A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes
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The gentle country
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History of our village
Kamouraska (“Where rushes grows on the edge of the water”) is how the Natives first named this place you will think blessed by the gods. In addition to its rich architectural history and heritage, Kamouraska leaves a lasting and dazzling impression through the diverse yet harmonious beauty of its serene landscapes. The first settlers arrived here in 1692. The former heart of the village, now known as Berceau de Kamouraska or Kamouraska Cradle, was the location of the first church built in 1709, two kilometres east of where the village is located today. A cemetery and open-air chapel commemorate the spot. Kamouraska extends alongside the estuary of the St. Lawrence River. Numerous houses crest the horizon upon cliffs with magnificent panoramic views. Across the entire coastline, nets used to ensnare eels are perched over wooden stakes stretching several metres long. For centuries, beginning with the arrival of the first European settlers, each autumn tide has brought with it a full eel harvest for the fishermen. To learn more about the methods of the tradition, visit Madame Gertrude Madore, the first woman getting a commercial fishing permit, at the Site d’interprétation de l’anguille (Eel information centre) located in the village centre.
Standing before the Kamouraska archipelago, visitors can appreciate the immensity of the St. Lawrence River against the backdrop of the majestic and massive Laurentian Mountains to the north, with wonderful sunsets. The tide, which retreats quite far from the shoreline when low, allows for travel to some of the Kamouraska islands on foot. Still, please be sure to consult the tide tables and plan your return accordingly: many an unsuspecting visitor has been caught off guard by the fast incoming tide! Further to the east, in Saint-André, the Îles Pèlerins can be seen randomly sprinkling on the horizon.
In addition to the beautiful traditional homes decorated in dormer windows and arched dripstones that line Avenue Morel is the former courthouse of Kamouraska, built in 1888 in a hybrid style that reflects the unique architecture adopted for prestigious buildings during the era. Today, this courthouse is home to an art and history centre. The Lebel-Langlois house, built around 1754, stands a few kilometres to the west. The seigneurial domaine of Taché House leans comfortably against the Taché Cape, just off of highway 132, a few hundred metres from the village exit. Kamouraska offers a host of activities to enjoy: visit the Musée d'histoire, d'ethnologie et de traditions populaires (the Museum of History, Ethnology and Popular Culture), which is housed in the former convent of 1851; sample some smoked fish at the Site d’interprétation de l’anguille, the Lauzier fishmarket, or at Ouellet Fisheries; discover the Niemand Bakery (ask for the love story that created it) and its breads and pastries baked in a charming early twentieth century home facing the church; and revel in the old-world charm of the cafés, bed and breakfasts, and inns.
On foot or by bicycle, take advantage of Kamouraska’s heritage and nature walks, which are marked by signs that provide brief explanations of local history, architecture, flora and fauna, and other natural phenomena. During your tour, take note of the Caisse populaire bank of Kamouraska, which exemplifies the harmonious blend of local architecture, a rare feature for a financial establishment. South of the village, weave around the country farm roads that carry interesting and amusing names. The Paradis mill is located here, surrounded in fertile land. Approximately six kilometres south of highway 132, the summit of Coton Mountain in Saint-Pascal (along with the Côte des chats in Saint-Pacôme) offers a stunning panoramic view of farmers’ fields, town, ocean and mountains.
