More than a museum

More than a museum, La Pulperie de Chicoutimi is a vast interactive cultural and tourism centre dedicated to preserving and promoting the Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean’s patrimony and to the furthering of arts and history. La Pulperie is an exceptional historical site located in the midst of the city, surrounded by a huge park, and lodged within the old mill of the Compagnie de pulpe de Chicoutimi. It features the history of the Compagnie de pulpe de Chicoutimi and highlights the significant part this company played in the development of the city and the region at the beginning of the last century.

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Museum
Temporary Exhibitions

Temporary Exhibitions

Temporary exhibitions allow visitors to access an impressive number of diverse activities and discoveries throughout the year.

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Atashpishinanu / Second skin, the art of ilnu clothing

18 November 2023 to 28 April 2024
The exhibition takes a contemporary look at clothing manufacturing within the Ilnu community of Mashteuiatsh. A...
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Fausto Podavini – Omo Change

6 October 2023 to 31 March 2024
Omo Change Omo Change tells and document the big investments from European and Chinese countries in...
Museum
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Shoulders to the wheel

Rediscover the epic Chicoutimi Pulp Company at the beginning of the last century. Through multimedia and...
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Arthur Villeneuve

Far from naïve!
La Pulperie de Chicoutimi / Regional Museum presents the permanent exhibit Arthur Villeneuve Far from naïve!...
Permanent Exhibitions

Permanent Exhibitions

The permanent exhibitions on art and ethnology are equipped with the latest presentation techniques to offer visitors a dynamic experience!

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Our History

  1. 1896

    In 1896, the founders of The Chicoutimi Pulp Company laid the first stone of what would quickly become a great empire. More than a century later, their investment made way for another great project: LA PULPERIE DE CHICOUTIMI / REGIONAL MUSEUM.

  2. Constant Rise 1910

    In 1910, after only 12 years of activity, the Compagnie de pulpe de Chicoutimi raised to the forefront of Canadian pulp producers; three quarters of its clients were among the largest English producers of paper. The First World War and strikes in the Scandinavian mills contributed to an increase in demand, which is why, in 1912, they undertook the construction of a third mill adjacent to the first.

  3. 1912

    In 1912, they built the third mill, and, in 1919, they expanded the building built in 1903. At the beginning of the 1920s, the company employed 2 000 men from a total population of 8 000 people. In 1921, the Compagnie de pulpe built an imposing mechanical repair workshop, and it is in this building that we find the regional museum today.

  4. The Decline 1921

    Starting in 1921, business spiralled. The economic situation was no longer the same: prices began to plummet. With all its expansion projects, the company went into debt. In 1923, the soul leader of the company, Julien-Édouard-Alfred Dubuc, resigned. In March 1924, the Compagnie de pulpe de Chicoutimi liquidated all its assets. In 1930, despite significant reorganization, the decrease in orders and price brought permanent closure to the mills.

    At the end of the 70s, the old buildings were saved from the axe of demolition contractors. They have gradually been restored and now contribute to the tourist and cultural calling of the area.

  5. Threatened by torrents 1996

    In 1896, the volume and water-flow of the Chicoutimi River encouraged the directors of the Compagnie de pulpe to build their factory on the river banks in order to benefit from its driving force. A century later, heavy rains have overflowed the river, causing it to rush over a significant part of the Pulperie. Its flow was 11 times higher than normal.

    In its unchained course, the water destroyed hundred-year-old stone walls, landscaped facilities as well as service and performance grounds. Within just a few hours, several years of restoration work on the Pulperie de Chicoutimi site was ruined.

  6. 2002

    In June 2002, the Pulperie de Chicoutimi reopened its doors.

Plan your visit

Free Parking. Bring your picnic!

Since summer 2002, following major renovations, La Pulperie de Chicoutimi opens its doors to the public and offers artistic and ethnologic displays on the history of the locals inhabitants, a brand new regional museum, an educative and cultural activity programme as well as a renovated interpretive tour. As you stroll on the walking paths and interpretive trails or visit the museum and displays, you will understand why this site has become one of the major features of the regional tourism industry. As you visit our museum you will understand why La Pulperie de Chicoutimi is “A museum unlike any other”! Since access to the park is free, why not come for a picnic, a hike along the river or simply to let the children enjoy the slide similar to the ones used for transporting wood. In building 1921, one finds a gift shop selling souvenirs, local products as well as handicrafts made in the region. Come for a picnic and spend the day with us! You’ll experience 100 years of history in a single day!

 

 

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Admission

Admission fees (taxes included)

Category Individual
Adult    $17.00
Senior (65+)    $13.50
Student (18+) (with valid student card)    $11.50
Child (5-17)    $8.50
Child (-4)    Free
Family (2 adults and 2 children 5-17)    $42.00
Family (2 adults and 1 child 5-17)    $36.00
Family (additional child)    -50%
Cruise passengers (with boarding pass)
   $13.00

Entrance fees give access to all exhibits. Free access on the site of La Pulperie, the pedestrian paths and the circuit of interpretation. Special group rates. Prices are subject to change without notice, as per La Pulperie management policy.

Opening hours

High season:
June 19 to September 2, 2024
Every day, 9 AM to 6 PM : Open visits of the Museum (last entrance at 5 PM).

Off season:
September 5, 2023 to June 18, 2024
Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM : Museum visits only (last entrance at 3 PM).

Open on Easter Monday, Queen’s Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Canada Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving’s Day.
Closed on December 24, 25, 31 2023 and January 1, 2024
*The Museum is open for groups year round, by reservation*.

-Backpacks are prohibited in the exhibition halls. You can leave them at the museum ticket office and pick them up at the end of your visit.
-It is forbidden to drink or eat in the exhibition halls. Liquid containers should be stored in your purse or backpack.