This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
A hamlet of barely 170 inhabitants, Mont-Saint-Pierre once attracted many tourists in summer. Known for its favorable winds for paragliding and hang gliding, the Haute-Gaspésie village has however seen the number of visitors decline over the years. Now, projects led by the solidarity cooperative for tourism, economic and social development of Mont-Saint-Pierre are turning the tide. The objective of the organization created to establish a recovery strategy is clear: to make it an ecotourism destination that will convince visitors to go further than Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
When we enter the old church, we have no idea of the spectacle that awaits us. Slumped in ball chairs (bean bags) or more classic, the viewer finds himself projected into the sky of Mont-Saint-Pierre. On the walls and ceiling, protagonists are preparing to experience their first hang-gliding and paragliding flight. The excitement is palpable. When they finally take off, we hold our breath with them. Then, we let ourselves be won over by the sweet peace that emerges from the images and by the superb views of the valley.
Created by the Montreal company TKNL, As the crow flies, an immersive journey is part of the Mont-Saint-Pierre mountain station project, launched at the beginning of the summer by the cooperative. In addition to the church converted into the Bell Tower Room, the Les Waves inn, where residents and tourists once converged, has been completely renovated and transformed into a reception building: the Discovery Space. Interactive panels present the locality through residents. This is where the “Village Square” is located. Next to the Discovery Area, the Terrasse les Vagues offers local beers, cheese boards and other croque-monsieur sandwiches. Kiosks allow visitors to discover businesses in the region and obtain tourist information on the sector.
A new life
Having fallen into disrepair, the old inn has long been the rallying point for the villagers. “When I was very little, I crossed to the other side of the road, where the inn was,” remembers Julie Coulombe, general director of the cooperative. It was always full of people. It was a place with a lot of history that the people of Mont-Saint-Pierre held dearly. » This is why residents wanted it to be renovated rather than completely destroyed. “The money that the municipality had to take to demolish it was invested in the Mont-Saint-Pierre station project,” she said.
Originally from France, David Louchard aka the self-proclaimed “Cursed Frenchman”, settled in the village in 2015. He is today director of operations of the Mont-Saint-Pierre mountain sea station. “The village was dying. Something had to be done. The goal was at the same time to wake up Haute-Gaspésie. »
The Waves Terrace was built from many materials from the demolished buildings around it. “In the toilet block, for example, the doors are those of the old inn. […] The bar was made with the beams of the frame of the old building. » Next to the bar, we notice a bowl for dogs. “It’s the Dog Bar,” he says, laughing.
During the summer, many activities and shows were presented on the Village Square, such as a town crier in period costume. Quite a contrast with the previous summer! “The village lived this summer,” exclaims Mr. Louchard. It was extraordinary. »
Residents first
However, this is not the first recovery project imagined to breathe new life into the locality. The difference with this one? Community integration. Very early in the process, residents were invited to have their say on the ideas being developed. “A project made by and for people really appealed to me,” says M.me Coulombe, who joined the adventure in 2022. She is not the only one: the majority of Mont-Saint-Pierre residents responded during the first consultations. “There are 170 inhabitants in Mont-Saint-Pierre. A year, 150. There were still 90 people who came for the consultation! »
One thing has not changed — at least, seen from below: Mount Saint-Pierre, which dominates the bay. This is where paragliders and hang gliders have been departing from since the 1970s. Although its festival — the only one dedicated to free flight in Quebec — has stopped welcoming enthusiasts after more than 40 years of annual meeting, beginners as experienced pilots continue to climb it to better launch themselves into the void when the winds are favorable.
Since last summer, the Delta trail, which leads to the summit of the mountain, has been more accessible to hikers. Part of it has been covered with gravel so that the mud does not compromise its ascent on rainy days. Stairs replaced the rope in the ridge sector, to which walkers who wanted to contemplate the region from its 430 meter height had to cling. A shuttle called “The Beluga” can also take the curious to the summit.
It was the particular geology of the region that inspired the film – also described as an “immersive experience” – presented in the observatory. In particular, we discover the phenomenon of flying rocks, which break away from the wall. After the presentation, we go to the footbridge, on the side of the cliff, to contemplate the horizon with different eyes. “Mont-Saint-Pierre needed to renew itself in terms of its activities,” believes Julie Coulombe.
Harmonious cohabitation
Sustainable development is at the heart of the project. “Our charter can be found on our website,” emphasizes the operations director. We ask tourists to respect it. We want to protect our site. We want to have tourism development, but thoughtful tourism development. For example, access to the mountain is prohibited for motorized vehicles, except for our shuttle. » Other exceptions: village residents who have appropriate vehicles and pilots accredited for hang gliding and paragliding.
How did the population react to these additions? “On June 8, we held an open house for residents,” says Julie Coulombe. The Bell Tower Room has 35 seats. I think there were around fifty of us. People came out screaming…”
Our journalist was the guest of Tourisme Gaspésie, which had no right to review this text.
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