7 Ancestral Residences You Can Visit in Quebec

7 Ancestral Residences You Can Visit in Quebec

Are you passionate about history and have a true appreciation for the residential architectural styles of bygone eras? Quebec is full of locations you can visit to immerse yourself in the province’s past.

 

Here is just a sample of these unique sites that are open to the public. 

The Auberge Amérik

This delightful century-old Victorian inn in Quebec City rents out rooms with such features as stone walls, visible wooden beams, hardwood floors and skylights. Everything you need to feel as if you’ve travelled back in time!

Furthermore, this establishment offers several attractions. Some of the available activities include the Zen or microbrewery bundle, guided tours, breakfast at the Bistro K, a workout at the gym or a relaxing therapeutic massage in a Neurospa. 

O’Neill House

Do you enjoy exploring old farmsteads? Then you must go see O’Neill House! Located in Quebec City, the site offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the O’Neill family’s history, who emigrated from Ireland in the 19th century. You can also admire the English gardens that surround the property. On the ground floor, to enrich the visitor experience, there is a permanent exhibit explaining the residence’s past, Irish immigration and the various territorial divisions of the area at the time of the home’s construction.

The Château Dufresne

Construction of this chateau located in Montreal began in 1915. It is an outstanding example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style, to the delight of visitors. Guided tours are offered by the museum to provide as true a picture as possible of the former homeowners' lives.

Because of the culturally significant events that have taken place there, particularly during the Quiet Revolution, the more than century-old Château Dufresne is a precious part of our heritage.

The Maison Le Ber-Le Moyne

This ancestral home in Lachine was built between 1667 and 1671. It was named in honour of two wealthy fur traders: Jacques Le Ber and Charles Le Moyne. The residence has belonged to a sailor, lord, inn keeper and soldier. It has been owned by the municipality since 1946. It is likewise the oldest trading post in Canada. The Maison Le Ber-Le Moyne is a designated historical site under Quebec’s inventory of archeological sites. A great place to see!

The Auberge sur mer

Located in Notre-Dame-du-Portage, near Rivière-du-Loup, this quaint centennial inn was built in 1878, only 16 years after the village was founded. There you may dine at the bistro April, browse the gift shop and even rent an electric bike to explore the region. The rooms have retained their yesteryear charm and will enchant ancestral home lovers.  

Trestler House

In Vaudreuil-Dorion you can visit Jean-Joseph Trestler’s residence and general store, built more than 200 years ago! You can rent the location as a venue to host a celebration or simply explore the home to learn more about the daily lives of the Trestler family, discover its art galleries, or listen to a concert. The site holds many mysteries, secrets and vaults for you to uncover. How intriguing! 

The Manoir Globensky

Head to Saint-Eustache to visit this house, which was designed in 1861 by Henri-Maurice Perrault. For background, he is also the architect who drafted the plans for Montreal City Hall. The building has been the site of the Maison de la culture et du patrimoine since 2005 and holds several exhibits. No wonder this residence attracts as many architecture enthusiasts as it does art lovers! Its most striking feature is its beautiful old-fashioned beams. 

Which historical home has piqued your curiosity? Plan your stay now! But to avoid a long car trip for nothing, call—or email—ahead to confirm that the site is in fact open. Enjoy your visit!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.