Our History

It was in February 1986 that Mr. Haineault acquired the Cabanon. This snowmobile lodge, known mostly to Americans, had only a bar-restaurant. This friendly place seemed to him a place where he and his wife could receive a few clients (not too many given its location) and enjoy the countryside while waiting for retirement.

 

However, after the first winter of operation, Mr. Haineault realized that there was a strong demand for lodging in the region for the American snowmobile clientele, which was flourishing at the time. He therefore decided to start a great adventure and began the construction of 12 rooms to accommodate snowmobilers in the fall. While keeping his job in Montreal, he did most of the work himself and, in the winter of 86-87, the couple received the first clients of the new CABANON, recruited thanks to the business cards that the clients had left with the previous owners.

 

At that time, the whole family helped with the work, Mr. Haineault's mother in the kitchen, his father washing dishes, his wife serving, he at the bar and the children where they could on weekends after school. Soon, there was a lack of rooms for the growing clientele, so they expanded again... that's how the Auberge le Cabanon was born.

 

Then came the groups during the summer, the first was an aunt of Mrs. Haineault who came with her group of friends and Mr. the parish priest. With only word of mouth advertising, the demand for groups also grew. Facilities were added for groups, such as dance and games rooms, outdoor games such as petanque, American shuffleboard and, for the pleasure of all, an indoor pool and whirlpool in 1994. The last major changes were the expansion of the kitchen, the addition of a dining room with fireplace and the modification of the bar in the fall of 2006.

 

Now with 58 rooms, indoor pool and whirlpool, 2 dining rooms, bar, 2 recreation rooms and more, the little snowmobile lodge has grown. What better way to prove it than by having loyal customers for more than 30 years, who each year, come to enjoy either our snowmobile trails in the winter or the beauty of the surrounding nature all year long.

 

Finally, in October 2022, the Haineault family decided to take some time for themselves and passed the torch to the new owners Mr. Mills and Mr. Labelle.

However, one thing has not changed, it is the warm welcome of the staff and their pleasure to make your stay unforgettable.

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