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Old Mill at Val Jalbert

The amazing village of Val Jalbert, Saguenay, Quebec

Luxury travel blog » Places to Travel » North America Travel » Canada Travel » Quebec » The amazing village of Val Jalbert, Saguenay, Quebec
August 7, 2017 by Carol Perehudoff

This post may contain affiliate links.

A visit to the historic village, Val Jalbert, in the Saguenay region of Quebec, is a step back into the fascinating world of an abandoned mill town. Paradise to its residents, it died an untimely death in 1929.

Historic village of Val Jalbert

Do I need to explain why I was dancing barefoot in the middle of a deserted street at 3 a.m. wearing a leopard-print nightie and a black leather jacket? It’s not something I usually do, but the historic village of Val Jalbert in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, is no average tourist destination.

What is the village Val Jalbert?

Val Jalbert is a ghost town. I mean that in the best way possible, as if its once-thriving streets were filled with the most warm-hearted phantoms you could ever hope to find, ones who loved their little mill town nestled at the bottom of the roaring Ouiatchouan Falls and saw no reason to leave.

Old Mill at Val Jalbert
Old Mill

Val Jalbert history

Founded in 1901 during Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean’s vibrant industrial age, Val Jalbert was a model community, a company town of Quebec millworker dreams. The pulp and paper industry was booming, workers were paid up to double what other millworkers earned, and – unheard of for the time – houses had electricity and indoor plumbing. It was the goal of the mill owner, Dabase Jalbert, to make Val Jalbert the most modern village in Quebec.

Historic Village of Val Jalbert, Sagunay, Quebec
Trolley travel around the village

It was a tight knit community of 950 people at its peak. The priest was strict, the nuns taught school and dances were held on Saturday nights.

“It was paradise,” a former resident said on video as I watched a short film in one of the restored village houses.

“Like a good film that you’ve seen and you can’t forget,” a grey-haired woman reminisced.

“I thought the priest was the devil,” an elderly man added with a glint in his eye (also confessing he used to sneak into the kitchen to steal cookies).

“The nuns liked potatoes,” said the first.

Old photo of a woman at Val Jalbert
What was she thinking?

 

Exploring the town

I wandered around the wooden house, the walls lined with photos of former residents. A picture of a dark-eyed woman caught my eye, something about her wistful expression and tumble of brown hair made me unable to look away. I wanted to know more about her.

“Did you see this?” my travel companion Liz whispered, pointing to a photo of a 16-year old boy. Scalded to death by steam from an exploded boiler, said the caption. We looked at each other and shuddered. No matter what kind of model village it was, tragedies happened. I stared at the other photos, wondering about the stories and lives behind each.

Augustin Bouchard Val Jalbert
A village tragedy. Augustin Bouchard, died in 1911

Why did Val Jalbert decline?

The village’s decline started when the industry turned away from non-transformed pulp to paper. This required chemical technology the mill didn’t have. In 1927 the mill was shut down, and by 1929 Val Jalbert was abandoned.

Val Jalbert multimedia show
The multimedia ‘Spectacle’

The multimedia show

I learned more – no, that’s not right. I experienced more – at the old mill itself. In the cavernous Grinder’s Room, the history of Val Jalbert loomed all around us through a multi-media ‘spectacle’ of mist, music and film. Hologram-ish residents took us from the town’s optimistic beginnings to its ultimate end (not to mention a hippy takeover in the 60s, which I thought looked quite fun).

Ouiatchouan Falls Quebec
Water water everywhere

Ouiatchouan Falls

After the show a group of us took the cable car past the top of Ouiatchouan Falls. At 72 meters (236 ft), the falls are even higher than Niagara Falls, and provided power for the mill.

View of Val Jalbert and Lac Saint-Jean Quebec
View of Lac Saint-Jean in the distance

 

The falls up close – the glass-viewing platform

Afterwards we made our way to the new glass viewing platform overlooking the falls. As the water cascaded down, mist spritzing my face, I thought of the passage of time. Just as the waterfall churns over thousands of litres of water a minute, time churns over the years, and while the old Val Jalbert has been swept away, it has a new life in this historic restoration.

WanderingCarol at Val Jalbert, Saguenay, Quebec
A lame attempt to look pensive

Val Jalbert today

Today Val Jalbert is still a work in progress. It’s tremendously expensive to bring the buildings back to life using the same materials and building methods that were originally used to keep its authentic feel. A mini power plant, which is completely underground, has been established there to provide revenue.

Val Jalbert, Saguenay, Quebec
Don’t worry. This is not the hotel.

While many buildings have been painstakingly rebuilt, others are weathered husks and craters, a reminder of how far Val Jalbert fell, and of how far it has come back.

Village Val Jalbert hotel
My room on Main Street

Val Jalbert hotel

A number of the old houses have been turned into tourist accommodation, and I was lucky enough to stay in a room overlooking the street. After a gourmet fillet de cerf at du Moulin Restaurant in the mill, I caught the old-fashion trolley back to Main Street. My accommodation was a period piece on the outside but boutique chic on the inside. My window looked out over the General Store, a shop that now sells plaid shirts and souvenirs rather than staples like flour and sugar.

What to do at village Val Jalbert, General Store
General store

A ghost town

I’d planned on an early night but apparently the ghosts had other plans, and I woke abruptly at 3 a.m. Tossing and turning I thought of the residents I felt I’d come to know, the boy who died of steam, the strict priest and the woman with the wistful face. I thought of the elderly man in the video talking about his idyllic childhood and the Saturday night dances.

That did it.

I leapt out of bed, grabbed my jacket and and ran outside. The ground was damp under my feet. The air felt clean and velvety.

Val Jalbert, Quebec, at night
The falls at Val Jalbert at night

 

A ghost town adventure

I whipped over to the General Store and peered in the window, leaping back when I saw a glowing blue apparition. On second glance, it proved to be the power button on a coffeemaker. Getting my breath back, I sat on the porch, feeling nothing ominous or any sense I was an unwanted intruder. If anything I felt a spirit of warmth – the love the residents had for their mill town paradise. Overcome with a sense of night-time freedom, I ran out to the road and did a few pirouettes, certain that the ghosts of Val Jalbert were dancing with me.

 

 

Travel guide for village Val Jalbert, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec

Seasonal opening hours

The historic village of Val Jalbert is open from the end of May to about the first week in October. Hours run from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. except from mid June to the third week in August when they are open 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check the website for exact times and dates, or to make reservations. There are also some winter activities such as snow shoeing and cross country skiing.

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The historic village of Val Jalbert in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, is one of the most fascinating ghost towns you will see. Painstaking restored, it's setting at the base of Ouiatchouan Falls, there is plenty there for nature lovers, too.

 

Where is Val Jalbert? Val-Jalbert is in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, 8 km northwest of the town of Chambord. Address: 95, rue St-George, Chambord, Quebec, G0W 1G0.

Where is Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean? The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec lies 210 kilometres northeast of Québec City. In addition to the Val Jalbert Historic Village (Village Historique Val Jalbert), highlights of this stunning region include the vast Saguenay Fjord, the Blueberry Trail and the famous Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien.

Things to do in Val Jalbert

You’d be surprised at how many things there are to do in the village. Here are some highlights:

  • Take a guided tour on the old trolley bus.
  • Do your own walking tour and learn about the town from a host of costumed characters.
  • Tour the old mill.
  • Explore the hydroelectric facilities at the ‘Minicentral.’
  • Take the cable car (from behind the old mill) up to the top of the falls and up the hill beyond.
  • Check out the amazing views from the new glass platforms and viewing stations.
  • Hike the trails and stairs up to Maligne Falls (often called the “second falls”) and the Ouiatchouan River.

Val Jalbert Accommodation

The historic village offers a range of places to stay, from the restored period houses and the inn above the General Store to mini cottages and camping. Double rates for the hotel-style accommodation start at CAN $289.50 and family rates from $379.50. Camping starts at $28.50.

Day rates

If you want to visit Val Jalbert for the day the price is $27.83 per adult, $14.13 children 6-16, and under six is free. Family rate for four is $65.23. Price for the cable car is included.

Where to eat onsite

From the end of June to mid August the General Store offers a snack bar, the Cafe-Terrasse. In the old mill you’ll find fine dining at du Moulin Restaurant, an upscale restaurant that specializes in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regional cuisine. Or bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds.

More information about Quebec:

If you’re planning on touring around Quebec check out my Things to do in Quebec City article or Road trip itinerary from Montreal to Quebec City. For more information on the Saguenay region of Quebec, visit the official website.

 

 

Category: Culture, Quebec

About Carol Perehudoff

A former freelance travel columnist for the Toronto Star, Carol has won more than 30 writing awards and honours. A spa and luxury travel expert, she’s written for top travel publications around the globe.

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  1. Carol Perehudoff

    You’re very welcome, Michele.

  2. michele castonguay

    Great article! Thank you Carol.

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