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Cottages, villas and old bourgeois homes by the sea

Cacouna is derived from the indian name Kakoua-Nak, which means “the land of the porcupine”. Surely the strong presence of porcupine, first sited by the Jesuits in the seventeenth century, inspired the Natives to name this village, which is located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, 200 km east from Quebec City.

Although the King of France conceded the DuParc seigneury in 1673, it was not until 1758 that the french-speaking Acadians, escaping deportation by the English, settled here. Later fishermen began to arrive on the peninsula. After construction of the first road in 1798 (Chemin Royal) and Alexander Fraser’s acquisition of the seigneury in 1802, the parish was enlarged, with the construction of its first chapel in 1809. The church and presbytery are registered as historical monuments. Completed in 1848, they showcase the superb interior design of François-Xavier Berlinguet, and magnificent crystal lustres dating back to 1890.

Beginning in 1845, Cacouna began asserting its flair for aquatic activities with the opening of the Maison des Bains, the bathhouse. Resorts and hotels were soon developed to accommodate the six hundred tourists who arrived each summer. By 1863, wealthy industrial families and Anglophone Montreal businessmen began building grand and spacious villas in a variety of styles. Near the west entrance of the village stand Montrose Villa, Rock Cliff, Pine Cottage (also called the Green Castle and known for its rural gothic architecture) and Mackay Villa. In 1865, a quaint Anglican wooden church was added to the village collection.

In 1860, the Malicite natives settled to form small community in Cacouna, earning their living as hunters and artisans. In 1891, they officially became a reserve, whose last member died in 1972. In 1996, a new administrative centre for the Malicite nation was built in Cacouna.

This lusciously green and shady village is made up of numerous historical buildings, including hotels, grand villas, the presbytery of 1840, and Quebecois homes such as the green and red Dunnigan House, the Sirois General Store (with the original counters) and the Benjamin Dionne House. From the centre of the village, rue du Quai leads down to the riverbanks past a series of small nineteenth century houses. The end of rue de la Grève is the site of the Fontaine Claire Quay, close to the Native reserve. During season, fishing nets can be seen hanging out to dry.

To the west of the village, a belvedere (raised turret) offers a panoramic view of the river and shores, the Île aux Lièvres (Hare island), the Île du Pot-à-l’Eau-de-vie (Brandy-pot island) and its lighthouse, and the north bank of the St. Lawrence River. At the village’s exit, the industrial port of Gros-Caouna, housed in the peninsula of the same name, receives commercial boats that add life to the area. The nearby creek offers one of the best sites for bird watching.

We are proud of our village and rightfully so. Numerous villas and cottages are living witnesses to the flourishing history of Cacouna, fashionable  destination at the beginning of the 20th century. 

Today, our thriving community boasts a sense of hospitality our tourists do enjoy insuring a memorable stay to all visitors to Cacouna, the land of the porcupine. Come vist us and enjoy our village !!!

Ghislaine Daris,

Mayor of Cacouna