“An Économusée^® is an enterprise that showcases artisans and their traditional crafts by sharing their know-how with visitors. The opportunity to meet a passionate artisan is at the heart of the Économusée^® experience.” – from the Artisans at Work website

Are you interested in learning about the traditional methods used to make certain items or food products? Be sure to visit our economuseums (Économusées®) during your next vacation in our regions! Here are eight you’ll want to add to your itinerary.

1. Domaine Vallier Robert – Maple syrup making : alcoholic beverages Économusée®

A trip to Québec would be incomplete without trying maple syrup, one of the province’s most popular products. Visit Domaine Vallier Robert in Témiscouata, in Bas-Saint-Laurent, to learn how maple sap is turned into syrup as well as alcoholic beverages. This economuseum produces award-winning maple wines and liqueurs!

2. La Vallée de la Framboise – Liquor-maker Économusée®: raspberries

You may have heard of the Matapédia Valley, but have you heard of La Vallée de la Framboise (Raspberry Valley)? This economuseum in Val-Brillant, in Gaspésie, invites you to discover how they make their raspberry wines and liqueurs. You can also pick your own berries on site, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, redcurrants and haskap berries.

3. Atkins & Frères –  Meatdresser of the sea Économusée®

On the north side of the Gaspé Peninsula, in Mont-Louis, visit Atkins & Frères to learn all about the history of fishing and the fish they use to make tasty cold- and hot-smoked products. You won’t want to miss the guided tasting session, a delicious treat!

4. Couleur Chocolat – Chocolate maker Économusée®

Still in Gaspésie, but this time in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, enter the world of chocolate with a virtual-reality tour at Couleur Chocolat. Explore behind the scenes to discover the secrets of making their renowned Forestry Chocolates!

5. Atikuss – Maskisin Économusée® 

Atikuss, a boutique and workshop located in Uashat, in Côte-Nord, showcases Innu know-how. On site, you can admire craftswomen working meticulously to make mukluks and moccasins as well as accessories and other items. Enjoy an authentic experience and a memorable encounter with a First Nations culture!

6. Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent – Cheese making Économusée®

For answers to all your questions about cheese, visit Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent in the Îles de la Madeleine! Watch local artisans at work, learn more about cheesemaking from yesterday to today, and discover artisan cheeses made with whole milk from Canadienne cows, the only breed of dairy cattle developed in Canada. These cheeses have an authentic taste from the Islands—see for yourself by sampling them on site!

7. Fumoir d’Antan – Hard smoked herring Économusée® 

Are you intrigued by the idea of a herring smokehouse? Le Fumoir d’Antan invites you to visit the only buildings still used to smoke fish in the traditional way in the Îles de la Madeleine. Enjoy your guide’s colourful stories and admire the sight of thousands of copper-coloured herring hanging inside the smokehouses!

8. La Maison du Potier – Pottery Économusée®

Still on the Islands, Géraldine Cyr and her team will welcome you to La Maison du Potier in Grosse-Île, where they’ll share their knowledge and passion for pottery with you. Watch these artisans at work as they make a wide range of hand-thrown pieces that they then paint using colours and patterns inspired by the Islands. Why not paint your own piece while you’re there?

The best way to end your visit to an economuseum is by leaving with a variety of products whose stories you now know! You’re sure to make some people envious with your finds… By the way, several other economuseums are under development in our regions and will soon be opening their doors to you!