Set Course for The Mysterious Island

L’Île Mystérieuse [The Mysterious Island]

An air of mystery hangs over the newest “go-to” place on the rue Richelieu, in the Pointe-au-Pic district of the City of La Malbaie, like a veil to be pierced by the curious, the bold, those “in the know,” and any other people who may have caught wind of this new must-see spot. It’s a top destination, one to be marked with a big red X on your travel map; a map, if you please, based on an old engraving, from a rare Jules Verne book… Since it’s to Verne that this substantial and grand renovation is dedicated; an opulent village home-turned-museum space, shop, and restaurant-lounge whose design and architecture are award-worthy.

There’s something of the muted, exclusive cigar lounge (without the smoke, of course) about this place, the kind of place that can’t be found anyplace, anymore, in the dark, velvety tones, the high-backed, wraparound chairs, the old stone fireplaces. Dark wood panelling and collectors’ items lend a “cabinet of curiosities” museum feel to the place, purposefully and confidently. One feels as if they’re entering the den of a wealthy eccentric, from a bygone era. That said, it’s a comfortable den! Various types of seating are available, a few spaces one could almost call living rooms, and even little nooks sheltered from the noise and crowds. The blues and greens of the interior are rich, especially when juxtaposed with very dark wood, the carpeting provides a dash of colour, elliptical light fixtures encircle people in conversation, the furniture astounds… This quirky, adventurous, luxurious and refined design is the work of interior designer André Davignon (For. Design Planning). Architecturally, the mission of giving a second life to the residence, organizing the former facade and new spaces around a bar and central, spiral staircase was entrusted to Simard Architecture, with Sylvain Simard, originally from Clermont in Charlevoix, at the helm.

The parent company

The Mysterious Island is the new gourmet and ambiance-filled addition to Chez Truchon’s business ventures.

With this concept, the 8-room inn and its bistro-style restaurant, the reputation of which is already well established, enhances the experience they offer their clientele. With this bold venture, guests staying in rooms at the inn, as well as locals and tourists just passing through will find sustenance and entertainment at any hour of the day: a coffee in the afternoon, a before-dinner drink on the patio, or one last nightcap to extend the evening a bit longer, after dinner in the restaurant! But the tapas bar food shouldn’t be overlooked either given that the establishment and its kitchens are guided by chef Dominique Truchon. Indeed, many of the meals are prepared in the production kitchen itself, on the spot, with his kitchen brigade. As such, the food’s quality is tested and approved by the chef who received the prestigious Renaud-Cyr award, forerunner of the Lauriers de la gastronomie awards.

Far from being the sole participant in the adventure, Dominique is co-owner of Chez Truchon with his wife and partner Annie Dufour, who manages the restaurant and oversees the dining room, along with brother-in-law Jacquelin Bouchard, businessman and investor.

This project’s parent company, Chez Truchon, also acquired and relocated Boutique Charlevoix (as well as son-in-law Éric Blouin’s expertise) to L’Île Mystérieuse’s location! Active in the area for more than 18 years, Boutique Charlevoix represents a number of local artists and artisans, providing visitors the opportunity to take a little piece of Charlevoix home in their suitcase. To which the “Truchon à la maison” [Truchon At Home] component was added - meals fresh from the Chez Truchon kitchens and sold frozen, or in a variety of small jars and bottles. Thanks to its large open-concept design, one can visit and discover all this along with L’Île Mystérieuse and its offbeat Espace Jules Verne [Jules Verne Space].

A collector’s dream

The one-of-a-kind restaurant-lounge and tapas bar also has a one-of-a-kind name - not simply by chance, but with clear intent; that intent has driven all the momentum behind this project! Named in honour of the great 19th-century French author Jules Verne, the whole concept is a tribute to the writer known for his adventure novels, including The Mysterious Island, which tells the story of Captain Nemo’s dramatic end, and the end of his famous submarine, the Nautilus. What’s more, The Mysterious Island’s entire architecture is a spectacular backdrop for what is probably the largest collection of 19-century antique objects connected to Jules Verne, outside Europe. Model ships, magnificent early editions of Verne’s books and engravings take their place in dining room spaces, in the windows, or on the walls in the areas where people circulate. And an enormous, modular exhibit and event space displaying huge posters, a variety of objects, porcelain sets, and board games, is a museum open to all at no charge, about Jules Verne.

The collector is none other than one of this venture’s co-owners, Jacquelin Bouchard. Having made his name in television as a producer and founder of Pixcom, he became hooked on the adventure and travel in the world Jules Verne created, slowly collecting these authentic antique objects that date back 125 years, on average. The collection’s centrepiece? The only drawing, preserved to this day, made by Verne’s own hand: The original map of Lincoln Island, the imaginary place in The Mysterious Island novel. The desire to share his treasures, and to have fun with a project inspired by his favourite author resulted in the L’Île Mystérieuse project and its Jules Verne space.

It’s an undertaking that would have natural appeal to his Chez Truchon partners, given that the Truchon family is one of the families of schooner captains who sailed the Saint Lawrence for many generations. A maritime heritage, the echo of which rings true, in this place.

Extending to the architecture and design, the Jules Verne theme also includes overlays on some windows, where squid and jellyfish frolic. Also, on the outside of the building, an enormous section of curtain wall parallel to the Chez Truchon inn features an illustration of the island in Verne’s novel in a giant mural, the colours of which are projected on glass at night. Everywhere you look, rounded shapes evoke portholes and submarines!
 

Plenty to eat, plenty to drink

Depending on the time of day, different menus are available at low tables surrounded by restaurant-lounge seating, at the regular tables and booths in the dining room, or around the circular bar and on L’Île Mystérieuse’s expansive, sunny patio. Manager Katherine Pelletier, excited by this new culinary adventure, has assembled a service team that perfectly complements the L’Île Mystérieuse experience. Let them welcome you and guide you to one of the available options!

Psst! Before you leave, don’t forget to have a quick look around the washrooms. You’ll regret it if you don’t!