After a hiatus of thirty years, Canadiana Village has reopened to the public once again. The historic 19th-century village, showcasing original structures and antiques from that era, was a prominent attraction in Quebec during the 1980s. It functioned as an open-air museum until 1996.
Since taking ownership six years ago, Thibault Chamot and Charlotte Winterhalter have been gradually restoring and upgrading the village situated in Rawdon, Quebec, within the Lanaudière region. Their aim is to transform it back into a visitor magnet.
Chamot mentioned, “Upon our arrival, this street required extensive renovation. Some buildings were mere facades from a movie made two decades ago.”
A grant from Tourisme Québec facilitated the project, allowing the couple to revamp the pioneer village, incorporating modern features like intricate lighting and a multi-channel sound system across the premises.
In June, Quebec Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau disclosed the funding, stating that the couple’s second application was approved due to the attraction’s international allure and tourism prospects. The $2.3 million grant was provided through PARIT, a provincial tourism recovery initiative.
The couple expressed gratitude for the support, acknowledging that the project progressed significantly with the aid received. Chamot emphasized the enhanced ambiance through sound and lighting.
The vision is to offer a unique museum experience, not just for observation but for active engagement. This summer, the program includes an immersive performance by local artists Cirque Alfonse, known for their traditional Lanaudière culture showcase featuring log rolling, axe juggling, acrobatics, and humor.
Over the past two years, Canadiana Village has gradually reopened to the public. What began as a weekend attraction has expanded to 12 shows last summer, followed by a Christmas market. This summer, there are 17 circus performances scheduled, alongside the return of the popular Christmas market, with plans to host events throughout the year.
Henri Tessier, a member of the Société d’histoire de Rawdon board, highlighted the village’s significance as a heritage site and its past allure to families.
Looking ahead, Chamot and Winterhalter envision the village celebrating not only its historical era but also its cinematic legacy. They aim to create an immersive environment using lighting and sound to spark visitors’ imagination in a setting previously accessible only to film and TV productions.
A live light and sound show is slated for January to further engage visitors in storytelling through sensory experiences.
