Les 3 Canards Inn

Les 
3 Canards Inn,
a slice of history.

Arrive from the west by the majestic river road and you’ll see it, nestled along the coast, offering a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence; you’ve finally arrived at Auberge des 3 Canards. It is, in fact, comprised of three buildings: the main one, the annex and, a little further down, the chalet. A warm and rural decor welcomes you. Comfortable rooms to suit all needs, a dining room where wood and warm tones predominate, reminiscent of your grandparents’ chalet—you’ll feel right at home. You’ll even be invited to toast your bread over the fireplace at breakfast and sip your coffee as you gaze out over the vastness of the landscape.

As one of the oldest houses in La Malbaie, formerly Murray Bay at the time of the English occupation, we feel the need to share its history with you.  The property was first acquired by Lucy Connely of Maryland in 1892. 

It was on this vast plot of land that she visualized the construction of her future home. Tragically, she did not live to see the end of the project. It was the architect himself, Douglas H. Thomas of Baltimore, rather than Madame Connely’s estate—having little interest in the property—who took over the house and all the promise it embodied. The beauty and worth of the place won over his friend Allan G. Law, who bought the house before the work was completed in 1904. Although this paradisiacal parcel of land in Pointe-au-Pic was for a long time British property, it was passed on to a Quebecer in 1924. Mr. George E. Amyot, Lieutenant-Colonel, Member of the Canadian Parliament, Governor of Laval University, President and Founder of the Dominion Corset and President of the Quebec Board of Trade, was looking for a quiet and enchanting place to spend the last years of a very busy career. It was at this time that the house was given the nickname «Les Épinettes.» Mr. Amyot’s daughter went on to inherit the house, residing in it from 1930 to 1953. She and her husband, Dr. Paquet, eventually sold the house to three Montreal doctors. Up until that point, the house was used as a private residence, but four years after the last acquisition, six bedrooms were converted, and that’s how Auberge des 3 Canards was born. Dr. Louis Bernier and Dr. Otto Bengle were the two artisans behind the restaurant’s creation.

Subsequently, the Marchand family took possession of the establishment in 1981, remaining the owners until its recent acquisition in 2022, by hoteliers in the region who wish to perpetuate the heritage of hospitality and welcome that the place has come to be known and loved for.

The term “doc” became “duck,” which became “canard.”

But where does the name come from? The abbreviation of “doctor” is actually at the origin of it all! The term “doc” in a French-speaking town of English seigneurial occupation was transformed into “duck,” which was eventually translated into “canard.” Owned as it was at the time by three doctors, the place came to be known as Auberge des 3 Canards. Who would have thought that a quaint little story like this one would go on to make history! 
Today, the Auberge boasts a grand total of 48 rooms—that’s 42 more than at the time it was founded. A conference room is available for business meetings, administrative consulting and training sessions. The house, cherished by its succession of owners, then the inn, maintained and expanded under the various administrations, has become a crown jewel in La Malbaie’s history. 

Whether it’s to unwind, your gaze riveted on the St. Lawrence and its breathtaking sunrises, to enjoy the proximity and the diverse cultural and gastronomic offer of Pointe-au-Pic or to enjoy a gourmet stay including breakfast and dinner at the inn, you will be charmed by this historic establishment. And who doesn’t want to swim in the outdoor pool, where the water is less chilly than in the river, but the view, just as astounding!