From Kamouraska to Rimouski via the Témiscouata area, you’ll discover many artisans and food producers in Bas-Saint-Laurent who will surprise you with their creativity. It’s safe to say you won’t be able to resist taking home some of their creations as souvenirs! Here are a few suggestions.

Arts and crafts

• Located in the heart of the village of Kamouraska, the Quai des Bulles soapery specializes in handcrafted soaps made with rice bran oil and other high-quality body products. Will you opt for soap made with sea buckthorn, port or wild pansy?
• In Cacouna, discover Wolastoqey arts and crafts in the Matuweskewin art boutique, which is located in the Maison Denis-Launière heritage home in the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation reserve. Find out about the history of this people as you discover the traditional know-how of Wolastoqiyik artisans.
• Poet and artisan Cynthia Calusic makes paper with recycled cotton fibres and seaweed from Bas-Saint-Laurent. Come and meet her in her L’Algue d’Or boutique in L’Isle-Verte, where you can purchase journals, photo albums and greeting cards.

Regional flavours

• Maple lovers will want to visit Domaine Vallier Robert, a maple ECONOMUSEUM® in Auclair, in the Témiscouata area. In addition to touring the facilities, you can also sample the maple syrup, butter, jelly and alcoholic beverages that the economuseum is famous for!
• In Kamouraska, La Fée Gourmande is a chocolate factory where you will find ganache-filled chocolates flavoured with flowers, fruit or spices as well as caramels, nougat, spreads, fruit candy and more. These handmade treats make perfect gifts… or you may be tempted to keep them for yourself!
• Foodies will be delighted with all the cheese makers in the region: Le Mouton Blanc (La Pocatière), Le Détour (Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac), La Tête sur le Bio (Sainte-Luce) and Fromagerie des Basques (Trois-Pistoles), which is known for its squeaky curds that are perfect for making poutine!
• Bas-Saint-Laurent is also home to several microbreweries. Whether they are located right in the middle of a town or along the St. Lawrence, all offer an exceptional taste experience. Find out about their bottled beers you can take home.
• The region is also known for producing delicious smoked fish: eel, sturgeon, herring, mackerel, turbot, trout and salmon. You can purchase it in the many smokehouses that dot Route 132.

Visit the Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent website for even more suggestions of artisans and food producers to discover during your vacation. What will you take home as a souvenir of Bas-Saint-Laurent this summer?

Ask your airline about restrictions on what you can pack in your carry-on and checked luggage. If you purchase a fragile souvenir, make sure you pack it carefully to avoid breakage.