After being closed for 30 years, Canadiana Village has reopened its doors to the public. This 19th-century village, known for its original structures and antique items from that era, was a popular attraction in Quebec during the 1980s, functioning as an open-air museum until 1996.
For the past three decades, Canadiana Village primarily served as a filming location for movies and TV shows. Thibault Chamot and his wife Charlotte Winterhalter took ownership of the village in Rawdon, Quebec’s Lanaudière region, six years ago. They have since been gradually restoring and renovating the village with the aim of reestablishing it as a tourist destination.
With the assistance of a grant from Tourisme Québec, the couple expedited the restoration process, preserving the pioneer village while incorporating modern elements such as intricate lighting and a multi-channel sound system throughout the park. Quebec Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau announced the $2.3-million grant through the PARIT tourism recovery program, emphasizing the attraction’s international appeal and tourism potential.
The objective is to provide visitors with an immersive museum experience rather than a passive observation. This summer, the village will feature a special performance by local circus group Cirque Alfonse, showcasing traditional Lanaudière culture through activities like log rolling, axe juggling, acrobatics, and comedy.
Canadiana Village has gradually reopened to the public over the past two years, expanding from weekend shows to 12 performances last summer, followed by a Christmas market. This year, they have scheduled 17 circus shows, plan to bring back the popular Christmas market, and are working towards hosting events year-round.
Looking ahead, Chamot and Winterhalter aim to honor both the historical period and the site’s film set history. By enhancing the ambiance with lighting and sound effects, they hope to create an engaging environment that sparks visitors’ creativity in a space previously reserved for film and television productions.
In January, a live light and sound show is set to debut, offering a unique and interactive experience for guests to craft their own narratives using sound and light elements.