Entrepreneurs and businesspeople are often the ones behind great stories, the kind we want to tell and share. While we often hear unhappy tales when businesses go wrong, other people's successes are worth taking the trouble to bring into the open.

Carl Bourget and his family's story is just such a tale. For years, he owned a vineyard, a cidery, and a distillery in Lévis's Pintendre sector, in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. He wanted to expand his operations, but space was limited at his existing location. Today, after more than three years of effort and approximately $3 million in investment, Distillerie Cap-Chat holds a prominent place in Gaspésie.

A Fruitful Venture

After more than 25 years in business and solid results, Carl Bourget began looking for a new site in the greater Québec area and on the South Shore. After several unsuccessful attempts, his son's suggestion steered his search in a new direction: why not relocate to a tourist destination? Having grown up on the Îles de la Madeleine and in Gaspé, Carl naturally looked first to Gaspésie.

In the spring of 2021, Carl and his son Pierre-Étienne set out to explore together. Their first stop was in Haute-Gaspésie, in Cap-Chat, where, as it turned out, they never needed to look any further for the ideal site. A visit to the municipal office to explore the potential of the location led them to a large warehouse, a former shrimp processing plant now used as an automobile storage site.

As soon as they stepped inside, they could see it was exactly what they had in mind: right on Route 132, facing the sea, just steps from a municipal rest stop, in a hub of the wind-power industry, at the gateway to a vast tourist region that is popular and sought-after in every season. The final advantage for their project, and not the least, was Cap-Chat's groundwater: fed by mountain springs in the nearby Chic-Chocs, it is of remarkable quality and nearly inexhaustible. The distillery's raw material was thus assured.

Negotiations with the owner moved quickly. And so, in May 2021, they took possession of the premises and began renovating and installing the distillation equipment. Meanwhile, Carl Bourget completed the sale of his Lévis facilities, to finally dedicate himself fully to his new baby. In a crowning stroke of good fortune, one day while he and his son were measuring the building, the owner of the neighbouring house mentioned that he was interested in selling, which did not fall on deaf ears.

Shortly afterwards, the Bourget family also became the owners of a sturdy, handsome residence right next door to their distillery. They say luck often attracts opportunity, and here was another eloquent demonstration of it.

The Wind in Its Sails
After more than a year of construction, installation, testing and planning, the first customers were able to purchase Distillerie Cap-Chat products in December 2022. The distillery produces a diverse range of spirits and liqueurs made from herbs and aromatic plants, several of them harvested in Gaspésie, such as flowering dune pepper, wild rose, thuja and balsam fir.

Since then, the company has kept growing and adding new products, all in 375 ml and 175 ml sizes. A fortunate marketing move, says Carl Bourget, that lets customers buy two or three different products instead of just one in the standard 750 ml or 1 L size. “It's also a product that fits well in the gift category,” he adds.

As it marks its second anniversary in December 2024, there are 13 products available, with a 14th, a strawberry liqueur, coming out for the holidays. Meanwhile, Distillerie Cap-Chat is awaiting a decision from the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) to market three of its products: Gin Pin Gris, Limoncello and Liqueur de framboise.

 

For the past year, Pierre-Étienne Bourget, vice-president of production, has been producing educational videos in English and French for the distillery's Facebook page, covering the distillery, its processes and other aspects of production and product development. He has also developed on-site cocktail-making workshops with a mixology expert, a format that will eventually be offered again.

Visitors can stop by Distillerie Cap-Chat for a product tasting or an interpretive tour. There's also a room available to host groups or local events such as cocktail parties, book launches, or other activities.

The company employs seven full-time staff, and production and sales run year-round, seven days a week, with varying hours.

Distillerie Cap-Chat
distilleriecapchat.com
16, rue Notre-Dame Est
Cap-Chat (Qc) G0J 1G0
418 575-7899

By Gaëtan Vaudry

I knew that stopping in Baie-Comeau, an industrial-port city on the North Shore, would give me the chance to meet friendly people. This was indeed the case with Frédéric St-Laurent Garon, one of the three shareholders of the Boucherie les trois p'tits cochons. Getting to know Fred, as everyone calls him, is to meet a passionate craftsman. For him, meats hold no secrets, not to mention sushi, of which he became a master over a good decade. The most loyal customers praise the impeccable service of the butchery's team, as well as the great variety of numerous products, their quality, and the much-anticipated return of the sushi counter.

Fred and his partner make it a duty to offer a good dozen products from local producers (including those from Les jardins de Carmanor farm), and several products from Boucherie les trois p'tits cochons also feature on the menus of Manicouagan restaurants: "It's important for us to promote the work of local artisans," the main interested party emphasizes. "We're even thinking of proposing to another butchery in the region to create a new sauce with us. Simply to demonstrate the beautiful fraternity that exists between the businesses of Baie-Comeau."

Well worth the detour!

Among the top sellers at Boucherie les trois p'tits cochons are, of course, classic beef, but also marinated meats, a wide variety of sausages, charcuteries (including those from Charcuterie Le porc-épique), beef and salmon tartares, not to mention the veal and haskap berry tartare, a real lightly fruity delight, and the house's cheeseburger tartare. During my visit, Fred had just finished preparing stuffed jalapeno peppers with cheese and wrapped in bacon... who can top that?

Always in search of novelties, Fred is very happy about his new collaboration with Pinto's MC Wagyu, offering Wagyu beef of exceptional quality, originating from Japan. "The quality of this beef is incredible," the young businessman points out. "And its flavor, highly enhanced. It's not cheap, but it's worth the detour!"

Fred and his team have many projects. The return of the popular sushi counter shows just how much this product is in demand at the Baie-Comeau butchery: "The boxes disappear almost the moment we place them in the counter," explains the expert. "We are therefore in constant production, to meet the high demand." I personally had the chance to experience a dish of 10 sushis, specially prepared by dear Fred. And I can now understand the enthusiasm of aficionados for this excellent product of Boucherie les trois p'tits cochons!

Boucherie les trois p'tits cochons
873, rue Bossé, Baie-Comeau
418 294-0804
Visit the butchery's Facebook page

CARGO’s name is displayed proudly across the front of RIÔTEL-MATANE, making the restaurant impossible to miss. In 2025, it marked 10 years at the hotel, although long-time residents and regular visitors will remember that food service has occupied this same space for roughly 60 years, originally under the Hôtel des Gouverneurs banner.

Today, CARGO has shed its old skin and become a distinctive restaurant that offers a year-round nod to Matane’s industrial and maritime heritage. Its decor charms with its fixtures, simple raw materials and interior design, which create a particularly welcoming atmosphere in which to fully enjoy both the menu and the natural setting.



The feature that most surprises and delights on arrival is the broad wall of glass overlooking the Saint-Laurent and the vast expanse of its maritime estuary. The larger-than-life landscape is captivating in every season, as are the spectacular sunsets that unfold day after day. Boats entering and leaving the neighbouring marina add to the holiday atmosphere and sense of maritime life.

Before dinner, guests can enjoy an aperitif in the CARGO LOUNGE, which offers house cocktails, regional and imported beers, and wines from an extensive cellar. Mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks are also available, and the lemonade deserves a mention. The lounge suits groups of friends, families or simply a relaxed 5 à 7. In season and weather permitting, the outdoor terrace extends the experience for meals and cocktails alike, always with a sweeping view unique to Matane.

 

A private room built inside a shipping container can seat 10 for a birthday, business lunch or similar occasion.

CARGO serves breakfast and dinner to local patrons and guests of both Riôtel-Matane and Pavillon-sur-Mer. A team of seasoned chefs led by chef Jean-Alexandre Dubé creates what RIÔTEL describes as simple, high-quality and approachable food: urban bistro cuisine inspired by Gaspésie flavours, with vegetarian dishes and a children’s menu. Takeout is available, and several dishes can be prepared gluten-free.

A number of menu items merit particular attention. Starters include duck drumsticks with crisp-pepper sour cream and foie gras au torchon with brioche, sea-buckthorn jelly and beet caramel. The flavours are undeniable. The beef and salmon tartares are also highlights. Main courses offer plenty of choice: fish and seafood, pasta, tartares, meats, burgers and vegan dishes. We enjoyed the house cod fish and chips, which evokes Gaspésie, and the AAA Angus flank steak and vegetables, worthy of a leading steakhouse.

 

Desserts are limited in number but strong in quality, including a smooth cheesecake and banana tart filled with generous pieces of fruit.

At breakfast, CARGO offers a broad selection of plates, some incorporating seafood and even a breakfast poutine. Eggs and crêpes are served in several styles, accompanied by excellent coffee for those who need it to begin the day.

CARGO’s welcome and service are reputed to be of superior quality. Malela has worked there for 10 years, first as a server and more recently as maître d’hôtel, coordinating operations in the dining room and lounge.

Because Riôtel-Matane includes a convention centre, event participants also benefit from CARGO’s kitchen for catered meals. Following the acquisition of three other Gaspésie hotels, Groupe Riôtel Hospitalité extended the same broad menu concept to their restaurants, with variations showcasing local specialities in Percé, Bonaventure and, most recently, Carleton-sur-Mer.



Resto-bar-lounge CARGO
restocargo.com
250, avenue du Phare Est
Matane (Qc) G4W 3N4
418.566.2651

As you turn onto the steep road at the top of the hill and descend toward a row of white forms set along the shore a few kilometres east of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts in Haute-Gaspésie, the almost magical landscape is striking.

One founder acquired the land more than 15 years ago. In 2022, the first seven factory-built units, made in Lévis, were transported to the property for installation, interior fitting and finishing. Three more followed in 2024, completing a year-round group of lodges beside the Saint-Laurent estuary.
 

Panora – Loges fluviales grew from the vision of entrepreneur Ghislain Rousseau; his son, Marc-André; his nephew, Cédric Andrews; and marketing director and co-founder Hubert Parent. The four founders chose the location in part for its natural beauty and share the values at Panora’s core: comfort, innovation, quality and simplicity.

Behind the project is Biome Canada, a Lévis company with more than 15 years’ experience manufacturing and selling yurts and ready-to-camp accommodation, which decided to create a lodging destination of its own. With the land already secured, the team designed a chalet model aligned with those values. The result, it must be said, is most astonishing.

Why call the units ‘loges’? ‘The word refers to an opera or theatre box, where we have a view of the stage, in this case the Saint-Laurent estuary,’ explains Hubert Parent. ‘The panorama is what guests mention again and again. A photograph cannot convey the feeling: the calm and the privacy. “Loge” was simply more appropriate than cabin or chalet,’ he adds.

  

Panora – Loges fluviales therefore offers discreet, minimalist accommodation ideally placed for immersion in nature and easy access to an array of activities offering sensory experiences in abundance. The 10 units, seven with two bedrooms, are fully equipped with everything needed for a stay. Guests can feel comfortable, removed from everyday bustle and immersed in the natural setting. Although the lodges stand just beside the main road, they remain out of sight until visitors take the steep access road down the cliff. ‘You cannot see them from the road, and most of the time you hear waves, seabirds and wind rather than traffic,’ says Parent.

The first striking feature on site is the white vinyl membrane, an unusual cladding for this kind of building. More commonly used on urban ‘white roofs,’ including heat-island mitigation projects, it gives the rounded structures a unique, slightly futuristic character.

 

The material’s manufacturer was somewhat sceptical at first but was satisfied with the result after visiting the site. In addition to its appearance, the membrane reflects sunlight and contributes to the building’s insulation. The vinyl-fabric shell is durable, requires no maintenance even in a saltwater environment and can be replaced easily, ensuring durability and efficiency.

 

From an Adirondack chair on the long balcony, with a hot tub at one end, guests look out over a multitude of wild grasses, seaweed, large rocks and tide pools. Herons and other waterbirds are frequent visitors, as are the fascinating seals basking on rocks offshore. The shoreline can be walked for roughly 800 metres in either direction. Each lodge has a fire pit and two metal benches that can be converted into a table. Then there are the celebrated sunsets over the water.

 

The fragile ecosystem surrounding the site must be protected. The layout was designed to prevent erosion between the lodges and the shoreline, and the highly responsible construction incorporates certain recycled materials. Because the structure uses no conventional boards or framing members, its walls, floors and ceilings contain no thermal bridges and reduce annual operating costs for heating, cleaning and cooling by 40–60% compared with traditional prefabricated buildings. There are also no foundations to disrupt the soil. Beside the majestic waterway, where a breeze always blows, floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors create natural cross-ventilation in every room, eliminating the need for mechanical air conditioning.

To round off the many features that set the loges fluviales apart, two electric-vehicle charging stations are already available, with two more planned for 2025.

Does Panora plan further development here or elsewhere? Hubert Parent mentions the possibility of adding a few more units on a second tier. A new waterfront site somewhere between Lévis and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts is also possible if a suitable location and affordable land can be found.

Panora · Loges fluviales
panoraloges.ca
610, boul. Sainte-Anne Est
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC, G4V 1P2
418-907-9153

Over the last twenty years, Saint-Roch has earned the nickname “Nouvo Saint-Roch.” Right in its center, the Hôtel Royal William, now owned by Sept-Îles entrepreneur, hotelier, and developer Simon Dubé, has been reborn since 2018. Today, it brings a fresh dose of charm to Québec’s lower town, blending elegance, history, and great food.

Dubé’s journey wasn’t easy. Soon after buying the hotel, he faced a pandemic and a restaurant fire. A $6 million renovation followed, updating the 47 rooms and studios, refreshing the lobby, and giving the ground-floor restaurant a new Italian identity as Mila. Work has also been underway since 2026 to redesign the building’s façade on boulevard Charest.

  

The hotel has long been a favorite among Québec and Montréal’s artists and public figures. Its location is hard to beat, just steps from Saint-Roch’s cultural spots, restaurants, and the historic upper town. Parking is available nearby, under the Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy. The meeting rooms work for corporate events, training sessions, cocktails, birthdays, or product launches. Many rooms and suites even have kitchenettes, so guests can cook a meal or grab a quick bite without leaving. 

 

MILA Ristorante, the hotel’s completely reimagined restaurant, serves up refined Italian cuisine with carefully chosen ingredients. Co-owner Tchad Khalil, a passionate Italian food lover, brings years of restaurant experience to the table. He found a like-minded partner in Simon Dubé. “We wanted to create a place where every meal feels like a journey, something that comforts and inspires,” Khalil says. Mila also serves breakfast, with a hearty buffet open to hotel guests and anyone else craving a flavorful start to the day.

Saint-Roch wasn’t always this lively. Once a working-class neighborhood, it’s now a prime example of urban renewal in Québec. Development projects, creative businesses like video game studios and tech labs, a thriving arts scene, university outposts, and major organizations have all helped transform the area. The old energy is back, but with a modern twist, making Saint-Roch one of the city’s most dynamic districts.

The revitalization of Saint-Roch is part of a larger effort to expand public spaces, support local businesses, and preserve the area’s heritage. The building that’s housed the Royal William for over 25 years is one of those gems, its façade reminiscent of the long, retro-style hotels of 1920s Manhattan. “I wanted a boutique hotel that felt different from Québec’s bigger chains, a place without pretension, where you feel at home, with good service at fair prices,” says Simon Dubé.

  

For history lovers, the shift from sail to steam in the 19th century changed global trade forever. The first transatlantic crossing by a steamship was a major achievement. While other countries have claimed the honor, Canada holds it. The Royal William, a paddle steamer built at Québec’s Campbell and Black shipyard, made the journey from Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Portsmouth, England, in 1833, proving it was the first.

 The Royal William, built in Québec in the early 1830s.

Québec recently announced a 2026–2029 plan to invest $80 million in Saint-Roch, with big ambitions for the district over the next 15 years.

Hôtel Royal William royalwilliam.com
360 boulevard Charest Est Québec, QC G1K 3H4
(418) 521-4488

The flagship of the Riôtel Hospitalité group in Gaspésie, Riôtel-Matane was also the first property to bear the name, replacing the former Hôtel des Gouverneurs after Groupe Rioux acquired it in 1984. In addition to an original accommodation experience, distinctive comfort, modern amenities and breathtaking views, the property is also well known for CARGO, its restaurant, bar and lounge. Popular with locals and travellers alike, CARGO offers urban bistro cuisine inspired by Gaspésie flavours, a seaside terrace and spectacular sunsets.



In the years after the acquisition, the hotel was renovated and a convention centre added. Then, in 1995, growing demand for accommodation led to the construction of a new building next to the hotel in Matane, now known as Pavillon sur Mer. Major renovations and expansion of Riôtel-Matane’s main building in 2014 and 2015, including an indoor pool, gym, sauna and the CARGO restaurant, completed an $8 million investment plan that gave Matane an international-calibre hotel.
  

The complex alone creates a maritime atmosphere from the moment visitors leave Route 132–avenue du Phare, just beyond the bridge over the rivière Matane, and approach the striking modern main building. The marina at the river mouth, where it meets the Saint-Laurent, forms a unique backdrop for Pavillon-sur-Mer above it and for nearby Riôtel-Matane, which stands almost directly on the beach.



Needless to say, in summer, when vacationers fill the area, the atmosphere is at its liveliest. The heated outdoor pool beside the sea lets guests of both properties enjoy the day, until the sun drops into the distance and disappears below the water, an endlessly compelling spectacle. Guests also receive complimentary electric-vehicle charging.

Riôtel-Matane offers several categories of rooms year-round, including superior rooms in the stepped section at one end of the building, with either sea or city views. Pavillon-sur-Mer, with its unobstructed outlook, offers 24 simpler, comfortable rooms at a lower price and strikes the right balance between service and budget. Preferential rates are also available for stays of seven days or more.

Riôtel-Matane’s rooms include everything needed for optimal comfort: comfortable beds; convenient, well-organized workspaces; multi-socket outlets for electronic devices; high-speed internet; air conditioning; a mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker; a smart television; private balconies in many rooms; and numerous other amenities that make the stay thoroughly pleasant.



In all, the hotel has 68 rooms facing either the Saint-Laurent or the city, all accessible by elevator. Options include Comfort rooms with river-view balconies, family rooms sleeping up to six, rooms with foldaway beds and rooms with direct access to the parking lot.

Finally, another important asset for business travellers and event and party organizers is Riôtel-Matane’s spacious, modern convention centre. Its fully equipped, multipurpose rooms, several overlooking the sea, can accommodate 10 to 450 people in various configurations. Conventions, business meetings, weddings, press conferences, training sessions, workshops, cocktail receptions, 5 à 7 gatherings, holiday celebrations and office parties can all be accommodated.
Riôtel-Carleton has another major year-round convention centre, while Riôtel-Percé and Riôtel-Bonaventure can host smaller events in a meeting room or restaurant during their summer operating season.

With four properties in Gaspésie, the Riôtel chain plays a major role in business and leisure accommodation, higher-end dining and event hosting through its two convention centres. Groupe Riôtel Hospitalité was created in 1997 and is chaired by François Rioux, the founder’s son, who has led the business since 1990. Since then, the Gaspésie hotel group has grown remarkably and developed a concept and service signature that make Riôtel-Matane a model of its kind for accommodation and hotel services in Gaspésie.

riotel.com/fr/hotels/matane
1 888 427 7374
250, avenue du Phare Est Matane (Québec) G4W 3N4

Promotional material and the description on the Riôtel group’s website may prepare visitors for what awaits, but the view revealed on entering the dining room of the Paqbo restaurant at RIÔTEL-PERCÉ is still utterly spectacular. The fascination Rocher Percé exerts on everyone, even after several visits, is undeniable.

Set just below Côte Surprise on Route 132, a few steps from the beach and commanding a majestic view of the area’s great landmark, Rocher Percé, the hotel formerly known as Bonaventure sur Mer became the group’s third acquisition in 2003 and has operated as Riôtel-Percé ever since.

In addition to the main building, which houses reception and the Paqbo restaurant, the hotel complex has two accommodation pavilions: Île Bonaventure and Rocher Percé. Many rooms naturally look directly onto these two defining features of the local landscape, while several balconies and a large outdoor terrace allow guests to enjoy the panorama at any time.

Locals know that daylight contributes greatly to the atmosphere. From sunrise directly behind the rock to the moment it disappears behind the mountains to the west, bathing the landscape in golden light, every moment of the day is unforgettable. As a seasonal hotel, Riôtel-Percé is open from late spring to mid-autumn, the best time to enjoy all it has to offer.

The hotel offers several room categories, from Classic and Superior rooms to suites, rooms with kitchenettes and family accommodation. Most look directly over baie de Percé. Renovations carried out in several parts of the hotel between 2013 and 2019 moved the property upmarket and ensure an optimal quality of stay.

Direct beach access makes it easy to take long walks to nearby shops, cafés, art galleries, bars and restaurants while enjoying a panorama that never grows old. Cruises to Rocher Percé and Île Bonaventure, both essential experiences, also depart conveniently close to the hotel.

 
Gourmets and food lovers will be glad to sit down at the Paqbo restaurant for a Riôtel-style breakfast or return at the end of the day for dinner in the dining room or on the outdoor terrace. The restaurant is also a place for an aperitif or simply a cocktail with friends or family. Paqbo’s menu follows the broad approach used at the group’s other Gaspésie hotels, with variations that showcase local specialities. From starter to dessert, the culinary experience is remarkable: contemporary, sea-inspired and approachable food. Treat yourself to the seafood coquille, maple-glazed ribs and lime tart, among others.

 

In the evening, guests can enjoy the day’s final light or the beauty of a star-filled sky, the salt air and the sound of the waves around a campfire near the beach, either alone or with other visitors.

Riôtel-Percé
riotel.com/fr/hotels/perce
261 QC-132 W
Percé, QC G0C 2L0
1 800-463-4212

Looking for a bite before or after a show or a shopping trip? The rue Saint-Joseph corridor offers a wide range of excellent restaurants. Le 101 Restaurant provides a fine-dining experience built around seasonal French cuisine, refined menus and exceptional wines. Unless you have a soft spot for the bistro at Le Clocher Penché? It is always a real pleasure to sit down at this indomitable bistro, whose craft centres on products from local artisans.
A few steps away, Torii Izakaya offers shareable plates and a regular menu worthy of modern bistronomy, a perfect blend of Japanese and French cooking in an elegant Japanese-style wine bar. At Hôtel Royal William on boulevard Charest, Mila celebrates Italy with a bold Québec accent.
Nearby, anyone with a sweet tooth can stop at Champagne Chocolatier, where master chocolatier Natalie Déchène and her passionate team have offered high-end chocolate, pastry and marzipan creations for more than 20 years.
Craft-beer enthusiasts will want to quench their thirst at microbrasserie La Barberie, which has become a neighbourhood institution over nearly three decades, or try the newer Korrigane Brasserie Artisanale on rue Dorchester.
On rue Saint-Vallier, Les Salons d’Edgar combines comfort food, carefully made cocktails, an eclectic atmosphere and a large, welcoming space. Across its two rooms each evening, the venue offers pool tables, a small stage, dance events and even two bars, one at the front and one at the back, creating distinct atmospheres. Visitors may encounter Robert Lepage, a regular at this emblematic Québec nightlife venue.

The newest member of the RIÔTEL family is by no means the least. In 2024, Hostellerie Baie-Bleue in Carleton-sur-Mer, which had operated under that name for about 30 years, was rebranded as Riôtel-Carleton. The hotel complex spans several buildings and includes not only accommodation but also a very popular restaurant and a convention centre serving the entire region.


Proudly facing the sea on Baie des Chaleurs, Riôtel-Carleton offers 105 rooms and suites in several categories across roughly five pavilions, as well as four lofts and one fully equipped chalet sleeping 16. A heated outdoor pool a few dozen metres from the beach welcomes guests every day in season when weather permits. The tastefully decorated rooms often have private balconies and include all the amenities needed for a pleasant stay.



 

The main pavilion houses reception and, on the second floor, Resto-pub Saint-Joseph, a lively, popular year-round venue seating as many as 250 people, in addition to a covered outdoor terrace. For many years, its family-style menu and relaxed sports-bar atmosphere have brought generations together. On July 8, the restaurant introduced the Riôtel menu already offered at the group’s three other Gaspésie hotels. As at those properties, local culinary specialities have been added to the regular breakfast and dinner selections. Takeout is also available. The new menu, described as contemporary, maritime and approachable, will certainly bring fresh energy to Pub Saint-Joseph.

 
 

On the ground floor of the same pavilion, Churros & Crème Glacée offers handmade churros and a surprising selection of frozen treats from Thursday to Sunday during the season.

Riôtel-Carleton also houses the Centre des congrès de la Gaspésie, which has welcomed events and meetings year-round since 2009. Organizations have access to multipurpose rooms, state-of-the-art equipment and qualified staff who support event promoters and organizers. Riôtel-Carleton’s accommodation and food services are a major asset for the convention centre.


Direct beach access and the many nearby water activities provide further reasons to stay at the property.

Riôtel-Carleton
riotel.com/fr/hotels/carleton
482, Bd Perron
Carleton-sur-Mer, QC G0C 1J0
418.364.3355

Mélissa Spénard-Lefebvre and Louis-Charles Tremblay became the new owners of Chez Temporel in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic. Taking over a place this loved wasn’t something they did on a whim. They wanted to keep what made it special, so they put their energy into giving the café a fresh start while staying true to its roots.

Louis-Charles brought a mix of skills to the table, real estate experience, business know-how, and an engineering background, plus a degree in civil engineering. In 2023, he also bought the Auberge de la Paix next door, a youth hostel that’s been a Vieux-Québec staple since 1972.

Louis-Charles Tremblay (right) with the district’s city councillor and Jean Boissonnault, who co-founded Temporel, at the café’s 50th-anniversary party in 2024.

Since 1974, Chez Temporel has sat on rue Couillard in the heart of Vieux-Québec, right inside the old city walls. It’s the kind of place where students, locals, artists, and visitors from Europe and beyond still come to hang out, create, and connect.
For a whole generation of writers and artists, Temporel was more than just a café. “Vieux-Québec was where you felt the French side of Québec,” says author Martin Têtu, who grew up in the neighborhood and wrote the novel *Félix au Café Temporel*. “People discovered café allongés, croissants, and French music here.”

At a 2024 event celebrating the café’s 50th anniversary, speakers talked about how important neighborhood spots like Temporel are for keeping Vieux-Québec’s culture alive. When the café opened, the area was still a working-class neighborhood. Over the years, it became a creative hub for artists like Gaston Miron, Chrystine Brouillet, Lucien Francoeur, and Monique Proulx. Their visits helped shape Québec’s cultural scene in the 1980s and gave Temporel its legendary reputation. For some regulars, it was even where they tried their first allongé or croissant.

 

These days, Chez Temporel has a bistro vibe. Since taking over in 2021, Mélissa and Louis-Charles have updated the menu but kept the café’s bohemian heart. The classic croque-monsieur is still there, and art is everywhere. You’ll find traditional and modern dishes, all made with local ingredients, served day or night. The drinks menu has something for everyone, cocktails, wine, and ready-to-drink options. The owners are committed to preserving the café’s soul while bringing back some of its old magic.

  

With its stone walls, open kitchen in the back, big front windows, counter stools, and a staircase leading to a cozy upstairs room, Chez Temporel feels like stepping into another time. It’s the kind of place where people used to sit for hours, talking, dreaming, and reinventing the world over coffee or a drink.

As a restaurateur, Louis-Charles is also passionate about fairness. He’s spoken out about how tips are usually split unevenly between front-of-house and kitchen staff. He’s pushing for the government to let restaurants manage tip distribution themselves, so everyone gets a fair share. It’s a cause he’s taken public to bring more attention to the issue.

Chez Temporel
cheztemporel.com
25, rue Couillard
Québec, QC G1R 3T3
(418) 694-1813