, and various artifacts are scattered across the floor and walls of the reception area and adjoining dining room.
Why come here? "For happiness," replies Marcelle Tremblay, the reception manager. Seven rooms in the hotel and 13 more in the adjacent motel. Pets welcome. Heated river-water pool. Spa and sauna. The renowned Saturday dinner concerts in high season, hosted by the hostess herself.
Speaking of the dining room, its menu changes daily. A mix of regional terroir products and traditional cuisine. Variety is a constant.
So many stories and legends can be felt in this welcoming place. The lives of sailors have always permeated this island's history. We've all seen or heard of the films about the boats, the schooners, and the daily lives of the island's fishermen and sailors by filmmaker Pierre Perrault, a son of Charlevoix. In this hotel, you can feel its moods, and the walls recount great fragments of them.
Hôtel du Capitaine
hotelducapitaine.com
3033, chemin des Coudriers
Île-aux-Coudres. Qc
418.438.2242
Having moved to Les Méchins a year ago, Daphné and Elaine were making a dream come true: living by the sea. They had fallen in love with this little yellow house in the heart of Les Méchins, with its uninterrupted view of the sea. In this Matanie, which enjoys some of the most beautiful sunsets in Québec, they felt they were in paradise. The stars aligned, and they bought it last year.
They immediately saw the opportunity to share their little piece of paradise with friends. So they converted a loft on the ground floor. This comfortable two-bedroom vacation rental with its own entrance can easily accommodate 3 to 5 people. With its kitchen, living room, and dining area, guests are fully self-sufficient. And as a bonus, they have access to the small private beach right in front of the house at the mouth of the little river, whose waters are swimmable in the summer.
In the heart of the village, near the wharf and the municipal park by the sea, it's an excellent spot for observing marine mammals or collecting seashells on the shore. At the edge of the Matanie, Les Méchins borders Cap-Chat and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. The loft can therefore serve as a base for visiting the attractions of the Matanie as well as those of Cap-Chat or Ste-Anne-des-Monts, and the Chic-chocs Mountains in the hinterland.
And of course, it's a very welcoming place for LGBT tourists. Although it's easy to find since everyone in Les Méchins knows La Petite Maison jaune and its new hosts, I'll give you the contact details.
The Little Yellow House
514.895.5294
ribeler2@gmail.com
Pierre Perreault
A stone's throw from the town of Matane, a little further east on the shores of the Saint-Laurent Estuary, a building has stood for over 80 years. Known from 1940 to 1970 as the Magasin général de Petit-Matane, it was owned by Armand Gauthier. Left unoccupied for nearly 25 years, it wasn't until 2004 that it was revived as a museum and restaurant, a role it held until 2013.
At the time, many visitors were able to see much of the store's inventory, which remained intact. Since 2014, the Ancien Magasin Général has had a new owner, Cathy Truchon, a Matane native, who has undertaken a bold restoration to bring the period building back to life.
Today, it offers probably one of the most authentic and original accommodations in Gaspésie, just steps from the shores of the mighty Saint-Laurent. The blend of old and new gives a unique character to each of the two sections that make up the house: the living quarters and the shop. Right on the waterfront, this house is the ideal place for a relaxing stay in a stunning setting.
Although its role as a museum has been abandoned, the building remains an important reminder of a not-so-distant past, when the local general store played a central role in supplying the community. The two accommodations thus offer guests staying for a few days subtle nods to the era when it was still a general store.
The "shop" section sleeps 7, while the "residential section" (where the merchant and his family lived) sleeps 6. The entire property can also be rented by a single group for larger parties.
Of course, both sections come with all the amenities you'd expect: all kitchen utensils are included, even lobster crackers, basic spices, coffee (Nespresso and filter), bedding, towels, paper towel, tissues, shampoo, soap, outdoor BBQ, etc. In fact, guests only need to bring their personal belongings.
Guests can also enjoy TVs with Netflix access, as well as a record player with vintage vinyl records found in the house when it was acquired.
The basement is perfect for teenagers, with a small lounge, a game console, and a popular arcade machine.
Finally, guests can use two sea kayaks to enjoy the waters of the estuary when the weather permits.
Of course, internet access is available, making it an ideal spot for remote work with friends or family.
You'll find everything you need to stock up on food nearby, including lobster, fish, and seafood, depending on the season. Excellent restaurants are also not far away. The owner will know which ones to recommend, if needed.
Take a look at the photos accompanying this profile. They'll convince you to book a stay soon.
827 Chemin de la Grève, Matane, QC G4W 7A1
514-594-3534
AirBnB page
Facebook page
Other accommodations offered by Cathy Truchon in the area
Two other properties are available for short- or long-term stays, each with different features. La Maison du Littoral and Cabine F., in Matane-sur-Mer, are located directly on the seafront with private beach access, as is the Magasin Général.
La Maison du Littoral offers a breathtaking view of the estuary, an ever-changing tableau that shifts with the weather. Sleeps 6 · 3 bedrooms · 3 beds · 1.5 bathrooms
Cabine F. offers a striking industrial-style loft design, sleeping 6 · 3 bedrooms · 3 beds · 2 bathrooms.
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
By Gaëtan Vaudry
According to Marie Lerdu, the lodging manager, the project to restore this 1960s motel was a bit of a wild idea. Nevertheless, this initiative has borne fruit, as today, the Auberge Camp de Base, located at the entrance to L'Anse Saint-Jean in the heart of the Bas Saguenay valley, has quickly become a true hub of village life.
In addition to efficiently managing the lodging aspect of the establishment (9 rooms, a dormitory, a communal kitchen, and several camping areas), the team at Auberge Camp de Base also offers a resto-bar highlighting local products, including meats and fish smoked on-site. After a few weeks of rest, the resto-bar team is back for the colorful winter season. On the menu, a complete tourist experience in the Bas-Saguenay area, in partnership with Mont-Édouard, Entre Chien et Loups, and Saguenay Adventures. Indulge in one of the excursion packages that connect you with 40 malamute dogs in the heart of the Fjord-du-Saguenay mountains, or enjoy essential days of alpine skiing, snowshoeing, Fatbike, and cross-country skiing.
Upon returning to Auberge Camp de Base, you can relax and enjoy a unique culinary experience, as the establishment is certified as a flavor ambassador by Zone Boréale, placing great importance on the origin of its local or regional products: "Although the place attracts a large number of tourists throughout the year, we have the reputation of being a social gathering place for village residents," shares Marie Lerdu. "The mix of tourists and our residents creates very warm evenings. That's why we've just made some renovations, allowing us to offer several themed evenings to our customers." In the coming months, Auberge Camp de Base will offer art openings, song performances, improvisation, and even board game nights.
Open from Thursday to Saturday starting at 4 PM, the resto-bar at Auberge Camp de Base invites you to its Holiday season party on the upcoming Saturday, December 16, starting at 6 PM. The group Les Quêteux du Lac-St-Jean will perform traditional call-and-response songs, accompanied by the experienced caller Ghislain Jutras. Tickets priced at $18 are available on site. The upcoming evenings' programming will be available through the official Facebook page of the inn: https://facebook.com/aubergelecampdebase.
Furthermore, the management of Auberge Camp de Base is delighted to participate as an official exhibitor at the European Christmas Market of Saguenay, held from November 30 to December 3 and from December 7 to 10 at Place du Citoyen in Chicoutimi. On-site, over 32 exhibitors, mulled wine, and hundreds of gift ideas, all in an enchanting and magical Christmas setting.
Auberge Camp de Base
5, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste
L'Anse-Saint-Jean
https://aubergecampdebase.com
