After 30 years, Canadiana Village has reopened its doors to the public. The renowned 19th-century village, filled with original structures and antiques from the period, was a prominent attraction in Quebec during the 1980s before operating as a museum until 1996.
Since acquiring ownership six years ago, Thibault Chamot and Charlotte Winterhalter have been gradually restoring the village located in Rawdon, Quebec, within the Lanaudière region. Their aim is to transform it back into a tourist destination after it had been primarily used as a filming location for the past three decades.
With the assistance of a grant from Tourisme Québec, the couple has been able to accelerate the renovation process, enhancing the pioneer village with modern amenities such as intricate lighting and a multi-channel sound system installed throughout the park. The funding of $2.3 million from the provincial tourism recovery program, PARIT, was announced by Quebec Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau in June after the couple showcased the village’s international allure and tourism potential.
The revamped site now offers a unique immersive show by local performers Cirque Alfonse, a multi-generational family circus troupe from Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, showcasing traditional Lanaudière culture through log rolling, axe juggling, acrobatics, and humor.
Canadiana Village has gradually reopened to the public over the last two years, expanding from weekend shows to a full summer schedule of 17 circus performances, a Christmas market, and plans for year-round events. The goal is to provide visitors with an interactive museum experience rather than just observation.
Looking ahead, Chamot and Winterhalter aim to preserve the village’s historical and cinematic legacy by creating an immersive environment that encourages visitor engagement through sound and lighting. They plan to introduce a live light and sound show in January, aiming to spark visitors’ imagination and storytelling within the unique setting.
