Local Artisans

Since buying our little chalet near St. Jovite, we have explored the Tremblant area and come across a number of excellent local artisans.  As with many worthy businesses in the area, they're hard to find, in part because they are located off the beaten track and in some cases, have little or no presence on this new thing called the world wide web.  So, we've dedicated this post to these amazing Quebecois masters of their craft.  We'll add to this list as we discover more:

Mr. Moose holds court above the staircase

Michel Poirier, artist
We came across Michel Poirier at the art studio in Place de la Gare, the former train station in Old Tremblant. His paintings stand out among the many excellent painters who display/sell their works in the small gallery.  Michel often staffs the gallery, chatting with visitors while working on his next canvas.  Poirier has pretty much cornered the market on moose, and we couldn't resist a moose painting (although were tempted by a bovine subject as well).  We also have a beautiful landscape, a subtle treatment of haybales on a frosted November morning.  We love these paintings and wish we had the wall space to include more!

Bernard Chaudron, pewter master

Beautiful pewter lamp

Many years ago my wife received a small oil lamp as a gift.  She had it when we met and we still have it, now sporting the dull patina that pewter develops with time.  We've kept that lamp in Toronto, but it was our inspiration to have them at the chalet, for the glow that only oil lamps can deliver.  We searched around and found the Chaudron atelier (workshop) near Val David.  They make all kinds of pewter products, not only lamps but also vases, tableware, candle holders and more.  Unlike many other "out of the way" businesses, Chaudron has a powerhouse web presence with an impressive virtual store.  But the most impressive feature is the quality of their products...we have four of their lamps, three smaller lamps for the mantle on the fireplace, and a large showpiece lamp for the dining room buffet (photo right, or you can *just* see it in the photo below).  While beautiful, these lamps are a welcome source of light during power outages...and they're enough to take the chill off the gazebo on a fall night!

Bernard Lapointe, cabinetmaker (ebeniste)
When we bought our chalet, it was recently renovated and conveniently, it came fully furnished.  The previous owners had purchased tasteful but basic furnishing to fill the space for the purposes of the sale, including a dining table and chairs.  In time, we found Bernard LaPointe on the internet, a cabinetmaker located in St-Faustin Lac-Carre, about a 10 minute drive from St. Jovite.  We saw a table on his website and asked if he could make it in oak...he agreed, and with a deposit cheque sent via post, he started the job.  We met for the first time six weeks later when he delivered the table, and it is magnificent.  Massif was the French word Bernard used to describe it.  We were so impressed with the finished product that we ordered a set of matching chairs that day.  We've since had other work done in the house, and each tradesman has commented on the quality of the workmanship.

Raymond Phaneuf, Estelle Morin, potters
If you're driving from the ski mountain toward St. Jovite along rue Labelle, you'll see a red sign for Poterie just as you're approach St. Jovite Station.  It's easy to miss but at 914 rue des Thuyas you'll find the studio of two master potters, Raymond Phaneuf and Estelle Morin.  They actually live across the street in a small stone house, but more often than not, you'll fine one or both of them hard at work in the pottery studio that adjoins their small retail store.  We outfitted our chalet with some basics...bowls and coffee mugs, but we've also picked up a couple decorative pieces as well, both for our chalet and for gifts.  Both Raymond and Estelle are happy to chat and eager to practice their English, so the experience is quite welcoming.